Search - Jack Owens & Bud Spires :: It Must Have Been the Devil

Like a better recorded Skip James

Mark Mauer | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In style and often in voice, Jack Owens easily brings to mind Skip James - no problem there. But this SOUNDS better than most Skip James material available. These sessions were recorded in 1970-1 mostly, and though it's certainly not polished (in fact you can hear Jack clear his throat from time to time), the guitar is clear and crisp, and the harmonica is nicely in the background, not detracting from the main man. The songs are long and relaxed, no doubt from Jack's experience playing long sets at the juke joint he had near his home at the time of these recordings. His voice drops to a lower whisper sometimes, as on Jack Ain't Had No Water, which becomes almost ethereal with the quiet vocals. This is worth owning."