Reviews

"This young 'keeper of the flame' blows my hair back. It's all new; but
gives me that much needed Jimi and Stevie fix."
Vince Welnick, keyboardist (Grateful Dead, Todd Ruddgren, The Tubes)

Jacob Michael Live Review

Ely Blues Festival 2003
Winton, MN
September 5-6, 2003
by Rich Benson

Photography © 2003 by Mindy

Teenage blues guitar whiz Jacob Michael kicked things off Day 2 with some hot playing on "Hideaway." The young guitar slinger, backed by solid veterans on bass and drums delivered a great deal of fluid, expressive guitar riffs. This young man has a bright future in the music business. Jacob's set of mostly covers, seasoned with a few originals, had the crowd moving and dancing, impressed with his great guitar tone and strong vocals. Jacob showed some nice, buzzing, snarling riffs on "Only a Fool Would Set You Free." His fluid playing, great held notes, and pleasing tone made for some great blues guitar. Jacob has a great deal of respect and reverence for the blues, which he showed on his solid covers of "That's Alright" and "I'm Ready." On the latter he does not try to copy Muddy, but plays his guitar with great fast fills and sings with powerful emotion so that he captures the spirit of the song. His original, "Your Love Is Like a Fire" features solid, fast guitar riffs that are low and growling, seldom screaming or howling. His clear, expressive vocals featured smoothly drawn out lyrics. Jacob treated the crowd to a short, brilliant, flamenco style guitar solo before closing his solid set.

Wolf's Head Rally Review

What do you get when you combine a young guitar phenome with a seasoned rhythm section? Reliable energy, grit with a groove--the Jacob Michael Blues Band.

When Jacob Michael attended his first Bayfront Blues Festival at age 9 he knew right away that he wanted to play blues. He was already playing piano, and added Stevie Ray-inspired electric guitar. At 12, he hooked up with blues-veteran John Gruber through an art mentorship program. Together they worked up songs using a drum machine and started performing as a duo. Jacob recorded his first CD at age 13 in Portland, Oregon. Soon after returning, experienced drummer Rick Brandenburg joined the group and they became the Jacob Michael Blues Band. Now 16, Jacob and his band have satisfied crowds at The Gunflint Tavern, Papa Charlie’s, and Bev’s Juke Joint in Superior. Highlight gigs this summer included a Saturday slot at Blues On The Range, and a main act performance at The Tap Room in Duluth during Blues Festival weekend. Influenced by Freddie King, Ronnie Earl, BB King, and Otis Rush, Jacob has developed a personal style using speed, dynamics, blues phrasing, and heart-ripping vocals. Last January the band recorded a CD of original songs at Bally Haus Studio in Duluth. The recording is virtually live and was completed in just a few hours. The CD is selling and interest in Jacob is accelerating. Young phenome? Wunderkid? Yep. But the bottom line is good gritty blues.

http://www.wolfsheadrally.com/wolfshead/artists/artists2003.htm