Jackie Payne: I Saw The Blues

Blues singers sing every song like it might be their last. They have been doing this for so long now that it always feels like the end is near, time is up, and it's the last time around. The songs are dripping with guilt, regret, and hope. They tell tales of lost love, what was, could have been, but never will be. There might be no other profession that demands for personal emotions to be wrung dry in a room full of strangers, performed with conviction and a pulsing backbeat, night after night. Jackie Payne comes from that generation of singers that personifies all of the above, and I Saw The Blues is a raw and real depiction of a man who sings the blues for all it's worth.

Born in Georgia, Jackie Payne first made a local name for himself in Houston, before signing with Stax Records in the 1960's, and was a member of the labels touring revue. He later joined up with the Johnny Otis Orchestra, and was their featured vocalist between 1987 and 2002, resulting in a Grammy nomination in 1993 for "Spirit of the Black Territory Bands." Around this time he was also active in the San Francisco blues scene and cut several records, both solo and with various groups, before joining up with guitarist Steve Edmonson, with whom he released three well received albums, the last being "Overnight Sensation," in 2007, on the Delta Groove label.

Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California is looming large as "the room," where Bay Area blues and soul artists are recording, due in part to the expertise of Kid Anderson, who is the owner, and engineer. His production on this project brought Payne's vocal into the forefront, wisely leaving the man to do his thing, while providing a warm layer of accompaniment. Anderson also did double duty on guitar, and was accompanied by fellow producer Anthony Paule, on guitar as well.

The songs cover the spectrum of the blues from the dismal outlook in "Back To Normal," to the humorous "When The Blues Come Calling," and "I'll Drink Your Bathwater," with its risqué double entendre lyrics. Payne shows that he can also write some fine material and penned six of the twelve songs, highlighted by the title track, which tells of the long road he has traveled. "Kicking Back With The Blues," is reminiscent of those great Malaco recordings, and he brings it back down on "Rock Me With A Steady Roll," leaving plenty of room for the trumpet and sax players to come in and stretch it out.

Payne did not enjoy the release of I Saw The Blues due to a major stroke as the production was being wrapped up, but his spirit and guidance were strong motivators to get the job done. This is a story of a man who seen a lot, paid his dues, and in his own words has no complaints, and no regrets, for Jackie Payne is a blues singer, of which there are genuinely few.

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