The James Hunter Six

Saturday 17th November, Under the Bridge, London, The James Hunter Six. It’s a rock and roll Saturday night in West London. Despite my loathing of the football club that this venue stands beneath I have to begrudgingly respect the fact that it’s actually a very good venue. It’s a nice size with plenty of viewing areas and state of the art sound and light.

Playing tonight in support of his latest album on Daptone ‘Whatever it Takes’, The James Hunter Six combine double bass, organ, drums, two saxophone brass section and Hunter on lead guitar. I don’t think it’s the line up from the album but what a great band nonetheless.

They rattle though the ninety minute set with each member of the band getting time to shine, especially the brass section and organist but let’s not forget the rhythm section too tonight who keeps the soul train on the tracks.

Hunter could be described as a journeyman performer who is finally finding some deserved acclaim, especially so since his signing to Daptone a couple of years back. He combines soul, rhythm and blues and old fashioned rock and roll with that fine voice that incorporates his trademark high end howl to great effect.
The set is taken from across his catalogue including some great covers none more so than the Larry Williams track ‘Bony Moronie’.

Highlights though for me include the oldies ‘People Gonna Talk’ and ‘No Smoke without Fire’. The new songs fit well in the set and more than hold their own with the old classics.

If you are looking for a great night out with some great soulful rhythm and blues and a bit of a boogie then you can’t go wrong with the excellent Mr Hunter

Keep on rock and rollin y’all

Friday 28th November. 229 The Venue. James Hunter Six. If you like you R n B and Soul of a fifties vintage then James Hunter is the man for you. It’s only our second time at the 229 The Venue and assuming room in the basement of a sixties style high-rise near Great Portland Street station.

It’s me and the missus tonight and after a good Turkish meal nearby it’s a short trot through trendy Marylebone to the venue. A sparse crowd meets us with the room about a third to half full. Ordinarily I’d have concerns about the atmosphere but tonight it’s all about great soul music and plenty of room to boogie.

And boogie everyone did. It’s a rattling set taking in highlights from his last three albums with ‘Chicken Switch’, ‘Minute by minute’, ‘Jacqueline’ and ‘Let the monkey ride’ all standing out. The horn section tonight was particularly great with a beautiful balance between bass and tenor sax. All accompanied by a brilliant organist who keep the rhythm going throughout.

James Hunter has one of those classic soul voices in the style of Sam Cooke which is made even more surprising as he’s a middle aged white guy. The band covers the 5 Royales ‘Baby Don’t Do it’ who Hunter proclaims as the inventors of Soul.

It’s over in a flash and it’s time to put the dancing shoes to bed and make our way home.

I have seen James Hunter several times in small venues here in Northern California where I live in San Francisco and Sacramento. I love blues and old rhythm and blues music. James Hunter is an over the top, outstanding performer. They say that the late, great James Brown was the hardest working man in show business. Well, James Hunter is right on Brother Brown's footsteps. The man is a non stop raw bundle of energy delivering a scintillating show! That powerful husky voice of his can go from a smooth, beautiful sounding Sam Cooke type to a hard driving James Brown type. He works that old Les Paul Custom to death with great riffs. The band is so spot on and plays TIGHT from the two swinging alto and baritone saxophones alternating to please the ear of any music afficianado.tlThen you have a fantastic bass run from a good old upright cello type bass augmented by an iconic Hammond organ that accents and pulls all of that fantastic music that this band generates. You will be mesmerized by these lads just as I was. They are the consummate showmen.

I have attended concerts from my first in 1968 to seeing the dynamic James Hunter 6 last night. From his first song until his encore song. James electrified the audience. He is a bundle of energy and the man never slowed down. He is the consumate artist leading a band that plays so tight. From a great stattaco sound to the serene sounding tenor and baritone saxes to a upright old cello bass that ran great runs. I have not been that wowed or blown away and been that duly impressed with an artist like the fabulous James Hunterin a long time. Kudos to all 6 of these fantastic artists. And until now. I always thought that James Brown wad the hardest working man in show business!!! What a performance! I cannot wait to see them again!!

This was my 3rd time seeing James Hunter 6 and I loved him and the band as much as the first time.

He is a fabulous guitar player, with incredible vocals and surrounds himself with a band that matches his level talent and energy.

He brings a flavor of Jackie Wilson, James Brown and the old school rhythm and blues sound. But more so he has his own unique style and genuinely is having a ball on stage with the band. His entertaining personality engages you and you are in for a night of high spirited, outstanding music. Addicting and great fun. We all went home with a smile.

I pride myself on the shows I’ve seen ,over my many years, and all genre’s of music. I can honestly say that James Hunter and his Six put on one of the best shows i’ve ever been too. From the second he hit the stage to the final note of his encore the man killed it. He even stayed after the show to glad hand and sign swag for us fans. Very well done Mr. Hunter. Very well done indeed.

What can I say, the show at the Hamilton was fantastic. The dance floor was something new for us, so we got to dance to the ballads. Mr Hunter is a spot on perfectionist with his arrangements, musical ability and stage banter. Damien and Jason, two of the SIX, we met outside before the show, could not have been nicer. The whole band was as tight as could be, Brit R and B at its best.