Two-time Blues Blast Award Nominee’s MoMojo Records Album Encompasses Bluff City Americana, Roots Rock + Rhythm & Blues
“A Memphis-based R&B guitarist with very impressive chops.”
–Rolling Stone
“Elegant fretwork.”
–New York Times
“Since coming to Memphis a decade ago, Jad Tariq has established himself as one of the city’s top guitarists.”
–Bob Mehr, Memphis Commercial Appeal
“The ‘future’ of blues guitar… Extremely talented.”
–Blues Blast Magazine
After backing Bob Dylan in concert this summer, including in NYC, Memphis’ Jad Tariq has unveiled his sophomore album Precious Company, sharing the driving first single “Poor Me.” The all-original album, out September 18 via MoMojo Records, encompasses roots rock, blues, and rhythm & blues. Jad has garnered national attention through collaborations with multiple Blues Music Award-winner and fellow Memphian John Németh and Blues Hall of Fame Charlie Musselwhite and performed this summer at Senigallia, Italy’s Summer Jamboree.
On Tariq first playing live with the Bard, Rolling Stone identified the “Memphis-based R&B guitarist with very impressive chops. Much like [Joel] Paterson, it feels like he was preparing for this gig his entire life without knowing it. It’s unclear if Paterson and Tariq knew each other before, but they’re now a team. Let’s hope this one lasts.”
Precious Company, which releases September 18 via MoMojo Records, finds Tariq playing his 1949 Gibson ES-5 through a home-built Fender Deluxe tweed replica, with zero pedals mucking up the signal path. “Poor Me” evokes giants like Louis Jordan and early Ray Charles but also 21st century festival headliners like JD McPherson and Pokey LaFarge. The sound was directly influenced by a stint Tariq spent as a substitute guitarist in a Memphis Baptist church.
Meanwhile, “Precious Company” would not sound out of place echoing out of the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen street in New Orleans or Brooklyn’s Barbés. The playful “Half Measures” echoes Little Willie John. “I had a buddy dating a girl who in my opinion, he simply couldn’t afford. I wrote this song as a humorous reflection about what it’s like to be dating outside of your tax bracket!,” laughs Tariq.
The album closes with “To My Used To Be,” an affecting acoustic waltz of regret in the mold of Willie Nelson or George Jones.
Recorded in the Bluff City, the album features bassist Matthew Wilson (Buffalo Nichols) and horn players Marc Franklin (Solomon Burke, Wu-Tang Clan, Gregg Allman, Robert Cray, Lucero) and Kirk Smothers (Don Bryant, Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Buddy Guy).
Of one of the Dylan concerts, Dylan devotees Flagging Down the Double E’s said, “His instant chemistry with his new bandmates rendered a familiar setlist into something novel and exhilarating. It was easily one of the best Dylan shows I’ve seen over the last 20 years.”
Precious Company Track Listing
1. September Moon (Jad Tariq)
2. I Want A Mean Woman (Jad Tariq, Jon Hay)
3. Room For Two (Jad Tariq Qaddourah, Benton Parker)
4. Poor Me (Jad Tariq)
5. Precious Company (Christopher T. Conway, Jad Tariq)
6. Half Measures (Jad Tariq, Jon Hay)
7. Whiskey, Ain’t But A Dollar (Jad Tariq, Benton Parker)
8. Inflation’s High Blues (Jad Tariq)
9. Waitin’ and Wishin’ (Jad Tariq)
10. To My Used To Be
Precious Company Credits
Jad Tariq — Vocals, Guitar
Earl Lowe — Drums
Matthew Wilson — Upright Bass, Background Vocals
Wyly Bigger — Piano, Background Vocals
Jon Hay — Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals
Kirk Smothers — Tenor & Baritone Saxophone
Marc Franklin — Trumpet
Nikolas Karolewicz — Upright Bass (Track 3)
Jacob Huffman — Harmonica (Track 10)
Benton Parker — Background Vocals
Produced by Jad Tariq
Engineered by Jon Hay at Lola’s Place Recording, Memphis, TN
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Gross at Fat Rabbit Studios, Franklin Lakes, NJ
Photography by Mary Gunning
Design by Logan Schaal
Jad Tariq Concerts
September 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Big Blues Bender (Tony Holiday Ft. Jad Tariq)
September 17 – Germantown, TN – Germantown Performing Arts Center (as Memphis Rhythm Revue)
September 19 – Davenport, IA – Mississippi Valley Blues Festival (main stage, as Memphis Rhythm Revue)
