Podcast 876: A Conversation with Bob James

Keyboardist Bob James is so deeply associated with electric music from the 1970's and the all-star band Fourplay that it's easy to forget his roots lie in the acoustic piano trio. From his days working with Sarah Vaughan and then with a series of solid trios (check out The Lost 1965 New York Studio Sessions for proof), James has always had the chops to play in that demanding format. His latest trio, with bassist Michael Palazzolo and long-time drummer Billy Kilson, recorded a "live in the studio" album, Feel Like Making LIVE!, that was released in audio and video formats at the end of January. The acoustic trio went deep into the James catalogue to reinterpret genre-defining tunes like "Nautilus", "Westchester Lady", "Nightcrawler", "Angela" and the James-penned "Mr. Magic" a smash for Grover Washington, Jr. To those well-known tunes are added pop classics from "Downtown" to Elton John's "Rocket Man" and jazz standards like "Nardis." Full of the spontaneity and freshness that live recordings bring, it's an album that will satisfy those who have followed Mr. James over the past few years, and surprise those who only see him as a fusion/smooth jazz player. Podcast 876 is my conversation with Bob, who was just capping a month-long tour with a few shows at the Blue Note in New York, including a guest appearance with Talib Kweli and his live band, along with Old School rapper and record producer Slick Rick. We discussed his recent shows, how Feel Like Making LIVE! came together and how he approaches his old hits in a new format. He also shared a few hints as to the future of supergroup Fourplay, still dealing with the loss of guitar whiz Chuck Loeb almost five years ago. Musical selections from the trio recording include "Nautilus" and "Rocket Man."