| No. | Song | Writer | |
| 1. | Back To School | 4:58 | Rick Miller* |
| 2. | You Don't Want Me | 4:27 | Rick Miller* |
| 3. | Down, Down Baby | 3:22 | John Goowdin & Scott Ellison |
| 4. | I'm Running | 6:07 | S. Dobynes* |
| 5. | Tuff Girl | 4:56 | S. Dobynes* |
| 6. | Me, My Gitar And The Blues | 6:48 | Jimmy Dawkins & Rick Miller* |
| 7. | Jimmy's Bag (instr.) | 3:38 | Jimmy Dawkins |
| 8. | Tru Love | 6:11 | Diane Brown |
| 9. | Back Street Blues | 3:48 | Jimmy Dawkins |
| 10. | Cold As Hell | 4:52 | Mike Lorenz |
*=credited to JD relatives |
Francine Reed (voc, 3)
Mike Lorenz (g)
Lebron Scott (b)
Steve McRay (keyb)
Frank Amato (organ, 3+6)
Bryan Cole (d)
"The album testifies to Dawkins' perseverance and love for the music, yet there's an implied sense of wonder that he has survived the blues wars for so long. Dawkins' songs aren't the rock-tinged fluff that will bring him wider exposure. But they are just the kind of honest, direct material that has always exemplified the blues at its best."
Blues
Access (Winter 1998 , # 32, by Jack Oudiz):
"Cut and paste this album's "Back to School" onto the mid-'70s
Blisterstring album, say following a track like "Blues With a Feeling," and
you'd need a set of jug ears to hear the passing of two decades. Not to say that Jimmy
Dawkins has been musically mummified, but to emphasize that you don't need to fix a
starkly unique style that most emphatically ain't broke. The instantly identifiable
Dawkins bare thumb fingerpick and buzzsaw tone, as well as
the tortured vocal exorcisms, remain oblivious to the flow of time. A man, his guitar and
the blues is all it's ever been about, and it's all Jimmy Dawkins fans have ever needed.
From the git-go there is an ensemble energy that has been missing in Dawkins' previous
Ichiban outings. Much credit goes to keyboardist Steve McRay, whose tinkling piano leavens
some of the grimness of the Dawkins attack so that a full-tilt shuffle like "You
Don't Want Me" soars on take-off. Dawkins rocks harder than he has in many years, and
in so doing unleashes brilliant, complex soloing -- nowhere better than on the
high-spirited instrumental "Jimmy's Bag." Yet when it comes time to go down in
the alley, Dawkins uncorks an instant classic in the near seven-minute title track, which
may long be remembered as his masterpiece. McRay's solemn B-3 is the backdrop for a
ferocious unleashing of Dawkins' pain and despair -- a quintessential "West
Side" lesson in the blues. Me, My Gitar and the Blues offers a number of other gems,
none more appealing than the collaboration between Dawkins and guest Francine Reed on
"Down, Down Baby." It's an experiment that, judging from this tasty tidbit,
could be developed into a pretty terrific duet album. For those needing an introduction to
this musician's musician and long under-appreciated artist, there's no better place to
start than here. For Dawkins fans, baby your ship has come in!"
Music Network (Bremen/Germany):
"A smokin' set of Chicago blues. Super !"
Detlev Hoegen (CrossCut Records):
"Fine new set of from Dawkins. Contains 'dangerous' guitar sounds. Highly recommended
for his fans and those who dig Buddy Guy or Lonnie Brooks."