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Jan James – “Justify” (Blue Palace Records BPJUS0012)

Jan James is a strong and nicely flexible singer out of central Michigan.

Some might recall her from her Provogue albums in the 90s and early
2000s, but she has also recorded for Blue Palace and Inakustik. This
album was recorded in Chicago, where Jan has spent a lot of time playing
in the blues clubs and opening for people like BB King, James Brown
and Koko Taylor. Jan also recently played the role of Janis Joplin in a
stage play and this, along with those other names just mentioned, has

certainly left its mark on Jan’s own music.

She can range from tough blues, the early 60s R&B soundalike ‘Believe In Me’, big-sounding rock (the album’s
only cover is a credible version of The Rolling Stones’‘Honky Tonk Women’), and flat-out blues-rock such as

‘Good Man Down’. Throughout she is ably supported by Craig Calvert on guitar, blues harp by David Seman,
keyboardsman Bob Long and bass and drums respectively by Gordon Patriaca and Bryan Resendiz, plus
soulful backing vocals by Cheryl Wilson and Joyce Faison. Drew Howard also supplies pedal steel guitar to
the ballad ‘Try’, one of those rare numbers that certainly deserves the description “country soul”. Well worth
checking this one out.

Norman Darwen
(www.janjames.com)

Sid Whelan – “Waitin’ For Payday” Presidio Records 003)

Sid Whelan is a singer, guitarist and songwriter out of New York City

who has been associated with blues guitar maestro Woody Mann and
rock and country singer Steve Earle, among many others. The influence
of both of these is plain to hear on this fine set. The solo ‘Nina Simone’
makes for a notable opener, moving into the Earle-ish Americana of

‘Love Me Right’ and ‘Make Some Time’ is a mellow soul-tinged groover.
Sid’s interest in African music – he played with The Lijadu Sisters and
the versatile Afro Blue in the 90s – is certainly referenced on ‘Legba
Ain’t No Devil’ (even if Legba is usually identified with Haitian voodoo).
The blues is supplied courtesy of the slow-ish ‘Midnight In The Country’ and the closing, slinky ‘Break It
Down’ is a fine contemporary blues effort, whilst ‘The Promise’ is an individual blues with jazz and African

touches, and ‘Payday Blues’ is a jaunty number with just a tinge of Mose Allison and some excellent slide
guitar in the instrumental break. Some equally versatile musicians complement the leader’s music well
throughout, and Sid certainly shows an individual blues approach on this album.

Norman Darwen
(www.thesidwhelanband.bandcamp.com)