Jad Tariq — “Jad Tariq Sings” — MoMojo Records
Jad Tariq may not sound exactly like the name of someone deeply into American roots music, R&B and jump blues.
But he is. And he’s very good at it.
And you can thank world-class bluesman, harp player and fellow Memphis resident John Németh for bringing him to our attention.
As a senior at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tariq began turning up at Németh’s gigs, and John eventually let him sit in with the band. Németh says Tariq’s blues and R&B work is impressive, but “I really love when he incorporates his Palestinian heritage and those sounds into his music. It’s super unique.” Tariq would later go on the road with Németh and appeared on his 2023 album, “Live From The Fallout Shelter.”
Tariq found his blues calling when: “My guitar teacher played me some Stevie Ray Vaughan, and my parents bought me that record of Albert King and Stevie together. It was so clear that Stevie got his influence from Albert. Albert was such a monster. He completely changed how I saw guitar. He got me into the more traditional blues.”
“In the end,” Tariq says, “I guess I classify what I do as rhythm and blues, but there’s a lot of different kinds of music in there too,” he added. “It’s all the stuff I love and listen to. I’m just trying to put my own spin on it.”
This debut album includes five originals and three classic covers, all smoothly executed by Tariq and his Memphis bandmates — Art Edmaiston on saxophone, Carl Caspersen on upright bass, Gerald Stevens and Wyly Bigger on piano and organ, and Earl Lowe on drums. Tariq handles guitar and vocals with a passion and polish that belie his 28 years.
The album kicks off with the original “Flapjack,” splashed with liquid guitar notes firing a swinging rhythm with a big band feel behind Tariq’s deceptively relaxed vocals. “You Think You’re Too Good For Me” follows, another original, with sizzling horns biting into another swinging session. “Had You Told It Like It Was” covers a recording by Albert King with a hint of a Latin rhythm behind big fat guitar notes.
“Fortune’s Fool” shifts back to an original, and shifts the mood to a dreamy ballad effortlessly crooned by Tariq — you’d swear you were sipping an icy martini in a classy ’50s cocktail lounge. “Shame, Shame, Shame” strips down the backers to guitar, upright bass, drums and piano for an original that adds a sensuous R&B feel to its doowop flavor.
Tariq reinvigorates the jump blues classic “Bloodshot Eyes” from R&B legend Wynonie Harris, swinging it appropriately hard and fast, then adds a lyrical guitar and tasty piano to the equally legendary T-Bone Walker’s “No Sleepin’est Woman.” Tariq closes with his own easy-rocking “So Much Water,” brightly lit by a sharp horn intro, carried along by stinging guitar riffs, and more slow-rolling vocals that complete this outstanding musical package.
“Jad Tariq Sings” is an impressive debut from this multi-talented guitarist/singer/songwriter/bandleader. Tariq dips deftly into the deep well of classic blues, jazz and R&B and comes out swinging as he filters these classic sounds though his own musical sensibilities.
It’s great listening, and you can dance to it!
Just who is Jad Tariq? Here’s a profile from Blues Blast Magazine.
Here’s “Flapjack” from the album:
Tracklist:
1. Flapjack
2. You Think You’re Too Good For Me
3. Had You Told It Like It Was
4. Fortune’s Fool
5. Shame, Shame, Shame
6. Bloodshot Eyes Harris
7. No Sleepin’est Woman
8. So Much Water
Blues Roadhouse 