George Whitesell and his All Stars featuring Jill Watkins
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CD Review
by, Rob Lehrian/Supporting the Blues
Featured vocalist Jill Watkins reveals herself to be an exceptional singer, sassy and sly but with a welcome tendency toward restraint. She's also got a keen eye for songs, investing the old Peggy Lee standard "Why Don't You Do Right" with enough relish to make it sound fresh and turning Little Willie John's "Fever" into a sultry, after hours delight. From the rollicking boogie-woogie of Little Richard's "Baby" and Chas & Dave's "I Wonder In Whose Arms"(featuring a great piano solo from Stillwagen) to Buster Brown's "Fannie Mae," and a brilliant cover of Freddy King's I'm Tore Down" that ironically finds Watkins tearing it up, this is an unpretentious, timeless-sounding set. Whitesell displays some fine guitar work throughout and his short succinct solos stab between the horns and vocals. Former Muddy Waters Band guitarist Bob Margolin guests on three cuts, "Baby," "Fannie Mae" and the 1960 Sugar Pie DeSanto hit "I Want To Know," displaying a refreshing side to his playing, and he's in top form here.
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New CD Review!!
SKAT
George Whitesell & His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins
(Circle 504 Records)
By Dan DeMuth
It is apt that the title track originated with Canned Heat back in 1970, as canned heat is that emanates from this album. George was proud as a new papa (and rightly so) at the recent CD release party at the Coffee Exchange in Colorado Springs. An added touch was the live internet broadcast on A World Of Blues with host "Chophouse", at which time George reiterated the focus is not to be a band that plays covers, but to hopefully introduce a new audience to the music so seminal to the current blues scene . . .
Jill . . . has a great range, doesn't require mannerisms or vocal tricks and is at ease with what she does. She revisits two Peggy Lee standards which demonstrate her versatility, the ultimate male putdown Why Don't You Do Right? And the smoky, sultry Fever. But again, these are not covers; in fact her version of the latter might be closer to the original by Little Willie John. Jill purrs (or growls) her best on Tell Mama, of which I've heard Etta James do in person and Jill doesn't need to take a back seat here. Ken Saydak, blues pianist and protagonist extraordinaire, produced the CD and backs Jill on the raucous I'm Tore Down. Also guesting on three cuts is steady rollin' Bob Margolin. He's there on two rockers, Little Richard's Baby , Buster Brown's Fannie Mae and the 1960 Sugar Pie DeSanto hit I Want To Know, Ms DeSanto coincidentally being a cousin of Etta James. . . ."
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"To add some dessert to this already excellent mix, blues-based vocalist Jill Watkins from up Boulder way, graced the stage for two numbers. In a word, wow! Her promo describes her powerful voice, playfulness and personality. It should add pulchritude. If you weren't there, you were not only square, but possibly trapezoidal." . . . From a review of the George Whitesell and His All Stars show by Dan Demuth. Click here for the full article.
Regarding the Jill Watkins Band performance at the Empire Blues Festival: "Next came The Jill Watkins Band. While that rich powerful voice has earned Jill some rave reviews . . . we've sensed she had a lot more to give. Little did we know just how right we were. Watkins tossed any self-restraint to the mountain breeze and let it all hang out. The full power, depth and range of that silky voice was hung out for the world to see and lordy, lordy, lordy, it was good! Lordy!"
Having heard Denver blues singer Jill Watkins once, we journeyed up to Dacono Friday night to hear her again. Backing her up is an awesome band that Jill says she is "blessed" to have. The band had chills going up our spines, but it was that silky, sultry, sometimes sassy and always sexy voice of Jill Watkins that made the men at Reverend Buzzweed's Saloon abandon their games of pool and start howling in weak-kneed appreciation. On the heels of a new CD, this singing lady knows how to keep the feet and bodies moving all night long.
-Mark Stout
Photographer/Writer for WhatsDoingTonight.com
"The band mixes it up with originals mixed with standards, and some of that bluesy rock I love so much. They have a good foundation with an understanding of the blues"
"Jill has a strong, rich voice, and it's being used well"
"It was a good show, by a good band"
"If you go see them live, you should have a good time, because I know the band's going to"-Full review of the band may be found on www.pcfdp.com
". . . I fell in love with Jill Watkins in about 20 seconds into the first song. Looking back, I'm not sure exactly what it was (or what took me so long). Maybe it was that smooth, sultry voice that would later astonish me with how unbelievably powerful it was. Or maybe it was the passionate, fiery delivery of the bands original songs and R&B-blues standards. (Sure, everybody does "Stormy Monday," but you need to hear Jill's blow-the-hair-straight-back-off-your-head-version.) Or maybe it was that outgoing personality that allows Jill to connect with an audience, making them each seem like a longtime friend. Or maybe it was that smile. That beautiful, melt-a-man-like-butter-in-the-microwave smile. More than likely, it was a combination of all these.
Every female blues singer needs a great band to support her. Jill Watkins has the perfect three men in her band to do just that. The rhythm section of bassist Chris-Dax and drummer Walt Sorrentino display a nice chemistry, laying the foundation for the band's grooves. Lead guitarist John Ragan does an excellent job of getting his licks in, adding color and style to the songs without getting flashy or going overboard with long solos. Ragan has a refreshing understated style. His tasty leads and fills impeccably set the stage for Jill's vocal prowess. All three members have Jill's total respect. After the show I asked her about them and she responded: "Pinch me. I love them. They have all become like favorite uncles to me. I'm one lucky redhead! I'm my happiest when I'm playing with them."
I can't remember the last time I met a band that had four people who were all genuinely nice human beings. It's obvious they truly enjoy playing music with each other and their good vibes spill out into the crowd. I'll promise you this: if you go see The Jill Watkins Band, you will have a great time and leave with a smile on your face. . . ."
-Jim Stick
On Stage - The Jill Watkins Band
Colorado Blues Society's "Holler" Magazine
To Read the full Article Click HereThe Jill Watkins Band is very proud to have been nominated by Westword in the category of Best Blues Band in the annual Music Showcase Awards!