James Armstrong - Dark Night - 1998

James Armstrong Biography: California-based blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer James Armstrong may be small in physical stature, but his guitar playing, original lyrical themes, and singing will leave the most hardened of blues fans convinced of his brilliance. It's fair to say that Armstrong has the music in his blood: he is the son of a jazz guitar-playing father and blues singing mother. Raised in the Los Angeles area, he founded his first group in junior high school. He cites Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Albert King, and Eric Clapton as inspirational in his development. Highlights from his years in the Los Angeles area – before moving north to the San Francisco Bay area – include shows backing Collins, Big Joe Turner and Los Angeles veteran Smokey Wilson. After releasing the critically acclaimed Sleeping with a Stranger in 1995 for the San Francisco-based Hightone label, Armstrong's promising touring career was interrupted by tragedy. One night in April 1997, a robber broke into his home and nearly stabbed Armstrong to death. After weeks in the hospital and months of rehabilitation, Armstrong picked himself up, dusted himself off, and started all over again. In the late '90s and into the new century, Armstrong has hit the blues festival circuit with a passion, and put in a particularly impressive performance at the Pocono Blues Festival in Pennsylvania. By the spring of 2000, Armstrong again entered the studio to record Got It Goin' On an album that showcases Armstrong's delicate guitar stylings and soulful singing backed by Joe Louis Walker's rhythm section and a guest appearance on two tracks by keyboardist Jimmy Pugh of the Robert Cray Band. After his tragic stabbing, Armstrong found he couldn't run his fingers up and down the guitar neck as fast he once was able. He realized that faster isn't necessarily better, and recognized that good blues is more about feeling anyway, citing the slow, powerful, methodic stylings of one of his influences, the late Albert King. While Got It Goin' On showcases Armstrong's evolution as a songwriter since his debut release in 1995, both albums are recommended for blues fans who are tired of the same old themes. "2 Sides," a selection from Got It Goin' On was included in the movie Speechless starring Michael Keaton, but there are plenty of other originals on the release that demonstrate why Armstrong is to be taken seriously as a songwriter who continues to sail into heretofore uncharted lyrical waters. In 1999, Hightone released Dark Night, with Joe Louis Walker and Doug MacLeod taking lead guitar turns on two tracks. ~ Richard Skelly, All Music Guide

Product Description: This is an album about survival. It is guitarist Armstrong's first effort following an April 1997 stabbing attack that left him severely injured and unable to play lead. Seven months later, though, he was back at work, and though still not fully recovered, was able to turn out the excellent Dark Night. Two of the songs deal directly with his experience: the title track, and "Lil' James"–written about Armstrong's son, who was also injured in the attack. Several of the other songs on the album deal with survival, mixed in with some of Armstrong's older standards like "Slender Man" and "Witchin' Moon." Joe Louis Walker turns in some guest guitar work, and Kenny Baker adds a few sax solos, notably on "Lil' James." Despite Dark Night's frequently dark subject matter, the overall tone is optimistic, and the quality songwriting and solid slide guitar and rhythm work prove that Armstrong is still a force to be reckoned with.

Review: If anyone has paid their dues to sing the blues, it is James Armstrong. After the release of his debut recording on HighTone Records, Sleeping With a Stranger in 1995, Armstrong was considered to be one of the "young guns" of the blues. Sleeping With A Stranger received rave reviews and Armstrong had established himself as a popular performer in Europe. A major U.S. tour and a second record were planned for early 1997, designed to establish James Armstrong as a major blues name in the States. Tragically, in April 1997, an attacker broke into Armstrong's Northern California apartment, nearly stabbing Armstrong to death and throwing his son, James, Jr., out of a second story window. Fortunately, both survived the attack, although James, Sr. continues a grueling physical therapy program to regain the full use of his right arm and hand.

James Armstrong's second HighTone recording, Dark Night, is a product of the events shaping Armstrong's life over the past eighteen months, coupled with his desire to make a full recovery and to return to the music that he loves. With help from his many friends and fans, Dark Night appears to be the affirmation that James Armstrong is back and better than ever. As Armstrong continues his fight to regain his physical prowess on the guitar, lead guitar duties on Dark Night are handled by Michael Ross. The CD also includes guest guitar appearances by Joe Louis Walker on "Trouble On The Home Front" and "Standing In Your Way," and Doug MacLeod on "Bank Of Love" and "Just In Case."

Six of the twelve songs on Dark Night are written or co-written by Armstrong. The CD opens with the title track, "Dark Night," an original tune that alludes to Armstrong's experiences in the last year and a half, but offering the optimistic line, "It's a dark night, but I can still see the light." The sound of "Dark Night" is smooth, emotion filled and gets the CD off to an excellent start. On the final song, "Just in Case," Armstrong debuts his newly acquired skill on slide guitar, coupled with a fine Doug MacLeod solo.

The highlights abound on the songs that lie in between. I particularly enjoyed the feel of "Slender Man Blues," featuring a nice piano break by Parris Bertolucci. The catchy "Lil' James," offers insight into Armstrong's love for his son, James, Jr. It is easy to sense the pride Armstrong has for his son, as well as the gratitude that he is still around to enjoy. Joe Louis Walker's presence on the CD is apparent through his distinctive solos on "Trouble On The Home Front" and "Standing In Your Way." "Bank of Love" is another fine song, comparing love to maintaining a bank account. "Bank of Love" also features another very nice guest guitar solo by Doug MacLeod.

Dark Night offers listeners a smoother, more polished sound that on Sleeping With A Stranger. Armstrong's sound is clearly blues, but the CD offers some jazz and gospel feel in various songs. This combination of styles helps to make James Armstrong's sound clearly his own. Dark Night is a fine CD that allows the listener to share "the light" with the resurgent Armstrong. the CD is definitely worth a listen and more.

Note: Credit to Vinyll, the original uploader.