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| John Lee Hooker, Jr. Prepares Release of "All Odds Against Me." John Lee Hooker, Jr. will release his third solo album August 19th as he continues to solidify himself as a modern-day blues icon since his "celebratory redemption" from the streets in 2004. All Odds Against Me, to be released domestically on Jr. Hooker's own Steppin' Stone Records and in Europe on Jazzhaus Records, is his first effort to include only new and original tracks, a contrast to either of his previous solo projects. Additionally, Jr. continues to stretch the envelope, becoming blues' first animated crime-fighter in Bluesman, a bonus video included on the enhanced disc. The son of blues legend John Lee Hooker, Jr. Hooker was exposed to the life of the blues from a young age. At only eight years old he performed on Detroit's WJBK radio and knew from that moment that he wanted to follow the path of his father and become a world-class musician. Unfortunately, while living the "life of a bluesman" he succumbed to the demons that surround it, derailing his musical career for many, many years. Drugs, alcohol, divorce, incarceration, and death nearly brought his career to a screeching halt, but it was living the blues and his faith in the Almighty that resurrected Jr. Hooker. A Comeback Artist of the Year award in 2004, two critically acclaimed albums with another on the way, and a continued emphasis on ingenuity has him back on track and looking towards the future. As Jr. Hooker prepares for the release of All Odds Against Me, he continues to carry blues into the 21st century. Blending his roots with a modern sound, his style is indicative of his Motown base and best described by Music Enthusiast as "2 parts R&B, 1 part jazz" and "down home blues." In addition to the innovative sound, Jr. Hooker takes creativity a step further with Bluesman, a crime-fighting musician who sings in clubs by night and cleans up the streets by day. Conceived by Frenchman Laurent Mercier at the Callicore Animation Studios in Paris, the video series has also inspired work to begin on a comic book. Mercier, son of a French jazzman contemporary of Hooker Sr., dreamt up the idea as a way for the two sons to pay tribute to their fathers' legacies and Jr. immediately embraced the vision. Set to "Blues Ain't Nothing but a Pimp" from Jr. Hooker's Blues with a Vengeance, the video is the first of three to be released in 2008 and is included free on the enhanced disc. Jr. Hooker will be touring in support of All Odds Against Me across the United States, Western Europe, and Turkey throughout 2008. Joined on the road by Mike Rogers (drums), Brian James Vollriede (keys), George Lacson (bass), and Jeffrey James Horan (guitar), Jr. is bringing the next generation of blues to the world one stop at a time. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |