Thu 9 Apr 2009
Hear the interview with Big James as he talks about his CD Thank God I Got the Blues.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Big James got to see James Brown in concert around 1968 when he was only 7 years old. From then own James was hooked on music. He started off taking guitar lessons in grade school but the teacher moved. James was never able to find another guitar teacher. In high school they needed a trombone player so James took that up. One day while working in his dad’s tavern a man came in looking for a trombone player. James said that he was a trombone player and they asked if he would try out for Little Milton’s band. James said sure, went down to the tryouts and landed the job. For the next two years Big James was on tour with Little Milton’s.
Later Big James moved back to Chicago where Johnny Christian hired him to play in his band Johnny Christian & the Playboys. This was around 1989, Big James stayed with the band till Johnny Christian passed away from cancer 1993. Johnny had made it know that he wanted the band to continue on after his passing. So Big James became the leader if the band that has continued on till today. In 1996 Big James joined up with Buddy Guy’s band for a world tour that lasted for three years. Big James said some of the highlights of the tour was getting to be on the Jay Leno Show as well as having Eric Clapton join them on stage in England. Other artists that Big James has performed with over the years are Lou Rawls, Albert King, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Larry Coryell.
Records Big James has put out:
Funkin’ Blues
If It Wasn’t 4 Da Blues
Now You Know
Thank God I Got the Blues
Big James current record Thank God I Got the Blues is a nice blend of soul, blues and a little jazz. This is not a trombone record. Big James and Producer/Mixer Andrew Garver knows how to mix all the elements of this upstanding band The Chicago Playboys into a spectacular sound. With seven members in the band it would be easy for them to make wrong turns or have a clutter of sound. No, that is never the case this is a professionally done record, as you will hear in the podcast. The title track kicks the record off with up- tempo beat and beautiful horn arrangements. Speaking of beautiful horn arrangements this is a good place to thank Kenny Anderson and Big James for doing a very appealing job through out this record. Mike Wheeler’s guitar playing on “I’m Done This Time” is beautiful. “Don’t Take Your Coat off…” is even more special when you hear Big James tell you how it came about in the podcast. I could go on and on about how spectacular this record is but what you need to do is listen to the show. Once you hear the songs you will see what I’m talking about. There is only one thing that I might change, that’s the title. I feel the title of track six would better describe this record, “Awesome”.
This may not only be my feeling as Blind Pig Records has singed Big James to their label. Congratulations Big James you have certainly earned this. Big James and the Chicago Playboys are hard at work on their new CD. The title will be Right Here, Right Now, look for a May 2009 release date. Till then please buy Thank God I Got the Blues it will have you thanking God for Big James having the blues because now you have an awesome record.
The songs played in the show:
Thank God I Got the Blues
What It Is…
Awesome
Don’t Take Your Coat off…
Big James & the Chicago Playboys
Big James – Vocals & Trombone
Mike Wheeler – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Joseph Sylvester Blocker – Keyboards & Vocals
Larry Williams, Bass
Cleo Cole – Drummer
Charles Kimble – Saxophone & Vocals
Buy Big James CD Thank God I Got the Blues from CD Baby Website
Buy Big James CD Now You Know from CD Baby Website
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark