BLUES RAG, Official Newsletter of the Baltimore Blues Society

JEREMY LYONS
Deltabilly Swing
Self Produced JL 101497•Lee Alban

It may seem an unlikely destination in search of blues, but after all this was new Orleans, not Key West, and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville was just around the corner from my hotel. When I entered, Jeremy was singing a bluesy ragtime tune and playing amplified acoustic guitar, backed by an upright bass and a drummer. This was my kind of music.

The already established crowd seemed to agree. They enthusiastically responded to each new number and refused to leave even after "last call" was announced by the bartender. Whenever Jeremy attempted to end his set, dollar bills would fly into his tip jar and twenty dollar bills would materialize to purchase CD's.

Jeremy kept playing.

Deltabilly Swing was completed over a two year period and features nine live tracks, recorded in New Orleans and Switzerland, and seven studio recordings. The sound is excellent. The vocals are clear, the lead guitar work crisp, and the rhythm section well balanced. It clocks in at just under an hour.

Jeremy is an exceptional guitar player, a master at finger picking and slide just this side of Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Blake. But what really persuades the listener to part with his hard earned cash are Jeremy's unpretentious vocals, stage presence, and song selection. Included are songs by Robert Johnson, "Stop Breaking Down blues," Oscar Woods, "Don't Sell It, Don't Give It Away," Casey Bill Weldon, "Go ahead Buddy," and "You Just As Well Let Her Go," Leadbelly, "Keep Your Hands Off Her," Sleepy John Estes, "Someday Baby," and the list continues. There are also three original tunes, "Coffee Rag," "Black Coffee Blues" (Jeremy likes his coffee), and "Butterfingers Rag" (acoustic and electric versions), a lightning fast, accurate finger picking demonstration.

Arrangements are enhanced by judicious use of backing vocals, washboards, wood blocks, accordion, harmonica, and bells. Jeremy's excellent rapport with the audience/listener, band members, and near conversational tone draws you into each number. Deltabilly Swing is listed as the #3 most often listened-to recording in Blues Revue's offices for September. The only drawback to this rousing, enthusiastic, foot stomping CD is its lack of distribution, but you can get a copy this month along with the rare opportunity to see Jeremy Lyons in this area. - -Lee Alban

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