|
Ex-fireman Anthony Michael James released his debut album Old
Friends at the end of July (2004). Six of the ten tracks are
co-written by James, laced with his own interpretation of
Country/Roots vocal style.
After serving nine years with the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania fire
department, James resigned and moved to Nashville to focus his
energies on his songwriting and recording career. "I think the
time is right to concentrate on the music," declares James.
"As a professional fire-fighter I've seen many things that I
wish I could forget, but now those memories are a part of me and
will forever affect who I am."
The infectious mandolin and dobro driven first single from the
album, "Sweet Sarah" was
released in April with its tale of young love that is time
everlasting. Anthony Michael James's debut video "Sweet
Sarah" made its national premiere in early August.
Produced by Rainwater Films, Inc. of Nashville, the storyline stays
true to the lyrics of the chart-rising hit single. Director Keech
Rainwater (LONESTAR) sets the tone with a colour-rich opening scene.
Filmed primarily in White House and Goodlettsville, Tennessee, some
shots feature Anthony on the porch of country entertainer Sammy
Kershaw's former log cabin home.
The rock tinged "Steel Stampede"
rips up the tarmac as a leather and lace clad biker casts her spell
and steals a young mans heart as they ride away into the setting
sun. A slow ballad comes in the form of "Flesh
And Bone" with an emotional weight of lyrics, while the
title track slows everything down with piano and string backing for
a stroll through life long past. .
Anthony Michael James and Old Friends
creates a stir offering a modern style of country music combined
with the sounds of traditionally deemed instrumentation such as
fiddles, mandolin and pedal steel along with some great nimble
guitarwork. While most firemen battle the intense inferno with
sheets of cold water, here is one fire fighter that starts a
firestorm raging. Catch the flame and you too can dance through the
afterglow with Old Friends.
|
