McKinley James – Working Class Blues
This blues set is different from most since it follows a more upbeat melodic strain. Blues, of course, is supposed to be melancholy, about hard labor, hard times, a man who did his woman wrong, down & out on the street or some boxcar. But “Movin’” the lead track off this new McKinley James CD is an upbeat tune (it has its sadness in the lyrics) but you wouldn’t know it immediately unless you listen closely.
This song is like a cousin to Hank Snow’s 1950 hit “I’m Movin’ On.” This blues LP is going to be a little more jubilant. “Get To My Baby,” is an example. Its centerpiece is a ‘50s drive that emanates from the drums, lead guitar & mood of the piece. Lots of nostalgia is between the lines. McKinley even sings it with the necessary intonation of a vintage classy rock n’ roll who was breastfed on the blues.
There are 11 blue-collar upstate New York tunes on Working Class Blues (Drops June 7/Independent/38:00) produced by Jason Smay (drums) & 19-year-old McKinley (vocals/guitar). It’s a debut for the 2 musicians who coordinate their skillful playing & add some dive bar spirit, a shot of roadhouse boogie with soulful conviction.
McKinley also has an adroit understanding of how to take the blues & inject a dose of soul between the notes as suggested in both “Always On My Mind” & “Till It’s Gone.” It has a touch of early J. Geils Band funneled through a sifter of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes.
The duo says they’re not trying to sound old school but that’ll creep in since the music itself isn’t newly discovered. What makes it new is how it’s interpreted in new hands with a responsive young voice. There are times it may not sound entirely like McKinley lived the blues, or whether he wears any emotional scars nor does he have that raw all-knowing voice. But that’s immaterial since this is entertaining blues not meant to be a bring down. Leave that to Muddy Waters for now.
“Say Goodbye,” has an Archie Bell & the Drells-type guitar intro (“Tighten Up”) & it’s just a dip into funk music for diversity. The topics covered are basics: heartbreak, frustration, love & infatuation. The voice is not a grizzled old man but a young man who’s beginning to piece together the trials & tribulations that make up a good blues song. At this junction, Mr. James has the grooves down, has a thick blues mix with no confections & most importantly, no posturing. He understands the genre thoroughly & there are no substitutions for skill.
Highlights – “Movin,’” “Get To My Baby,” “Always On My Mind,” “Call Me Lonesome,” “Stay With You,” “Say Goodbye” & “Till It’s Gone.”
CD photography courtesy of Mike Reynolds & color images from Mr. James’ website. Music samples CD @ https://www.mckinleyjames.com/