Jason James Readies Much Anticipated Album “Seems Like Tears Ago”
George Jones once famously asked, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” Jason James may have a long way to go to forge a similar legacy to the greats of the Golden Era of country music, but he doesn’t have to travel far at all to illustrate the same talent those legends did in putting sound behind the emotions of heartache and joy that the best of country music captures.
The wait for the sophomore record from Jason James hasn’t exactly been like Chinese Democracy, but it’s been painstaking for his fans nonetheless. How can you blame the bellyaching when the Texas native is able to evoke the sounds and themes of classic country in a way you just can’t hear these days unless you dust off your old vinyl records?
“I really think that what I’m doing is pretty universal and that people can recognize honesty and passion when they hear it,” he says. “It’s worth remembering that at one time, the stuff that was popular on the country chart were the guys who influenced me. So I know that it can work. I think people still hear music the same way they always have, and they’re looking for the same things in music that they’ve always looked for. They just want to hear something that’s honest and catchy, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
He’ll be doing that once again when his next album Seems Like Tears Ago arrives on October 4th via his own label, Melodyville Records. Once inadvertently regaled in faint praise by his previous record label New West Records for writing “too much like Hank Williams Sr.” and sounding “too much like George Jones,” Jason James isn’t changing for anyone, or anything. And even if big labels or radio don’t pay attention, he’ll find a path forward, just like he did when his cover of Earnest Tubb’s “Let’s Say Goodbye, Like We Said Hello” found its way into a Shiner beer commercial during the last Super Bowl (listen below).
First rumored to be arriving in late 2018, and then February of 2019, there’s no turning back now for Seems Like Tears Ago. “I’m extremely proud of this record and I feel it’s some of my best work yet,” James says of the record in 2018. “I’ve gone through hell to get this record to the public. It’s a small price to pay though for the genre that I love more than anything.”
Seems Like Tears Ago was produced by John Evans. Expect to see a single and pre-order links for the album soon, preceding the October 4th release date.
Seems Like Tears Ago Track List:
1. Seems Like Tears Ago
2. I Miss You After All
3. Move A Little Closer
4. We’re Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight
5. Achin’ Takin’ Place
6. Simply Divine
7. Coldest Day Of The Year
8. Cry On The Bayou
9. Foolish Heart
10. Ole Used To Be
Youngblood
July 30, 2019 @ 7:26 pm
That’s some good shit. I don’t know how I’ve missed this one for (apparently) so long. Thanks for the heads up.
Brian
July 30, 2019 @ 8:11 pm
Big fan of John Evans and also enjoy Jason James. I hope it’s a success. Trig, as far as I know you’ve never covered John Evans Band but if nothing else it’s worth a listen.
Kevin Smith
July 31, 2019 @ 7:02 am
The song sample here is I guess, previous work from Jason, and not on the upcoming record. Very Countrypolitan with the background singers. In general I like this retro vibe. I am a fan of Zephaniah O’Hora and Josh Hedley for the same reasons. I’m interested in hearing more of his stuff. This will definitely get him noticed by The Ameripolitan folks. Good on Trig for posting this.
Daniel Cooper
July 31, 2019 @ 7:05 am
On an unrelated note, Trigger, have you heard anything about the new album Clint Black just announced he would drop August 16th?
dukeroberts
July 31, 2019 @ 8:07 am
Me like.
Tex Hex
July 31, 2019 @ 8:09 am
Not bad. In this retro trad-style, I really dig Jake Blocker. His two singles this year sound great. Anybody know what’s up with him? Any plans for an album? I get the impression he’s really young, basically a bedroom artist, and may not have the resources.
Tracy
July 31, 2019 @ 8:52 am
Writes too much like Hank? Sounds too much like Jones? Yes, please!!!! Thank you once again, Trigger, for pointing me towards REAL country music that I’d never hear otherwise!
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 31, 2019 @ 10:45 am
Of course I like the kid’s style, but he just sounds like an impersonator to me. He’s clearly going out of his way to imitate Jones’ phrasing. It’s corny.
It’s like, yeah man, you can imitate somebody, but that’s not your real voice, so why should I care.
This is what I DO like about the Hedley kid. His voice isn’t great, but it’s his voice.
karl
August 2, 2019 @ 12:05 pm
I think it’s entirely possible that this is his voice. I’m a fan.
Todd Villars
July 31, 2019 @ 9:59 pm
I like it, yes there is some Jones phrasing in there but it sounds good to me. His first album was good also. Look forward to buying this one.
Donba
August 1, 2019 @ 10:01 am
So PROUD of this young courty to bone young man!
Blockman
August 2, 2019 @ 12:36 am
It sounds like a mid- range Jones but doesn’t have the same twisting highs and lows that make George the king. Not bad.
karl
August 2, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
I’m looking forward to this, Trigger. You forced me to listen to and buy his first album after reading your review. Favorite song: “I’ve been drinking more”. I have never regretted it. Now I expect it to happen again.
Jordan Stacey
August 3, 2019 @ 4:43 am
I had downloaded two of his singles from his first album and loved them but haven’t got around to buying the full thing. I will wait for the new one to come out and order them together!
Andrew
March 2, 2023 @ 3:24 am
Just turned onto his music. Yeah sure sounds like ole George, but hey I can live with that. As the great Keith Whitley once said, people said he everyone said he sounded like Lefty Frizzell, and if they were going to compare him to anyone, then he couldn’t think of anyone better.
Marcus McFaul
June 22, 2023 @ 7:56 pm
Ernest Tubb