Medium Raw. Early James

Early James is a 31 year old musician from the south of the U.S. who came into this world as Fredrick James Mullis Jr. Medium Raw is his third album, produced and released by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach.

On Medium Raw Early James plays an (acoustic) form of country music in the style of Johnny Cash in the 1950s with an attack that comes closer to rock and roll. Call it Americana or roots or folk, either way the notes roll from his fingers and guitar strings. His voice sounds like a whole bourbon distillery went through his throat first, after which it was tarred over by highway maintenance. In other words do not expect any subtlety in that department. The more authentic James sounds because of it in the twelve songs on his latest album.

With titles like 'Upside Down Umbrella', 'Go Down Swinging', 'I Could Die Right Now', 'Gravy Train' and 'I Got A Problem', you can surmise that he sings stories somewhere between hope and despair. And they sound like it. Because of his voice he sounds like he means it as well. This is some tough singing alright.

All this is matched by the music. Early James is not baking soft cookies here. A mean slide guitar, a dirty sounding lead guitar and a rhythm section that is pounding on the door. Just listen to 'Tinfoil Hat' and things will become clear to you. Things are muddy and dirty in James' world.

Promo photo

Other songs are led by an acoustic (dobro) guitar and bass. The combintion tones down the song in volume but not intensity. His voice is only a part of my conclusion. Somehow things are dirty, muddy, mingled with the sweat on his brow leading to dark streaks on his face. Medium Raw contains songs that can be played to a work force straight in from the steel mill relaxing at the local bar with a beer and a shot in front of them.

What surprised me most, is that I expected after the first two songs I would tire fast of the music and the opposite happened. Medium Raw draw me in more and more. With an album like this the new year starts off at the right musical pace alright.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

You can listen to and order Medium Raw here:

https://earlyjamesandthelatest.bandcamp.com/album/medium-raw