Rock Scars
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Topaz Review
by
James Hester
Velour Music recording artists Topaz are “smooth operators” on their current release The Zone. Listeners may remember hearing the ensemble open for jazz guitar virtuoso John Scofield at Blue Cats here in Knoxville. This CD masterfully blends East-coast jazz standards with Latin beats and funky disco arrangements to create a mellow treasure of sound. The band opens with a fluid tick-tock drumbeat and horns reminiscent of those on 70’s TV cop shows like Starski & Hutch or CHIPS. In the tune “Minha Mente” is a voice chanting “In my mind…” as the band pours their souls into the music. The next song “I Can See It In You” is a happy story about the gift of friendship and having a good time with someone special. It is a good mood setter and an accurate reflection of the group’s live sound due to its lively beats and chorus horn parts.
The third song “Walkabout” is a dramatic suspense builder similar to scenes where the detectives drive about slowly at night in their old Plymouths hunting for the bad guys. It definitely has a classic style complete with thick, phat bass lines, keyboards, whah-pedals, stereo chorus, and saturated with reverb and a slick production. Wonderful movement is created in the song with the clear, crisp, and syncopated drums keeping a steady rhythm behind the meandering crescendos of the horns. The next song “4th & D,” slows listeners down with a light and somber instrumental. The tune sails gently through a stream of scales gradually building its tempo along the way to a danceable beat, and then gently returning listeners to calmer waters. The band continues their odyssey in the tune “You & Me.” It is another item that aids the listener in creating a relaxed ambience as the band incorporates an echo effect on the vocals and carefully orchestrates horn scale arrangements.
Next, is the song “The Zone.” It begins lightly with drummer Christian Urich brushing the symbols and quickly builds into a roaring funk inferno. This song opens with very clean sounding guitar strums. It develops into an eclectic barrage of fusion saxophones complimenting Ethan White’s Wurlitzer organ. The complexity of Topaz’ musicianship is evident as the guitar and keyboards rely heavily on electronic effects such as whah-whah and reverb. Again, this piece articulately reflects what the band might sound like live. Track number seven “Naked” has a very tribal feel and begins with African woodwinds and drums. It starts slowly, builds into a frenzy of lively horns, and returns to soft serenity. Topaz ends its CD with “Fat City Strut.” The song introduces itself to listeners with a guy yelling the songs’ title. It has a sound and feel that is very reminiscent of the godfather of soul James Brown and his work. Every instrument and every part of this song is masterfully arranged by Topaz. It contains more traditional horn parts than the others and it ends with a man’s facetious laughter. In closing, this CD is highly recommended. Its songs were well-written and the production was superb. For a serene moment of positive energy, check out “The Zone.” Grade: A+
Many thanks go to Jenn from Velour Records for giving me Topaz' CD and asking me to review it. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the band live and getting to meet them. This CD is one of the best in my collection. At the time when I received this CD, Topaz was on tour with legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield and I was a guest for the show. This article was published prior to this book in The Daily Beacon Newspaper.
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About the Book
After having met thousands of musicians and celebrities, James Hester decided to write a book about how life in the entertainment industry was not always glamorous to him. His book, “Rock Scars,” chronicles his personal journey through entertainment and explores the essentials of being a rock star. While traveling the road to fame and fortune, Hester investigates various facets of entertainment including demographics, religion, sex, politics, and drugs. His writing is a heart-felt memoir giving readers an insider's perspective on an industry that often encourages controversy and exploitation. James has witnessed both the ecstasies as well as the debaucheries of rock 'n roll.
Although “Rocks Scars” contains a wealth of serious content, it is also laced with an abundant dose of the author's own dry humor. Hester relied heavily on his humor when he navigated his way through the mire and muck of becoming a superstar. James encourages readers to laugh and to shine like stars throughout his writing.
About the Author
James Hester began to explore his ambitions as a writer while a student at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee. After writing and submitting poems to the college literary magazine, he served on its editorial staff. In 1998, the Morton Award in Creative Writing for Poetry was awarded to Hester. While at Hiwassee, he experimented with his writing by self-publishing and editing a grassroots magazine called The Rag Muffin. After earning his associate's degree at Hiwassee College, James transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens where he joined the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society. After submitting poems to the literary magazine at Tennessee Wesleyan, he was awarded the James Bright Wilson Award for Religious Poetry in 2001. Just before earning his bachelor's degree and graduating with honors from Tennessee Wesleyan College, Mr. Hester released the first issue of his arts and entertainment magazine called The Vüe. After graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan College, James moved back to his hometown of Knoxville to pursue his master's degree at the University of Tennessee. After arriving back in Knoxville, Hester decided to put The Vüe Magazine on hold due to his graduate studies. Instead, he chose to continue writing and showcasing his thoughts in the university's student-run newspaper The Daily Beacon. It was during his graduate pursuits at UT when Hester began to become more well-known as a journalist. While there, he wrote for the Entertainment and Religion sections of the newspaper. After earning his master's degree in 2002, he longed to return to his passions for music and arts after overcoming paralysis in his left arm. In 2003, James interviewed the rock band Shinedown for the Knoxville Journal Newspaper. After moving to Georgia in 2003, Hester attended many concerts and entertainment events, along the way meeting several interesting artists. In 2004, he returned more to playing trumpet and singing after a hiatus during his college career. In 2006, he began freelance writing for Performer Magazine, a publication dedicated to supporting independent musicians. After marrying Kathryn Atkinson in 2008, James moved to the metro-Atlanta area where he currently resides. Soon after, he met his wife's friend Ellen Eldridge and began writing and editing for her magazine Target Audience. Hester and his wife own a home-based music lessons business and she is licensed to teach music. Together, they are active in their church and local community performing at various venues. When he is not writing or playing music, James enjoys teaching at local schools and working with youth