James Hand records new CD
Sunday, June 7, 2009 – James Hand is readying another album of Texas honky tonk music. He will release "Shadow in the Ground" Sept. 8 on Rounder.
The release will include a 15-minute documentary about Hand. That is part of a full-length documentary, although exactly how that would be released was uncertain.
Hand's last disc was "The Truth Will Set You Free."
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CD reviews for James Hand
Shadows in the Ground
Texas artist James Hand, 57, has long been a Texas treasure, but is finally receiving more widespread acclaim. The 12-song release - his second for the label - includes only 1 cover, a western swing version of Nat King Cole's hit Mona Lisa. The rest of the record contains originals written by Hand that provides proof that traditional country music is still alive and well.
Co-produced by Asleep at The Wheel front man Ray Benson and Lloyd Maines, Hand delivers each song with a passion seldom heard today. »»» |
The Truth Will Set You Free
James Hand has been around the block more than once. His true-life tales make that clear. "I drink too much/I'm too proud/I'm an easy touch/and I'm too dang loud/I do a lot of things that I ought not do/But I'm not different, I'm just me/And that's the only way I know how to be," he sings on "Here Lies a Good Old Boy." Pride, revelry and the independent spirit of Texas are consistently present on his latest.
The album's been a long time coming. Hand has been a regular on the Texas juke joint »»» |
Evil Things
James Hand puts the hard back in country. His latest, like his first self-release, is filled with slow, pain-filled, forlorn, low-moaning weepers. "In the Corner, At the Table, By the Jukebox" and "Over There, That's Frank"- both featuring the barroom as the congregation of the miserable = bookend an unrelenting procession of heartache and suffering. The occasional up-tempo or hillbilly number is just as pain-filled and forlorn. The only song that reveals even a glimmer of hope is the closer, "Do »»» |
Editorial: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
Concert Review: Neko Case overcomes obstacles –
The opening of Neko Case's show was unusual to say the least. "I'm angry right now," said the red head. "We just had a big fight with the promoter. We're going to sing weird, but we're actually very happy to be here."
Making quite clear that she was not a happy camper, Case still channeled her musical energies... »»»
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