Jan James - Time Bomb

Album: Time Bomb
Size: 120,8 MB
Time: 52:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues/Soul mix
Art: Front, back

1. Swingin In The Sweet Sunshine (3:26)
2. Stronger Now (3:59)
3. Desperate Times (4:21)
4. Sometimes Love's Like That (3:56)
5. Let Love Surround You (4:46)
6. Time Bomb (3:48)
7. Too Late Now (4:05)
8. Don't Lie To The One You Love (3:46)
9. Blood On Your Hands (4:04)
10. Diamonds And Gold (3:25)
11. Love Is The Answer (4:41)
12. Don't It Feel Good (3:43)
13. Always The Blues (4:15)

Jan James' 2020 release "Justify" was a decent set of blues & soul numbers and now we have her latest release, again recorded and written with her partner Craig Calvert (who also plays guitar and bass throughout the album). Opener "Swingin' In The Sweet Sunshine" has a lovely Motown feel complete with sultry sax from Brian Gephart (who also adds more tasty sax to "Sometimes Love's Like That"). Jan James would be an ideal late afternoon, early evening act on the summer festival circuit.

James really comes into her own on the slower numbers like "Too Late Now" and "Let Love Surround You", where her rich, deep and passionate singing hits the spot. You can see why she was a hit performing the role of Janis Joplin in the play "Love, Janis". For those after a little toe tapping blues, "Don’t Lie To The One You Love" works well, complete with a groovy Hammond courtesy of Bob Long.

A political slant on "Blood On Your Hands", a response to the Capitol riots. The song is lifted by the backing vocals of Cheryl Wilson and Joyce Faison, along with a hard hitting piece of guitar playing from Craig Calvert. Calvert's guitar solo highlight comes on the bluesy "Diamonds and Gold". Played with plenty of feeling. Jan James never falters in the quality of the music she makes with plenty to like on "Time Bomb". An artist who certainly deserves to be more widely known in the blues & soul scenes. /Jason Ritchie, Get Ready To Rock

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Time Bomb mc
Time Bomb gofile

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Jan James - Justify

Year: 2020
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:40
Size: 114,8 MB
Styles: Blues-rock, rock
Scans: Front, back, inside

1. I'm Always Coming Back (3:42)
2. Justify (4:23)
3. Good Man Down (4:01)
4. Try (4:37)
5. Believe In Me (3:54)
6. Lucky U R (4:01)
7. A Different Life (4:27)
8. Never In The Game (4:39)
9. Anything You Want (4:15)
10. Honky Tonk Woman (4:23)
11. Where You Gonna Run To (3:47)
12. Dangerous Decision (3:26)

Raised in Michigan where she earned her first accolade as Best Female Vocalist, Jan and her songwriter-guitarist partner Craig Calvert moved to Chicago and played the famous Legends and House Of Blues venues. She was initially signed up by the prestigious Provogue record label and following several albums and a quarter of a century singing the blues, James and her band have produced a clear statement of where they are at with Justify. The title track confirms the chemistry between Jan and Craig, her powerful, anguished vocals a perfect match to his searing guitar work. No wonder she was cast as Janis Joplin in a Chicago play and recognised as a major talent of similar ilk.

Good Man Down showcases the musical prowess of all eight musicians and their collective force as a blues-rock powerhouse. The rhythm section lays down a heavy groove on A Different Life which complements the dark vocals. By contrast, the ballad Try highlights Jan’s vocal versatility with its softer mellifluous opening vibe whilst the slow-burning Never In The Game showcases the intricate side of Craig’s guitar repertoire. Surprises are in store throughout, such as the quirky, up-tempo gospel-inspired Anything You Want with its classic line, ”He had his way with her but its okay cause ”He did it on his knees.” Referring of course to prayers! The many highlights include the rocking Lucky U R, an impressive version of Jagger and Richards Honky Tonk Woman and Where You Gonna Run To with Jan’s voice ranging from crooner to blues blaster and all points in between.

However, Jan’s songwriting and vocal delivery are at their best when she is communicating her reflections on love and relationships with sincerity and candour as in the finale, Dangerous Decision. She reaches her conclusion that “A dangerous decision has left me stranded/ And blue – A dangerous decision to fall in love with you.” The deep empathy of all the musicians results in a climactic, virtuosic swirling sound of coloratura-esque proportions, bringing the song and the album to a dramatic close. Jan James has paid her dues and probably has not yet received the recognition that her inner soul deserves. Hopefully, Justify will change all that. /The Bishop, Blues Matters

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Justify mc
Justify zippy

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Jan James - Calling All Saints

Size: 129,0 MB
Time: 55:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I'm A Gambler (4:50)
02. Roll Sweet Daddy (4:04)
03. Heart Of The Blues (4:28)
04. Losing Man (6:22)
05. Cry Cry Cry (4:05)
06. It's So Easy (3:00)
07. Calling All Saints (4:25)
08. Everybody Wants To Be Loved (5:02)
09. Bucky Blues (5:09)
10. Battle Of Jesse (3:15)
11. Trouble With The Water (4:43)
12. Black Orchid Blues (5:44)

The tale of Jan James reads as though it comes right out of the inner soul of American music. Her powerful sound and message resonate globally. She has an arresting, soulful voice which, as her reputation as an artist grew, earned her the recognition of Best Female Vocalist by the Detroit Metro Times.

Her powerful vocals were first discovered singing in a church choir. For James that emotion and energy translated naturally into a deep understanding of RnB and Rock-n-Roll Soul. With these beginnings Jan James is an artist with a journey that feels almost mythic. She has continued that journey through each of her albums and tours.

