On About Time, Dennis Jones will get actual with blues-rock that contains one half drama, one half top-tier manufacturing, and guitar tones that soften faces. With BusBoys keyboardist Brian O’Neal behind the glass, Jones has created a crop of compelling songs tailored for blues festivals all around the world.

Songs like “All the time The Identical” are blues-based however actually hit house.
“All the time The Identical” is an previous music I’d redone. It’s in all probability 30 years previous. I re-wrote it, and I believe if I can relate to it, different folks can relate to it. “Too Excessive To Fly” and stuff like which can be about ready for issues to occur. That by no means works. It’s a must to get off your butt and do it. “Simply Like You” is about touring the world and seeing how a lot all of us have in frequent – respecting different cultures and never being the ugly American.

It’s life expertise. All my songs come from observing folks, my life, and the place I’m. It’s what I see on this planet and what I see in myself. After I go all over the world to play, I see the happiness I deliver. That’s the reward. All the pieces is about time and timing, so the album title was applicable.

“Six Toes Off The Floor” is a superb music that one other blues artist may go away off as a result of it’s so heavy.
That’s the wonderful thing about proudly owning a file label (laughs). I file a number of songs, and I decide the perfect ones. It’s an excellent music, and I believed it might be a wonderful nearer. It’s additionally very optimistic. I’ve been an eclectic from my very first file, and I’ve by no means stayed in blues mode. Blues is likely one of the most-original types of American music; the whole lot I do comes from that root. However I wish to do me. I sleep good at night time due to that. My followers maintain popping out, so I have to be doing one thing proper.

About Time sounds just like the synergy between highway chops and glorious manufacturing.
I introduced in Brian O’Neal to assist me produce. I used to play with The BusBoys again within the day. He produced my first file and the vocals and primary tracks on this file. Then I went into one other studio and produced the whole lot else myself – guitar, keyboards, sax, and backing vocals. Paulie Cerra got here in and performed sax.

How did Brian’s enter have an effect on the album?
Brian is an incredible producer and an excellent man. He took my vocals to a different place. Plenty of the stuff he made me sing, I didn’t like. I used to be like, “No! That’s not me!” I listened to it two weeks later and was like, “Oh, wow!” (laughs) To belief your producer is basically what it’s all about. Get out of your zone and push your self. I wanted that kick within the ass.

Which pedals did you run?
I plugged straight into the amp apart from an Xotic XW-1 wah. I’ve a few high-end wahs, however for some motive, that one lower by way of rather well.

There’s a refrain impact on “You’re Killing Me.”
That’s an previous Leslie. We plugged it into the board. Brian was turning the knobs and sped it up for sure elements. I’d by no means performed by way of a Leslie, and it was actually cool.

I additionally used a DSL Results Extremely Refrain II. All my pedals are twin pedals; I like stuff that has multiple operate. I name them crayons. They’re colours. I play in an influence trio and I like completely different shades.

I didn’t use any dust pedals. Often, I sneak in a Tube Screamer, however this time I took my Bogner Shiva out of storage, introduced in a Deluxe Reverb, and used a ’60s Marshall that was within the studio. After I did the solos, I went by way of my Shiva and my Vibro-King. All of the heavy guitar was the Bogner. It’s a monster. I additionally used an previous Vox that had a unique sound. It was nice to plug straight into an amp with out pedals, and I believe it captured the sound.

Speak about your guitars.
I construct my very own. I used my #1 that I inbuilt 2014 and the goldtop Les Paul I’ve had for 20 years. I’ve actually dug into the Les Paul. I bear in mind the early Aerosmith albums when Joe Perry used Strats, Teles, and Les Pauls in numerous mixtures to get sure sounds. I’m an old-school man. I’m not keen on new guitars. I’ve tried them, they usually don’t make you play higher. I construct mine at house, the best way I like, purchase the necks, and put within the electronics. I’m a geek in terms of that.

What’s subsequent for you?
We’re going to hit the highway, have some enjoyable, and proceed making good music.

This text initially appeared in VG’s September 2024 challenge. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.