On his sophomore album, the self released Lost
Time Blues, JAKE LEAR shows a lot of
character, stricking an effective balance between
the classic sounds of artists such as Eddie Taylor
and post- Stevie Ray Vaughan tones, adding a
healthy dose of rough – hewn, Dylanesque
country blues attitude. On the steady-rolling title
track and the ballad “Boogie Woogiw Woman,”
it sounds like the upstate New York-based
guitarist has kept Modern Times in rotation; the
focus; is his pleasantly craggy vocals. Lear hits
hard but keeps his playing simple and direct on
Guitar Slim-inspired “Sometimes,” the shuffles
“Blues 3 Ways” and “Sure Gonna Miss You,”
and the roots rocker “Leave This Town.”
- Blues Revue July 2009