Darrin James: singer-songwriter, guitars, piano, wurlitzer, ukulele & other misc.
Jordan Shapiro: Hammond organ, piano
Jeremy Bronson: drums
Ari Folman-Cohen: acoustic upright and electric bass
Jo Solomon: backing vocals
Dan Jeselsohn: electric upright bass
Tim Kiah: accoustic upright bass
Adam Roberts: acoustic upright bass
Dennis Lichtman: Mandolin & fiddle
Colin Stetson: Tenor Sax
Luke Notary: World Percussion
Michael Vitali: drums
The Jade Quartet: Strings
Influences
From early childhood to more recent: Beatles, Paul Simon, Motown, Hendrix, Dylan, Clapton, Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Santana, Grateful Dead, Phish, James Brown, Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Miles Davis, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Thelonius Monk, Chuck Berry, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Djengo Reinhardt, Herbie Hancock, Zappa, The Meters, Etta James, Duke Ellington, Mississippi John Hurt, Lightin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Tortoise, Ali Farke Toure, Ry Cooder, Fela Kuti, Ruben Gonzalez, Johnny Cash, Talking Heads, David Byrne, The Band, Rick Rubin, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Lou Reed, Wilco, Woody Guthrie, Brian Wilson, Salif Keita, Nina Simone, Earl Scruggs, Mississppi Fred McDowell, Nick Cave, Cynthia Hopkins, Van Dyke Parks, Willie Nelson, Paranda
Sounds Like
Lyrics: Dylan, Waits, Springsteen, Cash, Earle,
Music: Americana, Blues, Folk, Alt-Country, Roots-Rock, Jazz, World
We're happy to announce the completion and independent release of "Thrones of Gold," now available through cdbaby.com and itunes Thank you to everyone who has shown their support by attending our concerts or purchasing the album. We also have a website with additional information, live recordings, photos, etc... Thank you for listening.
"Brooklyn singer-songwriter Darrin James touches on Robbie Robertson’s gruff soulfulness, Tom Waits’ vaudevillian menace and Paul Westerberg’s ramshackle charm. His bluesy songs carry perceptive lyrics and memorable tunes; his crack band supplies the laid-back grooves." - Time Out New York (November, 2007)
"Its literate lyrics and subject matter are a big part of why Thrones of Gold stands as one of the best indie productions of the year so far."
- Jon Sobel, Blog Critics Magazine (May 2007)
"Born to sing the blues, Darrin James tears at the soul...There's an uncanny, effortless authenticity to it that is aloof and genius at the same time. The Brooklyn-based musician has a certain weary, detached air about him, as if he barely realizes the scope of his words and music while executing them in untroubled fluency. Despite such ease in his music, every song is tinged with raw emotion...undeniable talent and originality."
- Julyssa Lopez, Pace University Press (April, 2007)
"An intriguing debut for his own record label...Initial listens to this album indicated a blues leaning. His voice is gruff and rough and suited to the delta blues or jazz but this cd is far more than that."
- Phil Edwards, Americana UK (June 2007)
"The man's got Joe Henry versatility, a crackerjack studio band, and a great sense of craft... from a Lovett/Waits blues into a John Prine diatribe then rocketing off with an Elvis Costello pop gem. The record was made with a lineup featuring seriously tasty musicians making notable decisions that allow Darrin’s throaty vocals to take the foreground. It’s got it all.
- Walt Wells, The Deli Magazine (September 2007)
"DJB sounds so completely authentic and true to its voice that it almost feels cleansing, and makes you wonder why in the hell great songs like these aren't everywhere, drowning out the vapid clowns that pollute the genre. The debut album, Thrones of Gold, doesn't sound at all like a debut, but rather like a sharp, soulful, and rocking veteran that Darrin James will surely become." -Cowboy Trance (July 2007)
"One track. That’s all it takes to make Darrin James' latest effort worth the entire album. The opening track on his Thrones of Gold, “Trivial,” with all its reckless abandon and rock and roll energy - think The Gourds meet The Faces - is more than worth the price of admission. In this day and age where rock and roll has fallen prey to oh so many gimmicks, its nice to have just one real, raw, rock song.Darrin James does this in just one tune, then shifts gears a number of times, making Thrones one darn fine record."
-Chase Farmer, Honest Tune Magazine (July 2007)
"Thrones of Gold, the debut from the Darrin James Band, is a strong disk the whole way through, incorporating an inspiring variety of musical styles and lyrical themes. With a rugged voice and virtuoso guitar skills, James and his band make the most of his well-written songs."
- Jon Gorey, Dissolver Magazine (April 2007)
"Sort of a mix between Springsteen and Neil Young, they're a rock format that’s highly engaging and completely exhilarating. Vocally it’s throaty and raw but manages to convey a perfect sense of melody. Highly enjoyable and I would most certainly recommend it."
- Smother Magazine (April 2007)
Hey Darrin, Sorry we missed you in Detroit. Hope it was a great show. I finally got off my ass and downloaded your album. I've heard it a thousand times already, and it gets better every time. Have a fantastic summer and catch ya soon. - Don
Darrin, Should you happen to be home for thanksgiving weekend, PLEASE come out. We'd love to have you and your entire family in attendance. I hope all is well, Steve. P.S. Check out the new album
Let me know when you'll be in Chicago. I'll actually be in New York in the beginning of August so maybe we can meet up then, but I'll only be there for a few days. Say hi to Sarah for me. Hope all is well dude, salud.
Howdy Darrin... We pulled you off our Friend list on our other site... myspace.com/stonecrossworldmusic not sure how I found you for that one. BUT it's Too funny...We love your tunes and Im from Brooklyn originally! (we've swapped lives apparently) We will be performing ourselves on Long Island "Irish Festival in Mattituck" Labor day weekend... come out and meet us. We are also looking for a gig on Monday night of that weekend.. we can do either the Irish or the Americana Roots. If you know of anything that might work let us know. When you want to come back to Michigan we'll get you a Date @ THE CROW! Siusan and Zig
