The parallels between the lost-way-too-soon Chicago blues vocalist, the late Michael Ledbetter and the blues influenced born-and-raised Chicago vocalist Shawn James seems impossible to ignore as we consider James’ fourth solo outing, The Dark & The Light. While James’ music is rather genre-less, he and Ledbetter can both point to Chicago roots, the church and opera training. Both are charismatic, audience-friendly performers who find healing power in music. Importantly, it’s the jaw-dropping vocal power of each that will stun you. Sadly, Ledbetter is no longer with us, but James may, effectively, just be starting.
Yes, James has been under the radar, but he tours relentlessly, playing over 150 shows here in the states and abroad. His songs have generated millions of streams, been heard on TV, in commercial and even in video games. Yet, James has been, up until now, the ultimate DIY-er, going without a marketing team, publicity, promotion, management, or even a record label. Now he has signed with the L.S. based indie label Parts +Labor Records for The Dark & The Light and built a supporting team.
James’ truly extraordinary voice has been honed through experience in the Pentecostal church, opera and classical training, and tons of live performances. It’s deeply powerful, soulful, multi-octave and even nuanced. Other than Ledbetter, the only off the cuff comparisons would be Arthur Brown (“Fire”) or Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (“I Put a Spell on You”). James, though, is more refined and more song-oriented than the latter two. He goes beyond the theatric but, like them, he mines some similar turf with the haunting “Orpheus” and the searing “Burn the Witch.”
”Orpheus,” of course based on Greek Mythology opens as James’ delivers the album’s theme right away – love is stronger than all else, including death. Light is stronger than dark. He then delivers the centerpiece of the album in two parts, deeply personal lyrics about the loss of his father to alcoholism when James was only five years old in “Love Will Find A Way.” These reveal the amazing range of his voice, moving from a deep baritone to falsetto while conveying tear dripping emotion along the way. His mission is indeed serious ,and it is working. James says, “I’ve found that my songs with the biggest impact are the ones that inspire people and try to lift them up. Fans tell me how these songs saved their lives. Is there any greater accomplishment than that? I fully embraced that on this album. These days people need encouragement, and I just wanted to contribute.”
He follows with the Memphis-styled “There It Is,” about counteracting bad deeds with good work. “Haunted” moves into a bluesy mode as James comments indirectly on the current political climate, urging us to rise above injustice. Similarly in theme, he urges us to keep going, shun those who try to take advantage in “The Weak End” and “The Curse of the Fold.” A standout track, for which a video has been made, is “Burn the Witch,” addressing the dangers of being too quick to condemn and judge, drawing parallels to America’s past and present. The acoustic “Chicago” is heartfelt autobiographical, as he touts the values of the hard work his dad taught him. His humility is on full display in the closing touching “When I’m Gone,” revealing again the many textures of his remarkable voice.
Listening to these tunes, without the benefit of some background on James, you may get the impression that it’s all for show and that perhaps he’s an inaccessible type. To the contrary, as he talks about his inspirations – Tom Waits, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, or Bill Withers, he says, “They weren’t precious about what they did, they didn’t put themselves on a pedestal. I want my music to be respected, but I’ll still sit down at the bar and have a beer with you. My goal is to make music that stands the test of time.”
That’s for listeners to decide. You do need to hear Shawn James sing. Vocally, he has few, if any peers.
