Jim Armstrong & the Sonic Deli Band

Artist Information

Biography

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Jim Armstrong -- Mudtown

Mudtown is a straight ahead alt-roots-rock album that shoots from the hip and aims at the heart. With his first solo CD, Mudtown, Toronto-based musician Jim Armstrong has crafted a collection of thirteen songs with musical and emotional hooks that stick unshakably with the listener. The CD will be released through Sonic Deli Records (sonicdelirecords.com) on May 10, 2007.

Armstrong is an accomplished singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has spent many years performing (drummer and/or front man), developing and producing indie artists, as well as writing and recording for corporate clients. He has also scored films such as Canton Film Studios’ The Adulterer’s Guide to Toronto (2007). Now, he’s stepping authoritatively in front of the curtain to unveil Mudtown, his solo debut.

The title and driving spirit of Mudtown were born during Armstrong's wanderings through downtown Toronto, where he lives, works and walks his dogs. Armstrong explains, "Life can be dirty, rough and mean, but there's a breed of people who struggle against the grind and somehow keep their humanity. They don't get hard, like the city, and that's what makes Mudtown livable."

"Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art.” — Andy Frank, CIUT

He defends the underdog through his music by dispelling the modern myth of perfection. This is an album that the working class will understand. He writes songs about real characters from everyday life, singing their stories with passion.


Early reviews of Armstrong’s new material have already drawn comparisons to the master singer-songwriters of Americana roots-rock — Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Tom Petty and Canada’s own Fred Eaglesmith — in that their music shares a working-class sensibility and honesty.


Straightforward but rock-solid guitar, bass and drums dominate the tracks. Musical chops are provided by Armstrong himself (guitar, drums, keys, harmonica and more), unshakable bassist Wes Miller, backup vocalist Rob Maurin, and a roster of guests on backing vocals (Debbie Shessel, Amer Diab, Jennifer Claveau) and on lead guitar including Bruce Dies, Ron Bechard, Kenji Miura (aka Kenmi Chank) and Phil Kane. Up-tempo tracks like “She Spins Around,” sentimental tunes like “I’m Coming Home,” and the sing-along “Gypsy” are gestures to mainstream rock-pop. The image-rich “When it Rains” broods darkly in an alt-rock corner, while “Heaven Only Knows” is a rock-and-roll adrenaline kick.



*****************************************

The smell of earth comes up thick, heavy like the dark ground. This is an unvarnished place, dirty and small but pure and simple, and with an uneasy peace -- not like a dam that’s about to break, but like the site of a battle on the day after the truce. Things are better, but it’s hard to trust providence when you’re used to looking over your shoulder.

We’ve done our time, each of us in our own way. On the road, on the run, on a wing and a prayer, and now, here, there’s something new. Life is hard, but in the raw and rugged existence there’s the promise of…something. Triumphs are small, but don’t it feel big? This is no paradise, but there’s possibility. A man could plant himself here.

Welcome to Mudtown.

Instrumentation

Studio:

Jim Armstrong: songwriter/producer, all arrangements, all vocals, all instrumentation and programming except where noted (Wes Miller - bass & various guest lead guitarists)


Live:

Jim Armstrong: lead vocals, guitar, keys, harmonica
Wes Miller: bass guitar (too many to list)
Phil Kane: lead guitar / back up vox (Jeff Healey,
Michael Buble)
Alvin Lapp: drums/back up vox (Buddy Guy, Goo
Goo Dolls, Jayhawks, The Quakes, Colin James)

Discography

2007 - MUDTOWN; Jim Armstrong Sonic Deli Records

2005 - BROWN BAG LUNCH; a collection of 18 tracks featuring 11 award-winning artists and special guest musicians produced by Jim Armstrong. Sonic Deli Records

Links

• Jim Armstrong's current press kit
• Purchase MUDTOWN @ CD BABY
• Purchase MUDTOWN @ iTunes
• Purchase BROWN BAG LUNCH @ CD BABY
• Purchase BROWN BAG LUNCH @ iTunes

Audio

• MUDTOWN
  Listen  
• HAPPIER TIMES Live @ C'est What, Toronto
  Listen  
• HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS
  Listen  
• I'M COMING HOME
  Listen  
• HOLE IN HIS HEART
  Listen  
• OXYGEN KISS (mudtown remix)
  Listen  
• GYPSY
  Listen  
• ANGEL IN OUR CORNER (mudtown remix)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• MUDTOWN
• HAPPIER TIMES
• HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS
• I'M COMING HOME
• HOLE IN HIS HEART
• OXYGEN KISS
• GYPSY
• ANGEL IN OUR CORNER

Video

When It Rains - Jim Armstrong & SDB live @ C'est What, Toronto

Photo Gallery

Press

• JIM ARMSTRONG - SELECT MEDIA & TESTIMONIALS [+ Show ]
  

  AmericanaOK host Tom Fahey says [of Mudtown] "...this album is a real grower...that's a very beautif...AmericanaOK host Tom Fahey says [of Mudtown] "...this album is a real grower...that's a very beautiful song there, Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand, from a very fine album indeed.”
  
