Genre Dubstep | ||
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Albums Electric Redemption, Rings Around the Sun, Live On The Sunset Strip No Quarter Given, Broadcasting the Blues Record labels Blue Ace Records, Blue Ace Similar Kidneythieves, Rob Overseer, Rachel Sweet, Dry Cell, Samuel E Wright | ||
Jay Gordon is an American blues rock guitarist who recorded with blues legend Phillip Walker for his album Jaywalkin. Gordon has also played at the 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival, sharing the stage with Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana.
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Many journalists have praised Gordon for his instrument pralice, but there are also many critics who claim that despite his ability to play fast, he is too loud, his solos are too long and are performed in poor taste, one even saying "Gordon’s constant wailing solos that become long, self-indulgent and some of the most uneconomical guitar playing around and some poor lyrics that lack a sense of the blues."
Although though there many mixed views regarding Gordon's playing style and music, he is still a visible musician who has made many recordings, shares the stage with notable musicians and plays in many well known venues and events like, B.B. King's, Crossroads, and Las Vegas Bike Fest.
Early life
Gordon was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and later raised in Chicago, Illinois, "where at an early age he was exposed to jazz and blues by his grandmother, who played the piano and organ." The young Gordon played various instruments but discovered the guitar at age 14 and played in Top 40 cover bands as a teenager. He met Albert Collins at a young age and cites him as an influence.
Negative Reactions
Reviewers have acknowledged that Gordon is a competent player but lacks sincerity and control. Many reviewers have not favored his music, saying, "While it's true that he can wail on the guitar, he also shows absolutely no subtlety, restraint, or taste. The instrumentals he throws in are marginally better, because the vocal numbers suffer from his forced "tough-guy" lyrics and delivery." Another reviewer expressed, "Mr. Gordon is a capable guitarist. I found the tunes lacking in variety and any form of subtlety. Listening to the whole set ended with a feeling of having been bludgeoned by the guitar rather than seduced by it. Nearly every track follows the blistering blues rock songbook with some bordering on heavy metal. It's all been done before way too many times and these sound like retreads from every artist following in the Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughn school." In addition, electricblues.com has expressed that the album Electric Redemption, "...is heavy-duty, highly animated, guitar-driven blues and heavy rock that will send most traditional blues fans running for cover. Only those interested in seeing just how far the blues can be stretched need dwell here".
Positive Reviews
There are, however, some few positive remarks from critics, one saying, "This L.A. blues guitar player is a guy who has everyone else just trying to keep up as he pulls off endless incendiary guitar solos. This is Gordon's fourth album, with a fifth threatened for an early '99 release. Here's a guy who attracts guitar players who show up to watch and take notes. GRADE: A-" Regarding Gordon's album, Extremely Dangerous Blues, another reviewer expressed, "Although these performances are mostly fairly brief, there is no shortage of inventive ideas within the context of rockish Chicago blues, or any loss of passion." Other reviewers, view Gordon's larger-than-life playing to be ambitious, stating, "Gordon doesn't believe in understatement or simplicity. While his songs tell about overcoming heartache, being an outcast, partying all night long, and starting up a relationship, each one comes loaded with fire. The lyrics may be difficult to understand, but Gordon's powerhouse guitar leaves no doubt that he means business."
Recordings, Personnel and Sales Rankings
*For non-Billboard charting acts, such as Jay Gordon, the Amazon sales rank may indicate relative online popularity and is subject to change at any time.
Songs
Slept So LongQueen of the Damned: Music from the Motion Picture · 2002
Drippin BluesElectric Redemption · 1998
FarmdogElectric Redemption · 1998