Search - James Wilsey :: Dorado

Welcome Back, James Calvin Wilsey

Greg O. | San Francisco | 02/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One listen to the gloriously evocative "Diabolic" or "Last Chance" and you'll know Mr. Wilsey's returned in fine form, sounding like the original guitarslinger who fueled the patented Chris Isaak high lonesome guitar sound of "Blue Hotel", "Wicked Game" and "Western Stars". To my ears, James channels equal parts Duane Eddy and Hank Marvin, fashioning one of the most distinctive tones ever. Throw in some moody Western soundtracking and early John Barry scoring and you've got the secret sauce of "El Dorado". Warning: There are no vocals here, just classic rock 'n' roll instrumental stylings."

The Return of James Wilsey

Darrin Jones | San Diego, CA | 03/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of early Chris Isaak, I've always been impressed by the early work featuring the amazing James Wilsey on lead guitar. You could always feel the emotions of the songs through that hypnotic guitar playing of his, and it's my opinion that his playing abilities were as much a part of the success of Chris Isaak and Silvertone as Mr. Isaak's crooning. Everytime you hear "Wicked Game" on the radio, it's James's haunting guitar that strikes you most. Sadly, James Wilsey left Chris Isaak and hadn't been heard from since. Within the last decade not a few fans wondered where he went, and when we would be able to hear that signature guitar sound again.



"El Dorado", released in February of 2008, answers this question with an amazing collection of original instrumental pieces that are the best work produced to date. If you liked James Wilsey's playing with Silvertone, you will be amazed by such songs as Tierra Del Fuego and The Rattler, as well as San Bernadino, songs that rank equally with the best of Duane Eddy, Dick Dale, The Shadows, and Link Wray."

Haunting Stratocaster Tones

D. Pike | the Mojave Desert, Calif. | 02/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The tones that James Wilsey evokes from his Fender Stratocaster will scorch your days and haunt nights. Vast lonely vistas and mean streets mixed with a strange lost-dream feeling that reminds; you must have been here before. Twang, reverb and tremolo: the hot wind blows across the endless High Plains, you thirst for a drink of cool water. The sun beats down on the brim of your Stetson; Maria still waits across the inhospitable frontier. A beautiful scenic (and sonic) adventure. James Wilsey would do well scoring movies, who will be fortunate enough to snatch him up for their next epic? (Tarantino, are you listening?)"