James Armstrong - Guitar Angels (2014). Entrevista a James Armstrong

En 1997 el blues estuvo a punto de perder a uno de sus más inspirados artistas cuando estaba a punto de convertirse en uno de los más grandes tras la publicación en 1995 de su álbum debut “Sleeping with The Stranger” editado por High Tone Records y aclamado por la prensa mundial como el mejor debut  en la escena del blues de aquel año.

James Arsmtrong es hijo un guitarrista de Jazz y una cantante de Blues, James nació para tocar blues. Antes y después de lo que él llama el “incidente” James ha recorrido el globo en gira mostrando al mundo su habilidad compositiva y su estilo elegante y certero, pero sobre todo emocionante. No en vano este guitarrista nacido en California ha trabajado con nombres como Albert Collins, Coco Montoya, Keb Mo’, Chaka Khan, Rickie Lee Jones, Mitch Mitchel, Shemekia Copeland o Tommy Castro.

JAMES ARMSTRONG

Guitar Angels (2014)

Fue en 1997 cuando una fatídica noche un intruso entro en su casa para robar y estuvo a punto de robar mucho más que cosas materiales. James trató de defenderse y sufrió heridas irreversibles en su hombre que dejaron prácticamente inservible su mano izquierda con un dolor de origen nervioso crónico. Salvó la vida pero su carrera músical que no había hecho más que comenzar parecía ya finalizada. Con una tremenda determinación y la ayuda de amigos como Joe Louis Walker o Doug Macleod  en las guitarras consiguió sólo un año después editar su segundo álbum “Dark Night”.

La vuelta a los escenarios tuvo que esperar algo más, James tuvo que reaprender y ajustar su blues a las nuevas circunstancias. El resultado no podía ser mejor. El poder y la elegancia del slow blues, los silencios sensuales entre notas y sobre todo una calidad como compositor y cantante nos devolvieron a un James Armstrong más respetado que nunca en la escena del blues norteamericana como un ave fénix o un renacido de entre los muertos con un estilo más reposado y certero.

Sólo hay que escuchar sus últimos trabajos para constatar que James está en su mejor momento. Catfood Records ha apostado en sus últimos dos trabajos por este talento con mayúsculas, escuchen su último trabajo “Guitar Angels” y no les quedarán más remedio que acudir a sus primeros conciertos en España.

Del 20 al 30 de Abril James visitará por primera vez la península para demostrar que la determinación y el trabajo duro son muy emocionantes sobre un escenario y que cuando la música sale del alma no hay nada que la pueda detener…cuando se ha nacido para tocar blues.

LA GIRA

19  Abr  SANTIAGO SALA CAPITOL

20  Abr  SANTANDER LITTLE BOBBY

21  Abr  PILONA AMC BOCABEGRA

22  Abr  A CORUÑA SALA GARUFA

23  Abr  SEGOVIA SALA EXPRESA 1 WIC

24  Abr  MADRID CLAMORES

25  Abr  SEVILLA SALA X

26  Abr  ESTEPONA LOUIE LOUIE

27  Abr  BEJAR LA ALQUITARA

28  Abr  AUDITORIO AMAIA IRUN

29  Abr  MATARO  CLAP

30  Abr  PAMPLONA CENTRAL

THE INTERVIEW

The songs of James Armstrong sounds like an elegant Blues where I can detect Rock and bit of Jazz. A mix of styles that results on the personal and beautiful sound of your music. But, what are really your musical influences?

My early musical influences were Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton the Allman Brothers. Later on my influences and Blues were Albert King, Freddie King and Albert Collins.

This year will mark 22 years since you edited our first album named “Sleeping with The Stranger”. What is the difference between the music of James Armstrong today and your music 22 years ago?

I believe my early recordings, Sleeping with a Stranger, on Hytone record had more of a rock feel. The songs I write these days or more centered around Blues and the raw feeling of the music.

What's your inspiration when making your songs?

When writing a song I usually try to come up with a title, then the words come from there,  and then the music.

Are you completed your expectations with your last album “Guitar Angels”? What do you expect from this album?

“Guitar Angels” was a good album for me to record. There were a lot of different styles on that album I've always wanted to try. I am happy how it turned out.

What do we will see and enjoy in your live concerts?

When I perform live I feel I interact  with the crowd very well. I like to look out into the audience and see smiles and see people having a good time. I believe that was one of the reasons I am a performer.

Is this your first time in Spain? What do you expect from the Spanish crowd?

I was in Spain in 2014 this is my second time in Spain. I am so excited to be able to come back to Spain so soon. The fans and audiences in Spain really understand and appreciate the blues.

What are your plans for this year 2017 and next 2018? We assume that you will touring around clubs and festivals. Can you advance anything to us? Any important event? When new songs?

In March 2017 I did a month long European tour in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. In May 2017 I will be recording my next CD in St. Louis for CatFood Records

Do you think the digital world will end with music as we know it today? What do you think is the future of music?

The digital world of music has caused problems for musicians. I do believe music will always be around for all the generations but the sound and the feel of music and how it's created will never be the

same. I think evolution is good to an extent, but certain types of music are losing the rawness because of the digital world.

What is your best memory about music?

When I was a kid starting to play music the best times I had were when I was learning a song and it made sense. When I became an adult the best times I had with music now is when I can see in someone's eyes that a song I wrote has helped them in some kind of way.

How is a normal day in the life of James Armstrong?

What is a normal day for James Armstrong it's been so long since I've had one I can't remember.  

What do you think about the current economic and social situation in Spain, Europe and in the World in general?

The political world today especially with what's going on in the United States saddens me. But hopefully the world will be able to come together soon and continue to make the planet safe, peaceful and clean again. 

JAMES ARMSTRONG

Healing Time (2015)

MISCELLANY

Could you tell us about...

... A book?:

... A movie?:

... A song?:

... An album?:

... A group or soloist?:

... A hobby?:

I never had a dog before, now I have one and that gives me a lot of joy, spending time with my grandkids gives me much much joy. And I used to ride motorcycles and I'm thinking about starting to ride a bike again.