As 2025 winds down, it’s time to begin looking back on my favorite albums of the year. One such project I keep revisiting is guitarist Jamie James’ bluesy rock and roll filled album ‘Straight Up’. Already familiar with his work in the 80’s with legendary rockabilly trio The Kingbees, when I came across “Septuagenarian Blues” and “Showbiz Boogie” from the effort in my e-mailbox, the full project would be an automatic listen. Getting reviews from P&L Music which call ‘Straight Up’ a “record that pours a whiskey and lets the groove do the talking” , the 40 minutes breeze by with honky tonk grittiness.

I connected with Jamie to chat about his fascinating career playing with the New Steppenwolf at LA’s historic venue Whisky a Go-Go the same night as Van Halen, hitting Billboard Hot 100 with The Kingbees, performing on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and working with Taylor Hackford on “The Idolmaker”. I knew he’d have great stories to tell and Jamie didn’t disappoint. Check out the interview soundclips below and stream the new album- https://lnk.to/StraightUp!