James Clem - Stuff You Gotta Watch

Stuff You Gotta Watch
Dusty Dust Records

By Greg Johnson

James Clem has a unique delivery that is always exciting and fun whether fingerpicking or performing on slide guitar or ukulele. On his latest release, Stuff You Gotta Watch, he has collected a number of songs that he has loved and performed for many years, filled with that great guitar work melded with his laid-back, comforting vocal style. The fact that the album was mastered in analog makes it even seem more authentic sound-wise.

Half of the tracks find Clem performing as a solo artist, which is how you would normally find him in a club setting. On several he is joined by bass players Craig Snazelle or Ron Rogers, the latter also adding rhythm guitar at times. Mary Flower guests alongside Clem on three tracks, including a nice take on the 1920’s jug band number “Stealin’.” There are also some older recordings, including a live radio performance, with Jeff Masters on harmonica.

Always a musician that makes you feel good whether live or on recordings, James Clem proves it once again with an outstanding album here, and with more than an hour’s worth of material there is a lot to like.

Total Time: 64:17

I Still Miss Someone / Key to the Highway / Bright Lights Big City / Blue Drag / Things ’bout Comin’ My Way / East Virginia Blues / The Way You Do / Stealin’ / Kind Hearted Woman Blues / Georgia Rag / Baby Please Don’t Go / Mama Tain’t Long Fo’ Day / Can’t Be Satisfied / Blues in the Bottle / Mississippi Heavy Water Blues / Piccolo Rag / Talk to Me Baby / Stuff You Gotta Watch