James Lee Land
b. November 11th, 1936 in Jasper (Texas)
d. December 26th, 1994 in Waco (Texas)
THE DUKE RECORDINGS
Duke
July 1956 - June 1969
Buddy Ace est repéré par le producteur Don Robey qui veut en faire le successeur de Johnny Ace (décédé accidentellement en 1954). Il enregistre surtout des ballades Soul ou s'illustre sa belle voix mais qui paraissent aujourd'hui un peu surannées. D'autres morceaux plus ancrés dans la Soul Sudiste méritent l'écoute comme "I'm in the mood", "Whooping and hollering", "This little love of mine", "Screaming please", "Nothing in this world can hurt me", "Who can tell", "Hold on to this old fool", "Something for these blues". Une oeuvre intéressante d'environ 35 morceaux sortis entre 1956 et 1969.
Buddy Ace is spotted by producer Don Robey who wants to make him the successor to Johnny Ace (who died accidentally in 1954). He mainly records Soul ballads where shines his beautiful voice but which today seem a bit outdated. Other tracks more rooted in Southern Soul are worth listening to such as "I'm in the mood", "Whooping and hollering", "This little love of mine", "Screaming please", "Nothing in this world can hurt me", "Who can tell", "Hold on to this old fool", "Something for these blues". An interesting work of about 35 sides released between 1956 and 1969.
THE REAL THING
Jewel
1970 - 1972
Après une longue collaboration avec Duke, Buddy Ace arrive chez Jewel/Paula où il continue dans sa veine Soul-Blues : voix superbe, instrumentation cuivrée, arrangements soignés. Un programme consistant avec notamment le bluesy "Houston town" ou des morceaux plus Soul comme "Fingerprints", "Do what you think is best", "I love you funky soul" et même Funk avec "Take 'em up". Malheureusement, cette oeuvre intéressante n'apporta que bien peu de reconnaissance à Buddy Ace.
After a long collaboration with Duke, Buddy Ace arrives at Jewel/Paula where he continues in his Soul-Blues vein : superb voice, brassy instrumentation and nice arrangements. A consistent program in particular with the bluesy "Houston town" or more Soul tracks like "Fingerprints", "Do what you think is best", "I love you funky soul" and even Funk with "Take 'em up". Unfortunately, this interesting work brought only little recognition to Buddy Ace.
DON'T HURT NO MORE
Evejim
ROOT DOCTOR
Evejim
1990
Installé à Los Angeles depuis 1970 puis à Oakland, Buddy n'a pas été très productif dans les années 70 et 80 même s'il reste actif dans le circuit des clubs. Buddy grave tout de même une poignée de singles dans les années 80 pour différents petits labels (Teardrop, Sunny) sans succès. Mais c'est sa rencontre avec le producteur Leon Haywood qui lui permet de relancer sa carrière. Sur Evejim - le label d'Haywood - Buddy délivre un pur set de Soul-Blues cuivré et percutant avec des moments vraiment intenses : "Root doctor", "Don't hurt no more", "Chockin' kid", "Pouring water on a drowning man", "She ain't givin' up no love".
Living in Los Angeles since 1970 and then in Oakland, Buddy was not very productive in the 70's and 80's even if he remained active in the club circuit. However, Buddy cuts a handful of singles in the 80's for different small labels (Teardrop, Sunny) without success. But it was his meeting with producer Leon Haywood that allowed him to relaunch his career. On Evejim - Haywood's own label - Buddy delivers a pure set of brassy and punchy Soul-Blues with really intense moments : "Root doctor", "Don't hurt no more", "Chockin' kid", "Pouring water on a drowning man", "She ain't givin' up no love".
I'D RATHER DRINK MUDDY WATER
Blues Network
1990 or 1991
THE SILVER FOX
Evejim
1992
Second disque pour Evejim et Leon Haywood dans la continuité du premier. Il y a beaucoup de reprises mais généralement fort bien rendues : "It's time to move on" et "Damn sho get over you" de Ronnie Lovejoy, "Think" et "Do it together" de Jimmy Mac Cracklin, "Keep it in the family " de Leon Haywood. Excellent album au final mais dans lequel on aurait aimé voir émerger quelques compositions personnelles.
Second disc for Evejim and Leon Haywood in continuity with the first. There are a lot of covers but generally very well rendered : "It's time to move on" and "Damn sho get over you" from Ronnie Lovejoy, "Think" and "Do it together" from Jimmy Mac Cracklin, "Keep it in the family" from Leon Haywood. Finally an excellent album but in which we would have liked see some personal compositions emerge.
FROM ME TO YOU BOBBY BLAND
Evejim
1994
Album hommage à Bobby "Blue" Bland qui fut une des principales influences de Buddy Ace. L'album est produit par Leon Haywood et Tony Coleman. Buddy donne des lectures convaincantes des titres de Bland : "Two steps from the blues", "That's the way the love is", "Don't cry no more", "Further on up the road", "Stormy monday blues". Un hommage respectueux et consistant.
Tribute album to Bobby "Blue" Bland who was one of the main influences of Buddy Ace. The album is produced by Leon Haywood and Tony Coleman. Buddy gives convincing readings of Bland's titles : "Two steps from the blues", "That's the way the love is", "Don't cry no more", "Further on up the road", "Stormy monday blues". A respectful and consistent tribute.