Jack White - Going Solo

Jack White is a man dangerously close to needing no introduction around the globe, with a back catalogue of projects consisting of 'The Dead Weather', 'The Raconteurs' and of course 'The White Stripes' it isn't hard to understand why.

However, for those of you unaware of his extensive back catalogue, sit comfortably…

Jack White, real name John Anthony Gillis, started his career as co-founder of 'The White Stripes' along with drummer 'Meg White' real name Megan Martha White. They started their ascent as a part of the Michigan garage rock scene, eventually being signed by a local independent label called 'Italy Records'. The band commenced by releasing their self titled album in 1999, moving on to release cult classic 'De Stijl' in 2000. In 2001 they released 'White Blood Cells' drawing critical acclaim from both the UK and soon after their native USA. In 2003 the band released their most commercially and critically successful album to date, 'Elephant'. Including single 'Seven Nation Army' propelling 'The White Stripes' into rock and roll folk law and to the forefront of rock fans minds across the globe. 'The White Stripes' went on to make two more studio albums including 'Icky Thump' debuting at number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200. On 2nd February 2011 the news of the bands split went public through their website www.whitestripes.com. Sighting a "myriad of reasons" for the break up.

Jack White then went on to form 'The Raconteurs' in 2005 along with Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. They went on to enjoy great success on both sides of the Atlantic, rocketed with first single 'Steady As She Goes' from debut album 'Broken Boy Soldiers'. In 2008 second album 'Consolers of the Lonely' received a Grammy nomination, ensuring Jack White to be a magnet for the 'music experts'.

'The Dead Weather' were the latest group formed by a man seemingly on a mission, driven by success, inspiration and hunger for more of the same. Formed in 2009 with 'The Kills' front woman Alison Mosshart, Jack Lawrence remaining on bass duties and completed by 'Queens of the Stone Age' keyboardist and guitarist Dean Fertita. Debut album 'Horehound' was released through White's own label, Third Man Records on the 13th July 2009. On 16th October, 2009, Mosshart confirmed that the second album was "halfway done". The first single 'Die by the Drop' was released on 30th March 2010. The new album, 'Sea of Cowards' was released on 30th May in the UK and again on White's Third Man Records label.

Right, now that's the back drop, the moulding and progressive talent that all lead towards Jack White's solo career and first album 'Blunderbuss'.

The album is spearheaded by first single 'Sixteen Saltines', a riff drenched in White's signature 'ballsy blues' style, stirred with his screeching vocals and poured into our ears with a simple pulsating drum groove. Okay, so you're not being handed a revolutionary new sound or direction by White, but why change something that is still relevant..if it's not broke, right? 

Second single 'Freedom At 21'  follows directly after 'Sixteen Saltines' on the album, it hands us a riff capable of evoking neck jaunts from even the most stiffened of listeners, polished with Jack's direct vocal and tingling lead guitar parts it leaves no questions or lasting wonderment, just saw necks and raised upper lips. The album has its diversity though, with songs like 'Love Interruption' lending hand to Jack's well celebrated musical upbringing of blues and soul. It floats out of the album like the a tepid heated breeze passing over Whites song book on his Nashville, Tennessee ranch.

The diversity doesn't stop at the album either, he presents his latest showcase with a typically unique live performance. Splitting his set in two Jack collaborates with an all male backing band for the first half and all female backing group during the second. The first time this has ever been attempted and evidently pulled off.

So that's Jack White's career to date. A rocketed, hard earned ascent to the top of Rock and Roll folk law. Counting several bands, several albums, several more band members, and several, several more songs. All gathered into a repertoire not short of most people's life times work, and not one to be sniffed at, wouldn't you say?