Ulmer's Modern Masterpiece
Robert Pawn | Brooklyn, NY | 06/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had the opportunity to see James Blood Ulmer a few times over the last few years. I've become a big fan of his distinct originality on the guitar. He plays with freewheeling abandon and gutteral instinct. Of course, in becoming aware of his music, I picked up copies of the two blues records, Memphis Blood and No Escape From the Blues, as well as some of the older stuff like Odyssey and Freelancing (on vinyl). I love all of those albums. The two blues discs are some of my favorites of current recordings in the genre.
But little prepared me for Birthright, which might just be James Blood Ulmer's masterpiece. It's just James Blood Ulmer here completely solo. The record almost feels ancient. Like a Son House or Robert Johnson recording but in the modern day. Parts of it are haunted as Ulmer digs and slashs on the guitar, his voice trembling with a natural vibrato. Truly Spectacular. Other songs like Geechee Joe and a reworking of his song, Where Did All The Girls Come From, are quite beautiful and imbued with grace. At times the music almost seems like folk art. Ulmer doesn't sound schooled in the blues -- there's not a traditional blues lick to be found. The music sounds like an exorcism -- a natural release of song and sound. Birthright is actually a perfect title because it's exactly what an album like this is. What Ulmer's doing can't be faked. It's his and he owns it.
I highly recommend this to people in search of the real thing -- of real music, of real expression, of real soul. James Blood Ulmer - Birthright is a modern gem and one of the most compelling CDs I've heard all year."
The NEW version of Country Blues!!!
Rev KM Williams | dallas, tx United States | 05/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This James Blood Ulmer CD is his Best since FREELANCING and TALES OF CAPTAIN BLACK;but actually more innovative because He takes old Country blues and fuses it with his Ornette Coleman harmodelics and he comes up with the most innovative approach to Country Blues since John Lee Hooker;Blood Ulmer has finally found his Calling!!"
Intensely personal
Hank Schwab | Indianapolis, IN USA | 08/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not a party record, and not something for driving, this is an intensely personal album, made to be listened to. And if you're unfamiliar with Ulmer, be aware, this is a guy who cut his teeth with Ornette Coleman, so you shouldn't expect just another blues album. But with patience and attention, this is one of the most surprising and rewarding things I've listened to in a long time."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1