The New England blues scene can proudly boast that New Hampshire’s Arthur James was “tied for third place” for the acoustic solo/duo portion of the International Blues Competition in Memphis last week. While there is no official recognition by the I.B.C. for third place finishers in the acoustic solo/duo contest, every blues fan from the New England blues scene, James’ home state of New Hampshire in particular, should be pleased to know he came pretty darn close to the top two spots.
James was asked to describe what went down in Memphis.
“Ha,” he chuckled, “the joke is we all tied for third. But one of the six duos from Canada didn’t arrive in time so they got disqualified, so basically a five way share for third. I done did good.”
Arthur James mentioned that he was somewhat disappointed that the IBC doesn’t offer a third place for the acoustic players. “There is no third for solo/duo acts, only third in band category,. which is kind of too bad because we have eight acts and they have eight. How cool would it have been to win miss congeniality?”
Delaine Pickering, Arthur James, Audrey Fraizer
Arthur James feels that two previous adventures he had in past contests at the IBC gave him a clearer idea of which selections to play. The New Hampshire blues guitarist was representing Granite State Blues Society in this recent competition after winning the solo/duo acoustic portion of the GSBS blues challenge several months earlier. James also represented the New Hampshire organization at his two previous tries in the Memphis competition.
“My previous experiences certainly helped in arranging strong sets,” James said. “Knowing how to dress, how to act, how to engage the crowd, as some past performer pals of mine said. I really know how to tell the story of a song. You know, how to set up a song, then perform it accordingly to how I described it.”
“I felt very strongly my performance was good enough to win or at least take second,” James continued, confidently. “I thought our category was tougher as the band category had about four, maybe five bands that stood out, out of eight. Ours had seven, as one act was disqualified, and, another act, a duo, went way over time, so they got docked points, as they didn’t see time keeper holding up cards.”
Interestingly enough, Mr. James didn’t practice for this competition. He has a personal rule against practicing. “I don’t practice,” he stated flatly. He selected for his competition songs off his new album, Me, Myself, & I. These included “Long Black Road,” “Forgotten Youth, “ “What You Tryin’ To Do, “Ooh Yeah,” “Got Me A Woman,” and his album’s cover of “Kumbaya” as well as covers of “Grinning In Your Face” and his theme song “I’m A Stranger Here”
Arthur James CD My, Myself & I
The “Stranger” theme suits Mr. James quite well. Some years ago, James moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, relocating from one music scene to another. He is also a stranger in Memphis each time he goes down to compete. More importantly, Arthur James is an itinerant musician.
“It perfectly sums up what my belief is in playing music,” James said. “You blow into a town where no one knows you, and you pull out with a bunch of friends. I have very little desire to play to the same 10 to12 local yokels who will be sitting at the bar no matter who is playing. Some people only want to play the same two or three bars because they are close to home, and they know a dozen or so people will show up and tell them how good they sound, whether they do or not.”
The most important thing Arthur James gained from his third mission to Memphis was making friends and establishing contacts. “I’ve gained many, many friends in the blues world, which is what I’m all about,” Mr. James said.” It’s about the connections, not about the competing and being judged on your merits, which I have no problem with. Everyone judges you whether they want to admit it or not.”
Arthur James believes that his “third place” finish make him feel vindicated after a life of hard work and struggle as a blues man
“My goal all along was to make the semis,” he conceded. “Making the finals will help (his) career in some ways. Winning first place, though, would have been a game changer.”
Arthur James hasn’t felt this satisfied about completing a mission since he was a much a younger man. It matches a psychological high he experienced in his early manhood.
Photo contributed by Matt Sambito
“It’s comparable to riding my bike across the country solo when I was 22,” he said. .
While in Memphis Mr. James did as any Memphis blues fan and blue musicians would do.
“Did a lot of walking in Memphi, pun not intended. walked along the river up to but not inside the Pyramid,” he said, “which was under renovation.” Mr. James walked in some seedy parts in the city just off of Beale Street.
“I discovered Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken and had lunch there with Shawn Leonard from Mike Crandall’s band.” Mike Crandall Band was in Memphis representing the GSBS in the band competition. Arthur James did the obligatory shopping for blues albums, and he also purchased dry rub BBQ seasonings. Mr. James then met up with some friends from his previous competitions in Memphis, and he had a Mexican dinner with them.
Arthur James feels he finished up his finals set with a band, ending with his rendition of “Grinning In Your Face.” From the stage, he goofed about two previous performers, telling them he wanted his Son House record back.
“Anyways, I did it with the audience clapping, then unplugged and sang from the edge of the stage, then walked towards the side, stopping to sing into a dead mike. Tossing up my hands in an ’oh well’ gesture, I walked to the side, still singing, and then waving goodbye.” As Mr. James walked past an I.B.C. head honcho, who was laughing and clapping, saying to Mr. James “that was great.”
Arthur James also had some of his local New Hampshire community with him during his mission to Memphis. He hung out with the GSBS youth competitor Delaine Pickering and her parents as well as the GSBS president Audrey Fraizer.
“It really made a difference having familiar people there pulling for you,” Mr. James said. We had a lot of drinks and some food together as well. I got to personally introduce Delanie Pickering to Eric Hughes at an acoustic jam that was great to see on Beale Street. Again the best times of my musical career have been right there in Memphis.”
Editor’s note: James confirmed that Fraizer bought him drinks. Pickering, who is under aged, was not drinking alcoholic beverages nor was she offered any at the dinner mentioned above. – B.C.
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