  Rene Leverink, AltCountryNL: “…let’s not beat around the bush; “Mudtown” is a beautiful record…”
  
  Jan Janssen, Real Roots Café: “…Armstrong reveals that he is not only a skilled songwriter but also a fine multi-instrumentalist and producer…beautiful radio songs…this is almost an hour of pure rock and roll adrenalin kick…”
  
  Benny Metten, CtrlAltCountry: “…with Mudtown he [Armstrong] steps out onto the floor and he does so particularly well…brings to mind the work of masters Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seeger, Tom Petty and compatriot Fred Eaglesmith.”
  
  Chip Frazier, Twangville/ Amber Waves of Twang:”… to call it a solo album is an understatement since Armstrong wrote or co-wrote all of the songs, produced the album and played most of the instruments himself. The result of this tightly controlled process is an infectious hook laden Americana album.”
  
  Chris White, publisher, Party In Kingston: “… Mudtown is 13 highly clever tracks…witty lyrics, innuendos and inspiring messages…closest to a conceptual album I’ve heard in years…highly recommended for your audio library.”
  
  Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues: “…Armstrong is vibrant, fresh and enthusiastic…I haven’t heard an album that sounds this crisp, with such spectacular production, in a long time…”
  
  Todd Wachtel, The Jersey Toddshow: I can't stop playing this album [Mudtown]. I highly recommend it. Jim's got a wonderfully unique feel to him, and sets a fantastically cool mood.
  
  Bert Gagnon, Neon Productions Radio, Musictogousa.com “…Even though this is Jim Armstrong's first solo album, Jim is no novice to the music arena and it is very apparent as he has hit a homerun his first time out. Here is another artist that will be on our playlists for many years.”
  
  Andy Frank, CIUT 89.5 FM: “"Freed of some of the shackles of epilepsy, this gifted song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, with shades of Waits and Bachman, played his first live gig (post-op) at Healey's… Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art.”
  
  Kelly Dearmore, The Gobblers Knob: “…Jim Armstrong's latest CD, Mudtown is a worthy listen….What struck me the most about Mudtown was how the disc seemed to effortlessly transition from bluesy-rockers like "Heaven Only Knows" and softer, more thoughtful alt-country tunes such as "I'm Coming Home".”
  
  Bruce / The Promise Live365.com: “… Jim Armstrong - Mudtown (2007) Straight from the heartland... You know... Toronto, Canada. With his slightly gravely voice and straight ahead attack, this is rock and roll that makes you think of Mellencamp or even Melissa. If you close your eyes you can see these guys playing live in a small club opening for someone, when they really should be the main attraction. Good songwriting. Good sense of rock and roll. Find out more at Sonic Deli Records (love that name).”
  
  Keith Ross Leckie, Emmy and Gemini award-winning writer/producer (Lost In The Barrens, Journey Into Darkness, The Arrow): “Over the years Jim Armstrong's music continues to surprise and entertain me. His first album "Brown Bag Lunch" revealed a strong and confident talent as a musician, singer, songwriter and arranger in different genres. And now his new album, "Mudtown", fulfills that promise again. I find myself looking for films to make that can take advantage of Jim's accomplished music.”
  
  E. Thomas Canton, Director/Producer: "As the director and producer … I found that working with Jim Armstrong and Andrea Poulis was not a matter of simply that the songs and the music created for The Adulterers’ Guide to Toronto were without a doubt Oscar caliber … I dare anyone not to agree with me."
  
  Myrocia Watamaniuk, television host for Rogers Daytime Toronto: “When Jim sings, you know he’s singing from his heart.”
  
  Jon Long (of the national Long & McQuade musical instruments stores): "Jim is an incredibly talented musician. His music needs to be heard."
  

• JIM ARMSTRONG; An Artist Talks - The Making of Mudtown [+ Show ]
  

  If, four years ago, someone had told me that I would be back on a stage performing songs from my own...If, four years ago, someone had told me that I would be back on a stage performing songs from my own album, I would never have dared to believe them. Oh, I knew that I wrote some great music and I loved creating new songs all the time, but I had reached the point where I was beginning to despair of living any sort of normal life – let alone be out singing my songs somewhere.
  
  I survived encephalitis when I was about 6 or 7 years old and have lived with severe epilepsy ever since. Growing up, my seizures were fairly well controlled with various medications; I was always creating music and was a touring drummer from the age of 10. I was a lifeguard; I played sports and earned two college degrees. I never let the epilepsy stop me from accomplishing things even when I was first diagnosed with the condition and spent many weeks and months in and out of hospitals.
  
  However, by my late 20s, my seizure activity began to increase and the medications were not working as well anymore. I sometimes consider it a blessing in disguise as I was forced to stay home and concentrate solely on my music. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and prolific songwriter, I needed to build my own recording studio and learn how to engineer and produce because I couldn’t afford to do otherwise (besides, I love recording and producing).
  
