Artist:     Jim Gustin & Truth Jones

Album:     Lessons Learned

Label:     Self-released

Release Date:     3.27.20

90

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

Perhaps when this nightmare shit stops hitting the fan, and we can get back to social closeness again, we can have a dance party or two? We are well past WW2 and having someone like Vaughn Monroe’s orchestra (in which the late great Bucky Pizzarelli, a Covid-19 victim, was a member) play “When The Lights Come On Again” or even closer up the road in the ‘80s when folkie Tom Paxton gave us “All Clear In Harrisburg” as the Three Mile Island reactor incident nearly wiped out the entire East Coast of the US.

Whatever and whenever, we are going to need something strong. “Stronger Than Bleach, as the old Ajax jingle went. Might I suggest you slip this Lessons Learned CD into your party mix? It’s full-tilt boogie, blues and Katie-bar-the-door when Jim Gustin, Truth Jones & company take the bandstand. Great grooves, welcome melodies, clever lyrics, and very tight arrangements. Welcome sounds that rest on the shoulders of many of the greats from all across the planet. This group did not skip R&B and Soul school, no way, no how. As they march to the head of the class, they invite a bunch of their friends to join in the music making. The result makes for some real-deal stuff.

From the first two tunes, “I’ve Been Drinking” and “I Heard About You” and all throughout the 11 tracks, there is a whole lotta love and truth getting laid down here. You can’t go wrong with this one, trust me. My school’s motto was “Lux et Veritas” and this groups’ is “Verum Quaero”.

—Ken Spooner