Search - James Booker :: Junco Partner

Spiritual Master of Solo Piano Nawleens Stylee

George Thomas (latidaprod@aol.com) | Waitsfield, Vermont, Turtle Island | 12/22/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, produced by Joe Boyd(Richard Thompson, et.al), is solo piano, well recorded with a mix of instrumental pieces(Pixie, Black Minute Waltz) and piano/vocals like Sunny Side Of The Street, Good Night Irene and Make A Better World. Black Minute Waltz is Booker's take on Chopin's Minute Waltz and will give you a taste of how far afield piano can get and how deeply affecting James Booker's world can get. Start with the best piano playing, add the crazed, yodeling vocals and mix in profound love for humanity (and various drugs) and you end up in the church of Booker, praising the late master to the skies as he laughs and strides on. The only match for this masterpiece is the live album on Rounder(2027) New Orleans Piano Wizard."

Only two hands?

James Mann | Decatur, GA United States | 12/24/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I defy anyone to listen to "Pixie" and be convinced only one man is playing. Unless that one man is the legendary James Booker. Not unlike Nina Simone in his way of combining classical elements into jazz and R+B, Booker is as good as it gets for New Orleans-style piano. When he sings "Junco Partner", its with a voice that rings all too true. Great stuff."

If music was booze.

James Mann | 01/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's like Chopin on the rocks, with a twist of New Orleans"