Second Life (1998)

Ben James is giving some of the great songs by some infamous blues and jazz composers a second life with his second release, Second Life. Now wait a second, you're thinking that the second time around is never as exciting as the first. In the second time around with these songs, we get to take a second look, but more importantly, a second listen with a fresh new catalyst in the form of Ben James. You may just be blown away when you hear the cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic, "The Wind Cries Mary" done with acoustic guitar. ... Read More

Ben James is giving some of the great songs by some infamous blues and jazz composers a second life with his second release, Second Life. Now wait a second, you're thinking that the second time around is never as exciting as the first. In the second time around with these songs, we get to take a second look, but more importantly, a second listen with a fresh new catalyst in the form of Ben James. You may just be blown away when you hear the cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic, "The Wind Cries Mary" done with acoustic guitar. Imagine Hendrix doing an MTV unplugged session and you will start to understand what you can expect to hear on this album. Also included is an amazing selection in the acoustic version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" done in the early ZZ Top vein. Then we get into the Mose Allison number, "Everybody's Crying Mercy," with it's complex chord progressions and smooth, almost lullaby-like melody. Some of the songs on the album would have been better left in their "first life" such as, "Born Under a Bad Sign," in which the slow tempo used falls flat on its face. With marvelous interpretations like the Bob Dylan classic "All Along the Watchtower," these shortcomings are easily overshadowed. There is one original piece that is good enough to make the purchase of this album a sound investment.That song is "Jazz Thing", which is exactly what the title implies: a jazzy little number done with acoustic guitar, harmonica, and piano. The listener gets to hear something truly unique in this combination of instruments on a jazz tune. We can only wonder what will come our way from this talented musician in the future, but for now, most will be pleased to give this album a second listen. ~ Larry Belanger, Rovi Read Less