Eddie James
Eddie James probably cam from Tennessee as all
his recordings came from the state. His Startown single appeared on a Chattanooga
label and is a simple but effective midpaced item which suffers from a low
budget production. Both his King 45s from the early 70s are much better.
They were cut at the Starday/King studios in Nashville and benefit from the
experienced session men there. Reap
What You Sow is a fine country slowie featuring subdues strings and
some tasteful electric piano but
(I
Can’t Get Used To) Livin’ Without
You is a real gem. A beautifully rendered country soul ballad
with some lovely picked and chorded guitar and piano fills. Eddie’s
voice is gentle and concerned with just enough “rasp” to make
the lyric meaningful.
These are real throwback discs at a time when wah wah
guitars and funky keyboards were all the rage – no wonder they didn’t
sell. But the timeless nature of this sort of music means that it lasts so
much better than the transient nature of “today’s sound”.
Discography
Sad sad feeling / Her Mama won't leave us alone ~ STARTOWN 5150
Reap what you sow / All I have to offer you is me ~ KING 6394 (1972)
Been down so long / (I
can't get used to) livin' without you ~ KING 6413 (1973)