Review: Laurence Jones ‘Bad Luck & The Blues’
By Marc Dorian
Liverpool’s acclaimed blues rock guitarist Laurence Jones unveils his seventh studio album on August 25th, his second on the Marshall Records label. Heavy on guitar riffs, Bad Luck & The Blues is an absolute barnburner blues/rock album. Jones, 31, has been wowing audiences all over the UK since his teenage years. Having earned a multitude of prestigious British blues awards, he’s shared stages with legendary names like Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, the late Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, and Joe Bonamassa. It’s no wonder he’s considered a guitar sensation.
This new self-produced set is a return to Jones’ power trio roots for the first time since his debut in 2012. Long time bassist Jack Alexander Timmis (Virgil & The Accelerators) and new drummer Ash Sheehan (Glenn Hughes, Tony Iommi, The Twang) join Jones and the new record sees Laurence at his rawest, showcasing his virtuoso guitar talents while remaining faithful to his blues roots. But don’t be fooled by the spare instrumentation; his wall of sound remains just as powerful. In fact, his fusion of blues and rock ventures into a harder-edged, more contemporary realm on several of the tracks. Blues origins remain at the core of his songwriting and much of this is evident in the less-is-more approach to his lyrics.
Citing icons Gary Moore and Jimi Hendrix as two of his biggest heroes, the album’s title track and opener, “Bad Luck & The Blues,” kicks off with a Hendrix-like riff. It’s one of the strongest songs on the album. Beyond the immediate appeal of the signature riff and melodic guitar solos are the simple yet memorable chorus lyrics he sings on the catchy chorus.
“Lonely Road,” released as the album’s first single, features another explosive guitar riff. Jones, who has Crohn’s disease, shares that he has “many times ventured down a lonely road.” He acknowledges his personal struggles while taking the listener on an enjoyable ride, reminding us to persevere and stay the course.
“I’m Gone” (in which he boldly asks his adversary, “What did I do to deserve this from you?”) and “Don’t You Leave Me This Way” consist mainly of repetitive vamps serving as a canvas for guitar solos, leaving the lyrics to take a back seat. The latter song, a nod to Robin Trower, has a chorus comprised of the song title repeated four times. But this one is all about the lengthy, wild guitar solo.
Among the standout tracks lies “Lost Broken” boasting a hooky chorus that would be well-suited as a future single. Echoes of Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” resonate as Jones delivers some hearty, blues-rooted lyrics during the verse.
“Bad Luck & The Blues”
Shifting gears, “Stuck In The Night” and “Take Control” exude a more modern rock soundscape in their riffs and overall vibe. Likewise, “Out In The Distance” fits this bill. Jones and bassist Jack Alexander Timmis play several unison figures during the song, eventually leading to a drum showcase for Ash Sheehan. The trio’s synergy is highlighted through intricate interplay that transitions into a final chorus and a tight ending.
“You’re Not Alone” has yet another killer guitar riff making it an apt choice as the album’s most recent single. Indeed we all can go through low times, but Jones explains that the song’s message is to “never take anything for granted and to live every day like it’s your last.”
Whether intentional or not, the album comes full circle, beginning and ending with lyrical themes of feeling low and having nothing to lose. On Bad Luck & The Blues, Jones shares his hopes to not remain in despair forever, singing, “Don’t wanna feel low for the rest of my days…Bad luck and nothing to lose. In the closing track, “You’re Not Alone,” he echoes a similar sentiment: Sometimes I feel there’s nothing to lose/Sometimes I feel like I got the blues.
One thing is for sure, a listen through Bad Luck & The Blues, an album filled with thunderous guitar riffs and riveting solos, is bound to lift anyone’s mood.
Laurence Jones website
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