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TWO TIMERS CD REVIEWS

 
INCLUDINGS:
TWO TIMERS - "Foot Stompin' Music" (Feelin' Good newsletter Issue 10/January 1998)
TWO TIMERS - AUBREY REX & OTHER STORIES

TWO TIMERS are Sarah James and Gordon Russell. In November 1995 they recorded their debut CD in Paris and it is now available here in the UK from Grand Records. The CD features 12 tracks most of which are original James / Russell compositions including my favourites: "Big Bad Lovin" which sounds like it could have been recorded for the Mad Man Blues sessions, "Footstompin' Music" a catchy tune with Gordon playing accoustic guitar, "Do It" - a faster uptempo number which goes down really well at live gigs, "One Good Reason" featuring Gordon on slide accoustic, "Childless Mother" a song which demonstrates Sarah's vocal range. The CD ends with "Whole Lotta Love" - yes the old Led Zeppelin track but a great version with accoustic guitar and Sarah's vocals make it another 'Live' favourite. In fact all 12 tracks combine to provide - "one good reason" to buy this CD so "get on the case man" and "Do It".

Every so often we get something through the post here at Rhythm Towers that really turns your head, this album is one of those little gems that make the worst of days, like today when the scanner won't work and we found out we need a new gas fire and back boiler, that give even the most cynical a ray of hope...
This private release from Sarah James (vocals, harmonica & percussion) and Gordon Russell (suitcase bass drum, guitars & mandolin) really hits the spot. I'll quote from their biog. because it really gives a sense of what this album is about: 'take two multi-instrumentalists with attitude, the mesmerising Sarah James and the taciturn Gordon Russell (ex-Dr. Feelgood); throw in an electrified suitcase, a strap-on snare, some raw harmonica and fiesty vocals; steamroller the lot with some rock-solid rhythm guitar - one helluva show for a start.'
The music sways from pop/rock to blues and the duo are more than capable of giving an extra spark to all musical forms, in the States they fit into the 'alt. country' bracket, the place for those who can't be pinned down... Twelve memorable tracks, 'big' guitar sounds and catchy lines from Gordon and can Sarah sing? Explosive electric skiffle for the new decade, where's me washboard? It's just a bit special, like Snakefarm with a heart, original material and a better singer."

"Aubrey Rex is a very exciting album. The sound, instrumentation and of course the line-up is something completely different from anything I've heard in a long time. The mix of rhythm & blues, rock'n'roll, blues and even psychedelia is something new and refreshing. A fine album."

"An absolutely stunning CD - innovative, interesting and highly listenable."

Everyone should get to know this duo, vocalist, harp player and percussionist Sarah James and guitarist and slide player Gordon Russell better. Their first album, "Two Timers", was great and they are wonderful live. The material on this, their second album, strays from their bluesy origins. Eleven of the tracks are their own compositions. The twelfth is "Lock and Key" (Harrison, Moody, Solley), one of the numerous standout tracks, which is breathtaking when they play it live. Gordon puts everything into it. Other favourites include "Everybody Else", with its R&B riff reminiscent of Chuck Berry's 'Nadine', and the raggy, uptempo "Good Glasses' with its 'come and go ending'. There are no other musicians on this album and very few over-dubs and most of those are vocals. Dave Bronze, the producer, commendably resisted adding bass, relying on Gordon's suitcase drum. Gordon sure can play anything on guitar. Sarah sure can sing and, whether she whips up a storm with her vibrant percussion or plays violin or cool harp as on the instrumental "Lover Street", she commands attention.
Rating: 7

Fran Leslie - Blueprint November 1999 / UK

Yes folks the long awaited new CD from Gordon Russell and Sarah James collectively known as TWO TIMERS. The CD contains 12 tracks or should I say stories from slow meaningful ballads to fast meaningful ballads!! Tracks include such strange titles as "Favourite Fish" and the title track "Aubrey Rex". One of my favourites is "Everybody else" with some great guitar from Gordon and Sarah singing "I'm not like everybody else"… …..an understatement that, who else would play instruments such as harmonica, violin, spoons, snare drum, diverse percussion and unorthodox noises. Gordon doesn't play as many, only electric, acoustic and baritone guitars, mandolin, suitcase drum and additional percussion. Another fave is "Good Glasses" a real rocky song reminds me of the "Drs Orders" album, "My Big Mistake" for the lyrics along with "Lover Street" for the haunting harmonica playing alongside the guitar… ….a great instrumental. Incidently "Everybody else" and "Good Glasses" both could be Dr Feelgoods song but then like most of the others on this CD Gordon and Sarah wrote it.

…On this side of the Atlantic, people should take note of Two Timers, a duo featuring Sarah James on vocals, violin, percussion (including spoons) and Gordon Russell on guitars. Aubrey Rex & Other Stories (Credo) ranges from dreamy to downhome with a selection of thoughtful self-penned numbers…

An all bang and strum it philosophy rewards here as Sarah James and Gordon Russell reveal his roots in Dr. Feelgood, the blues in general and a busking habit in general. A rag bag of efficient, stripped bare writing, a voice from James which makes your ears burn and chunks of ragged guitar.