JW-Jones To Release Midnight Memphis Sun Aug. 10

Canadian blues guitarist JW-Jones will release Midnight Memphis Sun, his first album for Ruf Records, on August 10.

The 12-track set features guest appearances from Blues Hall of Famers Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, most famous for his years playing with Howlin’ Wolf.  Jones wrote or co-wrote eight of the album’s 12 songs.  Among the covers are Lowell Fulson’s  “Love Grows Cold” and fellow countryman Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like A Knife.”

Now I don’t know about you but I can’t hear the name “Bryan Adams” without thinking of the South Park movie and the line “The Canadian Government has repeatedly apologized for Bryan Adams.”  It will be really interesting to see if Jones can take a song that was a modest FM radio hit in the ’80s and make it work in the context of a blues record.

As for the originals, Jones’ lyrics are topical addressing issues like the current economic climate – always a popular subject in the blues idiom – and even the Bernie Madoff investment scandal.

The bulk of the album was recorded in Memphis’ Sun Studios, a National Landmark where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and any number of other great, legendary artists recorded.

Jones and his touring band are gearing up for dates for a world tour to promote the album.

1. Off The Market
2. Love Grows Cold
3. Kissin’ In Memphis
4. Cuts Like A Knife
5. Born Operator
6. Burnt Child
7. Right On Time
8. I Don’t Go For That
9. Mean Streak
10. Make A Move
11. Howlin’ With Hubert
12. Games