  This worked well for quite some time; I developed my craft of songwriting, created film soundtracks, learned to produce other people’s material until I became too overwhelmed by my condition. It had finally begun interfering with daily living.
  
  In December of 2003, I underwent brain surgery to remove the portion of brain tissue where the greatest amount of seizure activity was originating. It was an unnerving experience because the risks were great – death obviously, but also paralysis and a possible loss of my musical abilities, brain damage, etc.
  
  Faced with these risks I began writing a lot of new material as the surgery date approached. I felt like I needed to stockpile as many songs as I could in case I could never create music again.
  
  Fortunately, the surgery was fairly successful. I still need medication and I continue to have some seizures but I can cope. It wasn’t the easiest recovery though; I was temporarily paralyzed and had to force my body to pick up the guitar and drum sticks again. Three months after surgery I began recording and producing our first Sonic Deli Records release, a compilation CD entitled Brown Bag Lunch.
  
  Four of the songs on Mudtown were first included on Brown Bag Lunch; Angel in Our Corner, Hole In His Heart, Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Grand and Oxygen Kiss. They were from the pre-surgery time when I was madly stockpiling material. Imagine my surprise though, when people kept telling me that they loved these songs and why wasn’t I out there performing them. Well, my performing days had always been spent behind a drum kit, not singing and playing a guitar or as a front man!
  
  So that is what I have been doing for these past 2 years, writing and recording Mudtown, putting a band together and getting out there and publicly performing the songs. I’ve been asked many, many times over the years about why my songs weren’t on the radio or why it has taken me so long to get an album done – well, there’s the answer.
  
  Creating Mudtown has been a real labour of love and in fact the hardest part was deciding which songs to include (had to pare the list down from over 30 songs initially) Indeed, I have enough material to do another 3 or 4 albums without even creating anything new. However, I love writing songs too much to stop, so by the time we release another Jim Armstrong CD, I’m really going to be in trouble.
  
  Mostly, I’m just happy to still be alive; able to do the music I love to do and hope that people will get to hear that music, like my songs and even come out to hear my band perform them on occasion.
  
  ~~~~~~
  
  
  Before I begin a song-by-song discussion, I do need to make a few things clear; I am a self-taught multi-instrumentalist with drums being my first instrument. My mother’s short-lived attempt at sending me off to a piano teacher as a young boy did not last too long. The teacher soon twigged to the fact that I was just playing back the songs I learned by ear and not bothering to learn to read the actual sheet music! By my early twenties I was also playing guitar, bass, keys, harmonica, sax, etc. and writing and recording my solo pursuits.
  
  In the early nineties, I met my songwriting and business partner, Andrea Poulis and I began to collaborate with others. Together, Andrea and I worked with various singers and musicians in many different genres, really developing our craft. It was also during the early nineties that we hooked up with our bass player, Wes Miller. Wes has played just about everywhere in North America over the years in a number of hardworking bands. Wes has become an integral part of the writing process and of our “sound” and co-engineered and co-produced Mudtown with me.
  
  With the exception of the bass guitar and some of the lead guitar tracks, I play all the instruments on Mudtown. I was very fortunate to have a few different guitar virtuosos to guest on the various tracks.
  
  My only regret for this album is that due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to coordinate our recording schedule with my band drummer, Alvin Lapp. Alvin was Buddy Guy’s drummer for 3 years, and also played for the Goo Goo Dolls for a year or so. He is always in high demand as a studio session drummer for many, many name artists and I am indeed fortunate to have him with me!
  
  ~~~~~
  
  Heaven Only Knows began as a piece of music I had kicking around (I have thousands of these “pieces” kicking around so “heaven only knows” why this one surfaced when it did) but fortunately it did during a recording session I was doing with a young guitar player, Kenji Miura. Kenji, or Kenmi Chank, as he prefers to be called, was here in Canada on a visa and had been playing all over Toronto as a session musician. He was about to head home for Sapporo, Japan and offered to lay some tracks down for me on various songs. I truly believe that Kenmi is one of the world’s finest guitar players and I would do just about anything to work with him again. With one listen and then with only one take of the lead guitar track, Kenmi brought that song to life and the lyric followed very quickly. This is a powerful, bluesy, southern-rock style opener.
  
  Mudtown was one of the last songs actually written for the album – I decided it might be fun to write a “title” track - and my band’s lead guitar player, Phil Kane (Jeff Healey, Michael Buble) laid down some excellent tracks. Good friend and fellow singer-songwriter, Rob Maurin, provides the great backing vocal track. Rob has been a longtime vocalist and collaborator with us here at the Sonic Deli. Here’s some trivia for you; Rob was once part of a vocal quartet with the Creegan brothers of Bare Naked Ladies fame.
  
