Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Review: Clifton Williams and the Blue James Band "Will"


"Will", the latest CD from Clifton Williams and the Blue James Band, was released late in 2008. Clifton Williams is a talented songwriter who polished his craft as a graduate student in music composition. He is supported by some extraordinary bandmates; collectively, their is a boatload of talent in this assembly of fine players.

The songs on "Will" are sophisticated and intricate, layering multiple strata of musical styles and instrumentation (ranging from rock to reggae, folk to funk), yet they never sound less than organic. The roots-rock feel and positivity in the lyrics will delight fans of this genre, and fans of Paul Simon and Sting may hear their influences in the songwriting. For pop rockers who enjoy the quick-fix hook, I'm afraid you probably won't find too much that is accessible here. However, the tracks I will highlight should please fans of all walks of music: "You Should Know", "Crossroads", and "Don't Waste the Days". For me, "Will" makes for a perfect laid-back Sunday morning treat.

I recommend Clifton Williams and the Blue James Band for fans of the Dave Matthews Band, Pat McGee, and Edwin McCain.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 6, 7

Clifton Williams and the Blue James Band: MySpace. Official site.

Check out a video for "Believe":

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