Recorded in Bluff City, Tennessee, Jad Tariq’s sophomore album Precious Company features the talents of 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).
Throughout the record, you get to hear Jad’s 1949 Gibson ES-5 through a home-built Fender Deluxe tweed replica, with zero pedals mucking up the signal path, which is not lost on major music outlets:
“A Memphis-based R&B guitarist with very impressive chops.” – Rolling Stone
Released via MoMojo Records, the entire album is a quintessential roots rock, blues, and rhythm & blues record. It just wouldn’t be a blues/country album without the aching heart to kiss the whole thing goodbye in the end.
But what really sticks out isn’t just the swathes of evident talent fit for Bob Dylan himself. (Literally, though, Jad Tariq is actually one of his bandmates.) The album closes with “To My Used To Be,” an affecting acoustic waltz of regret in the mold of Willie Nelson or George Jones.
For being an acoustic waltz with the trills of a harmonica and gentler crooning, Jad Tariq’s guitar are still prevalent as they make use of a timeless chord progression. He braids the story of longing and regret through a soulful yet mournfully slow stepping tempo, he laments on the things he regrets deeper than his rich and rumbling voice. Jad breaks our hearts by singing a line that make even the toughest cowboy cry, “I miss you missing me.”
For those who remember (and rightfully admire) the gentle and rustic honesty of Willie Nelson or George Jones, the track “To My Used To Be” is the perfect departure from your introduction to Jad Tariq. No frills, no fancy overdone production, no bells and whistles to trick your attention. It’s just straight talking country blues that reminds you of someone that’s long since disappeared beyond the horizon and off into the sunset of what used to be.
Written by Samson Winsor
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Rock the Pigeon is an independent music and culture blog dedicated to uplifting emerging artists, spotlighting underrepresented voices, and sharing fresh sounds across genres. Since 2012, we’ve been celebrating creativity, authenticity, and the stories behind the songs.
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