Stephie James - As Night Fades (2024)

This is a deep dive independent CD with tunes that are distinctive with charm & a striking varied mixture of folk melodies, rockers & ingenuity. The opener “Company,” exemplifies a Robin Ward (“Wonderful Summer”) juvenile, gentle, sincere & succinct performance. As time goes by Stephie James could become a sassy easy listening vocalist. Beautiful tune.

And while the subsequent melodies are fine the production isn’t always up to snuff with Stephie’s vocal prowess at times. The musicianship should be a little heftier, with more presence to lift the tune & support her generous vocal instincts. The songs follow a pop recipe but with principled lyrics. “Party Doll” has lyrical lines that should, however, end on an ascending note not descending words such as “early morning.”

The melodies have a nice catchiness. Stephie sings well & that’s what keeps the tunes tight. “These Days,” again, with its fine melody & vocal needs the vocal treatment production or echo – deleted. Ms. James’ (vocals/guitar) is good without that hocus pocus & sings her words absorbingly & avoids cliches with style.

The 12-madrugada tunes on As Night Fades also show Stephie’s rock endurance. “Steve McQueen” on this debut LP is where she excels. Tailor-made arrangement. Her voice is close to Amy Winehouse & the addition of the Hammond organ skates in hard-like early 70s rock classics. This isn’t a sparkler…it’s TNT with its meticulously lit vocals & nothing is contrived.

The surprise? A typical pop instrumental comes along with “Surf.” It invokes the best of the 60s instrumentals (“Pipeline,” “Penetration,” “Wipe Out”). All are well-played & though short on originality it’s long on creativity. Nice work.