Reviews
Jason James Album: Cut The Chain
Label: Heart Of Texas
Tracks: 10
Website: https://www.thejasonjamesband.com/
Unadulterated vintage honky tonk, James's third album has had a rough passage with funding issues and the death of bassist and studio owner Dave Roe all adding to delays. However, four years on from the original sessions, featuring steel guitarist Steve Hinson, guitarist Kenny Vaughan, Roe and backing vocals from the late bluegrass legend Ronnie Bowman it finally arrives. James has written all ten of the songs, each and every one standing tall alongside heartbreak country classics from the tears and beers genre.
The title track with its brief pause before the refrain pours the first round with its set me free plea ("Tonight starts the first night of no you and me… I'm getting tight where those lights are low seeking refugee from that battleground we once called home"), moving along to the jukebox playing its sad songs for the teardrops falling in 'Another Day In A Nightmare'.
There's no huge departures from the basic format these establish, the tempo varying from slow waltzers ('One More Cry', 'As Long As I Have You To Hold') to more jaunty uptempo numbers like 'A Heart When It Cries' and 'She's Gone Again' and the piano boogie rollicker 'Tonight I'm Steppin Out' which goes to show you never can tell.
All of the tracks are terrific and guaranteed to fill a dance floor, but two in particular stand out, the twangy piano pumping barn burner romp 'Honky Tonks In Mind' about a man who can't resist the call of the jukebox despite knowing the hangover and marital recriminations that will ensue, and, with a classic country music wordplay title, the album's steel weeping and waltzing closer 'I Can't Get Over Getting' Over You' which George Jones would have been proud to call his own.
James isn't pushing any envelopes or tilling new ground, bit if you like your country with its boots on and an old time Texas soul, then this will rope and tie you.
Mike Davies
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Cut The Chain
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.