Floyd Jones – The Chronological Floyd Jones 1948-1953 – Classics 5103

In 1981, John Brim used his royalties from Van Halen’s recording of “Ice Cream Man”, and also royalties from The J. Geils Band having cut his “Be Careful”, to open a nightclub in Chicago on N. Broadway named John Brim’s House of the Blues Broadway Nite Club.  One of the most exciting aspects of the club, exclusive of the great blues presented there, was that on any given evening, Chicago blues giants Floyd Jones and Big Walter Horton could be found there.  It was truly a venue where classic Chicago blues could be heard, and famed practitioners of the genre could be discovered just hanging-out. 

Although his overall blues sound is shadowy and discontented, Jones’ contributions to the Chicago blues are remarkable for the imagery he musically painted on classics such as “Stockyard Blues, “Dark Road”, “Overseas”, “Playhouse”, “Skinny Mama”, “Schooldays On My Mind”, “Floyd’s Blues”, and “Any Old Lonesome Day” (all of which appear on this fantastic collection), among others. 

Jones was in the right place at the right time in the late 1940s when post-war Chicago blues began to move urban blues fans with its electric framework and subsequent appeal in many of the city’s south side and west side taverns and clubs. 

Jones was born in Marianna, Arkansas in 1917.  How is this for a start to your blues career?  Jones began to give the guitar significant thought as a means to an end when given his first one by none other than the eminent bluesman Howlin’ Wolf.  Through the 1930s and into the early 1940s, Jones played blues throughout both Arkansas and Mississippi.

Jones started playing on Chicago’s famed Maxwell Street for change when he arrived in in the city in the mid-1940s (1945 is the common year cited), with both his cousin Moody Jones and Baby Face Leroy Foster.  The trio did eventually turn their attention to playing the city’s taverns and clubs. 

Jones, preferring to play bass guitar after first arriving in Chicago, first recorded in 1947 with Chicago harmonica titan Snooky Pryor on the Marvel label.  It should be noted that in time, Jones made the standard guitar his instrument of choice. 

This superb Jones overview encompasses blues songs cut for the Marvel, J.O.B., Chess, and Vee-Jay labels.  Front-to-back, there is not a clunker in the 18 selections offered, and the whole of the assemblage stands firm as a textbook of exemplary Chicago blues, and of Jones’ broad talents. 

Backing Jones throughout this journey of his brand of Chicago blues are respected blues names of the time; Sunnyland Slim, Snooky Pryor, Moody Jones, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Elgin Edmonds, Willie Coven, Eddie Taylor, and Alfred Wallace. 

Jones’ blues often has feelings of weariness, boredom, or cynicism as a result of protracted experiences of such in his life, so his blues imprint is generally dourer than most.  But, that realism is what elevates Jones’ music; listeners and fans of the period could relate to it.  Jones wore his struggles on his sleeve, highly-exposed to the world.

Plus, Jones frequently had a social commentary aspect within his blues.  Cuts like “Stockyard Blues” and “Ain’t Times Hard” extend observations many within his locale and social strata were feeling and experiencing.  As such, Jones’ blues struck chords within many blues listeners of the period. 

There is a scene in the excellent 1972 film Chicago Blues (directed by Harley Cokeliss) that features Jones in his home speaking about his life in the blues.  There is an aching melancholy to Jones’ discussion about his lack of success, and it is hurting to see and hear Jones talk about his place in the blues, despite his brave face.  But, the scene also features Jones playing his electric guitar and singing, and his sorrowful tone is justified; he was a magnificent bluesman deserving of an ampler success.

For all blues fans, and not just those of Chicago blues, this Floyd Jones compilation comes with the maximum regard, and is an essential component of any blues collection.  Pursue a copy for your blues collection today!  Essential!