Samuel James, a performer of stunningly singular talent, will be performing at the restaurant/cafe She Doesn’t Like Guthries in Lewiston at 9 p.m., Friday, March 26. A master of finger-style, slide, banjo, harmonica, and piano, this phenom is not yet out of his 20s. With musical influences ranging from Skip James and Sonny Terry to Gus Cannon and Charley Patton, such understanding of pre-war blues is rarely embodied in the music of one person. But Samuel James is not a revivalist. His songwriting is absolutely unparalleled in contemporary blues. His writing is descended from the long-forgotten art of the songster. While musically one could compare him to Patton or Cannon, his writing goes in another direction entirely. His songs are often written as linear stories, novels in musical format: O. Henry meets Mose Allison. James releases his second CD and debut for NorthernBlues Music entitled, “Songs Famed for Sorrow and Joy”. The CD was recorded by numbers: one artist, five days, nine mics, two guitars, one banjo, both feet for percussion and 100% acoustic. On Saturday, March 27, Vermont musician Nicole Erin Carey will perform at Guthries. The show starts at 9 p.m. There is no cover, and for more information call 376-3344.
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- Samuel James, a performer of stunningly singular talent, will be performing at the restaurant/cafe She Doesn’t Like Guthries in Lewiston on Friday, March 26th at 9:00 pm. A master of fingerstyle, slide, banjo, harmonica, and piano, this phenom is not yet out of his twenties. With musical influences ranging from Skip James and Sonny Terry to Gus Cannon and Charley Patton, such understanding of pre-war blues is rarely embodied in the music of one person. But SamuelJames is not a revivalist. His songwriting is absolutely unparalleled in contemporary blues. His writing is descended from the long forgotten art of the songster. While musically one could compare him to Patton or Cannon, his writing goes in another direction entirely. His songs are often written as linear stories, novels in musical format: O. Henry meets Mose Allison. James’ musical lineage stretches back to immediate post-slavery. His grandfather (b. 1890) played guitar in contemporary blues styles of the era. James’ father was a professional pianist, and trombone player. Samuel learned to tap dance at five, learned the piano at eight and toured the Northeastern circuit professionally by twelve. Today, still in his 20’s, James releases his second CD and debut for NorthernBlues Music entitled, “Songs Famed for Sorrow and Joy”. The CD was recorded by numbers: one artist, five days, nine mics, two guitars, one banjo, both feet for percussion and 100% acoustic. The CD was produced by David Travers-Smith whose credits include Ani DiFranco, Harry manx, and Russell Crowe. The recording reflects Samuel’s live performances as much as one can, but more importantly it showcases why Samuel James doesn’t consider himself a bluesman per se, but a songster and storyteller within a style of music. James is a hardworking individual steeped in the traditions of his elders and has created his own voice that speaks with clarity and pathos to a contemporary audience. Clearly the historical touch is being passed to him fro
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- Saturday, March 27th, Vermont musician, Nicole Erin Carey, will perform at the restaurant/cafe She Doesn’t Like Guthries in Lewiston. The show starts at 9pm, there is no cover, and for more information call 376-3344.
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