Blues Rock: Jimmy Thackery and the Cate Brothers' In the Natural State

Hayes Carll wrote “Little Rock” in the hope of cashing in on an untapped niche of songs about Arkansas—knowing there was a glut of Texas songs. Carll’s going to have to fight off a veteran musician now, since Jimmy Thackery returned to his home state of Arkansas for his album, In the Natural State, recorded with the Cate Brothers.

Similar to J.J. Cale’s return home for his 2004 To Tulsa and Back, Thackery has traveled the world making music, but up until now, he hadn’t recorded in Arkansas. Record in New York or L.A., and the governor doesn’t take notice. Record in Arkansas, and you get a liner note decree by the foot-tapping head of the state.

Not that Thackery doesn’t deserve the notice. In this renowned bluesman’s music are the tales and tones of decades and miles. In the Natural State emerges from the Delta (“Out of Mississippi”), rides the rails up to Chicago, dances down Motown’s streets, but then finally comes back to Arkansas with the overall sound of guitar blues with a country-fried BBQ dipping sauce.


Call this Cook’s Leg Blues. If you look at the shape of the states along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana, it looks like a cook. Arkansas is that cook’s leg, and so while Thackery incorporates blues from many places, ultimately he’s playing that good ol’ Cook’s Leg Blues.

Thanks to Jimmy Thackery, the Cate Brothers, and Rykodisc for the review CD.