I have to admit … sometimes I think that I live under a rock. A number of months back I got a cd by Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers , Going To The Westside, for review and I wasn’t familiar with her work. At the time, I gave it a good review and stuck it in a drawer with CD’s to listen to later because it was good. My regular readers know I have been going through that drawer recently and pulling out the best of the best. Jackie Scott is high on the list. Her recording is incredible and when I watch video of her I wonder how I could have missed her. I mean this is the real deal! http://www.bmansbluesreport.com/2012/01/going-to-west-side-jackie-and.html"
Jackie has been kind enough to take some time out to talk with me and I’m ready to listen!
Bman: Hi Jackie! Where did you come from? I mean you are off the charts with talent and you can’t just be starting out! Tell me what you have been up to and how you got started.
Jackie: I actually started singing blues about 10 years ago after my son left for college. Prior to that, I sang in church. Going from gospel to blues was an easy transition for me simply because blues is the only music I know that can move me like gospel. They both speak to me in different ways but moving all the same. The musicians where I live were playing blues long before I came on the scene and I’m so glad they did. They gave me a foundation to draw upon, inspired me and left the door open for others like myself that were just getting into the blues .
Bman: I thought that there might be some gospel in there. There is a whole feeling to gospel and how it is so real. That’s where I see the real blues come from. That feeling.
Jackie: I attended a wedding in Chicago and had the opportunity to hear live Chicago blues in it’s element. It was there in Chicago that I received my baptism into the blues. I was swept off my feet. I fell hook, line and sinker in love with the blues. I can really say that my life was never the same after that. It became my passion. I don’t know if I found it or it found me but whatever it was I knew that I’d find it in Chicago. Months later I was flying back to Chicago to understudy with Ms. Nellie “Tiger” Travis. Long story short I learned a lot from listening, watching and being surrounded by the Chicago sound and the musicians and entertainers that have made Chicago a great Mecca for blues. She was a blessing and helped me to develop in the blues arena. From there I’ve had the opportunity to witness some of the most talented musicians and entertainers in the world right there in Chicago. No place like it!
Bman: This recording of yours, Going To The Westside, is really strong. Have you been working on the material for a long time or are you really prolific?
Jackie: It funny how things kinda work out. GTTW was dedicated to Eddie who many know as a Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf alumni. I had an opportunity to interview Eddie (Shaw) while in California with Nellie. I was moved by recollections of Howlin Wolf and their very special relationship. I was blown away by his candor, humor and of course his vast knowledge and experiences in the blues. Like with Nellie, I became a student and couldn’t wait for the teacher to start class. I learned and continue to learn so much from them and ma
ny, many others. Over the years I’ve collected a lot of Eddie’s music and know much, much more about him as a musician and the very special part he has played in blues. Excellent writer... I mean creative and inspiring. Even Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon have recorded his songs. As an arranger, the Unk and the Funk album by Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf’s London Session are some of his handy work. I could go on and on.The fact of the matter is, I thought it would be fitting to honor, in the small way that I could, his contribution to those of us that are passionate about the blues. I wrote the title track, GTTW in honor of Eddie. He often would tell me stories about the Westside of Chicago and painted a very vivid picture of what the blues scene was like years ago. I never tire of hearing it.
The bible says there is nothing new under the sun and I believe that to be true. Everything has been here before and I think music is the same way whether it be a bass line or the lyrics in song. All words and notes we’ve heard before. What makes them different is the way they are expressed. Prolific ?? I think not. Blessed … yes !!! I’ve had the privilege to encounter and interact with really, really great musicians and entertainers who in themselves are inspiring.
Bman: Really love your sound! I’ve included a clip of you performing How Much Woman Can You Stand from back in 2010 and it is really hot.
Jackie: Eddie came down and celebrated my birthday with me and I had a wonderful time. He loves it here and my town really gave him a king’s welcome from start to finish. It was up close and personal. Friends, family, fans and everybody that loved the blues was there. It was a night filled with hot smoking blues … the way it’s supposed to be. People are always talking about blues being on the decline but for me it never will be. I can listen to some of this stuff over and over again and each time it brings me more joy. I recently took my grandsons to see Black Joe Louis & the Honeybears and they really liked them. I wanted to introduce them to something that they wouldn’t normally listen to. We had a great night out together and they were introduced to blues with a twist.
