There is a place that I like to visit somewhere inside. It’s nice and slightly warm and comfortable. It demands no real attention, just open ears. It’s this place that only the right kind of record can take me to. I know you’ve been there too, and that’s why we constantly search for new music. To revisit this place as much as we possibly can. I would like to thank James Benton for taking me to this place and letting me stay awhile. His debut album, Heavy Hearts, is just that. It is heavy… and you feel it, right there in your heart.
“All I have is this”, “This Silence and Memories”, “This Stone Inside My Heart” and there’s nobody else here to see “the miracle of this.” – From The miracle of this.
James Benton first started his adventure in Kentucky where his first love was writing. Not till James arrived in New York City in the mid eighties did he start composing music. He was staying at The Chelsea Hotel where he spent most of his days writing poetry and prose in the lobby and it wasn’t until he was given an acoustic guitar by a night clerk, that his creative prowess fully took form. James took this offering as a sign and you can hear the results of this gracious gift on Heavy Hearts.
James mixes multiple influences of folk, Americana, country, and rock music and then adds orchestral touches to make this album truly worth the visit. These songs swing under a pale sky and a voice filled with the experience of the world. From the foothills of Kentucky to the darkest corners of New York City to the keys of Florida, then to North California, staying in caves in Crete, and then finally James landing in the mountains of South France where Heavy hearts was recorded at The French House Studio in Pouzolles. The instrumentation on this album is nothing but stellar with surprises on every track. James enhances his musical vision with sounds usually not heard on American records such as the shakuhachi flute of which he plays alongside more modern instruments like electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica and percussion. Accompanying James on Heavy Hearts are Regis Abbal playing bass guitar, and dobro. Bernard Ariu adds accordian. Max Middleton on keys. Maiuko for some backing vocals, and Mark Griffin with more percussion and drums.
On Heavy Hearts, James seems to effortlessly weave a web of gentle storytelling based on a life that seems to have been anything but comfortable and everything but complete. Every note rings of trial and tribulation the underlying feeling of a desperate hope. The hope that everyone, at one time or another in their life, dreams of and needs. This is more than an album… This is audible therapy for the soul.
“Cold like a night in December, hot as the flame dancin’ in your heart.” You raise your cross to the little white star and I call for some angel in the dark. – From Handfull of Stars
Reviewed By Kenn Deaton
