TERESA JAMES
AND THE RHYTHM TRAMPS
BONAFIDE
JESI-LU 1016
I LIKE IT LIKE THAT–BONAFIDE–SPIT IT OUT–THE POWER OF NEED–HOLLYWOOD WAY–MY GOD IS BETTER THAN YOURS–YOU ALWAYS PICK ME UP–WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS–TOO BIG TO FAIL–FUNNY LIKE THAT–NO REGRETS–YOU WANT IT WHEN YOU WANT IT–HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME
Teresa James is originally from Houston, and she and The Rhythm Tramps now call L. A, their home base. She’s got what we like to refer to as a “soulfully-sophisticated” vocal style that easily adapts to a wide range of material. That’s what fans are in store for with her ninth release, “Bonafide.” It’s thirteen cuts, most written by band member Terry Wilson, that run the gamut from blues, to soul, R & B, and good ole rock and roll.
Joining Teresa on this fine set include the likes of Tony Braunagel, Mike Finnigan, Ron Dzuibla, and a host of others. But, folks, when she wraps those velvety pipes around a song, you can’t help but dig it! The title cut has Teresa giving a lover the heave-ho, the “Bonafide, certified truth!” Teresa is on piano here, and Billy Watts lays down some cool tremelo-ish guitar. “The Power Of Need” is classic soul, the horns adding the spice to Mike Finnigan’s piano, as Teresa plays the lover who’s “fallen off the deep end” in love!”Funny Like That” follows a breezy pattern, as Teresa recounts the little nuances of being in love that make it so unpredictable. She closes the set with one of her fan favorites, a powerful read of John Hiatt’s ode to someone who will always have your back, “Have A Little Faith In Me.”
We had two favorites, too. “Hollywood Way” has Terry Wilson and Billy Watts engaging in a cool wah-wah and slide guitar duel. And, Teresa gets her Wanda Jackson groove on in the leadoff cut, a rousing cover of The Five Royales’ “I Like It Like That.” Teresa jumps the boogie-woogie on the 88’s here, and this one sho’ nuff gets your attention!
A high-quality singer who will make you sit up and take notice, Teresa James And The Rhythm Tramps are a “Bonafide” blues force to be reckoned with! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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