Press
“Overclocked” and jim allchin
Overclocked is Blues - blues shuffles and boogies, R&B, jazz blues, and rock blues. It was recorded, mixed, and mastered in Seattle with some of the best blues and rock musicians in the region. Brass was done in both Seattle and New York.
Jim grew up in a one-room house on a dirt farm in the Deep South. After living the life of a starving musician (earning rave reviews for his guitar virtuosity), he left to earn Masters/Doctorate degrees from Stanford University and Georgia Institute of Technology. He went on to become a world recognized leader in Computer Science and software. Now he woodsheds guitar.
“I’m talking you walk into a bar, hear this cat playing and get blown away.”
– dj at kdhx in st louis
Reviews
“Overclocked is an ambitious, perfectly crafted 13-song set of original blistering blues, sophisticated jazz, heavy rock and tender pop ballads spotlighting his virtuoso guitar chops, creative lyrics and mellifluous vocals. … He almost smokes the strings off his guitar in a shocking display of electric fretboard mayhem.”
- Dave Rubin, 2005 KBA Winner in Journalism, September 2011“I remember the first time I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan. All I could think was, man, that’s some guitar! The first time I heard Jim Allchin, ditto. Maybe he isn’t Stevie Ray Vaughan, but he’s Jim Allchin all over the freakin’ place and I figure if you have a love for the rockin’ side of R&B and rock ‘n’ roll, you’ll feel the same. Allchin can play! I know you’ve heard it before, but he’s a step beyond. I swear. You love jammin’ guitar, you have gotto hear this guy. Great thing is, he isn’t all guitar. Allchin surrounds himself with one of the best bands I’ve heard in some time, from background singers to horn section to some of the best blues players I’ve had the pleasure of hearing, and makes it work!”
- Rock and Reprise, October 2011“Jim Allchin’s “Overclocked” is an amazing record, probably one of the best, if not the best, I’ve heard so far this year, maybe even the goddamned decade!”
- From Under the Basement (Rod Ames), October 2011“Jaw-droppingly impressive. … Allchin’s guitar work is just incredible and his vocals are smooth. … Blues fans and guitar geeks will want to get their hands on this disc immediately.”
- Blues Bytes, October 2011“Jim Allchin’s “Overclocked” is a masterpiece. The lyrics are strong, but Allchin plays his guitar with incredible intensity. One of the best albums of the year.”
-John Shelton Ivany, Top 21, October 2011“Warning! Do not listen to this CD while operating a motor vehicle. If you’re not dropping your pedal to the metal during the high-speed title track you’ll be engrossed in the carefully-crafted musical statements that his guitar is conveying throughout the album instead of paying attention to your driving. This is a standout CD. Jim Allchin is a skilled guitarist who obviously enjoys exploring the full range of his instrument.The tracks vary in style from shredding to a big-band sound backed by well-modulated horns, alternating with slow blues. He and his backup musicians are top-notch.”
- San Diego Blues Review, October 2011“Just received the new release by Jim Allchin called “Overclocked”. While I am listening to this cd I go to Jim’s site to check out who he is…. this guy is unbelievable.”
– Bman’s Blues Report, September 2011“Allchin is a great axeman, with a voice not unlike Steve Miller. He has the goods all round. Good stuff, big fat gutsy Brass, Top Axe Work, and bloody good vox.”
- Tecka’s Blues Show, October, 2011“Overclocked” is a computer term for deliberately modifying a computer to run faster. It will enhance its performance, but, alternately, may cause a possible meltdown. It’s also the title of Jim Allchin’s latest CD, and it’s a darn good word to describe his incendiary, melt-the-frets style of blazing guitar.”
- Nashville Blues Review, September 2011‘With octane to spare that could drive down gas prices, Allchin delivers. Well done.’
– Midwest Record Review, September 2011“As far as guitarists are concerned it has been a long time since I have heard anyone better. If I had to describe his playing in a word, that word would be class. ‘Nuff said!”
