Customer Reviews

People Gonna Talk

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who would have thought that a throwback CD that takes us back to the R&B days of forty years ago could come from a singer and musician from Colchester, England? I didn't expect it but I'm glad I discovered James Hunter while flipping through the radio dials one day. I heard the tail end of "Don't Come Back" (Track 10) and was hooked. The voice sounded familiar and I expected to recognize the name of the singer afterwards but I had no clue. Intrigued, I went out and purchased the CD. I was not disappointed and it will remain near the top of my play list for quite some time.

"People Gonna Talk" is Hunter's first U.S.-release. It contains 14 excellent tracks, all written by Hunter. The title track, People Gonna Talk, Mollena, and Don't Come Back, were particularly good. Hunter does well both on the upbeat tracks and the more mournful, bluesy tracks. His voice and his guitar playing work well on both types of song.

The arrangements are classic, relatively simple R&B arrangements that had a strong Memphis and Southern feel to it. Hunter has a distinctive voice with a good range that at times had echoes of Ray Charles, Otis Redding and Aaron Neville. This is not to say that Hunter can match any of those giants but it is clear that Hunter's voice has some common musical DNA with all three which is pretty high praise. The downside to hearing these echoes is the concern that Hunter is more imitative than creative. That is a legitimate concern to be sure but after listening to the CD a number of times I think it safe to say that Hunter does have a style of his own even while paying homage to musicians he must have learned from while he was growing up.

If you like classic R&B you will like People Gonna Talk. The CD had the dual benefit of bringing back fond memories of the music of my youth with fresh new songs but a talented, young performer.

Not since Lenny Kravitz has an artist come on the scene with new music that sounds like it was 40 years old...and that's as far as you can get from being a bad thing. Thank God for Rounder Records, and for independent labels.

This man doesn't sound like anybody but James Hunter, influences notwithstanding, and you could have picked my teeth off the floor when I heard him speak on NPR. I couldn't believe a man that spoke like this could sound like this. I was sold instantly.

You know, if young black artists would rather sound like [name your favorite god-awful rap music artist] than Dee Clark, Billy Stewart, and Jackie Wilson, they've got only themselves to blame if the Europeans pick up the ball they so willingly let slip from their hands. More power to them! This is the stuff I grew up with and love. I'm ecstatic to find new material in the new millennium that's not a remake that has that same sound. And if it weren't for the Internet (and public radio), nobody'd ever know about this artist.

I always wanted to know why there couldn't be singers today that can write their own songs and have a distinct style yet still pay homage to the past. Folks, we've found the one artist so far in the world that can do it!

It's about time.

James Hunter's musical style harkens back to the days of classic 50's and early 60's R&B and soul, yet is wonderfully fresh and original and pays homage to these wonderful, vintage sounds without simply imitating them. Listen to James Hunter's first U.S. CD release "People Gonna Talk" and you will hear parts Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, James Brown and Ray Charles. Having toured and played with Van Morrison in the 1990's, Van asserts that "James is one of the best kept secrets in British R'n'B and Soul. Check Him Out." James Hunter's band features a baritone and tenor saxophone, stand-up bass, drums, and skillful guitar played by James himself. The 14 top-notch original songs on "People Gonna Talk" contain infectious vocals and songwriting that will stick in your head after the very first listen. The catchy title track features a ska beat to give the song a classic, rhythmic feel. Other standout songs include "Talkin 'Bout My Love", "I'll Walk Away" and "No Smoke Without Fire", which blends an upbeat horn arrangement with James Hunter's brilliant vocals and clever songwriting:

The alibi you sold me
You know it ain't water tight
A little birdie told me
And I got you dead to rights
No one's calling you a liar but
There's no smoke without fire

The liner notes to this CD contain all of the lyrics as well as some cool artwork and illustrations of the band members drawn by James Hunter himself.

If you ever get the opportunity to see James Hunter perform live, treat yourself and you'll be very glad you did. I recently saw James Hunter perform in Philadelphia at the World Cafe Live, and his touring band was superb ... his set was exciting and fun and really showcased James' impassioned vocals and skilled guitar-playing as well as impressive sax and bass solos. I actually got the opportunity to meet and talk briefly with James himself before his show in Philly, and one thing was very clear ... that in additon to being a talented musician and singer, James Hunter is one of the nicest and friendliest blokes you'll ever meet.

"People Gonna Talk" alright, about James Hunter's wonderfully soulful music!

about this british hipster with an american style rockabilly and 50ish style perfected. Had I not heard him on an NPR interview, I would have never guessed Mr. Hunter was a brit. This disc is a delight with strong arrangements and vocals.

Recently, I've been doing quite a bit of revisiting the roots of that musical tree still growing in my heart. I made this "new" discovery of which I was totally gobsmacked at its just plain coolness. I am speaking James Hunter's "People Gonna Talk." To a wild reception, completely out of the blue, one of our most talented, yet little-known British cousins have taken the genre of "Music Americana" and transformed it to another, higher level of brilliance. Some may agree, others may not, but I must put it out there that everybody should check-out this soulful English artist (although one would likely never guess his heritage at first listen).

