...Believe What I Say

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Britain does it again!, 2008-03-14
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 RB, 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). br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /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 RB/soul/blues era as if it were only yesterday instead of decades ago. br /

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Just Buy It, 2007-04-18
If your reading this,then you are at least interested in James Hunter's music.Well there's a reason that you see a 5 star rating from most of the reviewers.Listen to the sound samples,if you must,and then when your done,treat yourself to a great cd.You won't regret the purchase and I know James Hunter will make you feel good.Now lets dance.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Believe What You Say, 2006-11-06
A great piece of musical history. Showing the Irish rock.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

James Hunter, 2006-08-14
I saw James in Phoenix last night. He and his group are just fantastic. Every review above is right on. I actually liked his set better than the mainliner - Boz Scaggs. Hunter's energy, showmanship and voice are just outstanding! br /Being a Bari Sax player, I was BLOWN AWAY by his Tenor and Bari Sax players. br /All that great music from James on guitar and vocals, a tenor sax, a baritone sax, an upright string bass player, keyboards and drums is unbelievable. br / br /Bill Cave Creek, AZ

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

August 7, 2006, 2006-08-08
I saw James Hunter with Van Morrison last night and am ordering two CDs today -- this guy is fabulous! I can't understand why we're just now hearing about him, given that his first UK release was 10 years ago. He's touring this summer with Van, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lonely Boys and Solomon Burke -- if you get a chance to see him, do yourself a favor and GO! Meanwhile, I can vouch for the CDs, having heard most of the material live.