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uniquely his own and records whatever he feels like recording. On this release you’ll find ‘Pickin’ Wild
Mountain Berries’, another fabulous duet with Colleen Rennison (originally recorded by Peggy Scott
& Jo Jo Benson in 1968), along with ‘Big Blue Diamonds’, ‘I’m Movin’ On’, ‘Big Iran’ plus a great version
of Nick Lowe’s ‘Sensitive Man’. Yet another ten out of ten for everything.

O.K., as promised, more about Steve Dawson. Steve is the guitarist on all of the above mentioned
albums, he also produced them. The man is such a great asset to Jim Byrnes, and together they’ve

given us some of the best and entertaining recordings currently available. By the way, when I said he
plays guitar, that includes acoustic, electric, slide, pedal steel and bass. Yep, very talented. Hear him
on these albums, mind blowing!!!

House of Refuge—Black Hen Music—BHM-CD-932 (2006)

I Hear the Wind in the Wires—Black Hen Music—BHMCD 71 (2012)

St. Louis Times—Black Hen Music—BHMCD 73 (2014)

Now aged seventy-two, Jim Byrnes is still gigging and my prayer is that he’s able to do so for many
more years. A real hidden treasure and, just so you know, I have two more of his albums on order.
Americana at its best.

Bob Pearce

The two other CDs ordered have now arrived and it has to be said that
”Everywhere West” is most highly recommended to readers of BiTS.

Once again, produced and arranged by, and featuring the guitar talent of Steve
Dawson. Tracks include superb versions of Bo Carter/Sheiks ‘Bootlegger’s
Blues’ and Lowell Fulson’s ‘Black Nights’. Bob Johnson’s ‘From Four Until

Late’ get’s a N’awlin’s treatment, it works great too. The Jimmy Reed song
that was a staple of us early sixties British blues bashers – ‘Take Out Some
Insurance On Me’ brings back some very fond memories indeed. In fact, as
my dear wife commented about Mr. Byrnes, “Just when you think he couldn’t get much better”. A
superb album.

Everywhere West—Black Hen Music —BHMCD 67 (2010)

The other cd “My Walking Stick” is another collection of blues, soul and gospel worthy of your
attention. Let’s not beat about the bush….go and buy all of Jim Byrnes’ albums. If you like class acts,
produced and arranged by class producers and arrangers, bringing you great songs performed by

someone you’ve probably never heard of—this is him.

My Walking Stick —Black Hen Music—BHMCD 54 (2009)

Bob Pearce