Representative Albums: "Boogie in the Mud: Southern Swamp Guitar
Representative Songs: "Boogie in the Mud", "Lonely Feeling", "Devil Made Me Say That
Biography
A well-respected Louisiana guitarist who never became known outside of the region and never really established himself as a solo artist. James recorded some solo tracks in the late '60s that were very much in the Tony Joe White/("Pork Salad Annie") mold: low, half-spoken vocals over spidery, bluesy guitar licks and a basic R&B/pop groove. Apparently he didn't have any ambitions for himself as a singer, and was more content to work as a sideman, playing on singles by regional artists like Tommy McLain, Rockin' Sidney, and others. He didn't do much recording after the early 1970s; a posthumous import collection of his work as a solo artist and sideman appeared in 1996. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
