Gil Parris' Jam This Gil Parris
"Jam This"
Guitar Player Magazine
December, 2003

by Jude Gold

What possessed Gil Parris to name his new album and band "Jam This", anyway? On the surface, one could easily interpret the move as a blatant hop onto the bandwagon—the jam-bandwagon. Considering how healthy the jam band scene is right now, what musician wouldn’t want to ride that gravy train? But when it comes to improvising epic, crowd-pleasing solos in an eclectic range of styles, Parris is more than qualified to deliver the goods onstage, as the hotshot young guitarist proves conclusively with his wailing, soul-searching live version of the melancholy Bill Withers classic "Ain’t No Sunshine".

If anything, though, the title Jam This does a service to under-appreciated guitarists everywhere by merely pointing out the obvious - that musicians have been "jamming" since the dawn of time, and spectacular jamming can be found in many different scenes, not just the one labeled "jam band". In fact, when it comes to the art of grooving, there are more than a few so-called jam bands out there who, despite enjoying popularity and success, couldn’t find a fat pocket if they were a troop of kangaroos. Jam This, with its challenging riffs, funky grooves, extended improvisations, and inspired arrangements (for example, Jeff Beck licks over James Brown’s "Sex Machine"), almost seems to say with a playful cockiness, “Hey buddy—yeah, you, over in that jam band. Think you can play? Well, here—jam this.” gilparris.com.

Gil Parris
"Jam This"
Vintage Guitar
October, 2003

by JH

This is definitely on my list of favorite guitar albums for the two other albums, and an instructional video for Hot Licks. He has also worked with Blood, Sweat & Tears, and is currently working with sax-man David Mann from Tower of Power. He's one of those players you hear and can recognize right away, no mean feat in this day in age. This CD is a mix of funk and jazz.  "Duck Walk" is a soul-jazz workout that gives you a quick introduction into how versatile this guy is.  Killer bends, double-string bends, chicken (duck?)-pickin', and nice flowing Carltonesque jazz-rock licks meld into a dazzling solo.  "101.#9" is a monster bop tune that lets the chops flow all around. His soloing is always imaginative .  Check out the '60's-jazz sound of "Sugarman," where he darts in and out of the changes like a man possessed.  Another I like is his use of the guitar as a percussion instrument, which can make things sound funky.  It's a trait you hear more in country players, but Parris uses it wonderfully. All of the above stuff is great, but the last cut- a live track- is really the headshaker.  It's a cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine."  It, plain and simple, is a tour de force.  His solos are breathtaking, both in emotional expressiveness and technical command of the instrument.