Artist..........: Samuel James
Album...........: For Rosa, Maeve And Noreen
Genre...........: Blues
Label...........: Northern Blues Music
Catnr...........: NBM0056
Source..........: CDDA
Rip.Date........: 15-02-2010
Street.Date.....: 16-10-2009
Quality.........: VBR/44.1kHz/Joint Stereo
Url.............: http://musique.fnac.com/a2737303/
Size............: 58.23MB
Song.Title :
01. Bigger, Blacker Ben 3:30
02. Cryin' Blind 4:13
03. Joe Fletcher's Blues 3:51
04. A Sugar Smallhouse Valentine 3:29
05. I'll Break Your Promise 3:28
06. Rosa's Sweet Lil' Love Song 3:33
07. Darlin' Maeve 3:28
08. I've Haddock Up To Here 3:06
09. Miss Noreen 3:08
10. Trouble On Congress Street Rag 4:02
11. John Ross Said 2:47
12. The Water's Always Changing, But The River... 3:27
13. Wooden Tombstone 2:56
14. Path Of Ashes 3:04
Runtime: 48:02 min
Release.Info :
Samuel James popped up seemingly out of nowhere with a fascinating debut on the
NorthernBlues label. A collection of story-songs driven by JamesÆ fleet
fingerpicking, that outing introduced characters who starred in JamesÆ quirky,
at times surreal, story-songs of love, murder, revenge and redemption.
James is back with For Rosa, Maeve And Noreen, picking up and elaborating on
tales heÆs told before and introducing new characters. The result is an
intriguing outing with some genuinely jaw-dropping guitar work.
There really isnÆt anyone out there doing anything like this. Though early blues
tunes often told a tale (think Bessie SmithÆs ôBackwater Blues,ö on up to ôTexas
Flood,ö the tune that made Stevie Ray Vaughan famous), narrative hasnÆt been
much of a factor in blues songwriting for years. Reflecting an earlier era when
history was a much more oral affair and stories had the power to both enlighten
and transfix, it still remains a timeless approach, just as valid in the
Internet age and a time of instant information.
And so we get rambling but pithy fare like ôBigger, Blacker Benö and ôA Sugar
Smallhouse Valentineö (both marking the return of characters from Songs Famed
For Sorrow And Joy, JamesÆ 2008 debut). ThereÆs ôRosaÆs Sweet LilÆ Love Songö
and ôTrouble On Congress Street Rag,ö the wry ôIÆve Haddock Up To Hereö (the
songÆs better than the pun!) and the dark and fatalistic ôWooden Tombstone.ö
James has clearly done his musical homework, adapting time-honored Delta blues
figures and driving rhythms and delivering it all with rousing, rollicking
aplomb. HeÆs all alone, though the sound is only stark when appropriate; James
plays various acoustic guitars and banjos, harmonica, piano, foot taps (credited
with and without tambourine) and hand claps for a sound thatÆs frequently
downright boisterous. His laconic vocals are just right, sly and slippery,
playful but possessed of a sardonic edge that renders his delivery riveting.
Production by David Travers-Smith is exemplary, with a tangible warmth and
presence to the instruments.
For all the traditional elements here, though, Samuel James isnÆt a typical
blues artist, nor is he dwelling in a sepia-toned past. A curious but
fascinating blend of the time-honored and the adventurously exotic, James is
refreshing indeed. Recommended!
"We're looking for females with big boobs and an open vagina"