  I’m Coming Home was a gift; one of those songs that just seem to spill out with ease and pretty much complete. I wrote and recorded it in one night and then Wes came in and laid down his bass line. One of my favourite ballads.
  
  Oxygen Kiss was one of my four original songs from the Brown Bag Lunch compilation CD. (Actually, many of the songs from Brown Bag Lunch were written or co-written by me, but I only sang on those four tracks) Wes and I remixed this song – I also re-recorded my drum tracks, as I felt that I had better refined my personal “sound” and style during the intervening 2 years between releases. This is also one of two co-writes on Mudtown that I wrote with Andrea. I’d describe this song as a strong “outlaw rock-alt country” cross.
  
  Gypsy is a really fun song to sing and play; it’s simple, catchy country and my favourite fact about this song is that the lead guitar work was provided by my friend, hard-rock-metal guitarist, Ron Bechard (Edwin & The Pressure, Three Days Grace, Crazy Babies, Sin Dealer) Ron is also a drummer, multi-instrumentalist turned guitar rock god (who obviously hides a little country in there under the tats)
  
  She Spins Around is good, twangy, rockin’ fun and we love playing it live.
  
  Two Shooting Stars also predates brain surgery; it was mostly complete, but really came into it’s own months later when I finished it. This track has a little more of a pop, adult contemporary feel to it. Joining Rob Maurin and me on backing vocals is another good friend, powerhouse vocalist, Debbie Shessel.
  
  Hole in His Heart; also from Brown Bag Lunch. I originally wrote this song using different instrument choices than my usual rock tendencies. We really featured Wes’ bass line and groove and called it our “swamp water” tune. When I met singer-songwriter Jennifer Claveau (lead singer of Likewater) she added the final missing pieces with a lyrical tweak and the compelling backing vocals and the song became a highly original track. It has recently been licensed for an independent feature film, All Along.
  
  Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Grand is another one of those “muse-gifted” songs. It just spilled out of me fully formed and recorded in one session. It is also the only track where Wes does not play the bass. Jennifer Claveau again graced the track with her beautiful harmony work. It’s a piano driven ballad with drum samples and is a true metaphor of my life and I sometimes think I wrote it for Andrea. The stolen trans am is how I’m cheating death and how we keep moving forward for the music and all our un-rewarded, hard work. Or something like that…
  
  Happier Times is a song that grew out of one of the many groove-oriented jam sessions I record when hanging around the studio with Wes Miller. I think we were feeling inspired that night by how well all the other songs were coming along for the album. I wrote a lyric, added a little Jennifer Claveau on backing vocals and there it was.
  
  
  Rhythm of The Moon; partly written before surgery. I had the first couple of verses done but it sat around for a while. Andrea wouldn’t let me forget about it and pushed me to finish it and I’m glad she did. It’s has a nice pop-country vibe to it – reminds me a bit of an Eagles type of tune. Rob and Debbie provide some of those nice harmonies again. Actually Rob is on a few more of the tracks here and there as well.
  
  When It Rains is another song that features the soaring lead work of guitarist, Kenmi Chank. The grungier guitar work is me doing my “Neil Young” inspired solos. It’s a down and out story-song with a powerful, bluesy-rock feel.
  
  I chose to end Mudtown with a re-mixed version of Angel In Our Corner. Angel was the leadoff track from Brown Bag Lunch and has since proven to be very popular. This is a song that Andrea and I had partially written before the brain surgery. We had the first couple of verses completed and had nailed the chorus but were unable to finish it at that time. Later on, after we had co-written another song with Shelley Jacobson, we invited her to help finish Angel with us. Shelley and her co-writer, Lorna Flowers recently penned UK country artist, Lucie Diamond’s single, Don’t Even Think About It. Also guest appearing on Angel In Our Corner is Amer Diab on backing vocals. Amer Diab’s 2006 release, There/After is a critically acclaimed Americana album. Two of the tracks from that CD were first recorded and produced with Amer by me for Brown Bag Lunch. Check out those alternate versions of Champ and Backwards Beating Heart for fun sometime. Finally, rounding out the guest appearances on this song is lead guitarist, Bruce Dies (Ozzy Osbourne, Lisa Dalbelo, Lee Aaron)
  
