Blues At The Border
Midwest Records

A natural born blues man who’s been away from making records since before 9/11 screwed things up royally for the working, touring musician, especially the blues man, Armstrong comes back with a set reflecting the tenor of the times.  Not a traditional set, not a genre buster, Armstrong fires a fast ball right down the middle of where contemporary, electric blues resides.  Hard hitting stuff that makes his time away from records seem much too long, he certainly knows how to signify a welcome return. 

Hot stuff. – Chris Spector

Got It Goin On
AMG Reviews

Got It Goin' On is an apt title for this third release from California bluesman James Armstrong. While his previous release, Dark Night, was steeped in a soul/blues vein, this album is a solid, stripped-down blues session. Armstrong's guitar chops (especially on slide guitar) and impassioned vocals continue to gain strength following the horrendous attack on his life in 1997. Making an encore appearance is guitarist Michael Ross, who blends in with the dominant role Armstrong assumes, while the keyboard work is provided by Jimmy Pugh of the Robert Cray Band. The majority of cuts were written or co-written by Armstrong, including the heartfelt ballad "Another Dream," the funky rocker "2 Sides," included in the movie Speechless, and the New Orleans-influenced "Mr. B's."

Al Campbell

Dark Night
ALL MUSIC GUIDE

After miraculously coming out alive from being attacked and nearly stabbed to death, Armstrong came back strong with this wonderful collection of tunes featuring solid performances on every one. Armstrong turns over the lion's share of lead guitar duties to Michael Ross here, and his silky leads blend with Armstrong's still very potent singing voice quite sympathetically. Highlights include the soulful "Too Many Misses for Me," "Trouble On the Homefront," the Texas shuffle of "The Bank of Love," the proud daddy rock of "Lil' James" and the title track. Guest lead guitar turns from Doug MacLeod and Joe Louis Walker on two tracks apiece make for some nice guitar fireworks as well to spice things up. There are inspired sessions, and there are inspired sessions; these come from a place where a man says no to death, yes to life and stands tall to tell about it and fight another day.

Cub Koda
 

Sleeping With A Stranger
ALL MUSIC GUIDE

One listen to his Sleeping With a Stranger and one might be inclined to compare James Armstrong with Robert Cray, but the similarities end after the obvious comparison: young, talented black songwriters who believe in incorporating elements of soul and R&B into their blues playing. The truth is, Armstrong is a supremely talented songwriter, a guitarist who has no need to be overly flashy, and a more than adequate singer. As Sleeping with a Stranger shows, Armstrong has a bright future, and he'll continue to broaden the parameters of modern blues for some time to come.

Richard Skelly

Free Ringtone Downloads

Movie Soundtracks

The Floretine
Michael Madsen
James Belushi
Luke Perry

Speechless
Micheal Keaton
Geena Davis

Hear No Evil
Martin Sheen
Marlie Matlin

Television
The Young And Restless
(France / Italy) Ongoing

Compilations