Jim
Armstrong
Junction
Road
where
rock meets twang
The road from birth to
death is a unique journey that everyone must travel and some of us
have smoother, easier paths than others. Jim Armstrong's
journey has been one filled with much adversity. A self-taught
multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter, Jim has lived
with severe epilepsy since surviving encephalitis as a child. Years
of seizures, medications, even brain surgery – Jim has lived
through it all with an incredible inner strength and a sense of
humour which colours and defines his music and songwriting.
After Jim's well-received
debut album, 2007's MUDTOWN, he began writing and recording
new material with the intention of releasing another album in 2009.
However things took a different, more difficult turn when Jim,
while out shopping, was knocked to the ground by a store employee
wielding a manual forklift. The resulting injury has been another
life-altering hurdle for Jim. His left hand fingers (fretting hand)
are now permanently damaged requiring him to wear metal ring splints
on them 24/7. No longer able to play some instruments and having to
relearn and adapt to playing others, it has a been a long and painful
journey for Jim to complete his new album, JUNCTION ROAD
(2010, Sonic Deli Records).
“Where rock meets
twang” befits Jim's musical style; a seamless blend of Rock, Roots,
Americana and Alt-Country genres that comprise the 14 tracks on
JUNCTION ROAD. Jim's songs are compelling; with catchy, hooky
melodies and sometimes deceptively dark lyrics. He frequently sings
of hard luck stories peopled with underdogs and all their small
defeats and triumphs. Notable songs include the giddy, high-energy
“Dollars In His Wallet”, the sweetly sad and nostalgic “Worn
Out Shoes”, darkly brooding “Joanne” and a rousing “Walk
Alone”. Whether dynamically uptempo or slow and thoughtful all 14
songs on Junction Road have a sense of Jim's enduring spirit and
strong social consciousness.
Writing, arranging,
singing, playing, recording and producing his own material, Jim also
enlists the talent of his exceptionally fine backing musicians,
collectively known as the Sonic Deli Band. SDB is comprised of
drummer,
Alvin Lapp; bassist Jeff
Beauchamp; lead guitarist, Kenji Miura aka Kenmi Chank and
lead/rhythm guitarist, Val Oddo. Special guest, Phil Manning
provides Hammond B3 and additional keys. Together they have made
JUNCTION ROAD a stand-out musical journey for the listener –
enjoy.
_____________________________
Jim Armstrong is the core
and catalyst of The Sonic Deli Inc / Sonic Deli Records, a
Toronto-based music production house and independent record label. A
multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and producer, Armstrong
began his musical career as a touring drummer at the age of 10. Over
the past three decades, his work has included live performances,
radio play, extensive songwriting with and for a number of artists,
recording, engineering, arranging and producing independent
commercial releases.
Together with his
songwriting and business partner, Andrea Poulis, who has a background
in film production, Jim Armstrong composes independent film scores
and the two of them have an extensive publishing catalogue available
for film and television licensing. www.sonicdelirecords.com
___________________________
Jim is backed by The Sonic Deli Band which includes the incredibly talented Jeff Beauchamp on bass (XMEN, Vince Gill, Jason McCoy, Lee Roy Parnell, The Meteors, Honeymoon Suite...); drummer Alvin Lapp, (who did a 3 year stint with Buddy Guy, and has done studio and tour support with The Jayhawks, Jackson Browne, Colin James, Goo Goo Dolls, The Quakes…); lead guitarist/studio, Kenji Miura aka Kenmi Chank of Osaka, Japan; lead guitarist/live Val Oddo.
Jim Armstrong -- Select media and testimonials:
For
Junction Road
Joaquin
Lopez Diaz, Rock and Roll Circus: "Junction Road is up in my
list of favourite albums of 2010 in the Americana/Roots genre.
Classic, mature, sensitive songwriting from a true fighter in life
and REAL Rock'n'Roll. In a perfect world songs like "When I Kiss
You" would be monster radio hits. PURE MAGIC. "Sanctify"
send me shivers at the spine. Graham Parker would die for this
ballad. "Dollars In His Wallet" is cowpunk to the bone,
hillbilly mayhem. I love the whole album - I think it is one of the
best Americana/Roots pieces of the year. Classic stuff."
Joe
Chisholm, IndieCan Radio: “Junction Road is a transporter ride from
the front porch, to behind the wheel of the car, to a time long, long
ago, to afternoon tea with your own conscience. It’s a well
written Americana meets Rock ‘n’ Roll ride from start to finish."
Johan
Schoenmakers, AltCountryForum.nl: "The style of "Junction
Road is a crossover of old country music, Americana and Altcountry.
It is a fine album with one good tune after another...In short:
Strong and catchy songs, fine musicians and a beautiful production -
"Junction Road" by Jim Armstrong has it all."
John
Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network: "After listening to the
magnificent new release Junction Rd. I am now more convinced than
ever that Canada does indeed have an answer to Tom Petty, Bruce
Springsteen and all others that fall into those styles, and he comes
in the form of Jim Armstrong...The first 3 tracks off "Junction
Rd." will no doubt yank you off your seat and pull you up to the
dance floor, from there on the spell that is Jim Armstrong's music
will have already captivated you and any chance of retreat, will not
only be futile, but it will also be unwanted. As you travel on
through "Junction Rd.", you will steadily gain a profound
appreciation, not only for the immense musical talent displayed on
this album, but also for the immense lyrical talent which Jim
Armstrong possesses. You will be taken through life's highest highs
and lowest lows, with the over riding theme being one's ability to
adapt and triumph in the end...I highly recommend "Junction
Rd."...5***** "
Valsam,
RootsTime.be: “Jim
Armstrong may take some time in getting new work out on the market,
but if the quality of all his work is as high as it is on "Junction
Road" we can only admire this approach and conclude that this
Canadian multi-instrumentalist should have his work labelled "pretty
damn good stuff": an absolute must for all the loyal fans of the
best roots rock and Americana music.”
Uncle
Shag, WLSO.FM & Longtown Sound: "Here we are at the end of
2010 and Jim Armstrong is kicking high with the drop of a new CD
"Junction Road" and with a heart pumping strength in his
vocals rivaling The Boss and Neil Young and at times a mix of Mel
Torme and Bill Murray for sheer will to be...I listen to a LOT of
music and it's always a joy when ALL the cuts on a CD are gems and
Jim Armstrong has it in his CD, “Junction Road."
Keith
Ross Leckie, Emmy and Gemini award-winning writer/producer (Lost In
The Barrens, Journey Into Darkness, The Arrow, Coppermine): “Always
a great fan of Jim's music, I find this new album "Junction
Road" begins where "Mudtown" left off and sets a new
standard. The band has never been tighter and the arrangements bring
out their best, but what is superlative on this album is the lyrics.
Jim creates stories and characters, strong visual images and
metaphors that make you feel like you've just watched a dramatic
movie in your head, all in three and a half minutes. "David and
Jenny", "Worn Out Shoes" and "Breaker's Point"
are good examples. "Dollars In His Wallet" is just a
classic display of Jim's hard driving rock and roll. Congratulations
Jim. Whatever is inspiring you, don't let it stop!“
Ken
D., 2Kens Comedy Club Indie & YCMIU: "The best music is that
which connects to the listener on an emotional level and if that is
the standard, then Jim Armstrong’s music is among the very best.
He’s overcome more adversity in his life than anyone should have to
bear, and perhaps as a result, many of his songs celebrate everyday
people who have beaten the odds and overcome hurdles of their own.
Plus, his music is just plain enjoyable to listen to - so, enjoy!"