Seth James, a working cowboy from West Texas, has released his new album Different Hat. The album showcases his unique blend of rock-and-soul roots funk, influenced by the blues.
James reflects on his early musical influences: “A lot of those songs sounded like they were from people who worked hard,” he says. Isolated on his family’s ranch in King County, James had to actively seek out music. “There’s not a radio on a horse,” he notes with a laugh.
His musical journey led him to discover artists like Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins, eventually shaping his own sound. Different Hat is produced by Kevin McKendree and features live recordings with skilled musicians. The album includes various styles such as country folk and Americana, all filtered through blues.
James recalls the freedom he had growing up: “There was nobody there to stifle me or tell me not to listen to this or that.” This self-assurance is evident in Different Hat. The opening track “Mamarita” exudes New Orleans energy and highlights the importance of understanding musical intricacies.
The album also features covers that showcase James’ interpretative skills. His rendition of JJ Cale’s “Raising Cain” includes Lee Roy Parnell on slide guitar and horns. Another Cale song, “Wish I Had Not Said,” features vocals from Jessica Murray, James’ wife.
Delbert McClinton suggested James cover his song “Solid Gold Plated Fool.” James didn’t hesitate: “It’s been an anthem for me most of my life.”
The closing track “Real Bad Deal” stands out as it doesn’t feature James’ guitar playing but focuses on his vocals backed by sparse instrumentation. “Sometimes it’s all about space,” he explains.
Other tracks include the funky “Gettin’ It On” and Motown-inspired “He Don’t Love You.” Songs like “Pleasing Linda Lou” and “Burn It Down” add to the album's diversity.
Two standout tracks penned by James are intricate story songs. "Big Trouble" pays tribute to an underground Texas guitar great, while "Moonpies" showcases clever lines and vivid imagery.
“World Full of Strangers” addresses the isolation felt during the last year without delving into quarantine blues or pandemic fear. Instead, it acknowledges the shared experience of finding familiarity again.
James emphasizes what music means to him: "I don’t want to do a good job so that I can be successful and sell more records... But that moment where everyone is together... I want to be part of that."