Songs For The Long Journey by Vinnie James

Please take a moment to read the short reviews by Rolling Stone, Playboy and others in the following section, along with the listener reviews at the bottom of the page. Many of them are written by listeners who were simply browsing, and came across Vinnie almost by accident. We hope you'll notice that the reviews from the music journalists are stellar, and that most of the listener reviews give Vinnie the highest possible rating: 5 out of a 5 stars.

We know that many times, the decision to purchase new music is as much a financial decision as anything else, and with thousands of new artists to choose from, we're honored that you've chosen to visit our page. We hope you take a moment to read the reviews, and order a copy of "Songs for the Long Journey" today at the introductory price of only $9.99. Oh, and by the way, CD Baby also offers a 30-day, money back guarantee. To order, simply click the green "Add to cart" button at the top of the page.

A sincere thank you, from the Vinnie James Web Team

(please read on...)

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::: MORE ABOUT VINNIE JAMES :::

"James hits the mark." —PLAYBOY

"The work of a lyrical wizard." —HICKORYWIND.ORG

David Wilde, of Rolling Stone, calls Vinnie James, "...an extremely penetrating new voice..." And Mike Boehm of the Los Angeles Times, hails Vinnie's music as, "full of fire and in your face passion."

Educated on the streets of Newark, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, Vinnie James is part Native American, part African, and 100% fire and street-wise passion. And you'd never guess from his humble attitude, that this ex-homeless man is now being hailed by critics as one of the most relevant songwriters of this generation, having already gained widespread acclaim, a charting single, a Grammy nomination for his RCA debut, "All American Boy," and major shows and tours with Sade, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Pam Tillis, STYX, Julia Fordham, and Carole King, who invited Vinnie back to the stage, each night of the tour, to join her in a show-stopping rendition of her legendary song: "Locomotion."

At the center of Vinnie's unique sound, is his raw, dusky vocal style, described by the Los Angeles Times as, "a husky, soul-tinged voice that recalls Graham Parker or Bob Seger..." and that, "...bristles with vigor, alarm and a prophet's conviction..."

"My vocal style comes from New Jersey summer nights, haunted by the sounds of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Percy Sledge" reflects James, lounging in the incense cloud of the studio control room. "My main lyrical influences are Jackson Browne, Mickey Newbury, and Marvin Gaye, along with poets like Khalil Gibran and Robert Frost." He takes a puff from his hand-rolled cigarette, then continues, "...but when it comes to my percussive acoustic guitar technique, I'd have to say, my biggest influence is Richie Havens, no question."

"Some would call my sound Roots or Americana," says James, picking up his Taylor guitar. He breaks into the "shika, shika" percussive strumming style that's become his trademark, flashes his infectious, "naughty-boy" grin, and adds, "...I call it, 'a patchouli-scented, love-powered acoustic jackhammer,'" he chuckles, and adds, "I also call it 'folk n soul,' which basically takes a raw, funky, grassroots folk style, and infuses it with influences from blues, hip-hop, gospel, and above all... 60's soul."

Described as "a master wordsmith," by Maxine Jewett, President of the Southwest Acoustic Music Association, Vinnie James pens songs that take you from deeply moving lyrical journeys, to powerfully raw, full-blown acoustic-based grinders, pulsating with hypnotic, tribal rhythms, complete with drums, bass and world instruments, all laced with Vinnie's soulful vocals and his signature "acoustic jackhammer" guitar playing.

Jim McKenna, who heads the Glasgow Festival of Songwriting in Scotland, calls Vinnie James, an "astonishing songwriter," who's songs explore themes ranging from political injustice and social revolution, to love, lust and tragic loss; all written with intricate, well-crafted poetic images, showing a refreshing vulnerability and "old-soul" character.

Gil Griffin of the Washington Post, says of Vinnie James, "...his writing exhibits a developed, analytical (and self-analytical) maturity." Cary Darling of the Orange County Register adds that Vinnie's music, "has a folk edge and fits squarely in the singer-songwriter tradition of Springsteen, Graham Parker, Elvis Costello and John Hiatt."

"It's such an honor that so many new people are discovering my songs, and are so moved and inspired by them," James says, of his growing worldwide acclaim. "When I write, I'm really just trying to make sense of this complicated, and sometimes scary world. I think people are drawn to my songs because they're feeling a lot of the same emotions I'm expressing in words, and the songs help them find an outlet and a path of expression for those emotions."

Record industry icon David Geffen has called Vinnie James, "a distinctive multi-threat talent." Vinnie's newest offering, "Songs for the Long Journey," released worldwide this past Valentine's Day, is the long-awaited follow-up to his Grammy-nominated RCA debut. As you would expect from a songwriter of this calibre, "Songs for the Long Journey" is a rewarding showcase of talent, where Vinnie's soul-soaked vocals, adept lyrical skills, and signature percussive acoustic guitar style, are as powerful and evident as ever, and the critics are ecstatic.

In his extensive and glowing review of James' new album, written for the well-respected online Americana magazine HickoryWind.org, Jim Pipkin declares: "...If this CD had already been released, it would have easily made my Top Ten for 2006. I would be very surprised if it doesn't make the cut for 2007."

Additionally, Maxine Jewett, President of the Prestigious Southwest Acoustic Music Association, writing an early review of the album has this to say: "'Songs for the Long Journey' is much more than simply a CD; it is an audible work of art. Every cut could stand alone as its own CD, none are similar to the song before or after it. Vinnie James is a master wordsmith, "Homeless Man" is a remarkably poignant tale of compassion by the 'have nots' for those who have even less. Throughout the CD, James' commentary is critical but hopeful and the dynamics of the music are tricky, tricky, tricky. Listen to "County Line". Just when you think you know where this chord is going, he rips the rug out from underneath you. I love it!! My advice is buy two copies because you will wear one out."

The unique "Folk n Soul" sound of Vinnie James makes him a refreshing discovery for any serious music lover who enjoys great lyrical storytelling, delivered with dusky, soul-soaked, emotional vocals.

Pick up your copy of "Songs for the Long Journey" at the introductory price of just $9.99, and in just a few days, you'll be enjoying the music of this truly gifted storyteller.

Please be sure to read the listener reviews in the section below, then place your order with confidence.

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