There is no getting
away from it. James Hunter is a magician, a shape shifter, a hundred
brilliant singers packed into one super soul singer who can lead you
by the hand (or the ear!) absolutely anywhere - and you will go willingly.
Imagine this. You are
in a small room, you are pretty fed up. Your partner has left you,
the dog has died, the bailiffs are on their way - you may even have a
leg in plaster. Yep, it's a bad day. Bursting through the door come
The James Hunter Six and it seems as though they have brought with
them Sam Cook, Ray Charles, Richard Hawley, Al Green,
some spectacular brass players, a mighty organist and pianist,
cracking harp and guitar playing, backing singers, (probably) some hand
jive experts and certainly some sharp suits plus every good time and
soul band lick you have ever heard. His crackling voice gets hold of
your plastered leg and you leap to your feet. Waddya gonna do? Bad
day? Forget it. Yep. Dance.
The new James Hunter
Six album “Hold On!” is an absolutely lip-smacking, hip-shaking,
shape-waving, kicker of a feel-good album. I am challenging any
listener to this album to try not to dance from the moment the first
note of the first track bounces out of the speakers and bounds round
the room. Hunter has an extraordinary beautiful voice and even though
you may try, it is pointless trying to make comparisons with anyone
else. They are all there as subtle echoes but he is very much his own
man with a voice that can speak for itself. From the day he emerged
almost fully formed with a U.S debut album many years ago that
crashed the American Billboard charts and Grammy nominations, Hunter
has always been recognised for his remarkable soul-infused voice and
song-writing and this album will confirm that reputation. In a former
life he has been Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays which built him a huge
following for his live shows and brought him to the attention of some
major artists, like Van Morrison and since then his reputation has
gone from strength to strength.
This album takes you
straight into the dance hall, with close up dancing, smooching,
sliding, rocking and even a touch of cha-cha-cha with 'This is Where
I came In' (delightfully heralded by an organ fanfare and some
wonderful classic ballroom piano). Hunter and his hugely talented
band glide easily from some solid stomp in 'Stranded', through
(surely) the sax-men standing up and giving it large on 'Free Your
Mind' and the title track '(Baby) Hold On' to 'Something's Calling'
where his effortless and soulful voice lures you into up close and
personal on the dance floor.
There's not a weak
track on this album and even the one instrumental 'Satchelfoot' - which sees the
guitarist strut his stuff and take you straight back to the days of
Peter Gunn and black and white detective series – has a great lift
to it and will get you up out of your chair again. This is a hugely
entertaining and enjoyable album by a superb band. If you want to
dance up close with the Great Love of Your Life then make sure the James
Hunter Six are on the bandstand.
