October 31, 2006 - Review - The Vancouver Province
Colin James & The Little Big Band 3 (MapleMusic Recordings) The first song I remember hearing by Colin James was "Reet Petite." More than 20 years later, the Jackie Wilson hit leads off the third Little Big Band album. It's taken James that long to get around to it, but a t least he has remembered and got it right. As a rule, James is very careful when he does his rock-oriented albums, which partly explains why "Reet Petite" sat so long on the back burner, but with the Little Big Band he lets his hair down and seems more spontaneous. As well, the Little Big Band concept has expanded to include Van Morrison, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and New Orleans R&B. It all fits. B+
- By Tom Harrison