James Hunter "The Hard Way"
Hear Music/Go Records
By Frank De Blase on Jun. 18th, 2008
I'm not saying that nouveau soul sensation James Hunter isn't capable of a hit song. It's just that his albums work better as a whole, as they shift through moods and grooves with all their keen rock-steady rhythm and blues. "The Hard Way" is a primo platter front to back. There ain't a clunker 
to be found on the whole 12-song affair. Hunter resurrects classic raspy, soaring soul like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke above his combo's solid groove. His voice will grab you as it aches and breaks all over each song's story. Lyrically your heart'll get a tug too. And the guitar playing? Hunter is a master of tight, syncopated twang. "The Hard Way" is something we used to call a party record. Plenty o' tunes for cutting some rug and making out. "The Hard Way" makes it easy, baby.
to be found on the whole 12-song affair. Hunter resurrects classic raspy, soaring soul like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke above his combo's solid groove. His voice will grab you as it aches and breaks all over each song's story. Lyrically your heart'll get a tug too. And the guitar playing? Hunter is a master of tight, syncopated twang. "The Hard Way" is something we used to call a party record. Plenty o' tunes for cutting some rug and making out. "The Hard Way" makes it easy, baby. 
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