James "JB" Barnes — My Mississippi Roots

With My Mississippi Roots, James “JB” Barnes delivers a record that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a living testament to heritage, hard truth, and the staying power of the blues. Born in Cleveland and raised in New Jersey, JB has always carried Mississippi in his veins. His father’s journey from the deep South to the industrial North—a migration mirrored by countless Black families seeking opportunity—gives this album its emotional spine. And while JB’s musical education came from studying the greats, this release makes clear that he has fully come into his own voice.

Produced by guitarist and longtime collaborator Anthony Krizan, My Mississippi Roots is a generous, 13-track offering that blends eight originals with five reimagined covers. The record is cohesive yet varied, full of musical texture and narrative intention. Krizan’s fingerprints are everywhere—in co-writing, in arrangement, and in the fiery guitar lines that push JB’s stories forward without overshadowing them. JB’s son, Jarred “Arktkt” Barnes, adds his own spark, deepening the album’s sense of lineage.

The opener, “Get Up & Go Blues,” kicks the door wide open with a thumping bass shuffle and Krizan’s searing guitar. It’s an upbeat, soulful rocker driven by restless urgency—classic blues territory, grappling with the familiar tension of knowing when it’s time to move on while still bearing the weight of what’s left behind.

“Gotta Make a Change” slows the tempo but not the intensity. Carmine Diorio’s driving drums and Jarred Barnes’ tasteful keys set the atmosphere, while Krizan steps forward on lead vocals and delivers some of his finest guitar work on the album. It’s both a warning and a plea, delivered with conviction.

With its R&B sensibility and confessional tone, “Brown Eyed Blues Man” feels tender and personal, a tribute as much as a reflection. JB then pivots to social commentary on “When Did Crime Become Legal,” a sharp, politically charged track that questions a world where accountability seems increasingly selective.

The heart of the record is “Southern Girl,” a ballad grounded in the love story of JB’s parents—his father’s search for a soulmate leading to the woman who would anchor their family. The title track, “My Mississippi Roots,” continues that narrative thread. Soulful and deeply human, it recounts his father’s migration north with humility and reverence. Together, the two pieces form a rich portrait of JB’s family story and the generational journey that shaped him.

JB and Krizan deliver pure joy with “The JB Shuffle,” a lively instrumental that lets the band stretch out and shine. The album’s covers are equally thoughtful: “Sara Smile” is transformed into a blues ballad; “Lonesome Stranger” honors Carey Bell with gritty authenticity; “Wild Horses” becomes a reflection on devotion, connecting the song to JB’s parents; “Blues Falling Down Like Rain” and “Brush with the Blues” pay homage to tradition while showcasing JB’s versatility.

The closing track, “Stand Up and Give Peace & Love a Chance,” brings the album’s message home. Funky, uplifting, and dedicated to Sly Stone, it captures JB’s longstanding belief that blues isn’t just about pain—it’s about resilience, conscience, and the possibility of better days. It’s a fitting finale for a record grounded in hope, heritage, and the belief that music can still move people toward something greater.

My Mississippi Roots succeeds because it balances past and present with authenticity. JB honors the artists and ancestors who came before him while pushing the blues forward with intention. This is not nostalgia; it’s a continuation. A bridge. A statement of identity. And, above all, a powerful reminder that the blues remains a living, breathing force—one shaped by where we come from and where we still dream of going.

Release Date: 10/17/2025

Band website: https://www.jbkeepingthebluesalive.com/

Reviewed by Cristy Benvenutti