Josh James

URBAN TULSA WEEKLYOCTOBER 3, 2006UNSUNG UNDERDOGSBY GARY HIZER -On a weekly basis I try to use this column to support Tulsa's live and original music scene and get a word in for acts of all sizes: from the big, nationally touring bands down to our local troubadours.Probably the hardest part of that task is trying to keep up with all of the players on the local scene; a close second would be keeping up with all of the CD's.That said, I'm past due to discuss a few overlooked and under-rated artists on our local landscape whose CD's have come across my desk this summer.Unsung HeroesFirst up, and long overdue for mention, is Josh James and his debut CD, Painted in a Corner. This is classic singer-songwriter fare, built around the guitar and filled out with full instrumentation so you can easily imagine what they will sound like live, whether solo or with a band.James balances the disc with a nice blend of mid-tempo acoustic rockers and ballads and his breathy vocals quickly draw comparisons to John Mayer.Although that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's also not entirely accurate as Josh seems to come from a different set of influences. He's less blues based and more influenced by classic songwriters like Dylan, Lennon and Neil Young."Home" is easily the most beautiful song on the disc, a somber reflection on youth and things left behind. Fleshed out with a string arrangement against James' acoustic guitar, this song also takes full advantage of his breathy, almost restrained delivery.The real highlights of the album come with the "Stuck In a Rut" and "Like a Bird", two cuts with more jazzy, groove-oriented vibes. It's here that James sounds most comfortable and relaxed with the material, as his voice opens up and reveals a little more depth and timbre.Josh mixes things up nicely, careful to not paint himself into a corner (as the title suggests), and showing his stylistic diversity as a songwriter. That's what leaves me curious with this disc--it appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, an inkling of James' potential.Painted in a Corner is solid stuff, and a good listen, but James' has raised the bar on himself and I'll expect much more from him next time around. Definitely watch for Josh James to be appearing regularly as he continues to build his repertoire. His next scheduled appearance is Friday, October 13, at Gypsy Cyber-café (303 N. Cincinnati). Get your layout at Mypsace.org