Jay Gordon and Blues Venom

Live at Woodystock 2022

Shuttle Music

Jay Gordon grew up in Chicago where he is known for his slashing guitar and passionate vocals. While his influences include Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he has his own style. Gordon has recorded 17 CD’s the last being 2019’s “Slide Rules”. Gordon has opened for Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins and many others. He was invited by Clapton to perform at the 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Gordon, who apprenticed and recorded with Texas Guitar legend Phillip Walker, has won multiple South Bay Music Awards (California) and LAMA Awards (Ireland). His bassist Sharon Butcher has also received Bass of the year awards from both of these organizations.

This live album was recorded at the 2022 Woodystock Blues Festival in Laughlin, Nevada; and at the same festival in Bullhead City, Arizona. Gordon opens this recording with a rockin version of the Muddy Water’s classic (I’m your) Hoochie Coochie Man first recorded by Muddy in 1983. His trio includes bassist Butcher, and a “right on” drummer. Gordon asks the audience “can you feel it” and you would be dead if you did not. He then plays the Robert Johnson classic “Crossroads”, first recorded by Johnson in 1969, and it’s a great vocal by Gordon.

“I Drink Alone” was a song written by George THorogood and performed by him and his band in 1985. Gordon re-arranges the song leaving more time for his guitar frenzy. “Slow Burn Biker Mama” is reprised from Gordon’s 2011 studio album “No Cure”. “Fire and Brimstone Boogie” is a tribute to John Lee Hooker from Gordon’s 2003 “6 Strings Outlaw” recording on Dixie Frog Records. Some great bass opens “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” appropriately credited to it’s author Harding Guyon DesMarais. Next is a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s songs including John Fogarty’s “Green River” and Dale Hawkins’ “Suzie Q”.

“Train Train” is credited to Rickey Medlocke of the Southern Rock group Blackfoot. “Stranger Blues” is from Elmore James, first recorded in 1962. “I’m a stranger here and I just moved into your town…because I’m a stranger everybody’s doggin’ me around”.

Jay Gordon is an exciting Blues player who is able to connect to his audience. He is teaching our young how to connect to the Blues.

Richard Ludmerer

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