Colin James: Chasing the Sun

Twenty-one albums into his career, veteran Canadian bluesman Colin James is very much in possession of his fastball on the captivating Chasing the Sun. Whether working in a basic band configuration or showing off an effective changeup in an acoustic-electric trio lineup, James digs deep at every turn. With co-producer Colin Linden joining James on electric guitar and Janice Powers and Michael Hicks, respectively, adding moody B3 flourishes, James, his tenor as plaintive as ever, offers a potent pair of introspective laments in the Allmans-ish “Star Studded Sky” followed by the heartbreaking regrets of “Too Far Gone.” Elsewhere, the stripped-down trio of James, Linden, and Powers fashion a murky ambience suitable to underscore the delusional mindset of Paul Butterfield’s “In My Own Dream.” From delusion to deceit, Charlie Musselwhite adds a howling, aggrieved harp in joining James and Linden in a raw, haunting take on the mean woman Delta blues of John Hammond’s “Come to Find Out.” Musselwhite is also on board adding spry, keening harp touches to the muscular Chicago blues stomp of “Devilment,” backing the lyrics’ wary regard of a certain femme fatale and James’ impassioned, accusatory vocal with a stinging sonic warning. Repeat listenings are rewarded aplenty here.