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About Essence
Product Description EllerSoul Records is proud to reissue the great R&B recording Essence from 'Nashville's Queen of the Blues', Marion James. In 1966, she recorded the top-ten hit That's My Man for Nashville's legendary Excello Records. During the early 1960's, Marion's touring band included guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox. EllerSoul Records is excited about working on her next recording project, she is the 'real deal' and a true pioneer. Review Marion James, The long-serving Queen of Nashville Blues exudes unfeigned spirit when she roars or worries over originals and smartly chosen Southern soul gems like Benny Latimore's Let's Straighten It Out. James almost bursts a blood vessel smacking some two-timer in You're History, Baby. In contrast, showing a sense of style and decorum, James follows a balladic jazz direction with classy pianist Beege Adair. There's also an interview track with James seated at the piano for two songs and talking about local r&b history. --Downbeat Magazine World class. That's what comes to mind for us while listening to this CD. Tunes, arrangements, engineering, production, funky rhythms, and sweet singing guitar. It's all here. But wait - there's more! The smooth soulful vocals of Marion James coast effortlessly on top of this cushion of musical perfection. Jazzy passages, soulful swing, and heartfelt Blues - it's all here. Songs like, Until The Real Thing Comes Along demonstrate ALL of the aforementioned qualities - like a musical genre excursion all-in-one tune. And it's done so well you'll never realize it, save for the emotions it pulls from your heart strings. If this is the essence of Marion James, it is also a tribute to the beautiful music of the past with a stunning contemporary treatment. The essence is all here. A real delight! --Barrelhouse Blues I can well remember reviewing this album back on it's original release date in 2003 and eight years later the intoxicating blend of blues, soul and jazz that enthralled me then is still weaving it's magic on this Ellersoul re-issue. James is the consummate blues, soul and jazz artist and this is reflected in the musicians who accompany her on this fine set. Beegie Adair (piano), Jack Pearson (guitar), Reese Wynans (organ), Dennis Taylor (sax), Bob Babbitt (bass) and Chuckie Burke (drums) are just a few of the superb musicians on the album. James delivers high quality merchandise on three fronts ... funky soul with Tables fueled by great horns and organ lowdown Chicago blues as she conjures up the image of a female Muddy Waters on Give Me Love , a number impregnated with sensuality and overt sexuality or cool jazz with the Stormy Weather influenced Until The Real thing Comes Along with it s mellow guitar and piano. Whatever the genre, James delivers it with class and panache. Let's Straighten It Out is a deeply sensual plea echoed by guitar and organ. Ted Jarrett's 24 Hours is delivered with jazzy overtones accentuated by superb piano and drums. Please Don't Waste My Time hits a Muddy Waters Hoochie Coochie styled groove replete with rolling piano, dirty slide and menacing horns; while Feel It is a seriously funky lowdown blues with salacious vocals and baying horns. We are even treated to two interview segments where James discusses her family, including her husband Jimmy Stewart's band that included Billy Cox and a young Jimi Hendrix. The interview is broken up by two fascinating solo performances with James accompanying herself on piano delivering deep blues in it's rawest form. One to savour! Rating 9 Mick Rainsford --Blues In Britain
