Nashville Fats - Introducing Jesus Blues
Nashville Fats is a gifted blues guitar player, singer and songwriter.   He acknowledges the influences of famous blues musicians Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, but with blues it doesn't really seem to matter.   Every song may sound like the next somewhat, but the bottom line is telling a story in a blues fashion and relating it with our Lord and Savior is an accomplishment in this forum!   Strong personalities like Nashville Fats can be very beneficial to witnessing and this is what I hear and feel throughout this wonderful cassette.   Peter Thorpe (Nashville Fats' real name) has nearly all of the writing credits and arrangements on this project.   The production on this cassette was perfect and accomplished by Peter Thorpe and Dale Davis.   How does one go about reviewing a blues album?   Well you listen for good acoustic guitar, harmonica and a strong story-telling voice where you can feel the emotion of the message; Nashville Fats has all bases covered!

Kind Hearted Savior speaks of giving your heart to Jesus.   What a wonderful way to do it as Nashville Fats' blues make you feel the love for our Savior right down to one's very soul.   You feel blues more than the average style of songs.   The Holy Spirit certainly stirs within you when listening to this project.   Early Morning Blue Gospel has a bit of 50's rock (Little Richard) feeling to it.   Swing Low Sweet Chariot adds a little spiritual gospel to the blues fold and I enjoyed this song the most.   The guitar on this song is Nashville at his finest!   The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock is a clever adaptation of a well known children's song.   The concepts of Nashville's music are simply amazing.   There is quite a bit of creativity in each track throughout Jesus Blues!   It's going to be Burning Down there is a straight forward blues song telling you, hey you better make sure you're going to Heaven and not that other place which isn't worth mentioning :)

Prodigal Son is a story about well, the Prodigal Son, who had two sons.   I think you get the gist of it, it's blues at its best.   The listener is hanging on every word and the music only intensifies the story and I certainly enjoyed this song from beginning to end!   Sinning Blues just keeps the blues a rollin' on.   If you are a blues fan you are completely caught up in the project right now.   I can almost see the smoke in a crowded little music hall (almost that is, there is a huge difference having Christian lyrics instead of secular ones!).   The Lord's Prayer has never sounded so good.   I wish we could do this one in church, but I doubt we could keep the tambourines beating correctly as this blues song does not keep 4/4 time (on purpose of course!).   Jesus Said closes out the cassette in fine fashion.   Nashville saved his best for last.   It personifies Christian blues as the song has great hooks and wonderful harmonica.

Nashville Fats has a wonderful gift from our Lord and Savior!   He shares his heart and soul with you on Jesus Blues and you should strongly consider picking up this cassette.   After listening to his music I was in the mood for an old post 1940 movie. They don't make movies like they used to anymore, and the same goes for Nashville whose music is timeless and priceless!

Nashville has web sites at: Songtek.com and Bein.com

Paul Gentry, CMCA Staff