Open Road
Stony Plain, 2021
9/10
A national treasure in his home country, Canada’s Colin James is now 20 albums deep, and here he’s aligned with long time collaborators Colin Linden, Craig Northey and Tom Wilson for a very well thought out collection of originals and covers that illustrate a more Americana and blues focused body of work.
“As The Crow Flies” starts the album with James’ soulful and smooth vocals guiding the melodic blues rocker that’s full of spirited guitar and crisp drumming, and “Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me” follows with bright brass complementing the lively rhythm and intricate guitar work.
Approaching the middle, “Change It” flows with a breezy quality as James’ soaring pipes mesh with the thumping blues spirit, while “Leave This House” emits a retro rock’n’roll flavor that will get you searching for your dancing shoes. “It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry”, another exceptional song, then bounces with a robust grit that welcomes upbeat sax.
“Down On The Bottom” might be the best song present, and displays a timeless Americana, where James’ poetic pipes are met with the raw but very tuneful songwriting, and “I Love You More Than Words Can Say” exits the listen with a calm, emotive execution of guitars, keys, drums and, of course, stirring singing from James.
The band consists of Geoff Hicks (drums), Steve Pelletier (bass), Norm Fisher (bass), Simon Kendall (B3), Jesse O’Brien (B3, piano), Chris Caddell (rhythm guitar), Steve Marriner (harmonica), Jerry Cook (sax) and Steve Hilliam (sax), and this 3rd in a trilogy of records should have no problem reaching the acclaim of the earlier installments, which netted James a Juno Award, as both the originals and covers are delivered with a powerful, rootsy angle and tremendous warmth.
Travels well with: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band- Straight To You Live; Jimmie Vaughan- The Jimmie Vaughan Story