It is almost a twist of fate the fact that Jared James Nichols was born and raised in the same street where the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan had his final concert, before Vaughan's passing. Nichols, despite his young age, has already accumulated a highly noticeable "Palmares" of attention in the music business, both by fellow artists, for which he has been opening as a support act through the years (from Derek Trucks to ZZ Top!) and blues/rock fans.
His 2012 EP debut, Live At The Viper Room, was already a true statement of his guitar ability combined with a very poweerful voice. Nichols' deep understanding about rock and blues is highly remarkable and his first, full-length album, Old Glory And The Wild Revival is a clear demonstration of such knowledge, acquired through many years of live performing.
Nichols doesn't pull back in any moment of the record; Now Or Never and Come On In My Kitchen smell of old-fashion-feet-stomping blues canteens, whilst Can You Feel It? is still bluesy and ballsy and, at the same time, carrying lovely memories of the first AC/DC period with Bon Scott.
Playin' For Keeps, both as studio and live version is pure, boombastic rock, with Dennis Holm on drums commanding the different change of tempos whilst Nichols' guitar solo, especially on the live version that close the album, is an absolute joy to listen to. The greatest aspect of this track is Nichols' thunderous guitar, which is able to suspend the listeners in a music time capsule, half a way between Hendrix's sound and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard best guitar riffs ever.
Jared James Nichols flexes his music muscles superbly throughout the record, showing a superb variety of skills, both as a musician and as a singer.
If Old Glory And The Wild Revival is a truly tasty aperitive for Nichols' career, blues/rock lovers are in for a great hangover of music treats for the years to come.
Giovanni "Gio" Pilato
Old Glory And The Wild Revival can be purchased on Amazon
Jared James Nichols Infos and Tour Dates are available at the following link: Jared James Nichols