  ~~~~~~
  
  
  Jim Armstrong is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer with decades of performing and recording credits, and the co-founder (with Andrea Poulis) of the indie Sonic Deli Records label.
  
  Jim lives and works in Toronto with two massive German shepherds, Seizure, the docile giant, and Dolby, a rescued dog with a crotchety temper. Find him at www.sonicdelirecords.com
  
  Mudtown is available for purchase from CD Baby & Apple iTunes
  
  
  

• MUDTOWN REVIEW; ALT-COUNTRY NL [+ Show ]
  

  Jim Armstrong "Mudtown" (4 out of 5 horses) english translation "An old soul, wet behind the ear...Jim Armstrong "Mudtown"
  (4 out of 5 horses) english translation
  
  "An old soul, wet behind the ears. The freshman veteran rookie old
  timer of the year." I couldn't track down HOW old Jim Armstrong is
  exactly, but he's indeed getting gray already and yet "Mudtown" is his
  debut album. Jim Armstrong is a singer-songwriter,
  multi-instrumentalist and producer, all of this for several decades.
  He runs -together with Andrea Poulis- the Toronto based indie label
  Sonic Deli Records. Finally he found the time to make his own CD. And
  let's not beat around the bush: "Mudtown" is a beautiful record, and
  one would ask why it had to take so long before Armstrong dared to do
  his own thing.
  The first track "Heaven Only Knows" hits the target immediately, with
  a deep slurring electric guitar, that sucks us inexorably into the wet
  misery of New Orleans: "Through windows of broken glass I was outside
  looking in at a kingdom made of sand; where the cities flood and
  desert begins". Steaming soul, stamping rock and thrilling blues in
  one package. Immediately thereafter prize track two follows: title
  song "Mudtown", that presented itself to Armstrong during his long
  walks through Toronto, with his two huge German shepards Seizure and
  Dolby. Toronto, where life isn't easy, but it always offers
  opportunities: "This is no paradise, but there's possibility. A man
  could plant himself here."
  Well, also otherwise Armstrong knows very well how to put an album
  together, how to do almost the whole accompaniment by his lonesome,
  and when to ask for a real specialist, like Kenji Miura on electric
  guitar in "Heaven Only Knows" and "When It Rains", a prize track
  AGAIN, damn!
  ---
  

• MUDTOWN REVIEW - TWANGVILLE & AMBER WAVES OF TWANG [+ Show ]
  

  Recently I have run across some music by a few artists from the Northwest and Canada. Canadian artis...Recently I have run across some music by a few artists from the Northwest and Canada. Canadian artists are often ignored in this country, but there is a healthy music scene in Canada. Canada's music roster includes a wide ranging group of songwriters, from the obscure country of Corb Lund to musical Icons like Bruce Cockburn and Hank Snow. Bands hailing from Canada include legends Rush and The Guess who as well as current progressive groups like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene. So I would like to take a few moments to introduce you to a couple of lesser known Canadian artists as well as one artist from the Seattle area, which is close enough I guess...
  
  Jim Armstrong - Toronto based singer - Songwriter Jim Armstrong makes his debut with Mudtown He is an accomplished producer who has worked with number of independent Canadian artists. Although the comparison may not be fair, He is clearly influenced by John Hiatt. After working all of these years with other artists he is finally releasing a solo album of his own. In fact to call it a solo album is an understatement since Armstrong wrote or Co-wrote all of the songs, produced the album and played most of the instruments himself. The result of this tightly controlled process is an infectious hook laden Americana album. ..
  

• MUDTOWN REVIEW - THE GOBBLERS KNOB [+ Show ]
  

  “A couple of days ago, I wrote about Canadian Kathleen Edwards. Then I read about other Canadian ac...“A couple of days ago, I wrote about Canadian Kathleen Edwards. Then I read about other Canadian acts that are a little country and a little rock and roll. Today, I make my daily trek over to the Waves of Twang that are Amber in Color and see that he is also becoming more enamored with our chilly neighbors to the north. While we are all in the mood to inform folks about the many ways in which Canada rocks, I would like to also agree that Jim Armstrong’s latest CD, Mudtown is a worthy listen. Artist like him seem to fall into a group with early Steve Earle, Chris Knight, and even John Mellencamp when he isn’t singin’ about how trucks prove to the world that this is indeed “Our Country“. I have never quite jived with such groupings, however. Chris Knight continues to bellow dark, gothic tunes of murder and betrayal while he stays as far away from the mainstream as he seemingly can. Early Earle is a far cry from the latest incarnation of the Hard-Core Troubadour, and like I said earlier Mellencamp is belting out jingles these days. I concur with Chip’s John Hiatt comparison over any other attempt to offer fans of a certain artist a suitable alternative. What struck me the most about Mudtown was how the disc seemed to effortlessly transition from bluesy-rockers like “Heaven Only Knows” and softer, more thoughtful alt-country tunes such as “I’m Coming Home”. This disc was released on Sonic Deli Records, in which Armstrong is a key player…”
  
  

