The Beatles songbook has been interpreted and reimagined in a multitude of ways, transforming the British invasion pop into big band jazz, bluegrass, funk, techno, classical and opera. For their own deep dive, Texas-born and Los Angeles based keyboardist, Teresa James, and her band, the Rhythm Tramps, take the music of the Fab Four on a coast-to-coast magical music tour. Produced by Terry Wilson and Kevin McKendree, With A Little Help From Her Friends, is a loving tribute to the songs of The Beatles and the musical styles of the great American landscape of blues, roots, and soul. Along with her partner, Terry Wilson, James recruited two new “Tramps” to join them on this journey, the acclaimed producer and keyboardist Kevin McKendree and drummer Richard Millsap, along with backing vocalists Lucy Wilson and Nicki Bluhm and a special appearance from rising star Yates McKendree.
The ten-track collection opens with a Texas Roadhouse soaked “Ticket To Ride,” featuring McKendree on barrelhouse piano. “Taxman,” from the 1966 album Revolver is given a full Haight Ashbury psychedelic treatment. First released as B-Side, “Don’t’ Let Me Down,” was credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston”; here the Tramps smooth out the groove and add some southern slide guitar. The deep cut from Hard Day’s Night, “Happy Just to Dance With You,” is almost unrecognizable from the original as the Tramps remake it as a sweet 70’s Memphis Soul number with a touch of B.B. King.
James spars with Yates McKendree on the whiskey soaked take of “Oh Darlin’,” both eking out the emotions of a classic blues number. Originally an acoustic track, “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” is given a fuller arrangement flavored with touches of Motown and Philly Soul. The swampy feel of “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey,” is more akin to Muscle Shoals than
Abbey Road and Wilson tosses in a Duck Dunn quote under the guitar solo. McCartney was going for the Motown sound when he wrote “You Won’t See Me” in 1965; James and the Tramps give the song a sultry sophisticated vibe smoothing its pop edges. Their cover of Lennon’s “No Reply,” from 1964 successfully mirrors the Brill Building sound of the same era by fusing together influences of Latin, traditional black gospel, and rhythm and blues, achieving what The Beatles often sought for.
The slinky swing version of “Think For Yourself,” closes out the set with James and the Tramps reimagining one of George Harrison’s first philosophical songs, released on the 1965 album Rubber Soul, as a Texas Blues shuffle. Regarded as the most influential band of all time, the music of The Beatles has been with us for 60 years. Veteran musicians Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps have undoubtably felt that influence in their lives and share their affection with the world on this brilliant new project that her fans and Beatles fans will love. Rick J Bowen
Bio
Teresa and the band have toured all over North America and Europe and have played such music festivals as Notodden in Norway, Moulin Osprey in Holland, Tampa Blues Festival, Main St Arts Festival in Ft. Worth, TX, Portland’s Waterfront Festival, and she has been one of the featured acts on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise for the past 16 years.
James was nominated by the Blues Foundation in 2008 for “Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year.” Teresa’s last two releases have both earned 4-Star reviews in DownBeat and two of her previous albums have been awarded Independent Music Awards for blues by popular vote. Their previous studio album, “Here In Babylon,” garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. A couple of years ago, their song, ‘Forgetting You,’ received second-place honors in the 2019 Unsigned Only blues category. Their last album, Rose-Colored Glasses Volume 1 received these accolades:
- Silver Medals (contemporary blues, female vocalist) - The Global Music Awards
- Best Blues Record - The Libera Awards (nomination)
- Best R&B/Soul CD - Independent Blues Awards (nomination)
- "Takes One to Know One" - 2nd Place (blues) - Unsigned Only 2022
- "Rose-Colored Glasses" - Best R&B/Soul Song - Independent Awards
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Tracklist
- 1. Ticket To Ride - Teresa James
- 2. Taxman - Teresa James
- 3. Don't Let Me Down - Teresa James
- 4. Happy Just To Dance With You - Teresa James
- 5. Oh Darling - Teresa James
- 6. Hide Your Love Away - Teresa James
- 7. Me & My Monkey - Teresa James
- 8. You Won't See Me - Teresa James
- 9. No Reply - Teresa James
- 10. Think For Yourself - Teresa James
WEBLINKS
- OS: www.teresajames.com/
- FB: www.facebook.com/TeresaJamesTheRhythmTramps
- TW: www.twitter.com/teresajamesVOX
- IG: www.instagram.com/teresajamesmusic
For more information: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, betsie@blindraccoon.com
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