Acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Laurence Jones sings of life on the road, love, and his struggles with Crohn’s disease on On My Own – his first solo acoustic venture.

“MY MOST PERSONAL ALBUM TO DATE“

Acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Laurence Jones was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2010 and he’s lived with condition ever since.  Crohn’s is a debilitating disease, especially so if your lifestyle involves slogs up and down the motorways of this island and long periods away from home.  As a travelling musician, that’s the story of Laurence Jones’s life.  “I’ve found it very hard with my Crohn’s to be on the road with long journeys and the constant toll the band takes physically on my body,” he says.

Laurence has been releasing music for a good number of years, now – his debut album, Thunder in the Sky – came out in 2012.  But, he’s never released a solo acoustic album.  Until now, that is…  He first picked up a guitar at the age of 8 and he never really put it back down again and he reckons that his new album, On My own, represents the closing of a long-open circle.  “It’s my most personal album to date; stripped back, it takes me back to where it all began.”

Speaking of the inspiration behind On My Own, Laurence says: “These songs have been a lifeline to me at times.  Most of the songs on the album are about my struggles with Crohn’s disease and how music really is my healer.  These songs came to me at a time of need and I can’t wait to share them with the world.”

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PLAUDITS

Laurence’s past achievements speak for themselves.  The esteemed MusicRadar magazine has named him as one of the ten best blues rock players in the world. He’s supported artists as legendary and varied as Sir Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck and Johnny Winter. And he’s appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including The Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. 

What’s more, he was once likened to a “…young Eric Clapton” by no less a personage than Buddy Guy – and he’s sold over 50,000 albums.  Though there’s a new intimacy about the songs that comprise On My Own, Laurence is keen to assure his followers: “…I remain ready to blues-rock it” and “I’ve waited 15 years to bring it back home to the blues music and pay homage to the music I love.  I feel that these are some of the best songs I’ve written – and you can’t hide behind just one guitar and a vocal.”

GUARANTEED TO GET THE PARTS MOVING

A slide down the strings of his guitar gets opening track One Life up and running.  Laurence promised us the blues, and he’s as good as his word.  The acoustic guitar and a pair of shuffling feet are all that’s required to deliver a full sound that’s guaranteed to get sundry body parts moving. His strident vocals are on the nail, too.

Laurence continues the theme of wanting to make the most of things with Life I Made, a song with a positive, driving rhythm that’s helped along by the simplest of beats.  Laurence’s bluesy guitar is truly effective, especially whenever he throws in a quick run up the neck between lines.  The pace falls back a little for On My Own, but the intensity remains.  It’s an authentic blues, with Laurence playing in his signature percussive style, decorated by some excellent, tasteful flurries.

He gets a big, big sound from that single guitar.  Indeed, you’d be forgiven that there were least four guitarists at work to produce the sparkling slide licks that dominate Get Back Up.  The song surges along relentlessly and Laurence continues to drive home his message, right into the a cappella closing bars: “You gotta get back up.”

LISTEN TO THAT GUITAR…

Ain’t Coming Back No More is a slice of raucous, folky blues, sung with passion and played with pure joy. Laurence throws in some spine-tingling flourishes of slide guitar to illuminate the punchy Change My Ways.

There’s a satisfyingly resonant tone to Laurence’s guitar and there’s real sincerity in his voice as he sings I Gave My Life To You. A song of parting and one of several album highlights.  And, speaking of highlights, I’m Giving Up is another corker.  Delivered confidently, it’s a song that recalls the days of the British Blues Boom and anyone looking for some of the best acoustic blues guitar around need look no further than here.

If anything, Laurence’s guitar sound is even better for Do You Feel the Same.  A gritty groove combines with jangly overtones for a song that, if it isn’t yet a show-closer, is surely destined to become one.  I’ve already mentioned Laurence’s impressive percussive guitar style and, for Middle of the Night, that’s a skill he deploys to devastating effect.  Peppered with bluesy fills, it’s a tune that’s bound to have any room stomping along. 

LAURENCE JONES – ON TOUR

Anyone who’s listened this far and failed to be amazed by what Laurence can do on that guitar of his must, surely, have ears of cardboard.  But, perhaps his workout on Beautiful, the album’s closing track, will cause even those rigidly-fixed jaws to drop.  It’s the album’s happiest song by some distance – fast-paced, with joyful lyrics and – always – that guitar, churning and chiming.

On My Own is an album that’s packed with songs that beg to be played live in intimate venues.  The great news is that Laurence has teamed up with The Music Venue Trust to do just that, on a 32-date solo tour. The tour kicks off in late January and runs throughout 2026.  He’ll be playing some great locations and some of them will be near you!  Why not pop along?  Full details of the tour are shown below.

Watch the official video to One Life, the album’s opening track, below:

Laurence Jones online: Official Website

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