James Hunter - No Smoke Without Fire

[KeithHarperSF]

Love this song. Thanks for posting!

[ehipster]

Yea like so many guitarists think you have to play lots of notes as fast as they can and then can't understand why BB King can get more out of one note that they can in their whole life. Hunter is no craftsman but he gets the job done OK. but the vocals are awesome!

[sosmooth7]

Great singing sounds a little like Stevie Ray Vaughn. The music has a nice groove to it. If you'd close your eyes you'd have to ask who was that singing,because he sure doesn't sound caucasion

[TheBumblebeeMassacre]

youtube.com/watch?v=h1mO_X1ynt­4&feature=fvwk

[jorni22]

'great lines and great vocals !!

[belenig]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmme gustaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaa

[hockeyplayer168]

I don't see anything wrong with his guitar playing. It's not like he's trying to be Joe Satriani...

[spiffylamb287]

I LOVE this live version.

I feel like the studio wasn't as good as this

but i like it nonetheless :D

[saucyviolet]

Go geezer! You come a long way since I last seed you wiv someone else's dog on a bit of string on the Silverlink all them years agoxxxx

[Patrickphx11]

A white James Brown Damm

[Pumpkinpiegal2]

HOUSE!

[unlimitedfunlol]

@Pumpkinpiegal2 RIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHTTTTTTTT!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[huntervaughn09]

we've seen james and his band 3 times in the last couple years, freaking great!

[cubalibrist]

As you can see I've been filming him in three different shows... will see him again at North Sea Jazz Festival... he's getting better every time, still improving as a guitarist

[tomparm]

JH has one helluva backup band- very rootsy rhythm and blues. I love the way they use an upright base. Just great music.

[guitarandharp]

hi tomparm

You're right. I love his band. They're perfect. It's not loud and it's not a tribute band! There's two pluses right there!

James Hunter himself is 'growing on me'...I have found both his singing and playing somewhat mannered at times. The guitar work could be a little more melodic, less staccato. He's obviously sincere and really into the music. This is a good song with a good groove.

I wish him and his band well.

[tomparm]

Hey guitarharp--

I think you're right about the staccato quality of his playing, and even the mannerisms. But what saves him is the easy, bluesy tone of his singing. I wonder sometimes what his band would sound like if someone like Mick Taylor (formerly guitarist with the Bluesbreakers, and the Stones) - who has such a fluid guitar style - sat in with them. A guitarist of Mick Taylor's caliber could bring James Hunter and his band to another level.

[guitarandharp]

That's an interesting idea...although (and please don't be offended) Mick Taylor would not be my choice. I am tough on guitar players - I grew up listening to Django Reinhardt, then discovered the great blues and rock & roll players, so Mick Taylor is not on my list of the greats.

I also doubt that James Hunter would want to give up his playing - he evidently enjoys what he does, and that's fine. And I do agree with you re his singing.

I'd definitely audition if I ever hear that he's looking!

[tomparm]

I'm not offended at all. I'm not well-schooled at all in jazz, so I don't have the reference points you have. Another reason I like James Hunter so much is because he reminds me of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. I like soulful singing and playing that does not stray to far from the bones of a song. James Hunter and his band can get to the heart of a song. And, yes, JH would never give up his playing, but perhaps you could find a way to jam with him.

[guitarandharp]

To jam with him and that great band would be fantastic!

I like your phrase 'the heart of a song', that's good, I'm going to remember that.

If you get chance to hear some Django, then I recommend his last session, recorded in 1953. That's in great sound with excellent, modern accompanists. I like Django for his fluidity, lyricism and fire.

Best wishes, take care

[OKKOKA]

junior parker has awoken from his grave what a voice this is greatWOW!

[cbeck62]

Totally awesome performer. Total music!

Some give him a hard time for some sloppy playing, but it somehow all comes together. Kind of reminds me of Jerry Garcia.

This guy will eat any and all speedfreak guitar shredder for lunch! Again pure music (and entertainment).

[woolters]

exactly, I'd say a song gets a lot more personality when there's a little sloppiness in them. That's what makes stick. It's so greasy it sticks. And doesn't the grease make it taste so good?

[hennahs]

i have a feeling people wont believe me but he is my dads friend and his name is ian i think

[seaside90]

Enorme, enorme.

[drummer5359]

His performances are the real deal. Amazing band too.

[may9th]

ha, I gave tickets for him @ paradiso to my dad for his birthday, so I'm going there with him :D Can't wait :)

[KatSchu81]

the best!

[Magicbrianwood]

I have written and broadcasted on the blues and RnB for 3 decades and Hunter is the best we have seen from the Isles for many,many years.

[jonrickly]

never knew of hin untill a week ago...

now i'm his biggest fan.

yea stagu...he's a singer/guitar player..

but i must say...he's very good at rythem guitar.

love his stuff!!

[marylokiya]

vaya tela... es la primera vez k lo escuxo y tengo k decir k es buenisimooooOoooOOoOO!!!

[chevytrukman09]

James Hunter amazing. saw him at the fraze in kettering ohio. put on a hell of a show

[jorni22]

lovely to hear and to sing along

[stuagu]

great band & a good voice but his guitar playing is a bit iffy.

[malicious199]

@stuagu Its called being stylistic... If you played guitar to any real standard you would understand that what he is doing is actually quite hard to acheive.

[janester07]

Thanks for the video. Look forward to seeing James live in Ann Arbor in June.

[candleflame101]

Jame you are the best. I just wih everyone knew about you.Saw you last night at the 100 club. Thank you for a good night!