At The Coach House, Capistrano, California, September 2, 2007
On a blistering September 2nd evening, with the temperatures inside and outside San Juan Capistrano, California’s The Coach House approaching one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, British guitarist/singer James Hunter created a riot in the hearts of his fans. “Riot In My Heart,” was just one of the many songs that Hunter performed working an already stoked and screaming audience into a more heightened frenzy. Baritone saxophonist Lee Badau and tenor sax man Damian Hand played fabulous riffs during “Riot In My Heart,” a song from Hunter’s current CD People Gonna Talk.
Most
of Hunter’s sixteen song set (counting the encore) was comprised of original
tunes representing a style of music commonly heard during the late 1950’s and
early 1960’s, a period when doo wop, soul and R&B were converging. It is at this
epicenter of beats and rhythms that we find James Hunter. He has drawn
comparisons to Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, and infuses his music with James
Brown like hollering. Hunter is not shy about telling you that it was this
point in music history that most influenced the style of music that he brings to
the stage. He does not set out to merely imitate but builds his music around a
style he grew up listening to and enjoying. The thing is it has been so long
since the world has heard this kind of music performed at a high level that
stylistically it is not old but refreshingly new again.
It was obvious that many in the crowd were very familiar with Hunter’s music as they went nuts, immediately recognizing “Talking ‘Bout My Love,” before Badau and Hand had played more than a few bars to introduce the song. The Coach House does not have a dance floor, but that did not stop the patrons from dancing in the aisles, dancing at their tables and singing the words to the song.
I recall as a child growing up during the sixties British Invasion and the delirium that possessed fans while their idols began playing and singing just about anything from their repertoire. Hunter creates that same euphoria with his charm, charisma, great guitar licks, a good voice and a terrific band. He is comfortable onstage and a smile never seems to leave his face. He enjoys interacting with his fans both during and between songs.
Hunter is a multi-dimensional artist who possesses the ability to slow down a set with love ballads such as “I’ll Walk Away,” and “Mollena,” songs that would cause any woman to swoon, and many a man to say I have walked in those shoes.
Rolling Stone referred to Hunter as “a treat not to miss,” while Van Morrison said, “James is one of the best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R&B and soul.” He has drawn critical acclaim from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today.
For the most part Hunter’s
music is powered by his own guitar rhythms and the deep grooves created by Badau
and Hand’s horns. The rhythm section is rounded out with some Hammond B-3 organ
vibes and double bassist Jason Wilson builds an exceptionally strong foundation
for the other instrumentalists.
I am not an African American, nor did I have an opportunity to visit the juke joints that arose throughout the United States in a sadder day and time of segregation, but I have spoken to numerous people who were part of that environment and it would seem that if you closed your eyes for just a moment, on this hot summer evening you might have forgotten that it was four white guys from Britain and another from Brooklyn laying down the beats.
Hunter paid tribute to the great Doo Wop group of the fifties, The Five Royals by performing two of their songs, “Baby Don’t Do It,” and “Think.”
Another highlight came in the form of another Hunter original “Watch & Chain,” a song that featured a great call and response between the singer’s vocals and the two saxophonists. Badau also soloed on baritone sax.
As the band left the stage the crowd stood and applauded for five minutes, while chanting Hunter’s name and requesting an encore. Nobody left the building and after a few minutes, the band appeared on stage, moving into an improvised jam session. A few minutes later Hunter appeared and performed “Talking ‘Bout My Love,” for a second time.
Photo by Joe Montague ©
Reviewed by Joe Montague for Riveting Riffs (www.rivetingriffs.com)
Reviewed September 2, 2007
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