Out of the three CDs that Paul James has recorded, this solo acoustic effort (with guests John Hammond and Ken and Chris Whiteley) has got to be my favourite. Not that there�s anything wrong with his longstanding fellow band members (Gary Gray, Adrian Vecchiola and Brian Kipping) - the fact that they remain as his sidemen after 20-odd years speaks for itself. If anyone doubts whether Paul James has paid his dues as authentic purveyor of blues music (straight from its acoustic origins), this CD is more than sufficient testimony.
Whether he�s playing his own original compositions or these lesser-known gems by his beloved blues idols (Bo Diddley, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters) , he delivers them with unadulterated enjoyment. Two of the great covers that Paul makes his own are �Nasty Swing� (originally recorded as �That Nasty Swing� by Cliff Carlisle in the �30s, as well as Jack de Keyzer, on his Down in the Groove CD) and the Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown/Ray Henderson composition, �Lucky in Love�.
Along with Paul�s expertise on several guitars (acoustic, slide, and National steel-bodied), a harmonica and a hillbilly saxophone (kazoo), this down-to-earth recording features Chris Whiteley on trumpet, John Hammond on harmonica, and Ken Whiteley on piano, mandolin, banjo, washboard, string bass, dobro, and backing vocals. Ken and Chris also back up Paul on his Lazy Crazy Blues CD.
Sandwiched in between the covers are some a half-dozen great originals, e.g. �No Life for Me� (containing the most distinctive pronunciation of �Hey-y-y� I�ve ever heard), �This Time I�m Really Going�,�Roving Gambler�, �If a Woman Says She Love You� ("...don't you pay her no mind"), and my personal favourite and theonly sad song on Acoustic Blues - �The Night Has a Price�. My favourite renditions here are the traditional "Deep River Blues" and Robert Johnson's "Phonograph Blues" and "Milkcow's Calf's Blues".
Paul�s many influences are fairly obvious, but he�s got a unique sound of his own, both vocally and instrumentally, and even after 30-plus years of performing live, he can still rock the pants off any audience!
If you are a fan of early harmonica and steel/slide guitar country-blues, bluesgrass and old-time jazz, this CD should occupy a prominent place in your collection! |
