It's cinnamon toast served with beef jerky, steaming
hot black coffee, a margarita and 3 shots of Tullamor
Dew.
If you haven't gotten your copy, get off your bobos
and order it or get on your bobos if you're ordering
online. This is the James from Envoy and Domino
Harvest. Like really good whiskey, it goes down easy
and you don't realize how hard it hits you till you
stand up.

Alice in Dallas
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"The Eternal Contradiction" is an impressive acoustic singer/songwriter CD by James Lee Stanley. The acoustic guitar work and overall sound on the CD are very beautiful. James' thoughtful lyrics and solid vocals cut through nicely in the clean and professional recording. This CD is clearly the work of a skilled singer/songwriter who put a lot of time and energy into the songs and the recording of the CD. "Let the Tree Fall" is one of our favorite tracks, with its tasteful acoustic guitar chord progressions, inspirational and visual message and memorable chorus. "Nothing to Keep You on My Mind" is a catchy upbeat song with interesting harmonica fills and excellent 3-part harmonies in the chorus. If you enjoy some of the legendary singer/songwriters such as Cat Stevens, James Taylor, or Crosby Stills & Nash you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!
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First things first: even the cover and the title of the CD are up to par. Sometimes artists skimp on these items, and even write throwaway lyrics, in favor of the music alone. But not James. The title, “The Eternal Contradiction”, is quirky and original, and is suggested by the cover image, which is an excellent drawing. Including a collage of fans on the inside and the back makes the whole package seem more personal.

I love the percussion underneath “Here We Are”. It compliments the “tick of the tock” lyrics nicely. Hearing background on the songs via James’s website adds to the meaning of the CD as well, such as the stories behind “It’s All in the Game”, “On the Bus”, “Mary January”, “Let the Tree Fall”, and “Street Where Mercy Died”. The rhythm underneath “On the Bus” is fabulous. I always liked hearing the song live, but the studio version adds more to it. James’s biting vocal is so appropriate on this one, too.

James seems to have a talent for covering other people’s songs with the perfect balance between familiar and unique. “The Loner” is no exception. Turning it into a waltz gives it a whole new feel. 

I’m trying to decide whether we should hold James responsible for Mary January’s disappearance or not! ;-) What he wrote came true in a sense. The saxophone solo is a great addition to the song. I always loved the high, clear, pure tones of James’ voice when he sings “Ma-ry Jan-u-ary.” The echoes on this song are a nice touch as well. I always enjoy hearing how the studio version differs from the live. Certain lines from this song are fabulous: “How did you find the door?”, “This is the start of the end of it all”, “It used to be different, each day from the last / Now it’s the same year to year”, “It’s so easy to slip between the cracks / But you should know, you cannot come back”, “‘Where did she go?’ they all wanted to know / No one wondered about her before.” This is one of the strongest songs on the album.

“This Fleeting Moment” has the most beautiful and bittersweet message. I love the way Tom and James wrote it together; it reminds me a little of how the Beatles “collaborated” beyond the grave on “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love”. A truly special song.

“Let the Tree Fall” has been one of my favorites for years, and this rendition is faithful to what I’ve heard live. It’s one of the best songs on this topic that I can think of. It’s refreshing to think that someone can take their pain and turn it into a song like this. 

The harmonica on “Nothing to Keep You on my Mind” is just marvelous! “Street Where Mercy Died” is one of the boldest songs I’ve heard about Katrina, and echoes elements of the old spirituals in the chorus. And the lyrics to “The World We Left Behind” touched me before I even heard the music. “Change” was the perfect way to close the album because it summed up the general theme of the CD. If you’ve enjoyed James’s last two solo albums, you’ll definitely love this one.
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My Dear James,

Your music with its depth and pathos slays me. Such soulfulness. Even selflessness. YOU MEAN yourself, with all your heart. your music is touchable. Tangible. ferocious. No prisoners only tribe, guests -- ... you know your craft unequivocally. Compositionally you are enviable and a great example to composers everywhere. To musicians everywhere. Hearing your excellence is like touching making love as if it is an entity. It possesses great passion; like the center of a shooting star. Thank you. 

allmepiratelove,
Lauren
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