An extremely penetrating new voice. Vinnie James, a patchouli-scented, love-powered acoustic jackhammer. Think Richie Havens, Graham Parker and Tom Waits. Raw, lyrical rocket-fuel for the new grassroots revolution.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Folk Rock, FOLK: Folk Blues



Details:
::: VINNIE JAMES - SONGS FOR THE LONG JOURNEY :::

"James hits the mark." âPLAYBOY

"The work of a lyrical wizard." âHICKORYWIND.ORG

"Vinnie James is poised to become a great influence on American folk music, possibly taking it to new levels of popularity...Vinnie James may very well resurrect the popularity of folk music..." âLOW COUNTRY MUSIC

David Wilde, of Rolling Stone, calls Vinnie James, "...an extremely penetrating new voice..." And Mike Boehm of the Los Angeles Times, hails Vinnie's music as, "full of fire and in your face passion."

Educated on the streets of Newark, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, Vinnie James is part Native American, part African, and 100 fire and street-wise passion. And you'd never guess from his humble attitude, that this ex-homeless man is now being hailed by critics as one of the most relevant songwriters of this generation, having already gained widespread acclaim, a charting single, a Grammy nomination for his RCA debut, "All American Boy," and major shows and tours with Carole King, Sade, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Pam Tillis, STYX, Julia Fordham, and many others.

At the center of Vinnie's sound is his raw, dusky vocal style, described by the Los Angeles Times as, "a husky, soul-tinged voice that recalls Graham Parker or Bob Seger..." and that, "...bristles with vigor, alarm and a prophet's conviction..."

"My main lyrical influences are Jackson Browne, Mickey Newbury, and Marvin Gaye," reflects James, lounging in the Nag Champa incense cloud of the studio control room, "...along with poets like Khalil Gibran and Robert Frost." He takes a puff from his hand-rolled cigarette, then continues, "...but when it comes to my percussive acoustic guitar technique, I'd have to say, my biggest influence is Richie Havens, no question."

"Some would call my sound roots or americana," says James, picking up his Taylor guitar. He breaks into the "shika, shika" percussive strumming style that's become his trademark, flashes his infectious, "naughty-boy" grin, and adds, "...I call it, 'a patchouli-scented, love-powered acoustic jackhammer,'" he chuckles, and adds, "I also call it 'folk-hybrid,' which basically takes a raw, funky, grassroots folk style, and infuses it with influences from rock, blues, hip-hop, gospel and 60's soul."

Described as "a master wordsmith," by Maxine Jewett, President of the Southwest Acoustic Music Association, Vinnie James pens songs that take you from deeply moving lyrical journeys, to powerfully raw, full-blown acoustic-based grinders, pulsating with hypnotic, tribal rhythms, complete with drums, bass and world instruments, all laced with Vinnie's soulful vocals and his signature "acoustic jackhammer" guitar playing.

Jim McKenna, who heads the Glasgow Festival of Songwriting, calls Vinnie James, an "astonishing songwriter," who's songs explore themes ranging from political injustice and social revolution, to love, lust and tragic loss; all written with intricate, well-crafted poetic images, showing a refreshing vulnerability and "old-soul" character.

Gil Griffin of the Washington Post, says of Vinnie James, "...his writing exhibits a developed, analytical (and self-analytical) maturity." Cary Darling of the Orange County Register adds that Vinnie's music, "has a folk edge and fits squarely in the singer-songwriter tradition of Springsteen, Graham Parker, Elvis Costello and John Hiatt."

"It's such an honor that so many new people are discovering my songs, and are so moved and inspired by them," James says, of his growing worldwide acclaim. "When I write, I'm really just trying to make sense of this complicated, and sometimes scary world. I think people are drawn to my songs because they're feeling a lot of the same emotions I'm expressing in words, and the songs help them find an outlet and a path of expression for those emotions."

Record industry icon David Geffen once called Vinnie James, "a distinctive multi-threat talent." Vinnie's newest offering, "Songs for the Long Journey," released worldwide this past Valentine's Day, is the long-awaited follow-up to his acclaimed RCA/BMG debut. As you would expect from a songwriter of this calibre, "Songs for the Long Journey" is a rewarding showcase of talent, where Vinnie's vocal and lyrical skills, along with his signature percussive style of playing the acoustic guitar, are as powerful and evident as ever, and the critics are ecstatic.

In his extensive and glowing review of James' new album, written for the well-respected online Americana magazine HickoryWind.org, Jim Pipkin declares: "...If this CD had already been released, it would have easily made my Top Ten for 2006. I would be very surprised if it doesn't make the cut for 2007."

Additionally, Maxine Jewett, President of the Prestigious Southwest Acoustic Music Association, writing an early review of the album has this to say: "'Songs for the Long Journey' is much more than simply a CD; it is an audible work of art. Every cut could stand alone as its own CD, none are similar to the song before or after it. Vinnie James is a master wordsmith, "Homeless Man" is a remarkably poignant tale of compassion by the 'have nots' for those who have even less. Throughout the CD, James' commentary is critical but hopeful and the dynamics of the music are tricky, tricky, tricky. Listen to "County Line". Just when you think you know where this chord is going, he rips the rug out from underneath you. I love it!! My advice is buy two copies because you will wear one out."

When asked about his views on success, James adds, "I'm just into being that songwriter who people can look back on one day and say, 'man, that cat left a serious mark on the art of songwriting.'" The swelling critical acclaim, and the growing worldwide popularity of Vinnie James and his music, seem to indicate he's doing just that.

This is your opportunity to connect with one of our generation's most relevant songwriters in three easy steps:

1. Click the song links above and preview the songs on this powerful new cd.

2. read the reviews at the bottom of this page.

3. Then order your own copy of "Songs for the Long Journey" by clicking the "Add to cart" button above.
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