Looks like Bond, Sounds like Cooke

When James Hunter stays at a hotel (and he's always staying at a hotel), he checks in under an assumed name. It's a classic celeb maneuver, a way to shake off fans, paparazzi and press.

But alas, that's not why the British soul singer does it.

"I'm hiding from my creditors," Hunter says with a raspy laugh. He's on the phone from yet another tour stop, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He jokes that he can't even "afford to trash a hotel room anymore."

Looking like James Bond but singing like Sam Cooke, the constantly touring 45-year-old is part of this weekend's Tampa Bay Blues Fest at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. And when he takes the stage Friday evening, he will carry with him the well-worn tag of the Next Big Thing. If only hype could pay the bills.

Despite Van Morrison calling him one of the best-kept secrets in music and his 2006 album, People Gonna Talk, being nominated for a Grammy, Hunter remains a cash-strapped cult fave, a spellbinding talent with a small but passionate following. (WATCH HIM HERE)

"I've pretty much been impoverished for the past two decades," says a chuckling Hunter, who has opened for Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Boz Scaggs, and was part of Morrison's traveling Rhythm and Blues Revue. "But being on the brink of erupting keeps me going, actually."

At this point, his almost-fame feels a bit like luggage — dinged-up Samsonite with character to spare. Not that Hunter is unaccustomed to tough times. He was raised in a trailer in the middle of an onion field and worked as a railroad laborer in Colchester, England, before music (barely) paid the bills. In the '80s, he first performed under the moniker Howlin' Wilf, and the blues riff wasn't such a stretch.

A longtime busker in the U.K., taking whatever stage will have him, Hunter is a head-turner for sure. He writes his own material, picks his own guitar and channels an assortment of soul and R&B giants: Cooke, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson and all the other regulars in his grandmother's record collection.

It's a jarring sound at first — then absolutely sublime a few seconds later.

His music is the essence of analog intimacy: cha-cha beat, soothing brush strokes, blurty horns — he might as well be a Stax star making music magic in 1960s Memphis. "I've heard I'm responsible for some engagements and some steaming groins," he says. "That's cool. The sex should be intrinsic in the music."

Hunter also manages to be an original, putting funky twists on a classic formula. His guitar playing reveals itself in manic flurries, providing edgy counterpoint to the mellow mood. He often harmonizes guitar and horn parts. And he writes songs as if they were short stories where love and longing are revealed in subtle body language, Raymond Carver with a Gibson.

"As a songwriter, I'm most inspired by people who aren't in music at all, like Billy Wilder," Hunter says. "As a screenwriter, he'd recycle a catchphrase or a joke, bringing it back later in the film in a different incarnation. Film language is quite effective. Repetition is quite effective."

With the help of loyal producer Liam Watson, who also helms the White Stripes, Hunter will release a new album, The Hard Way, on June 10. Yes, it will sound like a soul-kissed throwback, but it will also have Hunter's modern sensibility.

"You don't want to wear your influences too much on your sleeve," he says. "I certainly wouldn't deny being derivative, but I also don't want to reinvent the music because it was so good in the first place."

The most notable thing about the album might be its chief marketer. Starbucks, which has become a successful music retailer, will push The Hard Way nationwide. Could this finally be the thing that makes Hunter a household name and gets the creditors off his weary back?

He'll survive even if it isn't, says Hunter, who frogs out a sinister chuckle: "Besides, all of my heroes are people who died before they became famous anyway."

Comments

[jane]

Are you kidding me? EEEEEEEEE!!! I LOVE this guy. "People Gonna Talk" is standard Saturday morning listening fare at chez jane.

Must. Find. Babysitter. For. Tomorrow. Night.

And Sean Daly -- if you weren't endeared to me before, you are now, with that mention of Raymond Carver. He is SUCH a fave of mine.

[DoctorDrew]

Wow, I did not know he was here. I scan the concerts but don't pay much attention to the festivals much to my detriment apparently.

James Hunter was my fav blues find since I discovered Keb Mo (for my music posse I mean). Somehow I have to see how I can work this out wihtout getting divorced.

[Bassnote]

Again Sean, you have made me spend money. Seriously, I went to iTunes and listened, and I am a convert. I am an Otis Redding and Sam Cooke junkie, so this is awesome to me. I'll be listening to this one all day. Are you going to the show? If you are, give us a full review. I'll be looking to see if Mr. Hunter will be coming through Chicago.

[Dede]

Can't believe I'll miss Bluesfest. I LOVE Tab Benoit. Glad to learn of Mr. Hunter -- I will check him out.

[Bassnote]

I'm lovin' James Hunter (not in a Jimmy Kimmel/Ben Afleck kind of way)! People Gonna Talk is freakin' phenomenal! This guy must be possessed by the spirits of Redding and Cooke. It's a stormy day in the Chicago area, and I am soaking up this album with relish. I can't wait until he drops his next album in June.

[Jeff in Cuba]

All this concert talk is bumming me out.

Lou Gramm's plane broke down and he had to cancel his GTMO show, along with my interview, during which I was going to discuss (at length) his connection with Sean's ascent to manhood.

He's promised to try again later this year, so maybe I'll still get my shot.

By the way, the next big GTMO concert: Everclear over the Memorial Day weekend.

[Marissa]

Ahhh I'm lovin' this Hunter guy. Like Bassnote, my allowance will be spent before I know it.

I just downloaded a handful of blues freebies from Amazon. You can catch'em on my IMEEM profile.

[jane]

I'm gonna do some cross-Daly pimpin' and take this opportunity to plug an artist he turned me on to last summer: Ryan Shaw.
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/26/Music/Sean_Daly_s_top_CD_pi.shtml

If you like James Hunter (and who wouldn't?) I think you'll dig this throwback dude as well.

[Sean Daly]

"Cross-Daly Pimpin'" -- I like it, sounds like a dance craze, a disco-inspired version of the Dance of the Seven Buttons.

"Who's down with CDP? Yeah, you know me!"

[Sean Daly]

By the way, gang, I'll be at the James Hunter show tomorrow night, writing it up for Saturday. If you see my giant melonhead in the crowd, come say hello.

[Marissa]

OK, I can't let another blog post about blues music go by without dropping this link.
http://www.bopomofo-blues.com/

[Pam from Rochester]

Thank you for promoting James Hunter. I caught his show last summer up here in NY and loved it. Go see him people!

[jane]

My babysitter crapshoot came up empty. Unfortunately. I've got the No Go To Show Woes.

I shall have to live and enjoy vicariously through Mr. Daly. Have a beer for me tonight, sir.