CD - James Hunter: People Gonna Talk

One of the more uplifting news stories for the R&B fan recently has been the Stateside success of James Hunter following the release of "People Gonna Talk". He was nominated for the New/Emerging Artist Of The Year award by the Americana Music Association (slightly ironic given his track record), opened for Aretha and Boz Scaggs, appeared on the Jay Leno show and seen his album top the blues charts. Long overdue, many of us would say.

"People Gonna Talk" is an album in the style Hunter first championed in earnest with the "Believe What You Say" release in 1996. Echoes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Jackie Wilson on material that captures the essence of 50s and early 60s R&B without ever sounding like pastiche or mere reverence. Many reviews have focused on the voice and with good reason - it's warm, engaging but, most importantly, genuinely soulful. But whilst that's true of others on the circuit, James is also an excellent songwriter and this release consists entirely of songs written and arranged by him. He's also a very fine guitar player, with a unique style based on his ability to deliver both lead lines a and rhythm backdrop to the songs - almost a necessity since he's the sole guitarist in a very tight band.

The songs on the album are consistently strong, and Hunter has a very engaging way with a lyric, almost exclusively focused around relationships (emerging, successful, strained or failed!). The only slight problem for those who caught on to James before this release is the re-recording of a number of songs from two previous albums. Some of the better songs on this release have been aired before on "Believe What You Say" ('I'll Walk Away') and "Kick It Around" ('Kick It Around', 'Mollena', 'It's Easy To Say'). Which you prefer is entirely down to personal preference. "People Gonna Talk" is recorded in a tight and very direct way, very true to Hunter's live sound, whilst the earlier recordings, especially the Believe What You Say set, tend to be fuller and a little broader in scope. Just maybe "People Gonna Talk" could have done with a little more light and shade in the instrumentation or arrangements but this is indeed criticism at the margins  

In the end though this a truly excellent R&B album, very aware of its roots and heritage without ever remotely sounding like a retread of the past. And, finally, a nod to Liam Watson who recorded the album in London - done the classic way, with everybody playing together, capturing an excellent ensemble at work. The result is a great R&B record, the sound of a real band at work, and it suits the Hunter material perfectly. Van Morrison wasn't wrong! ("One of the Best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R'n'B & Soul. Check Him Out")

July 2006