Published on Nov 4, 1999
Get out your lighters, cuz the Jim Walsh Band’s disc
In The Short Time makes me feel like I’m at a heavy metal
concert, the lights out, the band halfway through their set when
they bring out someone like James Taylor to join them for a few
mellow songs. What that disjointed imagery means is that this is
not a metal CD, but it also doesn’t suck.
Led by guitarist/vocalist Jim Walsh, these are songs that evoke
a sense of hope. In the opening track, Walsh sings, “All I’ve ever
wanted is you/ because you’re forever on my mind.” Based upon an
acoustic rhythm guitar, it’d be a stretch to compare this band to
the recent efforts by acoustic acts like Days of the New, but it’s
a suitable stretch. Both employ excellent songwriting.
At just under 40 minutes, Walsh doesn’t allow himself a lot of
time to make an impression so each moment has to count. And it
definitely does. By the time you reach “Little Pieces Of Her,” the
CD’s fourth track, you realize Walsh can, quite simply, do no
wrong. And by the time you reach the intro of “Nobody’s Hero,”
you’re thoroughly drenched in Walsh’s hypnotic vocal style. Welding
the sympathy invoking sorrow of James Taylor’s “Fire And Rain” with
the authority of a Steven Tyler, Walsh has a collection of
noteworthy songs. Definitely recommended!