Leo James is an understated and unassuming performer from Bristol whose talent as a songwriter and finger-picker is evident from the thirteen original compositions on the follow up to his debut Songs Of Solace from 2006.
He sings, plays lap steel, dobro and acoustic guitar and is accompanied only by producer Sid Goldsmith on double bass.
Now in his mid thirties, James began playing guitar in his teens, graduated from Dartington College of Arts in Devon and recently spent a month in India studying classical music with Debashish Bhattacharya.
His voice has the hushed intimacy of John Martyn and his playing is first rate but the songs are lacking in genuine spark or originality. For example his reflections on life are confined to noting its brevity, mystery and repeating John Lennon's oft-quoted line that it is what happens when you're making other plans.
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The album makes for pleasant easy listening but would have benefited from the inclusion of a couple of traditional tunes to give it greater variety and depth.
Leo James' website
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