JAMIE HARTFORD BAND - “STUFF THAT WORKS” CD REVIEWS “The Jamie Hartford Band has been gigging so regularly for so long that sometimes there's a danger of taking these guys for granted. That risk quickly recedes with a listen to Stuff That Works, the aptly titled new album from Hartford, Paco Shipp, Dave Pomeroy and Rick Lonow. Full of tough, smart, bluesy, smoky rock 'n' roll, Stuff That Works holds nine songs written or co-written by Hartford, one (I'm Still Here) from his famous father, John, and a funked-up reworking of the Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell-penned title track. As usual with these guys, the grooves are equal to the songs, and there's plenty of virtuoso soloing from Hartford and from harmonica wizard Shipp.”

The Nashville Tennesseean

“These guys might possibly be the funkiest, groovin-est basic no-nonsense band in Nashville. They’ve been around for quite a few years now and their sound is fully realized. I wouldn’t say “polished” because the JHB style is intentionally raw and roots based. But they’ve got it all down to a “T”. Leader, vocalist and principal songwriter Jamie Hartford plays tasteful Fender electric guitar with an economical style that smoothly directs the band down soulful avenues of swaying emotions. Jamie (son of legendary John Hartford) fronts a small group of tip-top-notch pros. The rhythm section is Rick Lonow on drums and Dave Pomeroy on bass. It just can’t get any better than that now can it? Add to this mix Paco Shipp bringing his completely original take on harmonica playing to the table and you’ve got an incredibly cool band. Paco has to be seen to be believed. He plays various harps through different effects to achieve keyboard-sounding parts. He’s adept at a multitude of ideas on his instrument. Everyone in this group is an ace at their craft. The album also features guest appearances by the likes of Guy Clark, Andy Griggs, John Randall, and Mike Henderson. This is highly recommended honest music made by real players. There’s no product-oriented phoniness involved here. Bring it on home, JHB! Jess Marich

Shake Magazine

“This is a tough little album right here. The Hartford guys have a rhythm section that is apparently too slinky and righteous for country radio's metronomic prime time, plus the songs are spot-on, the singing is wisened, and the playing is the kind that comes from virtuosos who aren't all that impressed with their own virtuosity. Hartford, of course, is the son of John Hartford, whose expansive musical vision helped Nashville unclench so many things that needed to relax. The elder Hartford is represented on this album by his I'm Still Here, a psychic survival tune that he himself recorded more than once. The son lends an R&B edge to the song, replacing his dad's whimsy with a vocal that's hard-won, matter-of-fact and blues-drenched. The album's other cover is of Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell's title track, with Clark contributing a spoken-word verse. The rest of the songs were written or co-written by Hartford, and they're something to behold. Whole World, co-written with Pat McLaughlin, is a love song that's neither dopey nor soft. Harmonica man Paco Shipp contributes a harp that sounds for all the world like an old Hammond organ (Shipp is weird that way). The album's greatest achievement is its down and dirty, cigarette-stained barroom feel. These days, it seems easy to make something sound unblemished, and hard to make something sound real. Here, Hartford's leads sneer and sting, Shipp provides all sorts of standout counterpoints and bass man Dave Pomeroy (who also produced the album) and drummer Rick Lonow play together with a rare combination of groove, feel and pro-level perfection.”

Peter Cooper - The Tennessean