Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
JASON OVERTON TWANGS DEM BLUES
Jason Overton makes his intentions clear on "Turnaround," the first song from his debut CD, where he announces, "I like two kinds of lovers... I'm in love with the country but I got a heartache for the blues." This self-titled CD recalls '70s blues twangers like J.J. Cale and the Amazing Rhythm Aces, and it works because it bypasses any preconceived notions the listener might have about country or the blues. It's as if one listens to this CD with the left ear and hears a country CD while the right ear hears the blues.
One of the secret weapons the band wields is local bluesman Freddie Roulette on lap steel. Roulette is experienced enough to avoid the slide clichés of both blues and country and his playing contributes to parking these songs at brain cell ground zero. His playing and Overton's vision infuse this CD with twangin' mojo aplenty.
How a performer handles slow songs is an acid test for anything bluesy because it's on slow songs where the blues tend to drag, yet "Living in a Dreamland," "Let the Party Come to Me" and "Holy Rolling," to cite three examples, were put this test and passed with colors ablaze.
The CD generally provides a mid-tempo listen which is another strength. Pushing the tempo on this kind of music would have moved it into Allman Brothers territory or someplace else it doesn't need to be. It's best surprise though is "San Francisco Hillbilly" a boppin' little shuffle that, true to its title, can serve as an anthem for a lot of us.
http://www.jasonoverton.com
- Hicks with Sticks
CD Reviews:
* "Prima Album!" - François Braeken at ROOTSTIME
www.rootstime.be (03/20/06)
With this self-titled album offered on CD baby for the price of $11.99, Overton and company confessed attain on this side of the ocean (Belgium). This album will certainly succeed, due in many ways to Freddie Roulette, who works magic of on the lap steel guitar. It is no wonder, since Freddie Roulette has stood on the stage with such greats as Charlie Musselwhite, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Frank Zappa, who are widely considered as the best in their genre. With Overton (guitar and vocals), Pete Roberts (bass), Rob Vaterlaus (keyboard) and Chris McGrew (drums), the band forms a strong foundation for the twelve songs from the frontman.
The opening song “Turnaround” immediately sets the tone with the line “I’m in love with the country, but I’ve got a heartache for the blues.” Country blues is in the air, which Freddie Roulette on lap steel guitar celestially lets whine to shining heights! With a mix of songs such as “San Francisco Hillbilly”, Memphis blues like “Holler At Me” and Overton’s own manner of storytelling on “Let It Go”, the songs all come together nicely. With a gospel weighted tune called “Holy Rolling”, a reggae version of “Giving It Up For Your Love” (Jerry Williams) and a blues rag titled “Big City Love”, Overton and his band are always prepared. Prima Album! - François Braeken
* "Great Record!" - Ray Dj of Webradio Goldenflash (03/11/06) - ROOTSTIME
Discography
Self-titled CD - Jason Overton
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Jason Overton is a songwriter and bandleader who resides in San Francisco, CA. Jason's music combines a number of styles rooted strongly in country and blues. Along with himself on guitar and vocals, his band consists of four accomplished musicians on the keyboard, bass, drums and lap-steel guitar.
Born April 26, 1971 in Morristown, Tennessee, Jason grew up in Texas mostly in and around Dallas. His mother was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and his father was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Their love of music inspired him to listen to all sorts of musical styles growing up, especially blues and soul associated with the "Memphis" sound.
Throughout his childhood, Jason's father was a Methodist minister. As a preacher's kid, going to church and being a part of a spiritual community was a big part of his life. After singing in choirs throughout middle school and high school and two years of playing the alto saxophone, Jason began his musical education in earnest in 1993. It was during his last semester of college, that Jason discovered what he really wanted to do was to become a musician!
Excited and eager to get going, Jason began studying jazz guitar with several notable teachers and began playing guitar as much as possible. Over the years, this has led him to many new worlds of study including his strong interest in songwriting. After honing his performing skills at various clubs over the last six years, Jason formed his own band in February of 2004. You can currently see Jason Overton and his band at various clubs and events around the Bay Area.
Links
