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ACL: James Hunter
If James Hunter weren’t such a great singer, he could undoubtedly have enjoyed just as successful a career in comedy. The guy is flat-out funny, even when the mic’s not on. Before his set on the Austin Ventures stage, he rolled his eyes in the direction of a neighboring stage and its deafening techno bass assault, and then pretended to plunge a drumstick into his own chest, grimacing in melodramatic agony. When the racket finally stopped and cheers roared from afar, he bowed to his own audience and mimed gratitude for the applause, earning a big round of laughter and cracking up his band.
Hunter introduced a classic by the 5 Royales, “Baby Don’t Do It,” as “an absolutely filthy blues song .. this was their breakthrough from gospel to filth.” While the lyrics were not so very naughty, Hunter’s vocal was as classy yet unreservedly sexy as old-school R&B greats such as Bobby “Blue” Bland and Solomon Burke. The combination of his blazing guitar work and powerhouse voice had a couple of college-age guys grinning at each other in wonderment.
Hunter’s breakthrough third album, “People Gonna Talk,” including the rumba-infused “Riot Goin’ On,” is a remarkably engrossing trip back into the golden era of soul music, but still doesn’t fully prepare fans for the full live experience. The tone and suppleness of Hunter’s voice are marvels, and he has a whole arsenal of tricks as well, from a searing falsetto to a thrilling scream to the ability to roll consonants that aren’t usually rolled, like a reggae singer. He’s also a tremendous guitar player - both rhythm and lead.
Hunter’s ace, sax- and organ-charged band was clearly having as much fun as Hunter and the crowd. Hammond B-3 player Kyle Kohler beamed like he’d died and gone to heaven, even before Hunter singled him out for a particularly soulful, crowd-pleasing solo on “No Smoke Without Fire.” The set ended too soon for Hunter, who couldn’t resist messing with the crew’s timekeeper, claiming he was owed more time, before shrugging and telling the willing crowd, “He’s bigger than us.”
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