Saturday, February 28, 2015

James Hunter: "Carina" (2008)




Our crew has been decimated by whatever flu and bug that has tortured the residents of Florida the last 90 days. We are looking more like Monahan's Song of the Month right now. But the crew is filtering back in off of the sick list and we'll be picking up the pace.

James Hunter (James Huntsman), was born in England in 1962. He was influenced by his grandmothers 50's and 60's rock and R & B 78 rpm records and also by his older brother Perry Huntsman who plays fingerstyle acoustic guitar.

He would work for the railroad by day and do any gigs he could get. Hunter's career began with a band called "Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays," who released their first album in 1986 entitled Cry Wilf. Later he released three more with his own band.One evening at a 90's show in Wales, Van Morrison caught his act an hired him on to his tour as a backup singer. According to Hunter's bio on his website: Morrison said, “He’s one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul.” He would appear on two of Van's albums before putting one out of his own.

This 2006 breakthrough album People Gonna Talk, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album that year. He released another critically acclaimed album in 2008 called The Hard Way. This album was praise by Rolling Stone with the accolade: “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praised the albums “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” The Hard Way is where you will find "Carina".

I'll steal your heart away in time
It's only fair cause you have mine
Oh Carina
Don't make me wait too long

Baby can you tell me true
Do I stand a chance with you
Oh Carina
Don't make me wait too long

Good things will come
To those who wait
But too long will be too late

I'll be brave as I know how
Courage don't you fail me now
Oh Carina don't make me wait too long



"Carina" feels like is was recorded at Muscle Shoals in 1958, not 2008. It is a smooth delight mixing Hunters effortless singing with plucking violins and a beautiful piano riff floating in the background. A total keeper and a unanimous choice by the crew at Monahan's Song of the Week.

There is not a lot more about him on the net, but we have his three albums and that is doing the talking for him.

"Carina" came out as an animated video, and we think you will enjoy it!