Not so; Big Jay is still honkin' like crazy at 89-years of age, and while most of this album consists of vintage favorites like "Rock Candy," "Willie the Cool Cat" and "Big Jay's Hop," there are also five songs here that were recorded in 2016.
The new cuts are stacked at the top of the set list and some are done in the classic Big Jay style, including "Love is Stronger Than Hurt" where McNeely not only gives a shout-out to 1965 lyrically but also with the song's overall arrangement, which of course includes plenty of his trademark raunchy sax riffing.
While his artistic integrity is fully intact here, clearly McNeely will not be able to play much longer, and with that in mind Blowin' Down the House offers new fans an excellent introduction to a star who was having hit records before Elvis Presley ever walked into a recording studio.
Share this article
Sites and Sounds: Festival Season Heats Up in Arkansas
Travel News, Trips and Tips: Road Trip Essentials
Hot In The City: Carin Leon Will Open For The Rolling Stones in Arizona
Sum 41 Release Final Double Album 'Heaven :X: Hell'
The Black Crowes Rock The Howard Stern Show
Boys Like Girls Announce Weekend At Foxwoods Shows
Kaleo Release First New Song in Three Years 'Lonely Cowboy'
StrateJacket Share 'Be My Drug' Lyric Video
The Lumineers' Jeremiah Fraites Shares New Album Piano Piano 2
Kings of Leon Stream New Song 'Split Screen'
Singled Out: Mary Middlefield's Young And Dumb