Music Review: Jimmy McIntosh – ‘Jimmy McIntosh and…’

Eight years have passed between Las Vegas-based guitarist Jimmy McIntosh’s last solo project, Orleans to London and his latest, Jimmy McIntosh and… released this month. Eight years is much too long, if only for his haunting version of Ronnie Wood’s – yes, that Ronnie Wood – “I Gotta See.” Wood joins him on guitar for an extended solo, and there is some high-octane, old time saxophone brilliance from Albert Wing. It is a track alone worth the price of the album, but the great music doesn’t stop there.

McIntosh, with a little help from his friends, delivers a six-string master class. The “and…” in the title refers to guest appearances by members of the guitar elite, not only the aforementioned Wood, but John Scofield and Mike Stern as well, not to mention Wing and Ivan Neville. Most of the bass work is handled by John Humphrey, and Toss Panos works the drums.

Though half of the album’s 12 tunes are McIntosh originals, it opens with a Wood-McIntosh jam they call “Slow Blues,” and then they close the set – giving the rhythm section a rest – with a duet boogie called “Fast Blues” credited to Wood. Wood doesn’t play on fellow Stones bandmate Keith Richards’ “Demon,” but Wing returns for some soulful work. Other covers include a McIntosh solo take on the Duke Ellington classic, “Sophisticated Lady,” that at a bit over two minutes leaves you wanting more, and a funky take on Robert Johnson’s “32-20 Blues.”

Stern joins in with McIntosh for a swinging version of “PM Blues” and a bit more funk with “Back2Cali.” Scofield guests on the jumping “Lavona’s Boogie” and with Neville playing organ on “Letsco.” Neville also does yeoman’s work on “The Louge.”

As McIntosh explains on his website: “It was a dream come true for me to create this CD with three major heroes of mine and who have also become very good friends over the years.” Turns out it is a dream for the listener as well.

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