Doin’ What it Takes
$11.98 – $14.98
Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones Struggle
“…you know who’s really good is this guy named Lloyd Jones, also out of Portland; he writes great songs, blues and R&B…”
–Robert Cray
A gifted singer, songwriter, guitarist and respected band leader, Lloyd Jones writes timeless music, steeped in a rich musical history learned, lived and loved over four decades. “This is not a work of science. It’s about attitude and joy that applies to all age groups. I’m addicted to this music,” declares Jones.Jones’ new CD, “Doin’ What It Takes” showcases 7 originals plus rare gems from Leiber and Stoller, Maceo Merriweather and Gerald ‘Lonnie’ Russ.
Joe Louis Walker, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Coco Montoya and former band mate Curtis Salgado, have all recorded his songs. And Delbert McClinton sings his praises, “When I heard Lloyd Jones live for the first time in January 1999, it was like exhaling after holding my breath for fifteen years!”
He’s a musician’s musician and a crowd-pleasing, energetic showman. He’s earned every fan he has the hard way. What he does, he says, is “combine New Orleans rhythms, the simplicity of Memphis music, and the rawness of the blues, all for the 21st century. This music is not about louder and faster. It’s about time, meter, groove. I thought Muddy and Walter and those guys were pushing the envelope in their era. They were using effects, they were inventing their own sound. They were modern. I want to look at it in a contemporary way.”
Jones is a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and recipient of 31 Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association, including Lifetime Achievement.
On This Recording
- Bend In The River
- I’ll Be Right On Down (Leiber – Stoller, Modern Music Pub. Co., BMI)
- Without You
- Doing What It Takes
- I Can’t Stop
- Never Again
- Give A Little
- My Wife Can’t Cook
- Worried Life Blues (Maceo Merriweather, MCA Duchess Music Corp/Wabash Music Co., BMI)
- Ruby Do
Reviews:
“Jones’ new CD Doin’ What it Takes features a nine-piece orchestra. It features some great dance tunes like I’ll be Right on Down and Ruby Do. The title track is a full-blown funk blues tune with some blistering lead guitar and smoking hot saxophone leads. The whole CD really captures that big, butt-rockin’ sound that is big band blues.” — Jeff Shivers, Positively Entertainment
“Lloyd Jones is referred to as “The Groove Merchant.” It is a fitting title because he is without question one of the funkiest, soulful artists ever to strap on a Fender. So much groove is there that you’re mesmerized and thrilled every time; he has that creative knack that transcends through his songwriting with powerful tunes that are emotional, joyful and sometimes humorous. Doin’ What It Takes brings all of this talent out.” —Cascade Blues Association
“In this new millennium, Portland, OR roots artist Jones is “Doin’ What it Takes” to keep the blues alive and his fans loyal…On this latest release, ten high-energy blues rock and roots songs bolster his already formidable reputation. Purists may frown at Jones’ mixing of genres, but those searching for powerhouse, feel-good ensemble numbers are in for a treat…Says Jones in the liner notes of this CD, “This ain’t JUST American Music, this is American music past, present and future! ‘Doin’ What it Takes’ means bringing it ALL to the table!” Step right up for a large and delightful helping.” —Rainey Wetnight, Blues Blast Magazine
“Hopefully Doin’ What It Takes will allow Lloyd Jones to attain the nationwide attention he deserves for putting this excellent project together. Last but not least, I suspect that Mr. Jones’ new CD will make it onto many 2012 “best of” lists too. I can tell you that it will likely be on my top ten, as Doin’ What It Takes is so neatly crafted and precisely conceived from beginning to end.” — Bob Putignano, Blues Revue
“If blues with a funk edge is your thing, Doin’ What it Takes will have you jukin’ by the fourth measure of the opening tune, “Bend in The River.”… The recording quality is impressive, as you would expect from a Reference Recordings’ project.” —AudiophileReview.com
