Spectacular Class
Spectacular Class shows how lively traditional blues can remain. Jontavious Willis knows the old forms, but uses them to tell his own stories. His guitar playing is assured and his voice has considerable character. He can sound friendly and light before a small change in delivery introduces a very different personality.
Low Down Ways opens with a relaxed but firm shuffle. Organ and guitar complement each other without obstructing the singing. The Blues is Dead? gives slide guitar and harmonica more space. Its title mainly sounds like a question Willis enjoys answering through the music.
Daddy's Dough keeps the setting smaller. A recurring acoustic guitar figure and short harmonica appearances provide enough movement. Willis needs little emphasis to give the words character. On Take Me to the Country, he carries the song entirely through voice and guitar. That simple form suits him particularly well.
The record offers other colours too. Jon's Boogie chooses lively instrumental interplay with piano and electric guitar. Long Winded Woman lets horns add an old ragtime flavour. Humour comes through the singing and the way the backing responds. The music maintains a personal scale.
The electric songs are not always as individual as the acoustic material. A smoother rhythm can soften the unusual details of Willis's playing. His delivery nevertheless remains appealing enough to give these passages character too.
The World is in a Tangle brings guitar, banjo and mandolin together at the end. Each instrument has room while the music stays approachable. Spectacular Class draws strength from such clear choices. Willis plays blues with knowledge, humour and feeling, keeping these songs alive and relevant.
