Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps — “Bad at Being Good” — MoMojo Records
Teresa James’ sassy-sweet vocals are instantly recognizable, always squeezing every drop of life, love and lusty femininity from her Texas blues-rooted pipes.
Wrap those signature vocals in the razor-sharp backing of the criminally talented Rhythm Tramps, and you’ve got another luminous James album — “Bad at Being Good.”
It’s James and the Tramps at their rhythmic roadhouse best on their 14th album, a smartly crafted session of 12 original songs expertly tailored to fit James’ shape-shifting musical moods.
“This music truly represents our roadhouse and blues roots, but also shows off the band’s soul inspiration and heart,” James says.
The Tramps include the multi-talented Terry Wilson — James’ partner, band bassist, and primary songwriter who contributes their deliciously imaginative repertoire. James plays piano, and of course, sings. Also: Billy Watts (lead guitar), Dean Parks (lead guitar), John Porter (slide guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Jay Bellerose (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3, piano, Wurlitzer), Bennett Salvay (piano), Jon Cleary (guests on piano), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (saxophone), David P. Jackson (accordion). (The musicians are listed by track below.)
The fun begins with the easy-rocking “Love’s A Full Time Job” — “Love’s a full-time job, and you’ve got me working overtime.” The achingly tender “Is Anything Alright” is a soulful delight, a slow-dancing blues. “I Got This Thing” is a sultry come-hither invitation to love.
“All About the Benjamins” slyly counts that loving feeling that registers on a strictly cash basis. “Trouble in Paradise” is a smoothly done exploration of love going wrong. “Angel on My Shoulder” rocks gently through a personal message to the love who’s the angel on her shoulder, with McKendree’s B-3 rolling underneath.
“Treat Her Like You Want Her to Treat You” is a sensuous, belt-buckle polishing slow-dance blues, with James’ sultry vocal leaving you weak in the knees. “Bad at Being Good” is a swinging, soulful gem with smart lyrics — “You’re gonna need your own personal Jesus / To make up for all your malfeasance …. You’re so bad at being good.” Cleary adds his tasty piano to the mix.
“Say What You Will” swings in with a jazzy lyricism, before “We Came to Rock” shifts into a rollicking honky-tonk roadhouse gear with the band cranking out great old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll behind James’ soaring vocals. “Anytime is Alright” puts a chunky beat behind James pleading that “Any day, any night … anytime is alright.”
“Close Down the Blues Bar” is a fitting closer — a greasy, slow-drag blues with a warning: “He’s so crazy about that funky beat / He forgot he’s got a wife.”
“Bad at Being Good” is another in a long line of albums from Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps that showcase a unique ability to create a joyful reunion of their bright new music and its deep roots. The music is perfectly crafted to blend insightful songwriting and whip-smart musical backing with James’ honeyed vocals. The result is your listening pleasure.
As James says, “I am so excited about our new album – even after having already released 13 albums, I feel like Bad at Being Good is the best yet… with great performances by everyone (including some very special guest artists) and some of the best songs ever, this music truly represents our roadhouse and blues roots, but also shows off the band’s soul inspiration and heart,” observes James. “Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it!”
Here’s “Close Down the Blues Bar” from the album:
Tracks and credits:
Track 1 – “Love’s A Full Time Job” (Terry Wilson & Teresa James):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 2 – “Is Anything Alright” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals), Terry Wilson (bass), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Jay Bellerose (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3), Bennett Salvay (piano), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 3 – “I Got This Thing” (Terry Wilson & Teresa James):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 4 – “All About the Benjamins” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3).
Track 5 – “Trouble in Paradise” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals), Terry Wilson (bass, B3), Dean Parks (lead guitar), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (Wurlitzer).
Track 6 – “Angel on My Shoulder” (Terry Wilson & Teresa James):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3).
Track 7 – “Treat Her Like You Want Her to Treat You” (Terry Wilson & Teresa James):
Teresa James (vocals), Terry Wilson (bass), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3), Bennett Salvay (piano), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 8 – “Bad at Being Good” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals), Terry Wilson (bass, slide guitar, background vocals), John Porter (slide guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion, background vocals), Kevin McKendree (B3), Jon Cleary (piano).
Track 9 – “Say What You Will” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Kevin McKendree (B3, piano), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 10 – “We Came to Rock” (Terry Wilson & Teresa James):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Track 11 – “Anytime is Alright” (Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass), Jay Bellerose (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), David P. Jackson (accordion).
Track 12 – “Close Down the Blues Bar” (Gary Nicholson & Terry Wilson):
Teresa James (vocals, piano), Terry Wilson (bass, guitars), Billy Watts (lead guitar), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richard Millsap (percussion), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (sax).
Blues Roadhouse 