Album Review: The Jimmy Watts Band - January's Pages

Four years after the release of the band's debut album, 2008's Dig, Dig...Dig, The Jimmy Watts Band finally unleash their second full-length album, January's Pages. The once one-man-band from Toowoomba – who could be aptly described as a monster hybrid of Xavier Rudd, Tom Waits and Ash Grunwald – has enlisted the help of Paul Young on drums, Mike Leo on bass and Melissa Hender on percussion for his latest recorded work.

Jimmy's impressive guitar skills and growling vocal style hit you like a brick in the face in opening track, Try, which acts as a brilliant introduction to what The Jimmy Watts Band is all about for those who may be listening for the first time. Peeling past his commanding vocal and guitar layers, Jimmy's compelling songwriting style becomes evident. He has the ability – the way only a man of the blues does – of telling absorbing stories with his songs without sounding cliché; an art which seems to be lost in this day and age. Possibly the most attractive feature of his songwriting is the darkness that lingers throughout the album, demonstrated particularly well in Bossman and Freddy One Eye, both of which involve killing somebody. While it is definitely the 'Jimmy Watts Show', he certainly couldn't have done it on his own, as Melissa Hender's percussion adds a valuable dynamic throughout the album (particularly in Bossman) and the keys from guest musician Silas Palmer really add the funk in Hipness.

January's Pages is a brilliant showcase of the individuality of The Jimmy Watts Band, and proves they are an intrinsic component of Queensland's blues 'n' roots scene.