James Holt - Sanguine on the Rocks
by Shirley Procter
published: 28 / 4 / 2019
Label:
63 Steps Records
Format: CDS
intro
Promising six track debut EP from young Bolton-based singer-aongwriter James Holt whose music recollects the Style Council and Arctic Monkeys
You know what it’s like. You’re out on a Saturday night having dinner with your best friends, instead of being at a gig somewhere, and the restaurant you’re in has a bloke playing piano. He finishes his gig, and you all chat with him, saying “Thanks, you were good.” the next thing you know you’re chatting about what he does away from the restaurant, and it turns out he’s a singer-songwriter, and he’s giving you his new CD. You carry on chatting for a while, and you agree to review the CD. That was my Saturday evening, and my introduction to the amazing talent that is James Holt. Not only is he a great pianist, but he plays an awesome guitar and sings beautifully! We played his CD all the way home, and I’m sitting listening to it again as I type. Think Style Council meets the Arctic Monkeys, and that’s what I’m listening to. Deep lyrics; good tunes; great guitar playing; a clear talent. Not only has James written the music and lyrics, but he’s also recorded, mixed and produced it. There are six tracks on his CD, 'The Mirror' (this one really makes me think of the Arctic Monkeys - there is something about the beat and quality of the lyrics), the title track 'Sanguine On the Rocks' (interesting guitar riffs, and again great lyrics), 'Tears Aren’t Enough' (a more uptempo number), 'Contemplations' (again, with a great intro riff), 'And Then I Awoke' (a slower, gentler sound that I love, probably my favourite track on the album) and 'The Lost Boy No More' (a song with a much more sombre tone, darker than the track before). You can find James gigging on on the following dates: Friday 16th June: Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Blackburn Tuesday 11th July: The Whiskey Jar, Manchester Thursday 27th July: The Alma Inn, Bolton Saturday 29th July: Jimmy’s, Manchester Monday 28th August: Somewhere in Bolton Saturday 9th September: 100 Rum Festival 2017, Manchester. For more information on his gigs, check on his site. the artwork on the album cover deserves a mention, too. It’s quite stunning, and is by Anthony Gabriel Gauci
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
https://www.jamesholtmusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/jamesholtmusic/
https://twitter.com/jamesholtmusic
interviews |
Interview (2019) |
Shirley Procter talks to rising Bolton-based singer-songwriter James Holt at a gig in Manchester about his new EP, his influences, appearing on TV and his plans for the future. |
live reviews |
Night People, Manchester, 1/3/2019 |
Shirley Procter reviews rising Bolton-based singer-songwriter James Holt at an excellent showcase at Night People in Manchester. |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart