Jimmy Burns: Leaving Here Walking

Another Mississippi-born bluesman, guitarist Jimmy Burns, presents a more varied program on ‘Leaving Here Walking’ (Delmark DE-694; 65:30). On the title track the smooth-singing Burns offers a more refined take on the blues, sounding closer to contempo artists like Robert Cray than rough-hewed stylists like Aaron Moore. But Burns can also get raw and funky, as he does so convincingly on Delta flavored offerings like “Whiskey Headed Woman,” Mercy Dee Walton’s “One Room Country Shack” and Elmore James’ “Twelve Year Old Boy.” His affecting solo pieces, “Miss Annie Lou” and an unaccompanied version of Curtis Mayfield’s “Gypsy Woman,” are soulful standouts. Burns’s piercing, staccato attack recalls such gritty guitarists as Magic Sam or his protege Magic Slim. Together with Rockin’ Johnny Burgin they form an effective two-guitar tandem upfront.

Originally Published April 1, 1997