• MUDTOWN REVIEW - THE PROMISE [+ Show ]
  

  Jim Armstrong - Mudtown (2007) Straight from the heartland... You know... Toronto, Canada. With his...Jim Armstrong - Mudtown (2007)
  Straight from the heartland... You know... Toronto, Canada. With his slightly gravely voice and straight ahead attack, this is rock and roll that makes you think ofMellancamp or even Melissa. If you close your eyes you can see these guys playing live in a small club opening for someone, when they really should be the main attraction. Good songwriting. Good sense of rock and roll. Find out more at Sonic Deli Records (love that name). http://www.sonicdelirecords.com/
  

• MUDTOWN REVIEW - PARTY IN KINGSTON [+ Show ]
  

  For a fun-loving slice of Americana peppered with rock, a hint of the blues and a dash of country th...For a fun-loving slice of Americana peppered with rock, a hint of the blues and a dash of country the cd Mudtown from Jim Armstrong & Sonic Deli Band may wet your appetite.
  
  Born Peter James (Jim) Armstrong, this Toronto-based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer delivers a beautiful mixture of sounds reminding me of Tom Petty, John Hiatt and John Mellencamp during the height of their careers.
  
  His 2007 album Mudtown, is 13 highly clever tracks that never lets up with it's witty lyrics, inuendos and inspiring messages. Having brain surgery in December 2003 and living with epilepsy, Jim Armstrong has plenty of life experiences in which he can explore as a songwriter along with business partner/songwriter Andrea Poulis.
  
  The opening song "Heaven Only Knows" has a bluesy-rock feel and stellar guitar playing from Jim and solos by Kenji Miura. This is drinking music so grab your favourite glass, top it up and sit back for a great ride or dance around your living room playing air-guitar.
  
  The title track "Mudtown" offers a slighty dark-side to the extraordinary talent of Jim Armstrong; he sees the world through the eyes of the common, blue-collar person who pays the rent one cheque at a time. With it's haunting lyrics you can definately tell that the only thing that ever came easy to Jim is his gift of music...
  
  She mystifies me with her smile Even if it's just for awhile She’ll rent a room to sell her grace I know she's not a hopeless case
  
  She burns down love and shoots up fire With broken arms the thorns entwine Searching for a destination In the blood of imagination
  
  Lost and alone Here in Mudtown Last of the lost Here in Mudtown...
  
  Jim slows down the pace on "I'm Coming Home", a lovely ballad with the flavour of a campfire song that everyone would want to join in. "Oxygen Kiss" has a definitive percussion sound with a great beat and catchy rhythm throughout.
  
  My favourite song on Mudtown is track 5 titled "Gypsy". I hear the sounds I grew up listening to in my parents home. The lively, simplistic lyrics and harmonies is a feel-good song performed by a music solider who's obviously logged countless highway miles performing in dark and not-so-friendly bars.
  
  I wanna be a gypsy... it's all you need.
  
  "Two Shooting Stars" has a hint of Bruce Springsteen along it's way. Wes Miller's rich bass is the standout in this selection. A song you would hear coming out of car speakers while driving past closed factories and feeling a hot summer's breeze through your rolled down windows.
  
  Track 8 "Hole In His Heart" is reminiscent of a down east kitchen jam with it's beat and harmonies. "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand" is a piano-driven ballad with Jim's positive spin that tomorrow's gonna be grand.
  
  "Happier Times" is definitely meant for highway driving. This toe-tapper could easily land on a movie soundtrack with it's deep lyrical message as Jim writes about turning up his radio to drown out the neighbours yelling once again or this powerful passage...
  
  There's a black cloud in the pale blue sky And a young girl 'bout to cry She's watchin' the world go by Sitting on the side of the road And she tries to remember Where'd all those years go...
  
  Mudtown's 11th track is "Rhythm Of The Moon" filled with harmonies and the distinct guitar playing of Jim Armstrong. "When It Rains" has a merky feel in it's guitars something you would hear by bluesman Robert Cray while Jim's vocal performance reminds me of veteran performers John Hiatt and Joe Cocker.
  
  The song "Angel In Our Corner" is highly expressive through substantial guitar playing and a terrific beat making this a wonderful way to close the album.
  
