WHEN THE MUSIC MOVES YOU ...
In the past five long years, there have been 58 stories that focus on or mention Colin James in The StarPhoenix.
Many, many people this reviewer asked said they have seen James at least five times – some said 10.
To say he’s a constant in the Saskatchewan music scene is an understatement.
It’s likely we take him for granted.
James, however, does not see the fans from his home province as a sure thing. This is clear from his strong performance opening the 2014 Saskatchewan Jazz Festival main stage Friday evening.
It started to pour right before James went on, but it didn’t put a damper on the performance and the Bess Gardens stayed surprisingly full.
From the opener — I’m Losing You — through favorites like I Just Came Back to Say Goodbye, Into The Mystic and Voo Doo Thing, the bluesy show was built to showcase a tour-and-Nashville-honed talent.
James’ warm, experienced voice and famously accom- plished guitar chops were as good as his avid fans remembered. His piano accompaniment was stellar.
Jack Semple and The Horn Dogs — another act as Sas- katchewanian as the bunny hug — brought spirit to familiar funk and soul classics as the evening’s opener. As with James, Semple proves the known does not have to be boring. Between performances it is easy to forget just how impressive Semple is on guitar. In The Midnight Hour, Domino, Hold On I’m Comin’, Knock On Wood — familiar tunes played well are never anything but crowd pleasers. Semple and Crew play Amigos Sunday night. Think of a concert like this as a musical farmers’ market — a place to enjoy fresh (if not exactly young) local produce. It’s good to have an annual reminder of just how good our home-sourced talent can be.