James Deely The Nashville Sessions
James Deely has just released an album of world class, first rate roots rock songs: The Nashville Sessions, with some of the best musicians around featured in his band. Right out of the gate, album opener “Try My Luck” is the one-two-three punch of Garry Tallent (Bruce Springsteen) on bass, Jeff Kazee (Southside Johnny) on piano and Eric Ambel on guitar. It feels like an effortless set up, with tambourine, which is always a mood enhancer, in a song about hoping to win someone back again. The rock ‘n roll sounds great. Two songs later in the album, “When It Rains” hosts the trio again and it’s exciting with a heavy but casual roots rock style and the piano on this one is prominent, but the guitar carries the low down spirit of the enterprise.
“Soul Desire” is a freight train of a declaration of wanting to get close to someone, with touches of pedal steel amidst the steady rock rhythms, and the memorable lines “you’ve got me on a tightrope wire, you’re my sole desire.” “Nashville’s Finest” brings things down a notch to a song of desire for someone in an intense relationship, or situationship: “she’s a little crazy and bold as hell… she makes me feel like I’ve never felt before.” “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” is a heartfelt declaration of standing by someone, with bright piano punctuating along the way.
Later in the album, “Maria” builds up from an easy pace. This song was written by Springsteen’s producer Ron Aniello and features him playing bass, which is highlighted with the low guitar tones in the beginning and then opens out into a sunny sounding apex with joyful vocals. Nicely done.
The Nashville Sessions is excellent musicianship in songs that recognize the emotional excitement of affection, desire, working hard for something and, just being human. The album was recorded at Sony Music and Owen Bradleys Barn in Nashville, and engineered by Bobby Bradley (who also happens to be Owen Bradley’s nephew). All songs except “Maria” were written by James Deely.
It’s now available at New Shot Records in Milan Italy: https://newshotrecords.com/products/james-deely-the-nashville-sessions
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: James Deely “When It Rains”
Musicians on the album are James Deely on vocals and acoustic guitar; Eric “Roscoe” Ambel on guitar; Garry Talent on bass; Jeff Kazee on piano and organ; PK Lavengood on acoustic guitar; Dale Martin Herr on guitar; Fred Newell on dobro and pedal steel; Ron Krazinski on drums; Dan Cable on drums; Sandy Tipping on piano and organ; Johnny Waken on guitar; Mark Wayne on upright bass and pedal steel; Joey Napolitano on pedal steel; Steve Morris on Irish fiddle and vocals; Mark Prentice on bass; Bruce Tunkel on B3 organ; Matt Wade on piano and organ; Layonne Holmes. and Judy Tint on backing vocals and tambouring;