Born in Saint Louis but resident in Canada since the early 1970s, Jim has recorded for Stony Plain and Black Hen as well as being a successful actor. For this album he goes back to his roots, mixing his own nicely appropriate, sometimes jazz-flavoured, compositions with numbers associated with his home-town, from James P. Johnson, W.C. Handy and Lonnie Johnson to Chuck Berry, Albert King, Little Milton and Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure – the excellent ‘You’ll Miss Me (When I’m Gone)’ with Colleen Rennison. Jim calls on John Hammond (for four tracks) and guitarist Colin James (one number) to flesh out his own band, with producer Steve Dawson outstanding on guitar throughout, whilst never showboating. The arrangements are modern, complementary and very listenable, Jim’s vocals are rich and warm, and overall, the result is well worth a listen.