I serendipitously happen to catch an interview with him on our local NPR station. From the strength of Mr. Hunter's generous, infectiously affable manner I immediately went out and purchased the CD. What a refreshing surprise to enjoy a disc COMPLETELY devoid of ANY crappy track on it, and every single song is originally penned. His sound, if one can imagine, is a sort of mish-mash-homage to Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Otis Redding, and Junior Walker (among others) all fused into a listening experience that's both brand spanking new and, at the same moment, oddly and lovingly familiar. His back-up band is as tight as can be imagined; and it truly is high time for the return of the smokin' Sax solo. Even if R&B is not your particular cup of tea in musical taste, I suggest a listen before judging. My 4-year-old daughter is *totally* into this CD and we've played it constantly since purchased. Her fave track is number 6: the sweet ballad for "Mollena." My favorite (which keeps switching daily) is currently track number 7: the haunting, sauntering, can't-get-it-outta-my-mind "I'll Walk Away." This has to be my MOST beloved disc for 2006 and I am delighted to give it five-PLUS stars!

Top class all the way. James Hunter is a terrifically talented musician with the ability to write songs that feel like they've been around forever. Doesn't seem at all like the work of a "new" artist, but more like a lost classic that everyone's just missed up until now. Hunter is straightforward, musically honest and makes the whole thing look simple. Simple soul, with a ripping horn section thrown in for good measure. It's encouraging that talent and taste can still carry the day in such a resounding way. But be forewarned, these songs get into your head and stick. So look out for someone singing James Hunter in a shower near you...

Simply put: I listen to a lot of music and most of what I listen to is found on a compilation mix I burned. Rarely do I come across an entire albumn that I actually listen to all by itself. The last one was Norah Jones first albumn in spring of 2002. This is that rare albumn where I truly enjoy all the tracks. Speaking only for myself this is a lot of fun to listen to and I have to say definitely Grammy-worthy. Not sure which category but definitely worthy. Treat yourself and go out and buy this one.

I've been waiting around on the release of this album for nearly a couple of years. My mate rang me up to tell me that he heard James on NPR, and that he mentioned the release of a new album. Hallelujah! And indeed, the news was true. I immediately bought a copy. I am so thrilled that he not only has a new one out, but that he is getting the recognition he deserves (in America). There has been buzz about him all over the radio, tele, etc. I've also turned a lot of people on to him since all of this... and everyone is craving more!

Like his other two releases... this one is absolutely brilliant. THe new material is great. I was also pleased to see the return of some older tracks like "Mollena", "It's Easy To Say", "I'll Walk Away" and "Kick It Around"... all re-vamped, of course.

The title track, "People Gonna Talk", is quite interesting. Definitely soulful, bluesy R&B, but has an addition of stringed orchestral instruments, and has a sort of ska-like beat. Definitely my favorite track off the album.

The musical arrangement of all the songs are amazing. He really has a fantastic band He still has the classic Sam Cooke-esque sound... but some of his vocals reminded me a bit of early Aaron Neville, when he recorded for Minit Records in the early 1960s.

I like this album, it's great. Very versatile in terms of listening. I can pop it in the car and enjoy it, listen to it while relaxing, and so on.

I first heard "People Gonna Talk" on my favorite public radio station, KCRW. A few months later James Hunter was on the station performing some of the songs from the album and talking with the dj in an interview. I was amazed because when I first heard "People Gonna Talk", the single, I thought it was an old ska/rhythm rock song but, James Hunter is actully a guy from England that is alive and kicking singing with a soulful, smooth voice writing and playing his own music. Every song on this CD is right on! Not just good but, rockin! Not rockin in the sense of fast rock n roll but more like the combination of rhythm rock, ska, and blues with just a pinch of reggae (at least from the sound of my ear) that is played soulfully. It is played at a tempo that is not too fast or too slow so, its perfect to listin to for any type of mood or occasion. Everytime I play this CD for someone I get the same reaction from different people of different ages and genre pereferances. My wife likes it, she is into pop/rock and R&B. I have friends that like Rock and Alternative, Ska & Reggae, Soul/Funk/R&B, Jazz and Blues, and even a few of my Punk Rock freinds, and they all were really diggin it. Thay wanted me to burn it for them but, I told them to go out and buy it and, most of them did! Even my Mother-in-law was groovin to it, she is in her 60's and is an Elvis fan. I can't say enough about this album. It's a Great Album!!! You will not be dissapointed if you buy this album.

Sure, some will scream sacrilege but I'm gonna say it . . . this white English guy sounds like he is channeling Sam Cooke at times. I highly recommend this disc and probably would gush a bit too much if I went through each track. But, some stand outs include Mollena, I'll Walk Away, Tell Her For Me and the title track.

And this whole "controversy" over a white guy singing these being some big deal. It isn't that he's white or better than some of the past greats, the thing is: this man is writing (these are all original compositions) and performing some great music in a style that many people can enjoy. Shouldn't we encourage great music regardless of the artist's race? Make no mistake, this is great music that should find a wide audience.