These are from reviews of Billy's new cd, "my Hometown":

Billy Jones is the kind of artist that's worth getting excited about. He wants to change the world, one listener at a time, and it's an awfully exciting thing to be able to be a fan of an artist who believes that music can still be a vehicle for change.

Bob Davis
Soul-Patrol.com



"Whether talking about the incredibly soulful and funky opener, "Here With You", the slithering and additively seductive groove of "Crystal", the rolling bass-line and plaintive vocals of "The Clown", the gorgeously realized mixture of frustration and hopeful dreams locked into the aching soul-groove of "My Hometown", down to the rollicking guitar line on "Bluez Comes Callin'" that closes the album, it's as if every song chastises me for never having heard of this man or his music before now.

At times dark, mysterious, downright funky, and always compelling, each of the ten songs on the album guarantees I'll be back for more."
"While I love and adore more traditional blues artists such as Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, etc., it was just so damned nice to be able to sit down and listen to something that speaks eloquently in the tradition of those older artists and traditions, and yet manages to bring something new and funky to the table."
Music Review: Billy Jones - My Hometown
Published: April 09, 2007
blogcritics.org/archives/2007/04/09/095118.php

"I really think Billy Jones is great and very original. Originality is getting very seldom in the blues tradition."
Jan Mittendorp
Crossroads Blues Agency

"Updating the blues for the 21st century is not an easy matter... Billy Jones has managed it.
Think Bobby Womack with Curtis Mayfield's social conscience and you are getting close.
Perhaps the most important thing to note is that his sound is more acceptable to modern ears
and maybe that will get more people to listen to his message.

Jones has a voice that will enchant you. This is a fine, soulful album..."
www.bluesbunny.co.uk/plist300937.html

Taking Blues to New Places with R&B, Soul, and Urban Style
"Billy Jones definitely puts his soul into this music as his vocals are a great blend of blues intensity and style with urban soul. The songs are compelling at the very least because they both pay homage to the blues and soul greats, but also because they show a wide range of influences and musical diversity.

There are some moments where I hear a straight soul feel, others remind me so much of another blues great, Robert Cray, and others are just a great blend of multiple genres while still maintaining a great late night, urban club feel.

No matter if you want to call it soul, blues, or R&B, Billy Jones can really put some emotion into his music, and as I say all the time, that is what music, and especially blues, is all about.

Overall I think Billy Jones definitely is making some great music worth checking out if you're into blues and especially if you're into soul, but also if you're into more modern R&B. I think fans of all of these genres can probably find something they�ll like."

D.A.N.
Soul of Rock-n-Roll
Fri 20 Apr 2007
www.soulofrocknroll.com/?p=81

"A few words to let you know that I received on last Wednesday the new Billy Jones 'my Hometown' CD. Thank you for sending it!" ... thank you again! It will be played next Wednesday!"

Denis Claraz Radio kaleidoscope - Grenoble

"I really like the way that Billy Jones seamlessly segues from fierce grooves to smooth soul ballads. Thank you for sending them my way and rest assured I will be playing these a lot on my show which airs from 9:00 to 11:00 pm MST every Friday and can be heard on the web at

www.ypradio.org

Thanks again,
Art Hooker
Yellowstone Public Radio

Original younger generation blues singer/songwriter. His blues are unique. He calls his music BLUEZ. He doesn't copy nobody. Blues, pure soul without any sentimentalities. Excellent production incorporating modern programming techniques. Never sounding artificial. One of the best releases from the last couple of months.

Detlev Hoegen in the new CrossCut catalogue about 'my Hometown'.


International Blues Festival
Werkhof, Germany

With a smile a yard wide and moves that could make Shakira blush, Little Rock product Billy Jones is a smart, concise player... his live performances are sweaty, gritty, and alive.
His 90-minute set offered danceable funk, plus plenty of the mellow Southern soul... and on white-hot Albert Collins-style electric blues, Jones proved he can tear it up when he feels like it.
He told the story of a "Juice Headed Woman" with the authority of someone who's been there. Later, Jones morphed into Hendrix for a few bars, reaching out to that portion of the crowd that whoops instantly when a guitarist plays with his teeth.
Watching Jones stay focused and complete a thoroughly professional set, I couldn't help but think of the song title "Poor Boy a Long Way From Home". Jones and his band belonged not here, but in some smoky, cramped, sexual-tension-filled room where people are on the make and ready to party. Most of the audience wasn't any older than Jones. They just acted that way.

by Vincent Abbate, Blues Revue Magazine
www.bluesrevue.com

And here's the word from some fans:

"Hi Billy, - I'm Ironweed, think your tracks are great, and l like the fact that your fusing the blues with more contemporary styles of music.
I'm a producer and have worked on and with Ian Brown [Stone Roses] Kirsty McColl .
hope to hear from you soon".
www.myspace.com/theironweedproject

"I like your performance and I love your voice. I love it, how you play your guitar and I love your glances. You are awesome, Billy.
Since the last time, I see you, I can't get you out of my mind. You have touched me deep inside of my heart. Your positive vibes, your charisma...however that may be...
you have woken up something in me...whenever I listen to your songs I could cry and laugh at the same time!
"Since you've been gone, I stay awake all night long..."
I hope, you will return here. I want to see you again some day...look at you and see your wonderful smile...listen to your music, which make me feel...
I bought all of your CD's and I like the lyrics, especially "Here with you", "My Hometown" and "Reconsider Baby".
Billy Jones, I wish you all the best. Hope to see you soon! Take care of yourself!"

Love, SANDRA
Bluez Addict
Germany

Hello Billy,

I am from Denmark and you would make me very glad if you would send me your autograph.

I am sure that you are getting other inquiries of this kind but I do hope that you will take your time and send a letter to Denmark.

I wish you all the best for the future.

Thanks and kind regards,

INGOLF CLAUSEN

Kongevejen 132

DK-2830 Virum

Denmark

Hello Billy,

I'm a collector of guitar picks and I already have about 400 picks of famous
rock & country stars. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see you live in concert and
ask you for a guitar pick personally.

If you mail me your address I would like to send you a return envelope (with stamp) for a guitar pick.

If your name is not printed on the pick it would be very nice if you signed.

In case this is not the right address to write to could you please send the letter to the right place or let me know the address to write to?

Thank you for your efforts in advance.

Sincerely Yours
Susanne

Print Schedule
Photo Gallery

Hairy Larry blogs internet video and audio at MixRemix
Email Hairy Larry
Copyright by Larry Heyl and Vivian Heyl