JD and the Straight Shot

JD and the Straight Shot

JD and the Straight Shot is a New York, United States-based group led by Jim Dolan, who uses “JD” in the band name. The group works in blues, country and roots rock.

History

Dolan performs as lead vocalist and guitarist, and Bruce Koplow is the band’s guitarist and chief songwriter. The group has been active on New York area stages for a few years before its debut album appears, and it releases Nothing to Hide in 2005. That record and the tour that follows draw critical attention from blues writers, with praise for Dolan’s voice and phrasing and comparisons to Tom Waits and Randy Newman.

The band also gains visibility through live appearances with Joe Walsh, who invites JD and the Straight Shot to support his North American tours. Those appearances include dates associated with the reunion of Walsh’s original band, the James Gang. The lineup is described as a quintet, and the group’s sound at these shows is noted for blues-and-rock balance, close vocal harmonies, organ and guitar solos.

Recordings

Right on Time follows as the band’s first newly recorded music in three years. The album includes guest guitar work from Joe Walsh on “Slow Motion in Reverse” and pedal steel from Robert Randolph on “Train’s A Coming”. Other tracks highlighted include “Double My Order”, “Leap of Faith”, “I Just Gotta Be Me”, “Lie No Better”, “Right on Time” and “What Do We Do Now”. The material is described as ranging across blues, rock, brass-led shuffle, country-flavoured songs and Nashville-influenced arrangements.

The group’s writing and arrangements draw on classic rock, blues, country blues, R&B horn sections, gospel harmonies, boogie-woogie piano, harmonica and female backing vocals. The band’s stated approach combines blues with classic rock swagger and a country direction on selected songs.

Musical connections

JD and the Straight Shot works with a number of musicians outside the core group. Alongside Joe Walsh and Robert Randolph, the bio also notes Slash in connection with the band. Dolan describes music as one of his earliest passions and says he has kept playing guitar since he was 15.