# CD review: Gordon James – Come On Down 2019: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/10/24/cd-review-gordon-james-come-on-down-2019-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2019-10-24T11:22:02+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**“Jambalaya and crawfish pie and fillet gumbo…” Blues fans far and wide will be
in the mood for such soul food once they listen to _Come On Down, _the latest release
from New Jersey’s Gordon James. **

It features eleven songs and fifty minutes of piping-hot New Orleans fare, “jazz
and blues and reggae too,” as the opener/title track promises. Gordon’s vocals are
reminiscent of Frank Sinatra’s: smooth and understated, with a slight patter style.
Those of his wife, singer/songwriter Carol Selick, are clear and melodious with 
sly undertones on such songs as “Cuddle Queen” and “The First Time I Saw You.” Purists
might deem this a jazz album rather than a blues album, but they wouldn’t be 100%
right. Besides, it’s worth several replays in one’s stereo or boombox.

Gordon James is not only a performer, but a composer, arranger, producer and recording
artist earning critical acclaim from prestigious jazz magazines and websites. Indeed,
he has released five CD’s in the smooth jazz category. A graduate of the Interlochen
Arts Academy and the Hartt College of Music, James has performed with The Soul Survivors,
Johnny Guitar Watson, saxophonists Eric Kloss and Paul Winter, and cellist David
Darling. He’s also performed with and opened for Pieces of a Dream, Chuck Loeb, 
Bob Baldwin, Angela Bofil, Roy Ayres, Walter Beasley and Alex Bugnon.

Gordon’s band consists of our leading man on lead vocals, trumpet and flugelhorn;
Carol Selick on female vocals; Mike DiLorenzo on piano and B3 organ; Mike Hogan 
on guitar; Mark Peterson on bass and Gary Dates on drums. Additional musicians include
Ron Thompson on piano; Don Shaner on trombone; Greg Grispart on tenor sax and clarinet;
Doug DeHays on tenor sax; Steve Jankowski on trombone; Layonne Holmes on background
vocals, and Rob Paparozzi on vocals and harmonica.

Starting things off is “Come On Down,” being everything a leading song ought to 
be: catchy, danceable, and a certifiable earworm. The instrumentation is perfectly
blended as well. Check out those smoking solos in the middle, one after the other,
making one’s ears ring with pleasure. “The First Time I Saw You,” a swinging ballad,
is Carol Selick’s grand entrance. She and her hubby may have differing stories of
when they met, but the result is the same – true love. Pure blues fans will savor
Mike Hogan’s SRV-style electric intro on “She’s My Barbeque,” as well as his saucy
fretwork. “Home on the Bayou” possesses the most magnificent trumpet passages that
yours truly has heard this year. Hauntingly beautiful, they’ll make listeners shiver.

“When You Come to New Orleans” and “Cuddle Queen” are short pieces, but they sure
are sweet. The first is a ragtime homage, bringing the Twenties roaring back. Don
Shaner and Greg Grispart play terrific trombone and clarinet, respectively. The 
second is a sultry torch song by Selick, where Mike DiLorenzo’s nightclub-style 
piano takes center stage.  Next are the up-tempo “Gumbo Ya Ya” – which dares one
NOT to sing along with the chorus – the tongue-in-cheek “Weary Women’s Blues,” Chris
Kenner’s “I Like It Like That,” and a sock in the gut to the media’s daily scoop
with “Bad News Blues.” The penultimate track, “Have A Little Gratitude,” has enough
positive power to dissipate a hurricane. Last but not least comes the band’s rendition
of “What a Wonderful World,” and wonderful it is, freshening Ray Charles’ hit with
reggae fizz.

_Come On Down _is a Cajun feast: satisfying and spicy, with just the right amount
of sweet dessert!

![Image result for Gordon James – Come On Down](https://i0.wp.com/www.bluesblastmagazine.
com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/gordonjamescd-300x300.jpg?resize=300%2C300)

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