Are you listening to Spoonful James?

Perhaps “The Hollies” said it best,  ”The road is long, with many a winding turn. That leads us to who knows where, who knows where.” Indeed, the road has been a long one for Spoonful James, complete with twists and turns.   Beginning their journey in 1996,  Spoonful James recorded three albums, Leave That Door Open in 1998 and Seven Mile Breakdown in 2001. The first album, which was “self-titled” was recorded in 1997,  and is now out of print. The band regretfully parted ways in 2003 and reformed in 2006.

Wynn Christian - Lead vox/guitar

A couple of years ago, while working on a project with Spoonful James,  I had the opportunity to ask Wynn about the future, to which he replied,  ”I would like to see Spoonful James do some more recording over the next couple of years. Quinn and I have often thought that there is still a record out there that we didn’t get to record with Seven Mile Breakdown.”

Patrick Lunceford - Drums

On May 10, 2008,   Spoonful James  performed at  ”A Soul Affair”, also known as the Soul Patrol Convention,  a fan gathering for their good friend and fellow musician Taylor Hicks, in Birmingham, AL.  Later that evening the band performed at Ona’s Music Room with Taylor himself.  Exhausted from hours of performing at the two shows,  using their amps to hold them up, the band paused at the end of the evening to reflect on the events of the day.   Quinn recalls  ”We all kind of came to the consensus that this whole thing is just too fun and exciting to just live off the old stuff.  With Taylor’s new found fame,  we noticed a lot of folks finding out about us.”   Since all the band members were all working on writing some really interesting songs,  both on their own and as a group,  they decided the time had come to try to put together a new album.

Quinn Borland - electric bass/back-up vox

Quinn continues “We would rehearse and Wynn would bring in some awesome new song he was working on and it just kept happening.  I’d have ideas or we all would just come up with stuff there on the spot.  We started realizing we were writing more–and in less time–than when we were all living in the same town.  Before we knew it we had a whole album on our hands.   After listening to the playback from rehearsals,  we knew 100% that we were on to something.  I feel it is the best music I  have ever been a part of.  The album, which is officially titled “Are You Listening?”, is a great representation of where we are and what we’ve learned along the way. “

Guest artists - John Troutman/Eric Adcock

For Spoonful James, the long and winding road has led to their first album in 9 years.  Recorded at La Louisianne Studio in Lafayette, LA, the album includes guest musicians Eric Adcock and John Troutman, who is also co-producer.

The new album is due to be released on May 5.  A new video from the album for the song, “Why Don’t We (Just Go Home)”,  will also be released in the first week of May.

Eric Baath - Keyboards

The “Are You Listening?” CD will be available for purchase at Amazon.com,  CD Baby.com,  iTunes, ZUNE, and at the live shows.

As for me, I’ll be listening!  Will you?

*Spoonful James music and info can also be found at the following websites:  www.myspace.com/spoonfuljames,  facebook.com,  and Reverbnation.com

Photo credits: Harris Mendheim

Welcome to Willow’s Music Room!

Hello and welcome to Willow’s Music Room.    A few years ago I was feeling frustrated with writing articles and being at the mercy of others to chop and change my words, until they were no longer my own.  Today,  history repeated itself.  Tonight that all changes.  Two years ago a good friend told me if I wanted my words to be heard the way they were meant to be,  then maybe it was time I considered opening my own site.  At times my grammar and punctuation may be a bit off,  I still have a lot to learn and remember from school days long ago.  I’m not perfect, nor are my words.  But I know what I want to say.  I will be writing about all aspects of music.  Tonight I open with a piece about  a band that I have had the pleasure to work with for a couple of years.  They have a new album out and I hope you will give them a listen.  I will be covering some local music as well.  I am pleased to announce that I will soon be working with a young hip hop artist ,  a very talented singer and writer!  The site is a work in progress and at some point I hope to add videos to the blog.   I hope you will enjoy revisiting old favorites,  as well as find some  artists and music that will become new favorites!  Comments are welcomed and encouraged,  but please keep them clean so as not to offend any readers.  Thank you & hope you enjoy!