Steve James Live Review

Steve James
The Centre Stage, Bournemouth, May 13, 2010

‘Blues night’ at the Bournemouth Folk Club brought ace Texas bottleneck bluesman Steve James making his first visit to the town in the middle of a four week UK tour. Well known among devotees of acoustic folk and blues, Steve has produced a string of excellent albums. He has toured tirelessly for many years, recorded with many of the great names on the folk/blues circuit and is always in demand at music camps and workshop programmes. Displaying flawless mastery on the guitar and mandolin, he thrilled the BFC audience with an eclectic mixture of self-penned and traditional material. A real student and historian, Steve had a story to tell about every number he played which never once detracted from the superb entertainment on offer.
Launching straight into the catchy Greasy Greens and Talco Girl, his gravelly voice was suited perfectly to his musical style. After Fishermen’s Reel and Freestone County Blues, both from his 2003 offering FAST TEXAS, he allowed ‘the guitar to do the talking’ with a couple of beautiful waltzes; Henry Worrall’s Spanish Fandango and the terrific Bear Creek Hop. Sonny Payne about the once long time presenter of the radio show King Biscuit Time from Helena, Arkansas was followed by Stack Lee Blues telling the story of the murder of Billy Lyons in 1895 from the murderer’s point of view. Terrific stuff and a fitting finale to an excellent first set.
Concentrating largely on material from his latest album SHORT BLUE STORIES, Steve kicked off the second set with Walter Lewis’ Judge Hard Blues before he played a medley from his ‘Latex Road Variations’; Poor Howard and Leadbelly’s Green Corn. Switching briefly to the mandolin for Juanita Stomp and Texas Tommy, from FAST TEXAS, he returned to his acoustic guitar for the stand out Birmingham Steel which reminded him of travelling the country by train. Continuing the train theme, he launched into Charlie Poole’s Milwaukee Blues and Down Bound Train, which was recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958. The hilarious Hoagy Carmichael number Huggin’ and Chalkin’ about a girl who’s ‘a mile wide’ was followed by I Love My Guitar before he closed with two great Texas blues numbers; Roosevelt Thomas Williams’ Way Out on the Desert and Bye, Bye Baby Blues written by George ‘Little Hat’ Jones in 1930. With the clock way beyond curfew time, Steve returned for one final instrumental, Sylvester Weaver’s Real Guitar Rag from 1923 and reputedly the first recording using the slide guitar technique.
Another night of exceptional entertainment from a real master who painstakingly researches everything he plays. His instrumental work could not be faulted and at times his fingers were just a blur. With a great voice to match and a wonderful stage presence, Steve obviously loves what he does and is clearly proud of his roots. A show not to be missed and hopefully, he will be back. John Roffey

photos by Bruce Stidston