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James Nixon made his name in the gospel field, particularly with the 90s hit “Stand Up” and production work with the Fairfield Four. But the Nashville-based singer/songwriter/guitarist always kept one foot in the secular world, drawing on his experience working with Chess Records and his long-running club band the Imperials. Live in Europe showcases his mastery of the kind of soulful blues/bluesy soul that helped make BB King and Albert King legends. Recorded in Holland in 2001 and backed by a group featuring members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Nixon is in excellent form, balancing tight professionalism with the obvious joy he takes in playing this music. While there’s plenty of tasteful, stinging lead guitar, the cuts revolve less around six-string heroics than Nixon’s warm voice and romantically-challenged tunes. It’s nice to hear songs like the funky “Tongue-Tied Blues,” the yearning “Trying to Hold On” and the sorrowful “Sundown Blues” hold up on their own merits, rather than be propped up by guitar histrionics. Ending with a joyful “Stand Up” and a lovely version of the Impressions‘ “People Get Ready,” Nixon brings it back home to the gospel that inspires him, without leaving behind the R&B grooves that drive him. Live in Europe is 48 minutes of pure soul.
