James Talley – Bandits, Ballads & Blues
This set is a little more planted in tradition. It’s done with a classy splash of sincerity, toe-tapping originality & the expressive warm voice of Tulsa, Oklahoma-bred James Talley (acoustic guitar). A little on the old legendary cowboy side but with the rawness & originality of a Ramblin’ Jack Elliott too. The music itself dips generously into country balladry; Tex-Mex & each tune is well-crafted.
What could come across as hokey is that Talley sings with more optimism than most singers. I don’t think that’s hokey at all. There’s lots of hope strung through these tunes like Christmas lights at a juke-joint. It looks out of place, yet it may just be what’s needed.
12 fortified tunes fill Bandits, Ballads & Blues (Dropped Jan. 15–Cimarron Records/51-minutes) produced by Dave Pomeroy (basses) & Earwave Productions. With songs like “Jesus Wasn’t a Capitalist,” it sounds like a rant but it isn’t. It’s true, Jesus wasn’t a Capitalist (he wasn’t a fascist or Socialist either) & he wasn’t materialistic, wasn’t a racist, wasn’t a Wall Street banker. He was that simple man of labor that modern-day man seems to have a challenge with. But Talley sings it with honesty, not naivete.
Talley’s got a 15-album repertoire & has recorded since 1973 beginning with Capitol Records. I’d normally say an artist like Talley should still be signed to a major for distribution & marketing. But after what I saw happen to late-career Johnny Cash when he jumped the Columbia Records ship for American Recordings, I think James Talley may be better off controlling his own musical destiny.
With songs like “The Hanging of ‘Black Jack’ Ketchum,” Talley steps into the role of narrator. His voice is perfect for such tales. He’s not as satire-driven or humorous as John Prine or Roger Miller but he has a character that seeps through his songs. May even be in that Jon Dee Graham mold at times.
Talley tries to give his folky music messages without losing an audience. Not everyone will agree with his position but there’s nothing here that’s spikey. It’s all navigated with care. And it’s entertaining. Some tunes explore human emotion, but also the human condition. James Talley is there with authority.
Highlights – “The Lovesong of Billy the Kid,” “If We Could Love One Another,” “Jesus Wasn’t a Capitalist,” “My Little Corner of the World,” “The Hanging of Black Jack” Ketchum,” “Somewhere In the Stars” & “You Always Look Good In Red.”
Musicians – Doyle Grisham (acoustic & pedal steel guitars), Mike Noble (acoustic & electric guitars), Billy Contreras (fiddle), Jeff Taylor (accordion/piano/Hammond organ), Mark Beckett (drums), Andrew Carney (trumpet), Regina, Ann & Alfreda McCrary, Jason Kyle Saetveit (bgvs).
A 16-pp color stitched insert is included. All songs & the B&W image courtesy of James Talley. CD @ fye + https://jamestalley.com/
