Jackdawg
Liberation Hall, 2025
9/10
This lone album from the brief, early ‘90s supergroup Jackdawg brings John McFee (The Doobie Brothers), Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival), and the late Keith Knudsen (The Doobie Brothers) to 15 timeless tracks.
“Bayou Rebel” starts the listen with Knudsen’s thumping drums and McFee’s soaring voice in the retro-rock climate, and “When The Sun Don’t Shine” follows with McFee’s intricate guitar and Cook’s playful bass that recruits rhythm to the equation.
Moving close to the middle, “Take It Off” allows for McFee’s synth prowess to shine via the animated delivery that invites singing along, while “Quicksand” showcases the precise rhythm section amid the glossy, ‘80s rock moments.
Getting close to the end, “Young Ones” is a bit dreamy, highly melodic and comes with an infectious chorus, and “Wild Night” exits with a more dense approach thanks to the thick guitar, pounding drums and animated bass.
It’s really too bad that Jackdawg were so short lived, cause this is some great pop-rock and rootsy fun. Although some rare pressings might be out there, this album was largely shelved but gets a new lease on life thanks to Liberation Hall on vinyl, CD and digital formats.
Travels well with: The Blasters- The Complete Concert; Sea Hags- Dead & Gone