GIGS

"'Jasper, Texas' is more of a salute to the soulful bluesy, sounds of Memphis than the racism that caused a black man to be dragged to death in that town. But then that's the point: Where would America be without its black music roots? I credit the band for having the guts to send this disc to Jasper's KJAS, which immediately banned it. Tough, nearly impossible for acts to break new ground with this brand of original music, they succeed from a purist sense, while packing their tunes with a fresh sense of enthusiasm. ''Jolene, Jolene,'' a Dr. John-like ode to a stripper, is among the best modern blues I've heard recently. I also like the Springsteen-inspired ''She's Got Soul.''
-Jasper, Texas Review by Bob Makin from Courier News