Seth James — “Motormouth” — Qualified Records
The music of Seth James is a heady brew of his native Texas blues, Memphis soul and Southern rock, all distilled for decades into the grit of his authentic rootsy voice.
His latest album, “Motormouth,” follows James’ 2024’s “Lessons,” a tribute to the music of Delbert McClinton, a major musical influence. This session finds the veteran singer/songwriter exploring his Texas roots in a more expansive set, emphasizing his own sharp musical sensibilities.
The result is an album filled with bluesy bravado, Texas swing, soulful vocals and greasy roadhouse vibes driving a set of covers and originals filled with sharply told tales of love and life. All of those deep roots bear honey-dripping fruit in James’ music.
A pair of insistent original blues rockers — “Why Should I Suffer” and “Motormouth” — pull you right in with slyly perceptive lyrics, razor-sharp music, and a stunning chorus of backup singers (Alice Spencer, Nick Jay, Etta Britt, Miss Jackie Wilson). “I’m In Trouble” finds him admiring a woman and admitting the obvious: “I been dodging trouble for most of my life / But this kind of trouble is the kind I like.”
“I’ll Be Gone” is joyous Texas swing with an old-fashioned message: “If you don’t wanna sell me bacon, don’t open up the store,” while an especially soulful original, “I Can’t Find Your Mind,” looks in vain for a personal connection. There’s a sensitive cover of McClinton’s “Just A Thought,” while “I Can’t Wait” finds Delbert joining in, leading another McClinton cover, the churning R&B of “I Got To Know.” A swinging version of the Doc Pomus classic “Lonely Avenue,” is filled with extra joy from the backup singers.
“I Feel The Burden” is an uplifting gospel-drenched track, raised higher by the rousing fervor of the backup chorus, and the closer, “Start A Brand New Day” is a gently swung invitation to do just that, bringing this joyous session to a conclusion full of hope and optimism.
Seth James has given us a crackling good album filled with the down-home honesty and vitality of his singing, songwriting and the musicians who bring it all home.
“I don’t want to do a good job so that I can be successful and sell more records,” James says. “Don’t get me wrong – that would be great, too. But that moment where everyone is together, their glasses cheers-ing while they shake off the blues a little bit –
I want to be part of that.”
If “Motormouth” doesn’t shake off your blues, you need to listen to it again. And again. It’s damn fine music!
Delbert McClinton says: “With the release of this new CD, Seth James has become one of the most important vocalists I’m aware of!”
Here’s a live performance by Seth James: “Cigarettes, Anger and Wine”:
Tracklist & credits:
- Why Should I Suffer — S. James, G. Nicholson, B. Britt • 2:56
- Motormouth — K. McKendree, S. James • 3:08
- I’m In Trouble — D. Bryant • 4:04
- It’s Later Than You Think — S. James, K. McKendree, P. McLaughlin • 2:46
- I’ll Be Gone — C. Linden • 2:49
- High Horse — L. Russell • 4:08
- I Can’t Find Your Mind — S. James, G. Nicholson, B. Britt • 3:03
- Just A Thought — D. McClinton, A. Anderson • 3:52
- I Can’t Wait — D. McClinton • 3:13
- I Got To Know — D. McClinton • 2:37
- Lonely Avenue — D. Pomus • 3:16
- I Feel The Burden — G. Clark • 2:51
- Start A Brand New Day — C. Allen • 2:42
- Seth James (vocals, guitar)
- Kevin McKendree (keyboards)
- Rob McNelley (guitar)
- Steve Mackey (bass)
- Lynn Williams (drums)
- Jim Hoke (saxophones)
- Vinnie Ciesielski (trumpet)
- John Hinchey (trombone)
- Alice Spencer, Nick Jay, Etta Britt, Miss Jackie Wilson, The Time Jumpers
The musicians:
- Seth James — vocals; lead guitar (Dick50); horns; BGVs
- Dick50 — house band providing guitars, horns, BGVs
- Kevin McKendree — piano, organ
- Rob McNelley — guitar
- Steve Mackey — bass
- Lynn Williams — drums
- Horns (arr. Jim Hoke)
- Jim Hoke — saxophones
- Steve Herrmann — trumpet
- John Hinchey — trombone
- The Time Jumpers — featured on multiple tracks
- Andy Reiss — electric guitar
- Larry Franklin — fiddle
- Joe Spivey — fiddle
- Kenny Sears — fiddle
- “Ranger Doug” Green — archtop guitar
- Jeff Taylor — piano
- Billy Thomas — drums
- Eddy Dunlap — steel guitar
- Brad Albin — upright bass
Blues Roadhouse 