Jimmy Dawkins: Me, My Guitar and the Blues

An exponent of that rough-hewn West Side Chicago sound which produced the likes of Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Luther Allison, Jimmy Dawkins makes a convincing statement on Me, My Gitar And The Blues (Ichiban D2-24909-2; 49:15). Not much nuance here, just full steam ahead with grinding boogies and stomping shuffles. Jimmy’s vocals are raw and gritty throughout. On the instrumental “Jimmy’s Bag” the guitarist digs in with raucous abandon. Years ago they nicknamed him “Fast Fingers.” They should have called him “Ferocious Fingers.” His brutal approach is not pretty but it certainly registers clicks on the blues richter scale.

Originally Published January 1, 1998