Jonny Lang, who plays the Tulalip Amphitheatre on Thursday, is a hard man to pin down.
In 1997, a day before he turned 16, he released his major label debut, “Lie to Me,” a blues album that had people comparing his guitar work to John Lee Hooker.
And now? Well now, at age 28, Lang’s playing on the new Jonas Brothers album.
The reason for that guest spot is clear: Lang has chops. He could have been a skilled session musician, the type that never graces an album cover. However, his Delta blues voice made him a double threat, turning him into a clear candidate for record deals and the child prodigy tag.
Critics at first thought his bluesy sound was a gimmick. Now, they’re wondering what sounds he’ll come up with next.
“Lie to Me,” his debut, was steeped in blues rock. Its cover imitated a weathered show bill, while Lang’s growling vocals made the collection sound like the work of a seasoned performer.
He followed that album up with a soul record, “Wander This World,” followed by a gospel album, “Turn Around.” The change of tone was well-received, as the album topped Christian charts.
And now there’s his guest spot with the Jonas Brothers. He performed on their swaggering pop song “Hey Baby.”
Instead of a gimmick, Lang has proven himself to be a mimic, moving easily from style to style.
Reviewers sometimes suspect that the best is yet to come from Lang, whose songwriting skills haven’t equalled his technical ability. Time will tell if he can fulfill that promise.
Granted, the guy has yet to turn 30. He’s got time to burn.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com
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