This month this reviewer would like to introduce you to a well-traveled blues man and his caravan, Jay Collins and the Kings Country Band. This transient released his collection of music, “Rivers, Blues, and Other People”, in 2012 for us all to discover and share.

Jay Collins does his best to give us his tales from the road with emotion and sincerity. He gives us stories of life all alone on the road and the sites that he and his band have seen. There is the tribute to the “Mighty Mississippi”, the gained experiences and empowerment of “The Engine” and the appreciation of resting his feet in one place “Mary Ann’s”. These give us the meaning of exploring this great world.

Where Jay Collin’s voice really stands out are in the slower ballads as shown in the pleading for forgiveness, “Leave A Light On For Me” and the loneliness of wanting to be with his lady, “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”. The feeling that you get from this musician is true emotion in his singing. As a listener, you cannot help but to believe every word being sung to you.

In the collection, “Rivers, Blues and Other People”, Jay Collins is not only showcased. The band “The Kings Country Band” are given many moments of time to shine. Throughout these tracks, you are fed a great feeling from them with a ragtime, bluesy feel especially during the highlighted piano and saxophone solos that are essential to the genuine feeling. There is plenty of room within these songs for guests to lend their talents also as Larry Campbell, Donald Fagen, Bruce Katz, Jim Weider, and Levon Helm takes the time to stop by.

“Rivers, Blues and Other People” by Jay Collins and the Kings County Band is highly recommended as you will be left swaying and toe tapping while listening to many of the tracks on this collection. After you are through with it, there is little doubt that if Jay Collins and the Kings County Band come to your town that you will definitely find them.

For more information on this artist and how to purchase their music:

http://jaycollins.bandcamp.com/

http://www.jaycollinsband.com/

Reviewer’s Rating: Three picks out of Five

Andrew Scott is a published international author, reviewer and radio show host.