Submitted by Don Graham
If you like your singer/songwriter records to be raw, pure and rich in honest pure emotion then James Leblanc’s new release 'Nature of the Beast' is a must have for your music library. James combines the social conscience and primal messages of Steve Earle, the flair of Townes Van Zandt and the poetry of Guy Clark while still keeping it distinctly James Leblanc.
Even if you haven’t heard the name James Leblanc you’ve heard his songs, having racked up sales of over 25 million records with artists recording his tunes. The best known so far would be “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt although with a song on the new Tim McGraw /Faith Hill album that could change. Songs by Jason Aldean, “Relentless” and Gary Allen “Learning How To Bend” add to the list.
'Nature of the Beast' is Leblanc’s first effort in a decade and was worth the wait. I was fortunate to meet James when I recorded recently in Muscles Shoals at the Nutthouse Studio and James was the session guitarist. And the Nutthouse is where James, a Shreveport Louisiana native living in the Shoals area, recorded 'Nature of the Beast' with fellow Louisiana native, Grammy Winner Jimmy Nutt along with Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist David Hood and James’ son Dylan and partner Angela Hacker. Of the 12 tracks, all but two written or co-written by LeBlanc with exceptions being “Answers” written by James’ son Dylan and “Beans” the old chestnut from Shel Silverstein.