Search - Steve James :: Art & Grit

Good Stuff!!

Michael O'Connor | Australia | 01/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't usually listen to this sort of music but a pal lent me the CD & I was blown away. You don't get to listen to this kinda music everyday, Steve James is a great guitarist who knows how to arrange a good tune. Highlights are 'Downbound Train', 'Juanita Stomp' & the Instrumental 'Hot Time On The Old Town Tonight', infact it's hard to leave any track out, they're all pretty good. If you like southern bluesy acoustic type music this is for you, and even if you don't it's worth a good listen. Good Stuff Steve!"

Give it 3 1/2 stars

J. Scott Moore | Longmont, CO USA | 08/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This effort by James is hit or miss for me. While I'm impressed with some of the huge arrangements I'm less impressed with the way they are presented. All too often the banjo or harmonica is too front and center in the mix, overwhelming the rest of what is going on. And some of these songs have tuba, banjo, mandolin and a couple guitars all at once. That said there is some real jumpin' (jug style?) music here as well as some simple acoustic pieces. The real stand out is Downbound Train, worth the price of the CD, in my opinion. The song is barreling toward Hell and taking you with it, a rip-roaring version that I play over and over. Also notable are Ooze it to me Mama, Blues Widow with it's meandering piano lines, Viola Lee Blues and Libery. A notable guest on several songs is Bob Brozman, no slouch at playing slide guitar."