Josh James & True Story

Unsung Heroes By: GK Hizer

First up, and long overdue for mention, is Josh James and his debut CD, Painted in a Corner. This is classic singer-songwriter fare, built around the guitar and filled out with full instrumentation so you can easily imagine what they will sound like live, whether solo or with a band.

James balances the disc with a nice blend of mid-tempo acoustic rockers and ballads and his breathy vocals quickly draw comparisons to John Mayer.

Although that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's also not entirely accurate as Josh seems to come from a different set of influences. He's less blues based and more influenced by classic songwriters like Dylan, Lennon and Neil Young.

"Home" is easily the most beautiful song on the disc, a somber reflection on youth and things left behind. Fleshed out with a string arrangement against James' acoustic guitar, this song also takes full advantage of his breathy, almost restrained delivery.

The real highlights of the album come with the "Stuck In a Rut" and "Like a Bird", two cuts with more jazzy, groove-oriented vibes. It's here that James sounds most comfortable and relaxed with the material, as his voice opens up and reveals a little more depth and timbre.

Josh mixes things up nicely, careful to not paint himself into a corner (as the title suggests), and showing his stylistic diversity as a songwriter. That's what leaves me curious with this disc--it appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, an inkling of James' potential.

Painted in a Corner is solid stuff, and a good listen, but James' has raised the bar on himself and I'll expect much more from him next time around. Definitely watch for Josh James to be appearing regularly as he continues to build his repertoire. - UrbanTulsaWeekly

No Sophomore Slump By: GK Hizer

Roughly two and a half years after the release of his debut disc, Painted in a Corner, local singer-songwriter Josh James has returned to action with Asbestos Honey. He's maturing well with time, though he hasn't tinkered much with his approach. He's still primarily a songwriter at heart; and while he still swings from bluesy pop grooves to mellow introspection, he's also become far more consistent in his songwriting and delivery.

Although James comes out of the gate a little heavy handed with "Truth," he quickly gets his bearings and settles into a comfortable pocket that makes this disc a much more satisfying release. The second track, "Rock Alone," finds the perfect balance between California rock and Midwestern pop hinting at Gram Parsons and the Eagles as much Mellencamp and Seger. The streak continues on with "Ball and Chain," allowing him to find his groove and reveal a little more depth and soul in his vocals and delivery.

My biggest hesitation with James has always been his delivery. He's a master of restraint, with a smooth almost whisper-sung vocal style. Asbestos Honey sees his vocals mature and work to his advantage, keeping the focus on the lyrics and song structures. Even so, I'm still waiting to hear him let go with a deep and bluesy howl that fits with his rather imposing stature.

Armed with a new batch of songs and backing band for occasional rock gigs to offset his solo acoustic performances, James is set on moving forward with his music career and has put himself in position to do just that with this CD. Hooking up with a band was a wise move in that it should help him move out of the coffeehouse circuit and start playing at more venues.

If you haven't heard Josh James previously or just need to catch up with what he's currently up to, he'll be at Ida Red in Brookside Friday night, May 15. It's the official CD release party for Asbestos Honey and James will be performing a solo acoustic set to roll out the new songs. - UrbanTulsaWeekly