Page 48 - BiTS_12_DECEMBER_2025

This nine-track set was recorded in February 2025 at the Central Iowa Blues
Society’s Winter Blues Festival. The duo plays three of Jaisson’s own, rather fine
compositions, and six standards. Jimmy Reed is a favourite – the set opens with

‘Going To New York’ and later we are given ‘Bright Lights, Big City’. There are also
fine, stripped-down versions of Muddy Waters’ ‘Honey Bee’, Jimmy Rogers’ classic
‘Walking By Myself’, and ‘Spoonful’, drawing from Howling Wolf to judge from

Jaisson’s vocal, though throughout the album, he doesn’t really sound like anyone
else. Both men add their own subtle distinctive touches – these may be standards,
and recognisably so, but they are also individual performances.

There is a fine cover too of the gospel number ‘Run Sinner Run’, from Mance
Lipscomb, and showing a slightly different side to their music. It is all well worth
checking out.

Norman Darwen

(www.brandonhudspeth.com)

Paul Filipowicz—Breakwater—Big Jake Records

Singer and guitarist Paul Filipowicz has been playing
around Chicago for more than five decades, and has

made some rather fine albums. “Breakwater” is another,
and contains plenty of West side Chicago, stripped-down
guitar blues.

The opener, ‘Tuff Girl’ has guitar work that reminded me
of Jimmy Dawkins, and elsewhere Paul conjures up
memories of some of Chicago’s finest: ‘Lefty Phillips’

refers to Lefty Dizz and Brewer Phillips, ‘That’s The Truth’ brought back memories
of J.B. Hutto walking across the tables at London’s 100 Club, ‘I’m Leaving You’ is a
worthy homage to Howling Wolf (though Paul wisely perhaps, doesn’t recreate

Wolf’s vocal), and Freddy King came to mind with the closing instrumental ‘Rollcage’.

Yes, this is a tough set with the raw production suiting the approach. Only the original
‘Poor Boy’ doesn’t really work well – it just seems a little messy, but we can forgive

Paul that. Maggie “Blues Chic” Aliotta channels Koko Taylor on her recording debut
with a guest vocal on ‘That’s Why I’m Crying’, a nice change of focus.

You have to like your blues rough and ready to appreciate this set. If that’s you, then

buy with confidence.

Norman Darwen

(www.paulfilipowicz.com)