Seth James
Lessons
Qualified Records
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © March 2024
Have you ever listened to an album and been totally clueless as to why it was titled what it was? I know I sure have. Then there are some – like Lessons – that pretty much hit you right over the head with their logic. In the case of Seth James, little did he know it at first, but lessons are what he was experiencing just by listening to Delbert McClinton records as a kid. Now, all these years later, here he is showcasing some of what he learned from – and paying homage to his biggest influencer – the great Delbert McClinton.
Lessons features a good mix of eleven of Delbert’s well-known, and maybe not so well-known (if that’s a thing) songs. On them, Seth James on vocals, is not only joined by Delbert’s right-hand man of twenty-five years – Kevin McKendree – but many other Delbert McClinton alumni, as well. They are: Lynn Williams on drums; Steve Mackey on bass; Rob McNelley on guitar; Alice Spencer and Nick Jay on backing vocals; Vinnie Ciesielski on trumpet; John Hinchey on trombone; Jim Hoke on saxophones; and of course, the album’s producer and engineer, Grammy winner Kevin McKendree on guitar, keys and percussion.
Since the opening track – “Honky Tonkin’ (I Guess I Done Me Some)” – is a song that was on what I believe was Delbert’s first album back in 1975, it was most likely one of the very first of his songs that Seth heard. Nailing it on the vocals – with some nicely done backing from Alice and Nick – Seth pretty much sounds like he’s done him some honky tonkin’ of his own. Musically, this rendition features Lynn (drums), Steve (bass) and Kevin (organ) in a funky rhythm groove; sizzling horn highlights from Vinnie, John and Jim; and a smokin’ blues guitar solo by Rob. Besides the timeline thing, this was a great one to kick things off with.
Because they feature some of the disc’s best vocal harmony between Seth and Alice, “Real Good Itch” and “Who’s Foolin’ Who” are two of my favorite songs. ‘Itch’ is a dance floor filling shuffle with delightfully twangy guitar leads, lively piano leads; and a perfect rhythm to rock with; and ‘Foolin’, also a dance floor filler, features a fabulously funky organ lead rhythm.
With its criminally descriptive lyrics, their matter-of-fact presentation, and the eerie musical mood, “The Rub” could have very well been the soundtrack from a Homicide: Life On The Street episode. Seth and the guys nailed the vibe on this one.
“Victim Of Life’s Circumstances” – the title of the album that the opening track appeared on – is obviously the song that those wanting to claim Delbert McClinton is a country artist would most likely use to validate that argument. C’mon, the song’s about drinkin’, getting knocked on your ass, waking up in jail, and cutting up some honky with a knife. Except for not mentioning a pickup truck – which was probably parked at the bar where he got arrested – this one reeks country… and that’s all before you hear the smokin’, honky-tonk style this one’s rolling along at. Dynamite stuff!
I’m of the opinion that Seth and the band could have subtitled their rendition of “B Movie Boxcar Blues” to “B Movie Boxcar On Fire Blues”. Calling this one a smoker would be like calling a five-alarm fire a campfire, and its exhausting final forty-five seconds is the consummate definition of ‘all out jam mode’.
Although it isn’t the kind of song you’d close a live show with, “Take It Easy” was the ideal song to close out the disc with. I think it was the bands way of saying “okay, we just kicked your butts for the last thirty-five minutes and now we’re gonna sit you down to catch your breath”. The Gospel style ballad features Seth’s most powerful, soulful, emotional and certainly his best vocal performance on the recording, and that can pretty much be said for Kevin’s B3 playing as well. Wow!
More great songs on Lessons include: “Maybe Someday Baby”; “Morgan City Foul”; “Lessons In The Pain Of Love”; and “Ruby Louise”.
Should you like to find out more about Seth James, just go to – www.sethjamesmusic.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
