MARKUS JAMES

Snakeskin Violin

2008-03-14

Markus James has been dubbed "The Unofficial Dean of the Roots-World-Blues Movement." This disc makes him official. Recorded in Mali, the Mississippi Delta and California, James teams with Malian musicians such as Vieux Farka Toure, Tamashek women vocalists from Timbuktu and delta drummer Calvin Jackson to merge American blues with African roots music. The lines are so blurred that you can play this CD as either blues or worldbeat. "Weather Vane" (#7), "O.M. Boogie" (#8) and "Soon" (#15) are examples of brilliant merging of the genres. A remarkable effort that shows the seamlessness of Mali and Mississippi music. MJVD 03/08 B-Roots (or W-Fusion depending on your ears)

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 03/2019

    MARY LANE
    TRAVELIN' WOMAN

  • reviewed 04/2009

    VARIOUS- TRIBUTE TO DOUG SAHM
    SAVE YOUR SOUL

  • reviewed 12/2010

    VARIOUS
    Louisiana Swamp Stomp

  • reviewed 05/2008

    TAB BENOIT WITH LOUISIANA'S LEROUX
    NIGHT TRAIN TO NASHVILLE

  • reviewed 12/2007

    RICHARD RAY FARRELL & MARCO PANDOLFI
    Stuck on the Blues

  • reviewed 11/2010

    KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
    LIVE! In Chicago

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.