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review in Delmark's Rhythm & News
This is Chicago blues guitar hero Jimmy Dawkins' 2nd recording as a leader following his masterful Delmark debut, Fast Fingers (Delmark DD 623.) Absolutely devastating early '70's heavy West Side Chicago blues guitar attack from Dawkins (born Tchula, MS 1936) along with the vastly underrated vocals of Andrew "Big Voice" Odom (sang often with Earl Hooker) and the great Sonny Thompson (long time King/Federal Records arranger/producer/pianist and Freddy King collaborator) on piano and organ, and tenor sax man Jim Conley (on Memphis Slim's United recordings on Delmark and also led his own combo with Phil Upchurch on guitar.) If that isn't enough, the legendary Otis Rush is also featured on rhythm and soaring lead guitar, truly making this an essential recording in your blues collection! Otis Rush clearly inspired Dawkins and band on this session, Otis' first recording on Delmark.

The opening title track is one of my all time favorite blues songs - simply spine tingling! "All For Business" starts with Conley's mournful sax and Dawkins' piercing guitar stabs, which leads into the BB King influenced, soul-drenched vocals of BB Odom. "Cotton Country" is an Otis Rush and Jimmy Dawkins guitar instrumental showdown with Jimmy announcing the band members like at a live gig - "what we're playin' here tonite is cotton pickin' blues; I got some of the greatest blues players in the world in here with me tonite!" Dawkins takes over with his underappreciated laid back but intense vocal style on "Down So Long." He also sings and tears it up on the supremely funky "Hippies Playground," a great late '60's tune that Jimmy recorded first with vocalist/harp player George "Wild Child" Butler on Mercury. "Hippies" and another tour de force guitar instrumental, "Jammin' With Otis" were both issued the first time on this CD in 1990, wonderful added bonuses left off the original LP from 1971.

Although Big Voice Odom is sorely missed, (fatal heart attack while driving between Chicago gigs in 1991) and the legendary Otis Rush is no longer performing due to a stroke he suffered a few years ago (we're anxiously awaiting his recovery), Jimmy Dawkins is very alive and well and still blowing away his devoted cult following of blues guitar fanatics with his unique style (when he wants to!) Although Jimmy's no-nonsense, menacing, intense playing is definitely not for the casual listener, blues diehards and all guitar players should experience the Dawkins guitar tone, timing, and delivery - DEEP BLUES WITH A FEELING!!

"I'm All For Business Baby, I Ain't Got No Time For Play!"


review in 2008 by Kevin Johnson, Delmark promotions and raw blues fanatic

rest in peace, Jimmy Dawkins and Otis Rush