The Jimmy Dixon Group is a band of seven people with the last name Dixon, who are not at all related. As ironic as the name sounds, these guys bring serious rock n roll and wonderful musicianship to the table. Jimmy Dixon does lead vocals/additional guitar, Chubbs Dixon is the drummer, Cranky Dixon plays a ‘59 Gibson Les Paul Special and his wife, “Midnight” Mae Dixon, is the pianist. Gary Dixon plays bass and backing vocals.Capo Dixon, rhythm guitar, is supposedly named for his love of using a capo on his guitars, and Benmont Dixon plays strings.
The band released an album called Rough Demos this year, and out of that album the second song, In Thin Air, has caught my attention due to how Classically rock n roll it sounds, and the rainstorm effects it has.
The song begins with the sound of rain, thunder, and the powerful guitar and drum bursts. The way these instruments sound gives a strong 60s and 70s vibe. As the vocals shortly join to sing the verse, you can feel more and more Classic Rock influence with the raspiness and overdrive the singer is using. Mind you that the storm sounds don’t stop at that point, which keeps the feeling authentic and true.
The point where I could hear less of the rainstorm was probably the hook/chorus of the song, and that section on its own had the drum burst from earlier repeat along with the guitars roaring, giving us more chaotic vibes.
The interplay between rhythm guitars playing their beautiful chord progression, the ambient sounds, and last but not least, the bass and drums changing the pace and start-stopping all wonderfully manage to capture the feeling of a raging storm. I would definitely recommend this song to people looking for an authentic rock n roll sound.