– Billtown Blues Notes, Bill Wilson, October 2011“No wonder they entitled this CD “Overclocked.” The high octane fretboard excursions of Jim Allchin are pushing the tachometer of his Stratocaster into the red and beyond. The CD’s all original tunes provide a satisfying backdrop to his powerfully potent rhythmic and lead chops. (We couldn’t help but think that if Eddie Van Halen had played the Blues he would’ve sounded like Jim Allchin.) But we can also discern Albert King on the slow blues, “One for the Money.” … There’s a bit of everything here. From monster Blues guitar with massive tones to the purity and openness of a clean sounding Stratocaster in the hands of a master.”
– Barrelhouse Blues Review, September 2011“The thirteen song set written by Jim is a guitar tone extravaganza of rock, blues and soul. Recorded in Seattle with some of the area’s finest musicians including two legendary drummers, Chris Leighton and Ben Smith, talented keyboardist Ty Baillie, Garey Shelton on bass and horns sections from Seattle and New York! … Every track features Allchin’s fiery fret board antics and obviously obsessive attention to tone. … The Texas style “Don’t tell Me What to Do,” has him simultaneously channeling Stevie Ray and Joe Satriani. While the smooth jazz ballads “Fall,” and Opening My Eyes to Love,” have hints of Larry Carlton mixed with Santana. Allchin certainly covers a lot of ground on this album.”
– Seattle Examiner, September 2011“Jim Allchin is an amazing guitar player. … Pick it up for the extraordinary guitar work, but appreciate it for the vocals, accompanying instruments and composing.”
- Blue Monday Monthly, November 2011“‘Overclocked,’ is the opening cut and it just cooks. His guitar work is fabulous. I mean all the licks, scales, chops, skills, he’s got the tools, and tastefully applies them to his new trade. … There are lots of good cuts on here. … Jim can play fast, slow, jazz, ballads, blues, slide, he is something else. The closing cut “Opening My Eyes to Love,” is another favorite. It’s great to hear these new guys out there tearing it up and with feeling, and with class. … Jim knocked me out.”
– Smoky Mountain Blues Society Review, November 2011“Now let’s get this straight Jim was a computer nerd, so how did he learn those chops and great singing voice. For here is a real bonafide Blues man, not cast in the expected mould but one who knows how to get the very best out of what he has and trust me Jim Allchin has it all in spades. … This is a seriously good album packed with surprise after surprise that l will let you discover, but to not do so amounts to a major musical mistake in your life. We rate this album very high and look forward to hearing a whole lot more of Jim Allchin.”
– Peter Merrett, www.pbsfm.org.au, November 2011“What a great surprise was Jim Allchin´s release! Is by far one of the best CD’s I‘ve heard this year! Jim´s music reflects sophistication and good taste! I really recommend to buy ‘Overclocked’.”
– Gustavo Rozenberg, Good Time Blues, November 2011“To sum up then, Jim has supplied us with a fine album of carefully crafted, original, blues-based material that presents a distinctive individual with a modern outlook. Worth checking out.”
– Blues in Britain review, Norman Darwen, November 2011“The performance of this extraordinarily talented guitarist is highly emotionally charged. He doesn’t want to show off his skill but enchant with his instrument and his music. Overclocked is a mature, balanced and thoughtfully orchestrated album that is easy to like because of its tunes filled with great atmosphere and feeling and because of its guitar solos that feature a unique mixture of techniques.”
– Hungary Blues Van review, December 2011“Jim has created a marvellous blues album that embraces both the old and the new without losing sight of what the blues stand for. Highly recommended!”
- Brian Harman, Blues in the South, England, December 2011“Jim Allchin is a brilliant technologist and talented new artist.”
– Ed Martinez, mytekLife“I’m talking you walk into a bar, hear this cat playing and get blown away.”
– dj at kdhx in st louis
Biography
Download Bio One-Sheet PDF | Download Bio One-Sheet DOC
Album Cover Images
Click on an image to view a larger photo.
Photos
Click on an image to view a larger photo.
