For over thirty years Jim Stephanson has been a vital presence on the Washington, DC music scene. A guitarist of great renown, a singer of soulful bearing, and a songwriter with a keen ear for melody, swing, and wallop, Say Go is, remarkably, his first album under his own name.
From the Everly Brothers lilt of “You Won’t Ever Fall in Love Again” to the midnight honky-tonk of “How About Now,” Say Go sounds like an album you’ve lived with your whole life. “Before You Know” mixes melodic sophistication with a luxurious arrangement that evokes The Beatles without a hint of retro leanings; it’s a glorious twenty-first century song. Washington, DC’s musical treasure will no longer be a secret to the rest of the world.
NRBQ fans take note: Say Go was co-produced by Terry Adams who also plays piano, clavinet and organ. The rhythm section on the entire disc is the incomparable team of Tom Ardolino and Joey Spampinato (who also contributes harmony vocals). Original Q guitarist, the late Steve Ferguson solos on “Make a Lot of Noise,” in what turned out be was his last recording session.
Starting in the seventies, Stephanson led a series of bands, eventually settling into the much-loved Jimmy & the Blue Dogs. Currently, he can also be heard working with Tom Mitchell (from Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks) in The Blue Rhythm Boys. Their 2003 album, Monday Morning Blues, received a WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Award) as the year’s best blues recording. Stephanson also pays homage to such jazz guitar legends as Hank Garland, Jimmy Bryant, and Les Paul with Hillbilly Jazz, the country swing quartet he formed with guitarist Chick Hall Jr. One of the DC area’s most in demand guitarists, Stephanson has worked with, among many others, Big Joe & the Dynaflows, Chris Gaffney, Billy Hancock, The J Street Jumpers (The Uptown Rhythm Kings), The Brooks Tegler Big Band, Eric Brace & Last Train Home, Karl Straub, and Dave Kitchen.
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