CD Review
Samuel James - Songs Famed For Sorrow and Joy
Samuel James is a twenty-something performer and songwriter from Portland, Maine. Songs Famed For Sorrow and Joy is his first release for NorthernBlues Music. Did you notice I labeled Mr. James as a performer and songwriter? I did this because his song writing ability completely blows me away and it would be a shame if you did not know that. Oh yeah, he’s a damned fine musician too!
The stories you get to hear on this CD originate from a place I have never been, nor will I probably ever be.
His personal story is unique and fascinating. James’ grandfather played guitar, his father was a professional pianist who also played the trombone. James’ own artistic development began at the age of five when he learned how to tap dance. At age eight he began playing the piano. He started touring the Northeastern circuit at age twelve. He also lost his mother at age twelve. As a result, he spent his teen years bouncing from foster home to foster home. He later reunited with his father at 17.
After a relationship soured, a broken-hearted James went to Ireland. I’m not sure why he went, but who of us would have had the stones to travel to another country after a young lady had left us? To get back home, James took up the harmonica and started playing on the streets to raise enough money for airfare. Upon his arrival back in the states, James dedicated himself to the guitar. You hear all of this in his debut album for NorthernBlues Music.
Musically, this CD can be described in word. That word is...AGGRESSIVE. There’s nothing subtle here and I really like that. Samuel James is Keb’ Mo’ on steroids! His stories are straightforward, his musicianship is as honest and hardworking as that of his elders.
The CD starts out with “The 'Here Comes Nina' Country Ragtime Surprise”. We get to hear James’ supreme fingerpicking style support the first of many linear stories. James does not follow the 12 bar blues format, which is actually very refreshing. “Big Black Ben” tells the story of...well, of a guy named Ben. Ben is a badass! Listen for yourself. Again, the accompaniment James provides gives you the impression he’s not here to mess around.
James plays the banjo on “Sugar Smallhouse Heads For the Hills”. The line, “you know I’ll fight for a woman, but I sure won’t fight fair” is great!
No artists accompany James on the CD. It’s all him, it’s all-acoustic and it’s all heart. He recorded the CD in five days using nine microphones, two guitars, one banjo and two feet for percussion. James stated “It was the hardest week of my life, which is saying something considering I grew up in Maine in white foster homes.” Again, he comes from a place I’ll never know, but I am sure glad he let me in!
“Wooooooo Rosa” is the first instrumental on the CD. I must admit that acoustic instrumentals usually leave me bored. Not this one. Like so many attempt to do, but in my mind fail, James is actually telling a story using his instrument. He does it well. He kept this listener interested.
In total, you get about an hour of music and, as always, the packaging provided by NorthernBlues is first rate.
Hopefully, I’ve given you enough to want to buy this CD. Do not be surprised if this CD is nominated for awards next year. You heard it here first.
Rest assured, if and when Samuel James comes to town, I will be there and I will drag as many of you with me as I can. You can visit his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/sugarsmallhouse.
02.15.08