  Mudtown is the closest to a conceptual album I've heard in years so I suggest listening to this impressive album in it's track order. Jim Armstrong wrote all the songs on Mudtown along with producing the album and arranged, engineered, mixed and mastered with Wes Miller. Full credits can be found within the liner notes.
  
  All songs on Mudtown are full MAPL selections so it's good to go on radio stations across the country. Highly recommended for your audio library.

• MUDTOWN REVIEW(S) [+ Show ]
  

  english translations coming soon... CTRL ALTCOUNTRY/ Benny Metten (Belgium) (3 1/2 stars out of ...english translations coming soon...
  
  CTRL ALTCOUNTRY/ Benny Metten (Belgium)
  (3 1/2 stars out of 5)
  
  “A veteran rookie” noemt ie zichzelf, op die manier treffend onder de aandacht brengend, dat “Mudtown” eigenlijk het debuut is van een rootsrocker op jaren. Niet dat de vanuit Toronto actieve en al sinds zijn zesde aan epilepsie lijdende singer-songwriter Jim Armstrong nu meteen een groentje is, dat zeker niet. Jarenlang verdiende de beste man al zijn sporen in dienst van anderen. Als producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist en componist van muziek voor soundtracks had hij geruime tijd meer dan zijn handen vol. Maar met “Mudtown” treedt hij nu voor het eerst ook zelf echt op het voorplan. En dat doet hij bijzonder overtuigend. Dat album bevat immers dertien knappe lappen roots rock, die je onwillekeurig doen denken aan het werk van grootmeesters als een Bruce Springsteen, een Bob Seger, een Tom Petty en zijn landgenoot Fred Eaglesmith. In die liedjes neemt Armstrong het geregeld op voor de underdogs van de maatschappij, waarin wij leven. Hij richt als dusdanig zijn pijlen voornamelijk op een working class-publiek. Zijn voornaamste bondgenoten daarbij zijn z’n enigszins aan Tom Petty herinnerende rasperige stem, zijn knappe, altijd in functie van het liedje agerende gitaarspel en precies die liedjes zelf. Zonder daarom meteen hoeven uit te pakken met potentieel hitmateriaal slaagt Armstrong er steeds weer in om songs af te leveren, die je als oude bekenden voorkomen. En dat maakt van “Mudtown” te allen tijde bijzonder aangenaam luistervoer. Onze luistertips: het werkelijk uitstekende titelnummer “Mudtown” en het al even fraaie, heel erg melodieuze “Gypsy”.
  Sonic Deli Records
  CD Baby
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  REAL ROOTS CAFE / Jan Jansenn (The Netherlands)
  
  Johnny Jordaan en Tante Leen bezongen hun geliefde stad Amsterdam. Mooi was die tijd, waarin Amsterdam bezongen werd en in de etalage gezet werd als het bruisende middenpunt van Nederland. Dit alles natuurlijk met als uitgangspunt de Jordaan. Maar Amsterdam is Amsterdam allang niet meer. De wereld draait door en dat slaat, wat mij betreft, letterlijk en figuurlijk op onze hoofdstad vandaag de dag. Zover ik kan waarnemen geld voor de in Toronto gezetelde Jim Armstrong zo ongeveer hetzelfde als onze zeer gewaardeerde Nederlandse iconen. Armstrong is een zeer gewaardeerd en bemind muzikant in zijn stad en zo te horen snap ik ook wel waarom. Zelf ben ik nog nooit in deze stad geweest maar op zijn debuutalbum Mudtown voel je het leven in downtown Toronto waar Armstrong altijd zijn hond uitlaat. Hij doet dit overigens op een zeer eigenzinnige en eigentijdse manier. Erg moedig bezingt hij de veranderingen in zijn stad met al zijn ups en downs. Niets maar dan ook niets verbloemend. Gewoon over mensen die ondanks hun erbarmelijke leefomstandigheden menselijk blijven. Zelf zegt hij daarover “Life can be dirty, rough and mean, but there's a breed of people who struggle against the grind and somehow keep their humanity. They don't get hard, like the city, and that's what makes Mudtown liveable.” Zijn melodieuze recht voor s’en raap muziek en stem lijken in eerste instantie veel op die van de in Nigeria geboren maar nu vanuit Australië opererende erg populaire singer-songwriter James Reyne. Armstrong etaleert zich niet alleen al een kundig singer-songwriter maar ook als een fraai multi-instrumentalist en producer op deze plaat. Ondanks zijn enorme muzikale inbreng laat hij bijvoorbeeld backing vocalisten Rob Maurin, Debbie Shessel, Amer Diab, Jennifer Claveau magnifiek excelleren in het aangrijpende Hole In His Heart. Mooie radio songs zijn ondermeer She Spins Around en het teerhartige I’m Coming Home. Naar eigen zeggen staat de titeltrack er zelfs twee keer op. De Mudtown remix, dat de naam Oxygen Kiss meekreeg, laat horen dat Jim Armstrong uitpuilt van talent. De man houd van zijn stad, vrienden en bekenden en dat zullen er in de toekomst alleen nog maar meer worden. Deze pure rock ‘n’ roll adrenaline kick, van bijna een uur zal het bijzonder goed doen bij mensen die Steve Earle en Bob Seger graag hoorden in hun respectievelijk The Hard Way en Live Bullet tijden. (Jan Janssen)
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  HANX / Patrick Donders (Netherlands)
  
  3 out of 5 stars
