~ Superb songwriting served on an Alt-Country/Rock platter and garnished with a little Roots, Americana and AC~
Jim Armstrong's 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.
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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
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Jim Armstrong -- Select media and testimonials:
AmericanaOK host Tom Fahey says [of Mudtown] ".this album is a real grower.that's a very beautiful song there, Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand, from a very fine album indeed.”
Rene Leverink, AltCountryNL: “…let’s not beat around the bush; “Mudtown” is a beautiful record…”
Jan Janssen, Real Roots Café: “…Armstrong reveals that he is not only a skilled songwriter but also a fine multi-instrumentalist and producer…beautiful radio songs…this is almost an hour of pure rock and roll adrenalin kick…”
Benny Metten, CtrlAltCountry: “…with Mudtown he [Armstrong] steps out onto the floor and he does so particularly well…brings to mind the work of masters Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seeger, Tom Petty and compatriot Fred Eaglesmith.”
Chip Frazier, Twangville/ Amber Waves of Twang:”… to call it a solo album is an understatement since Armstrong wrote or co-wrote all of the songs, produced the album and played most of the instruments himself. The result of this tightly controlled process is an infectious hook laden Americana album.”
Chris White, publisher, Party In Kingston: “… Mudtown is 13 highly clever tracks…witty lyrics, innuendos and inspiring messages…closest to a conceptual album I’ve heard in years…highly recommended for your audio library.”
Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues: “…Armstrong is vibrant, fresh and enthusiastic…I haven’t heard an album that sounds this crisp, with such spectacular production, in a long time…”
Todd Wachtel, The Jersey Toddshow: I can't stop playing this album [Mudtown]. I highly recommend it. Jim's got a wonderfully unique feel to him, and sets a fantastically cool mood.
Bert Gagnon, Neon Productions Radio, Musictogousa.com “…Even though this is Jim Armstrong's first solo album, Jim is no novice to the music arena and it is very apparent as he has hit a homerun his first time out. Here is another artist that will be on our playlists for many years.”
Andy Frank, CIUT 89.5 FM: “"Freed of some of the shackles of epilepsy, this gifted song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, with shades of Waits and Bachman, played his first live gig (post-op) at Healey's… Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art.”
Kelly Dearmore, The Gobblers Knob: “…Jim Armstrong's latest CD, Mudtown is a worthy listen….What struck me the most about Mudtown was how the disc seemed to effortlessly transition from bluesy-rockers like "Heaven Only Knows" and softer, more thoughtful alt-country tunes such as "I'm Coming Home".”
Bruce / The Promise Live365.com: “… Jim Armstrong - Mudtown (2007) Straight from the heartland. You know. Toronto, Canada. With his slightly gravely voice and straight ahead attack, this is rock and roll that makes you think of Mellencamp or even Melissa. If you close your eyes you can see these guys playing live in a small club opening for someone, when they really should be the main attraction. Good songwriting. Good sense of rock and roll. Find out more at Sonic Deli Records (love that name).”
Keith Ross Leckie, Emmy and Gemini award-winning writer/producer (Lost In The Barrens, Journey Into Darkness, The Arrow): “Over the years Jim Armstrong's music continues to surprise and entertain me. His first album "Brown Bag Lunch" revealed a strong and confident talent as a musician, singer, songwriter and arranger in different genres. And now his new album, "Mudtown", fulfills that promise again. I find myself looking for films to make that can take advantage of Jim's accomplished music.”
E. Thomas Canton, Director/Producer: "As the director and producer … I found that working with Jim Armstrong and Andrea Poulis was not a matter of simply that the songs and the music created for The Adulterers’ Guide to Toronto were without a doubt Oscar caliber … I dare anyone not to agree with me."
Myrocia Watamaniuk, television host for Rogers Daytime Toronto: “When Jim sings, you know he’s singing from his heart.”
Jon Long (of the national Long & McQuade musical instruments stores): "Jim is an incredibly talented musician. His music needs to be heard."
