William Howse & Jack Pearson
Physical Album
$12.00
Jack and William perform authentic acoustic Blues originals that recall an earlier, more rural style, merging tradition with personal expericence that reaches the listener and touches the soul.
Jack and William share vocal duties on the album. William is featured on harmonica. Jack plays resonator and acoustic guitars, fingerstyle, with solid, swinging rhythm and lots of slide work in open and standard tunings.
Jack and William perform authentic acoustic Blues originals that recall an earlier, more rural style, merging tradition with personal expericence that reaches the listener and touches the soul.
Jack and William share vocal duties on the album. William is featured on harmonica. Jack plays resonator and acoustic guitars, fingerstyle, with solid, swinging rhythm and lots of slide work in open and standard tunings.
Previews
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I Feel All Right 1:100:00/1:10
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Mr. Engineer 1:140:00/1:14
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Every Time It Rains 1:120:00/1:12
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JB Blues 1:080:00/1:08
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Waiting On Your Love 1:050:00/1:05
Digital Album
Jack Pearson & William Howse
William Howse, a blues harmonica master, established a playing style in the tradition of John Lee Williamson, Big Walter, and Deford Bailey and his vocals are reminiscent of Muddy Waters; he is one of the few true bluesmen around. In fact, he gave a special performance at the dedication ceremony of the Tennessee Historical Marker commemorating harmonica great Deford Bailey. Jack's acoustic blues style developed from influences such as Blind Willie Johnson, Rev. Gary Davis, and Brownie McGhee; his vocals are distinctive and soulful.
Over the years they have written many inspiring songs, some of which have been recorded by Jack & William, Gregg Allman, Johnny Jenkins and Jimmy Hall. From the late 1980’s through 2002 they anchored the popular local blues band, The Nationals. The combination of this duo’s exceptional talent as individual musicians and their songwriting skills makes for a captivating show every time.
As a duo they performed at the dedication ceremony of the Tennessee Historical Marker commemorating blues harmonica legend, John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson; shared the bill at The Ryman Auditorium with The Fairfield Four and The Nashville Bluegrass Band; and opened for Doc Watson, Honey Boy Edwards, Yank Rachell and Johnny Shines.
Give them two chairs, a resonator guitar and a belt of harmonicas and the result is an authentic acoustic delta blues duo. The proof is in their recording “William Howse & Jack Pearson”, a 12 song collection of their original compositions.
"Authentic...Gutbucket blues, complete with harmonica wuffing and bottleneck guitar. 'Old School' and proud of it." Robert K. Oermann, Music Row
"Fine harp playing and nuanced vocals...with interesting licks that feel right, tonally and texturally. [Howse's] playing and singing interweave seamlessly with Jack Pearson's sympathetic guitar accompaniment...his slide work on National steel has a sweet, sometimes mournful quality that works well...a solid first release. Their self-titled disc comes strongly recommended." Tom Townsley, Blues revue
"Two old friends, two bluesmen extraordinaire, two kindred spirits, two brothers. William Howse and Jack Pearson combine their love of the blues and their natural affinity and connection to each other to give us an outstanding look into acoustic blues songs and stylings. Twenty years or more of playing the blues together allows these fine musicians the opportunity to come up with a front porch collection of original tunes, easy to listen to, with much to say and even more to ingest...a real gem of great blues. Stripped down and very basic, the CD features William's harp, Jack's National steel body guitar, and vocals from both men...musicians of the finest order...simply stellar and worth getting by anyone who is schooled in the blues in any way..." Bill Ector, Hittin' The Note
“…a powerful reminder of how emotionally deep and rhythmically effective the blues could be…this is the real deal. William Howse is a master blues harmonica player…As a vocalist, he is also one of the most expressive, dynamic and real on the scene…the harp, it cries, pleads, laughs, scolds…Jack Pearson concentrates on applying his serious chops to acoustic steel guitar. And Jack is all over that thing, with notes, chords, rhythms, and slide effects coming at you like an entire New Orleans street band…each [song] is so deep and soulful you’d swear it was an old classic. Like the best blues, this music is mournful and happy at the same time, and you will love it whether you’re a fan of blues, folk, jazz, country, or acoustic. Austin Bealmean, Jazz & Blues News