Bman: I agree with you. I don’t see a decline in interest in Blues music at all. What I may see is a decline in the purity of some of what is being produced now. The real blues music, the heartfelt music will always be here. And of course the pop trend will change in cycles as it always has. What may be more noteworthy is the demographic of people who frequent live venues. As that demographic has stayed the same, those who truly love the blues music are less likely to go out.
Are you touring right now? Coming to Phoenix?
Jackie: I work a regular job so I’m not touring although we’ve had the opportunity to perform at great festivals and venues. I was blessed to perform at the 2012 Chicago Blues Festival as part of the tribute to Koko Taylor and then to tour with Cookie, Koko’s daughter, to continue that tribute around the country. If I wasn’t working a regular job it might be a different story. We’ve toured areas in a 8 hr driving range. Beyond that it’s little pay by the time you take care of your expenses. I, on the other hand, have been further out and performed with other bands. It’s kinda panning out that way since very few venues and organizational are willing to take on the added expense of getting a band to their events.
I would love to come to Phoenix !! Every region seems to have their own take on blues. Chicago has it’s sound, New Orleans has it’s sound, St. Louis, etc. It’s very interesting to see what the blues scene is like around the country. Who knows. One day I might just be in the neighborhood!
Bman: That would be excellent.
You aren’t alone suffering that “not enough cash in travel” issue. There are really well known artists that I have loved for years, that don’t do much but major festivals outside of their home area. That road life is hard and the pay isn’t always great. Are the Housewreckers a band that you tour with or are they a studio band? They are really hot as well.
Jackie: The Housewreckers are my band and we’ve been in the studio together 3 times so I guess that kinda makes them both. Some played on one project and some on another. It just depended on what the songs called for. Of course the longer you play together and get a feel for each other the band becomes tighter.
Bman: I can definitely see that. I hear that you’re working on material.
Jackie: I recently completed a cd project called “Eddie Shaw & the 757 Allstars..Still Riding High”. I asked Eddie to come to Norfolk to do a project that would help to promote blues and live entertainment in this area (757 is our area code) and encourage area musicians to continue to perform blues. Eddie was kind enough to let us record from his vast catalogue of songs that have spanned his 60 year career in the blues business. We had about 14 people to participate in the project and it was just amazing. No big I’s and little u’s. Eddie treated everyone with respect and as equals. Just musicians jamming together. It was a testament to the drawing power of the blues and it’s ability to stand the test of time. They really bonded and became a team. It was a project just waiting to happen. Eddie’s love and commitment to the blues just overflowed into everybody that was involved in the project. I have a saying …Blues is our inheritance. Passing it on gives it value. We have to begin to reach back and pass the blues forward to continue to give it value and introduce it to a new generation of music lovers. Eddie has done just that.
It was released on Jul 6th in Virginia Beach at a venue called the Jewish Mother. It was a packed house and the 757 showed up and showed out. I raised part of the money by doing benefits and other projects and then with blues lovers who support the blues and picked up the rest with a Kickstarter project. It was really encouraging to see how folk came together to support the project. The cd is available at Http://www.eddieshaw.com. It’s really is a great project.
Bman: I need to get a copy of that! What can we expect as far as solo work? Is there any timing for the release?
Jackie: Professor Fernando Jones, who teaches at Columbia College in Chicago and runs the Fernando Jones Blues Camp in Chicago, has written a few songs that I’m crazy about and I will be going there very soon to record them for my next cd project, Hell On Wheels. I’m not gigging as much now. I wanted to take some time to really focus on writing more. I don’t have any idea as to when it will be released. I’m just gonna put the cake in the oven and take it out when I think it’s done.
Bman: Well, I for one can’t wait! Thanks a lot Jackie. I really appreciate your time! Is there anything else that you’d like to share with your fans?
Jackie: Check out the CD with Eddie! G to his website to read more about it.
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