The Songs of Joshua James

The first time I heard Joshua James was last year at The Post Theatre at Fort Douglas. It was a scorching August day and the theater’s air conditioning was apparently not functioning. The audience was getting restless and tired until Joshua James came on stage. Next thing you know his soft voice, packed with soul, came pouring out from the stage and cooled the audience like a glass of ice water. Just him and his guitar played song after song without a whisper from the crowed, except the roaring applaud after each tune.

As soon as I could I bought his record titled “The Sun Is Always Brighter,” I was immediately refreshed again. Not only are the songs great and the lyrics eloquently versed, the sound quality of this record sets a new standard for local music in Utah. As each track played I was excited and inspired by the production. I could anticipate and feel where the drums were going to come in, what the guitars where going to do and where the song was going to go before it got there. Was it predictable? No. It was satisfying and very enjoyable. The musicians did not over play and what they did play was extremely tasteful. This is truly up there in quality with Ray Lamontagne’s “Till The Sun Turns Black.” Joshua and Ray share more then the word “sun” in common, they seem to be long lost brothers trying to find each other through creating a sub genera of soulful folk, both with raspy voices, emotional lyrics and soulful melodies.

Joshua James has an innate talent for telling stories without being cliché or too precise. The way he chooses his words allows the audience to connect the songs to their own personal stories and relate to the music, which in turn makes the songs more meaningful. I learned that his song “FM Radio” was about a childhood friend that lost her father but when he played that song last year at Fort Douglas there were many with tears and one person I know in particular, who’s father was absent, internalized that song like it was written for her. It is my opinion this is the most important quality to have as a songwriter, to be able to get a point across without saying too much.

Joshua James is currently on a national tour but stay posted as to what he is up to on his blog (buffalojames.blogspot.com). Also visit his website to purchase his remarkable record at www.joshuajames.tv

Trevor Price, Utah's Best Kept Secret

I have been a fan of Trevor Price for many years now. He has always amazed me with his melodies, lyrics and most of all the emotion in his performances. He has had somewhat of a difficult musical journey because of his two very distinct writing styles. Its almost like he has two musical faces that constantly argue with each other as to which way to go. In most cases this problem would cause a musician to produce records that have no theme, no direction and would likely sound all over the place, but Trevor does not seem to have this problem. Although his records are very different from one another they seem to compliment each other.

If you like Americana in a laid back no drums kind of way then Heart On Your Sleeve, Trevor’s first record, would be the one for you. His beautiful way of telling stories of love or love lost leaves you with a calm understanding of the way life is, fair and unfair all at the same time. Inspired by Ryan Adams and Jeff Buckley, this record is laced with tasty guitar fills by Dylan Schorer and lovely harmonies from Atherton’s Ryan Tanner (www.athertonmusic.com) and Trevor’s wife Eileen. It’s the ultimate Sunday afternoon, relax on the sofa record that will not disappoint you. Get this record on iTunes

Trevor’s new record “Say” is quite different from the first. For all but a couple songs you can forget about relaxing on the sofa. It’s a powerful, emotional and driving record that holds it’s own with Muse, Coldplay, and Remy Zero. Say was recorded with a full band of very talented musicians from Utah but soon after the band was formed, after the red light turned off in the studio, the band went their separate ways only to leave on of the best records to ever come out of Utah.

If you have not heard Trevor Price I suggest you give him a listen. Go to iTunes, CDBaby.com or www.myspace.com/trevorpricemusic now. Don’t wait or you will be depriving yourself of another day without Price.