# CD review: Dr. J.B. Blues – Bluesy Sky Over Paris 2022: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2022/08/13/cd-review-dr-j-b-blues-bluesy-sky-over-paris-2022-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2022-08-13T00:04:52+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Based out of Essen, Germany, where he’s a real-life physician who specializes 
in oncology and hematology, Dr. J.B. Blues – aka Bernd Jung – is a talented guitarist,
too, and has made a name for himself producing Blues Rock Against Cancer charity
concerts in his homeland. He makes his recording debut with this tasty CD, which
pays tribute to two of his heroes, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.**

Dr. J.B. picked up the six-string for the first time at age 14, and, from the sound
of his fretwork here, it’s obvious that his six-string – a beloved Fender Rory Gallagher-
model Stratocaster tuned in E-flat – has been in his hands steadily when not treating
patients.

Like Vaughan, his main influence, the shred-free notes he delivers flow smoothly
without the necessity of excessive pyrotechnics. He sings in a strong tenor in English
with a slight, but noticeable accent, and his on-the-beat lyrics are counterpoint
to his behind-the-beat playing.

Delivered in power-blues trio format, Dr. J.B. is backed by bassist Christophe Garreau
and percussionist Guillaume Destarac, a veteran rhythm section who’ve recorded several
CDs with Paul Personne and Fred Chapellier, two of the most beloved artists in the
French blues scene.

They’re joined by keyboard player Tristan Abgrall, who also recorded and mixed this
set at L’Auditorium Studios in Paris. It was mastered at Metropolis Studios in London
under the supervision of John Davis, who’s best known in the U.S. for remastering
early Led Zeppelin releases for modern consumption. This CD captured top honors 
in three categories at the recent Akademia Music Awards in Los Angeles — best blues
album, blues song and alternative rock video.

While all of the tunes here are covers, they’re far more than that. Most carry forward
the spirit of the original while not being note-for-note reinterpretations. Like
the award-winning opener, Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” shows, the good Doc may be well-
versed in the masters but he makes the runs all his own. This one’s delivered at
an slower pace, opens quietly with no backing and soars. It flows effortlessly into
a faithful take on Stevie Ray’s “Pride and Joy,” which lopes out of the gate, swings
throughout and switches up the breaks enough to offer up a little originality, too.

“Tin Pan Alley” helped make Vaughan a superstar when it appeared on his debut LP,
but it takes on a completely different feel here. Penned by West Coast bluesman 
Bob Geddins in the early ‘50s and a Top 10 R&B hit when recorded by Jimmy Wilson,
it’s delivered as a molasses-slow ballad that sears for four minutes with barebones
backing. “Texas Flood,” which is up next, follows the same format for to open. Penned
by St. Louis bluesman Larry Davis before becoming another Vaughan masterpiece, Dr.
J.B. turns it into a unique, instrumental burner for the first two minutes, launching
into the familiar lyrics and then ending with 90 seconds more of solid fretwork.

Two more Hendrix numbers — “Red House” and “Voodoo Child” – mirror the same formula
with the former taking its sweet time before the latter heats things up – before
Dr. J.B. ventures into entirely different territory with “Cause We Ended as Lovers.”
Stevie Wonder composed it and it debuted on Motown for Syreeta in 1975 before Jeff
Beck made it his own. It’s reworked as a soulful, slow-paced instrumental here. 
An uptempo take on Stevie Ray’s “Scuttle Buttin’” follows before an extended version
of “Little Wing” brings the album to a close.

When it comes to CDs chockful of covers, this reviewer finds most tedious at best–
but this one’s special. Dr. J.B. Blues delivers a treat for lovers of early blues-
rock that walked a tightrope between the two artforms, and he does it in his own
way. It’s available online from several vendors. **BY www.bluesblastmagazine.com**

The album “Bluesy Sky over Paris” received the Akademia Music Award Los Angeles 
April 2022 in the categories Best Album Blues „Bluesy Sky over Paris“, Best Song
Blues „Little Wing“ and Best Music Video Alternative Rock „Little Wing“.

Akademia: “This stylish blues brew is an awesome experience. Dr. J. B. Blues carves
guitar with mesmerizing skill and everyone pulls together on cuts like “Little Wing”
to deliver the kind of art that could reconceive the genre.”

Akademia: “Dr. J. B. Blues’ distinguished vocal style and masterful instrumentation
impart a shimmering authenticity to this hypnotically artful blues narrative.”

Akademia: “Dr. J. B. Blues’ charisma is well attested by this lavishly emotional
music video, directed by Frida Beineix, carefully glued to a transcendent blues 
jam. “Little Wing” never hits a wrong note.”

​DR. J . B. BLUES was invited for the „Artist of The Year honors“. These awards 
will be conferred by genre during Akademia Music Awards Gala Event next year on 
May 19th 2023 in Los Angeles.

[**New CD – 2022 – Buy from here**](https://www.amazon.de/Bluesy-Sky-Over-Paris-Blues/dp/B09R4V3V93/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2FFY3LQ56AKK0&keywords=cd+dr+jb+blues&qid=1658834116&sprefix=cd+dr+jb+blues%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1)

![](https://i0.wp.com/jazzblues.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Cover1JPG.jpg?resize
=552%2C499&ssl=1)

### _Related_