Jan performed at Chicago's Royal George Theater in the starring role of Janis Joplin in a play based on Janis’ letters and songs. Along with the standing ovations there was so much more. There was the aura of a major talent. There was not only the power of what Janis had left for us, there was the power in what Jan James now does brilliantly.

The Blues is the rhythm of nature.

Its constancy is what draws us in.

Its connection is what saves our souls.

Long live the Women of the Blues.

With a spin on the classic blues genre, Jan James brings a raw and brash honesty to her powerful vocals. Drawing on her blues and country roots, combined with the strong guitar performance of her long-time partner Craig Calvert, Jan James has created an engaging and thoroughly relatable album. From political tracks that speak truth to power, to the universal theme of love, Calling All Saints is a collection of songs that pull you in and won’t let you go. Bringing to life a host of vibrant characters, the stories here will keep you captivated. The country style story-telling, the emotionality of her delivery and the strong instrumentation bring the album to life. Fans of her past work will recognize the hallmarks that make her sound so successful. First time listeners will be drawn in by her unique and natural talent on this vivid and powerfully honest album.

Calling All Saints

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Jan James - Color Of The Rose

Released: 1996
Size: 128.6 MB
Time: 56:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues / Rock / Country
Art: Front

1. Mississippi Man [3:45]
2. To Believe [3:30]
3. Color Of The Rose [4:33]
4. Come Runnin' Back [3:19]
5. Down The River [3:36]
6. Dance [4:09]
7. Middle Of Faith [3:13]
8. shake [3:06]
9. Tresure Me [3:27]
10. Please Forgive Me [3:48]
11. Don't Try To Chain Me Down [4:13]
12. Good Woman [4:09]
13. If I Held On to You [4:05]
14. Guilty Man [2:43]
15. Waste Of My Time [4:25]

In late 1996, Jan released The Colour Of The Rose, her follow-up to Last Train

Color Of The Rose

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Jan James - Last Train

Released: 1994
Size: 130.2 MB
Time: 56:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Art: Full

1. Back On My Feet Again [3:06]
2. Carry On [6:08]
3. Just About A Mile [3:36]
4. Blame It On Time [5:01]
5. What Kind Of Man [4:17]
6. One Burnin'Light [4:44]
7. Roll Me [5:37]
8. Satisfy Me [4:10]
9. Don't Cross The Line [3:52]
10. Time Won't Let Me Down [5:11]
11. Last Train [4:55]
12. Help Me [1:42]
13. It's Over [4:28]

If anyone has any info on this, feel free to share, cheers.

Last Train

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Jan James - Limousine Blues

Released: 2003
Size: 98.0 MB
Time: 42:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues / Rock
Art: Front

1. Build Me A Man [4:24]
2. I Got A Feelin' [3:58]
3. Rise Above [4:43]
4. Did What I Did [3:51]
5. Montgomery [2:21]
6. Limousine Blues [4:37]
7. Chain Of Fools [3:19]
8. Young Man [3:30]
9. Back Down To Memphis [3:29]
10. Fool Of Me [3:44]
11. Pack My Suitcase [4:47]

Chicago blues artist Jan James releases her fifth album! Limousine Blues (Blue Palace Records) is James's most traditional blues album offering 10 original songs in the roots genre.

James returns to what she calls the "front porch" of blues, referring to the Delta style popularized by artist like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Recorded in Chicago at Bombay Studios.

James and her songwriting/guitarist partner, Craig Calvert have teamed up with songwriter Terry Abrahamson, known for his work on Muddy Waters' "Hard Again" release on Epic. "Build Me A Man" opens the CD, this swampy blues stomp demands a "better man" with the intention for Jan to build her own if need be. Montgomery" is an acoustic tribute to Robert Johnson, while the title track, "Limousine Blues" simmers in a much darker vein ala SRV. "I Got A Feelin'" shows the lighter side, while "Rise Above" brings blues blues blues in a classic slow thriller.

Limousine Blues

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Jan James - Drive Me Home

Released: 2006
Size: 129.6 MB
Time: 56:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues / Rock / Country
Art: Front

1. Drive Me Home [1:15]
2. Good Times Rolling In [5:13]
3. Little Bit of Lovin [3:54]
4. Man On A Train [6:19]
5. Hush [4:40]
6. Living For the City [4:30]
7. Rock Your Woman [5:08]
8. Slow Burner [3:49]
9. Someone Like You [4:02]
10. Your Turn To Cry [4:11]
11. Ramblin Rider [4:39]
12. My Man [3:33]
13. Soldier [5:18]

Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones’ Jan James’ performances havealways provoked these comparisons. With her sandpapered voice and tough-blossom ethos, Jan has clasped the enthusiasm and acclaim of US and European audiences to her blues-rocking heart.

The Detroit Metro Times voted her “Best Female Vocalist” just in time to send her off to her new hometown, Chicago, where she soon became a favoritein venues such as Buddy Guy’s Blues Legends, Taste of Chicago, and The House of Blues. Along the way Jan has shared the stage with greats such as Koko Taylor, BB King, The Divinyls, John Mayall, Little Feat, and James Brown.

In time the buzz spread to Europe and Jan went on to release her European debut album Last Train on the Netherlands’ Provogue label. This collection was co-produced by Jan, Craig Calvert, and well-known Chicago producer Steve Shafer. Mastered by Greg Calbi (famous for his work on classic albums by The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Cheap Trick, and many others), Last Train’s infectious mix of flat-out rock-and-roll, blues, andheady gospel music received spirited praise from the European press.

Drive Me Home

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