  Jim Armstrong woont in Toronto, zijn Mudtown. Hij maakt al zijn hele leven muziek, is geliefd bij de andere muzikanten in de stad maar dit is toch zijn solodebuut. Armstrong heeft een heerlijke rauwe rasp, gemaakt om De Roots mee te zingen. Dat doet hij dan ook, zoals Steve Earle dat deed toen hij nog spoot, minder manisch dan de laatste jaren, al lijkt dat een tegenstelling. Armstrong’s sound is een stuk luchtiger. Toch heeft hij oog voor de misstanden in zijn stad en durft hij een punt te maken maar Armstrong wil rock and roll-blijven, cool zijn als Bruce, als Tom, als Bob Seger. Het gaat hem verdomde goed af. Grappig is dat hij, naar het einde van Mudtown toe, zijn rasp steeds minder gebruikt. Op Two Shooting Stars staat hij zelfs te zingen als David Gilmour met een te strakke slip aan. Het is de andere kant. Armstrong doet waar hij goed in is en zijn rootsrock klinkt, met of zonder rasp, vertrouwd en goed. (Patrick Donders)
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  ROOTSTIME / Freddy Celis (Belgium)
  
  Kijk, niet dat ik zo er zo vaak kom, maar op verjaardagsfeestjes wordt mij soms de vraag gesteld waarom bij Rootstime zoveel geschreven wordt over bandjes waar een normaal mens nog nooit van gehoord heeft. Welnu, behalve dat bij ons zelden cd's van wereldbekende artiesten op de deurmat vallen, denk ik dat het vele malen interessanter is om bijvoorbeeld over iemand als Peter James (Jim) Armstrong te schrijven dan over een cd die iedereen toch wel koopt. Want met de nieuwe cd van Norah Jones of de laatste verzamelaar van de Stones kan je op een feestje nog weleens vrienden maken, maar wie de naam Jim Armstrong laat vallen, staat al snel alleen met zijn schaaltje ships en een flesje bier. Wees gerust, beste partyvrienden, want ik kom jullie feestje niet verpesten met een debuut-plaat van zo'n troubadour uit Toronto. Ik ga slechts een paar woorden over "Mudtown" van Jim Armstrong & Sonic Deli Band schrijven, waarna ik mij stilletjes terugtrek. Toch, hoewel ik urgentere aankopen dan alweer zo'n Tom Petty, John Hiatt of John Mellencamp kloon kan bedenken, krijg je met "Mudtown" zo'n vijftig minuten aan stevig rockende country. Let wel: nu eens geen ingewikkelde arrangementen, maar lekker in het gehoor liggende twang met teksten die zich voor de afwisseling eens niet in poëtische of cryptische bochten wringen, maar die ons vertellen waar het op staat - dat is de countryrock die ik graag mag horen. Meestal klinken de songs van die John Mellencamp-, John Hiatt-achtige types, niet zo bijzonder, maar de heren hebben allemaal het hart op de tong en hun hart moet wel van goud zijn. De dertien eigen songs gaan stuk voor stuk over het hectische stadsleven en allerlei universele thema's die daarbij horen. Zoals over de natte ellende van New Orleans in het openende "Heaven Only Knows" met gitaarsolo's van Kenji Miura en zijn wandelingen door Toronto in de titeltrack. Naast deze twee sterke openers behoren, de feel-good song "Gypsy", het Springsteen-achtige "Two Shooting Stars", de piano-gedreven "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand" en "When It Rains", waar hier het gitaarwerk laat denken aan bluesman Robert Cray terwijl het vocale meer de richting van een John Hiatt of Joe Cocker kiest, tot de prijsnummers van Amstrong's ongecompliceerde arbeidersrock. Voor iemand die al zovele jaren aan de weg timmert, die samen met Andrea Poulis het indielabel Sonic Deli Records runt, die naast singersongwriter ook een multi-instrumentalist en producer is en eigenlijk in categorie van oude rockers valt, lijkt Jim Armstrong over een onuitputtelijke bron van jeugdigheid en energie te beschikken. Klonk de plaat na de eerste draaibeurten nog een beetje saai of in ieder geval niet heel bijzonder, na enkele uurtjes ermee doorgebracht te hebben, wiebel je ineens mee met je voeten en ga je verdorie nog verlangen naar meer. Jim Armstrong maakt recht toe recht aan countryrock vol traditionele thema’s en zingt gepassioneerd, met een heerlijk rauwe stem. "Mudtown" is zo'n typische plaat die je op ieder willekeurig moment kan draaien. Ja, beste vrienden, ik durf zelfs voor een kratje bier te wedden dat meneer Armstrong het ook op verjaardagsfeestjes goed doet, maar dan moet je natuurlijk wel ongevraagd die cd tussen de cadeaus verstoppen. "Mudtown" is gewoon een fijne rockplaat met wat flarden blues en country, zoals het hoort. Gaat de wereld dan eindelijk van Jim Armstrong horen?
  
  

• Mark Papousek; of Mark & Nida In The Morning [+ Show ]
  

  "After having had the chance to listen to the BROWN BAG LUNCH CD a few times, I am impressed with th..."After having had the chance to listen to the BROWN BAG LUNCH CD a few times, I am impressed with the songs and the artists. I am sure that we will be hearing some of them on the airwaves very soon."

Setlist

moved to:
www.myPPK.com/go/jimarmstrong.aspx


Typical Set List (45 - 60+ minutes)

Heaven Only Knows
Mudtown
I'm Coming Home
Oxygen Kiss
Gypsy
She Spins Around
Two Shooting Stars
Hole In His Heart
Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand
Happier Times
Rhythm of The Moon
When It Rains
Angel In Our Corner

Able to perform 1 - 3 sets

Basic Requirements

Calendar