James Hunter - ...Believe What I Say
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Music CD Cover
Artist: James HunterEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1996-11-05
Music Label: Ace Records UK
Soundtracks:
- Two Can Play
- Way Down Inside
- The Very Thought Of You
- It Ain't Funny
- Turn On Your Love Light
- Let Me Know
- I'll Walk Away
- I Wanna Get Old With You
- Hallelujah I Love Her So
- Believe What I Say
- Out Of Sight
- Don't Step On It
- Hear Me Calling
- Ain't Nothing You Can Do
Free Music Notes for ...Believe What I Say
Free Music Review: Britain does it again!
Hit: 5 Stars
What started out as a uniquely American genre, that of blues, soul, and gospel, has somehow managed to become the creative property of Britain ... ever since the decline of classic Motown, Britain has been churning out an amazingly talented bunch of blue-eyed soul singers and blues musicians. One of the more recent additions is James Hunter, who first burst onto the scene under the stage name Howlin' Wilf in the 1980s (Cry Wilf!). His several solo recordings are strongly influenced by R&B, early rock and roll, and soul. His 1994 debut Believe What I Say includes guest performances by Van Morrison (Hunter also appeared on several of Van's albums during the '90s and was part of Morrison's Rhythm & Blues Revue).
Believe What I Say opens with the jivin' Two Can Play, with its sassy staccato sax riffs punctuating this tale of infidelity. Hunter's smooth, sensual update of torch song The Very Thought Of You comes off as more late-night smoky jazz, with a delivery that Ray Charles would be proud of. Turn On Your Love Light features a smokin' duet with Van Morrison.
One of the few covers is Ray Charles' Hallelujah I Love Her So. Compared to Charles' original, which leaned towards Big Band brassy, Hunter's backing saxes sound the same on every track, and I felt the instrumentals lacking punch in the first half, but the bridge (with guitar) redeems the song and gospel feeling creeps in toward the finale.
Out of Sight is a tight soul ditty that pays homage to James Brown with its knockout brass/drum punches. Hear Me Calling has some hand-waving gospel vibes going, complete with call-and-response chorus.
The majority of the songs sound like they could have come off the radio from the mid-'50s to late '60s. They're pleasant enough, but the sameness of the backing detracts from the potential to differentiate between tracks. Hunter's writing chops create songs that feel authentically retro. His singing voice combines elements of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, and his guitar shows heavy influence from Chuck Berry and legendary blues guitarists such as B.B. King.
Hunter has continued to polish his sound on his subsequent solo releases Kick It Around and People Gonna Talk, but it's enjoyable to hear his first solo work after his turn with Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays. He's one of the most authentic of the current crop of blue-eyed soul artists, and really inhabits that long-lost R&B/soul/blues era as if it were only yesterday instead of decades ago.
...Believe What I Say Poster
The best blue-eyed soul voice from the U.K. in many a decade backs up his vocal skills with his own finely crafted R&B songs.Duets with Doris Troy and Van Morrison complete a sublime album of rhythm and soul music.
The recent album on Rounder "People Gonna Talk", has generated renewed interest in this critically-acclaimed and talented performer.
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