JAMES JUDSON

SONGS OF MY DREAMS

Independent Label

Singer, composer, musician, James Judson is one of those people who dreams the music, wakes up with a start, then quickly writes the melody down. This debut album is full of dreamy love songs.

“I wake up with a song, sometimes fully formed, sometimes just a melody and a few key lyrics. I’ll be the first to admit these songs aren’t written in the traditional sense, they just show up,” Judson explains in his liner notes.

With the guidance of Grammy-winning producer, Tim Sonnefeld, these songs that once evolved in the ethereal space between dreams and reality come alive on this project.

Judson has written eleven out of the thirteen songs for this album, with two ‘covers.’  He opens with his swinging original “Is There A Chance” propelled by an entire orchestra.

His arranger, producer, Sonnefeld slows the groove down to an orchestrated blues on “The Shadow of Your Smile” where Judson’s warm, charming tone caresses each note with care.  The third Track that he calls “Stars Past the Milky Way” sounds like it’s based on the popular song “On the Street Where You Live.”  Another song called “Walking a Sidewalk” sounds very much like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”  Often, jazz musicians take liberties, writing new songs over old familiar chord changes. All of Judson’s melodies are clearly his own.

On the tune “All of Me,” the drummer, Charles Ruggiero, lays down a terrific groove, using mallets.  Judson has paired up with vocalist Laura Cole to sing this familiar standard. Pleasantly, they add the opening verse that is rarely heard.

James Judson grew up in Boulder, Colorado, part of a large coal mining family. Music touched him early in life. By thirteen, he was working in a rock band as their drummer and lead vocalist. In high school, he joined a Top forty band that played all the ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ and ‘Chicago’ hits of the day. They performed at weddings, state fairs and local venues.  But, once married, with a growing family, including six children, Judson reached a crossroad.  He chose to put his efforts into a growing construction business, rather than to pursue his fickle music career. With “Songs of My Dreams,” he returns to his passion and deep love for music.

This is an album that reminds me of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie days.  Judson has a soothing, smooth baritone voice.  The lyrics to his original songs are well written.  His melodies roll like sugar off his tongue, enticing us with his big band orchestration and infectious tone.  This is an impressive debut recording from an artist who heard these songs in his dreams. How wonderful that with fortitude and determination he has brought them to life on this debut album.

JAMES JUDSON ORCHESTRA: James Judson, vocals; Tim Sonnefeld, string & horn arranger/co-producer/Hammond B3 organ/Fender Rhodes keyboard/guitar; Gary Matsumoto & Max Haymer, piano; Mike Gurrola, Dan Lutz, & Charles Glenn, bass; Kelvin Holly, Anders Mouridsen & Steve Cotter, guitars; Charles Ruggiero, drums; Leddie Garcia, percussion. Justin Flynn, horn arranger. TRUMPETS: Michael Campagna, Aaron Janik, Dan Fornero, Dave Richards, & Mike Cordone; SAXOPHONES: Bob Sheppard, Anton Sushev, Bob Reynolds, Doug Webb, & Jason Fabus. TROMBONES: Erik Hughes, Ryan Dragon, Joshua Brown, & Todd Eames. VIOLINS: Eliza James, Olga Ivanenko, Laurann Woods, & Lily Honigberg. VIOLAS: Jennifer Wu & Troy Everett. CELLOS: Jean-Paul Barjon & Judy Kang. GUEST SINGER: Laura Cole.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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