JW-Jones, Sonic Departures Review

JW-Jones is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader that won “Best Guitarist” at the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Jones had a year of significant events scheduled before COVID-19 hit and halted his tour schedule. “I knew I had to do something productive to stay positive. I turned isolation into inspiration!” said the JUNO-nominated Jones. Jones’ guitar style has been praised by legendary blues artists Buddy Guy and Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones). After releasing Live less than two years ago, the frequent resident of Billboard’s Top 10 Blues charts and roots radio favorite continues to accelerate his career momentum to new heights, whether it’s as a personally-requested sit-in with the likes of 8-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy, opening for blues-rock icon George Thorogood, or entertaining thrilled audiences in 23 countries and four continents. Jones is now releasing a nine-song album titled, Sonic Departures.

Bottom Line: Sonic Departures ranges from original music to previously unreleased songs, “this album sounds bigger and wider-than-ever,” says Jones. The album has a 17-piece band with a 13-piece horn section, plus additional vocals, guitars, and studio effects. It was that wide range of sonics and the new direction that led to Sonic Departures’ most appropriate title. The opening track is “Blue Jean Jacket,” which has a slightly disjunct intro that leads to a steady blues beat, pumpin’ organ, full background vocal harmonies, and horn pops, and of course, Jones’ tasty guitar licks. JW-Jones warm blues licks are in full force on the rock-n-roll themed “Same Mistakes.” The horns add a sonic presence to the album that is enjoyable. Jones knows how to sing a meaningful storyline, but his guitar work is where the real magic happens. His tone is drenched in the blues sound, that bright, warmly distorted guitar sound that is instantly identifiable as a blues sound. Jones includes some standard selections like “The Things That I Used to Do.” The band is full, but the tempo is a little sluggish, and the horns could pop more to build excitement. Jones’ solo is heartfelt all the same. “Bye-Dep Love” is where Jones shines, the up-tempo jump-style fits the band’s sound and Jones’s vocal style. Overall, this is a fun outing for a blues guitarist that is always eager to share with us his Sonic Departures. That’s the short of it!

Connect with JW-Jones: Website |