![\"108\"](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/108-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>I\u2019ve been dwelling over YouTube videos of Jackie Venson for months, sharing them with friends, and looking forward to getting the chance to check her out in person. I was anxious to see if this lady\u2019s jazzy, bluesy, rocking style was consistent with the videos and recordings or if those were just a select sampling of the \u201cbest of\u201d her performances. Jackie can count me as a believer at this point, now that I have seen her live.<\/p>\nShe started out her set with a trio of solo acoustic versions of \u201cRollin\u2019 On\u201d, \u201cLast\u201d, and \u201cBack to Earth\u201d featuring jazzy vocals and rocking folk guitar work. She was then joined by bassist, Alan Uribe and drummer, Rodney Hyder to kick off the electric portion of the show with \u201cAlways Free\u201d. Venson performs that jazz vocal that follows the guitar lead in perfect time and pitch that sets her work into a separate league.<\/p>\n
Jackie\u2019s voice exhibits a nice high to low range and her fingers take turns striding and strutting across the fretboard. One could categorize her style as jazz, blues, rock, reggae or pop depending on the song and most times more than one style at once. Her stage presence is open and inviting, saying \u201dCome on in, the water\u2019s fine\u201d. Throughout the show, Ms. Venson emits little commentary phrases as though she is happily surprised by the licks that have just flowed through her (much the way Jimi Hendrix did).<\/p>\n
![\"030\"](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/030-300x280.jpg\")
<\/a>The set included tunes like \u201cRun\u201d with its Caribbean drum line, the bluesy \u201cOne Step Forward\u201d and the pop-reggae, \u201cMysterious\u201d from her latest CD. Venson employs many effects pedals and tape loops, but not as a substitute for actual licks, rather as an enhancement there to.<\/p>\n