Anthony Michael James


AN INDEPENDENT VIEW By: Linda Fryer, BMI, CAL © July 2004
ARTIST: ANTHONY MICHAEL JAMES TITLE: "OLD FRIENDS" PRODUCER: DOUG DEFOREST/JON RANEY LABEL: V-TONE/COMPENDIA

		Oh my gosh!! Am I hearing this right?? I can't believe I'm listening to someone who so moves me to write a review without waiting to hear the SECOND song! And yep, it's true, I'm now listening to the very first tune on this new CD, and it's called "Sweet Sarah" (Young/Crouch/DeForest/James). This is a wonderfully strong and uplifting song, bringing me back to a time when music made you really LISTEN.
	….Ok, so now that one's over, and I'm listening to the next one, which is no less exciting. "Steel Stampede" (Bo Riddle). Now this one, although a great song, I think should have been called "One Horse Town". I mean, I hear it consistently, throughout the song, and well….okok, I guess they named it right. I'm now hearing the REASON they named it the way they did. In any case, the name is only a small part of what makes this song great. It's a western song…a cowboy song…and a true country song! I LOVE it! And…I might add….it's a ROCKIN' song!!! ……... And before I forget to mention it, the musicians on this CD are better than most I've heard on even Sony or Curb, or any major label! Hey, maybe they ARE on some of those label's records, who knows? But, in any case, they are G R E A T !! And I wanted to say so, right here! Put them together with Anthony Michael James, and you've got yourself a superior group of very talented folks! There's just no denying it. ………So here's this really cute guy, with a really great voice, on a CD that's been produced by a really great producer…and where has he been all my life?? That's all I ask. He's just fantastic! I could listen to this CD over and over. I've listened to the whole thing now, and I'm on the second round. There isn't a song here, that isn't good enough to be on radio….in fact, to be in the top 40….in fact, how about the top 20?? Yes, I know I'm dreaming. Without a 'major' label, the artists rarely have a chance to be heard on radio. But pleeeeease….give THIS guy a chance! My guess is, that if enough folks could just hear this guy, they'd be askin' for more. …………For me, this CD, "Old Friends", is something that I've been waiting a long time for. It's a piece of work that is so genuine, you feel like you're sitting in the studio with the artist and his band, while he's recording it. I can almost see him there, headphones on, tapping his foot, and smilin' as he belts 'em out. And, smilin' when he's finished. And then, all the musicians are cheering, because they KNOW they've made one heck of a record. I agree, Anthony, you did!
				……..For a guy who risks his life at his "real job" as a firefighter, Anthony is equally passionate about his music. He started singing and writing very early in his life, around 10 years old. And he writes as well as he sings. Anthony doesn't pretend to be an excellent musician; in fact he almost never plays his guitar for an audience, preferring to use it, mainly, to write by. And thank goodness he didn't let his, self-proclaimed, "barely good enough" playing, to hold him back. Personally, I doubt he's all that bad….how can a guy write such great tunes and NOT play well? Okok, I know that's possible, but some people are just way too

			critical of themselves. (I should know!) Anyway, he's absorbed some of his abilities through listening to such greats as George Strait, Garth Brooks, and even Billy Joel! As for he talent part, well, that's not exactly absorbed from ANYONE. Either you have it, or you don't! Anthony Michael James DOES! ! And, of course, AMJ gives most of the credit, not to himself, but to his many friends and family, saying "Without family…I couldn't even imagine achieving what I have". But I think his talent has gotten him where he is. His talent, AND the support of everyone who believes in him. And I think YOU'LL believe in him when you hear this wonderful new album. Do go to his website, http://www.anthonymichaeljames.com , and take a look around. You won't be sorry when you open your mailbox and put this CD on. I KNOW it. ………..'course, that's only ……