Colin James – Chasing The Sun
This is the Vancouver-based blues-rocker’s 4th decade as a performer & with that, some respective guests have joined him on his 21st LP. The new recording’s song stack of 11 Chasing The Sun (Drops Aug 23/Stony Plain Records/51:12) servings was produced & arranged by Colin James & Colin Linden with songs recorded in Nashville, TN & Vancouver, B.C.
There are appearances by Darryl Jones & Charley Drayton (both worked together or apart with The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Neil Young, Sting, Paul Simon & Johnny Cash). Then the crème de la crème — Lucinda Williams (“Protection”) & appearing on 2 tracks Charlie Musselwhite.
The LP is steeped in the blues but there are dashes of gospel & with Lucinda’s unmistakable & raw Americana voice added to the mix it makes for an interesting listen. The great Canadian singer-songwriter Tom Wilson of Junkhouse (“Shine”) & Blackie & the Rodeo Kings adds some songwriting & there are also songs by blues greats John Hammond & Paul Butterfield. Quite many variants make this an attractive endeavor.
This genre because it has been around for decades isn’t as easy to interpret as many would assume. Its simplicity indeed lends itself to any marginal musician who understands the blues structure. But what’s lacking at times is the soul of the genre. Many artists manage these curves without going off the cliff of pretentiousness. Colin James has always had scales to keep his blues balanced but he also had the right forefinger to tip the scales & challenge the form to create a distinctive blues he made his own.
Sometimes the tip of the scales comes from a solo or riff, or the intonation of the voice. Opera doesn’t allow for missteps; It must be sung to perfection. The blues voice needs to project the pain of being done wrong, longing, loneliness & desperation. Something opera & easy listening singers are too learned & trained to understand. Listening closely to Colin you hear certain words acutely emphasized & therein lies the secret, therein lies the magic.
Taking a page from Woody Guthrie’s slogan on his acoustic guitar “This Machine Kills Fascists,” James puts forth a fiery rocker in “This Song Kills Hate,” a fairly good update.
Highlights – “Protection,” “Devilment,” “Star Studded Sky,” “Too Far Gone,” “In My Own Dream,” “This Song Kills Hate” & “Come To Find Out.”
Musicians – Colin James (electric guitar/vocal/electric manditar/bgv), Colin Linden (electric, acoustic &12-string acoustic guitars/bass/electric dobro), Darryl Jones (bass), Reese Wynans (B3 organ), Michael Hicks (Wurlitzer/B3), Janice Powers (B3 organ/keys), Jim Hoke (saxes), Charley Drayton (drums/percussion), Ann & Regina McCrary (backup vocals), Ruby Amanfu (harmonies), Lucinda Williams (vocal), Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica),
Color image & CD photo courtesy of James O’Mara. CD @ Bandcamp & https://colinjames.com/announcing-colin-jamess-new-album-chasing-the-sun/ & https://stonyplainrecords.com/colinjames/