Search - Fred James :: Life Is Hard

This Guy is a CLASS ACT....

Steve Whibley | HORNCHURCH, Essex United Kingdom | 08/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the good fortune of catching Fred live last night at a small blues club (a small room and bar at the back of a 'Pub') close to where I live. A good friend of mine has a copy of this CD from when he toured the UK two years ago, but had'nt had a chance to listern to it. It was by his recommendation that I went to check him out. His rhythmn section consisted of two of the UK's best blues session men in Sam Kelly on drums - voted best blues drummer for the past couple of years and Dave Clarke on bass - who is by birth American but now resides in the UK. Fred himself is an excellent guitarist and singer (voice very similar to Johnny Winter - see below later) As a 'unit' these guys really kicked up a storm. All but one of the songs on this CD have been written by Fred/ANother several of which most blues fans would or should recognise. First up is 'Everbody's Gettin' Them Some' which was recorded shortly before Junior Wells died by Junior and Bonnie Raitt. The second one is the title track 'Life Is Hard' which was recorded by Johnny Winter. The other thing to note about this CD is that Fred did a multi tasking job of playing all the instruments himself and a fine job he's done to. The Gig itself was sheer magic, one of the best I've attended in a long while so it goes without saying I bought a copy of this CD at the Gig, and got it signed by Fred (sorry Amazon you couldn't provide that so missed out on that one) If he's ever in your neck of the woods then I would thoroughly recommend you go and see him - if not buy this CD I'll guarantee you wo'nt be dissappointed."