But the hands-down most surprising track is “Still Burn (Motor City Race Fires)”. Featuring Detroit‟s own Queen of the Blues Thornetta Davis on supporting vocals, accompanied by Kymberli Wright, Leslie Nelson, and Terrie Lea, this track serves as so much more than simply a blues song. Instead, it reaches for a higher calling as Nikki‟s own social commentary on race, racism, and the Detroit riots which had an unforgettable and painfully transformative impact on Nikki‟s growing up years. Without a doubt those experiences contributed more than a little bit to Nikki‟s blues. And to one hell of an album

03 Still Burn (Motor City Fires)

Walk On Mama sees the return of Brett Lucas on guitar duty with some characteristically tight and crisp rhythm work, complimented by the gospel-inflected backing vocals of Kymberli Wright, Leslie Nel-son, and Terrie Lea. The lyrics in this song are also well worthy of attention, such as when Nikki says “Had a welfare daddy since the time that I could talk, lived in a chicken coop, yeah that‟s when my Momma walked. She walked from town to town, Momma cried, I knew she missed daddy somewhere deep down inside but kept walkin…”Now those are some lyrics worthy of the blues. 

04 Walk On Mama

“I Got the Blues”, which kicks in with a thick, fatback drumbeat by Todd Glass, fol-lowed by the deep-throated guttural growl of some unknown beast masquerading as a guitar handled by the legendary Jimmy McCarty. Nikki‟s soul-soaked vocals are about the only thing qualified to put a leash on a sound this raw and keep it in line without hurting somebody 

05 I Got The Blues

The Mama Boogie,” a tip of the hat to the late John Lee Hooker. This one evokes Hooker‟s raw mood, but dresses it up with a heavily doctored vocal track that adds a bit of electrified mojo to the proceedings. Now imagine an electrified mojo trapped inside a can. None other than Robert “Psychild” Noll shows up on this track, bringing down the sky with a spare yet deadly attack of well-chosen notes that know just how to summon that certain spirit. 

06 Mama Learned To Boogie (The Mama Boogie)

Normally I‟m not big on the country side of the blues, but that‟s just me. However, on Please Don‟t Walk Away, Nikki delivers the raw exposed nerve of emotion that some of the best country music is known for. Brett Lucas, who can rock a guitar so hard it gets dizzy, displays an entirely other side of self on this track, coaxing his acoustic into a clear, bright rhythmic accompaniment to what may be Nikki‟s best vocal track on the entire album. She sings with an unforced beauty and clarity that is virtually hair-raising. And then, haunting the background, Brett drops in some slide work that must have had tears coming out of the amplifier. Just Nikki and Brett on a truly beautiful number. 

07 Please Don't Walk Away

But if that funk ain't got enough Detroit in it for you, then step into the ring with “I'm Watching You.” This one is “D” certified through and through, with attitude and strut to spare. Dave Mazzara must have made his guitar angry is the only way to explain those freakish howls and screams. 

08 I'm Watching You

On I Found Love, Nikki jumps straight back into the blues/funk bag with an irresistible dance groove that pretty much yanks you onto the floor. What really jumps out on this track is the opening guitar solo by Josh Ford, which is anything but what the listener might expect. Taking hard advantage of the minor chord sound, Ford delivers a stellar solo that hops and skips up and down the fret board, effortlessly displaying the skills for which he has long been known and celebrated in the Motor City. 

09 I Found Love

Judging solely by the title, you might think that “Love You Long,” could be more of the same, continu-ing the heartbroken conversation about long departed thrills, begging some errant man to please stick around with this promise. But instead, what Nikki lays down is a sultry invitation that pretty much guaran-tees whoever that man might be who is caught in her sights, he‟s not going anywhere anytime soon. “Don’t worry baby, about my first love or in-betweens, you’re the last one baby, and I do believe that means ...I'll love you good mister, love you right mister, from the moment my eyes open ‘til deep in the darkest night, I'm gonna love you long....as long as I got ink on". Nope, that man is staying put. 

10 Love You Long

You‟re a Dreamer”, one of my favorites, highlights a whole other side of Nikki with a smooth, old-school organ groove that still has that funk feel, but infused with a late night smoky club house vibe that brings straight to mind images of many a late night gig that just about any club circuit player will appreciate. 

11 You're  Dreamer

“I Don‟t Want to Leave You,” a slower tempo number, bears a strong similarity to “The Thrill is Gone” musically, until Nikki‟s voice steps in. Almost in answer to B.B. King‟s classic, “I Don‟t Want to Leave You” seems to answer B.B.‟s lament with an extended sorrowful reply explaining the woman‟s view of why the thrill has left the building. 

12 I Don't Want To Leave You

Nikki James - Detroit


Nikki James has been a fixture on the Detroit music scene for more than 20 years, and is widely acknowledged among her peers and fans as one of the most powerful and dynamic blues/rock singer/performers to tame a stage in the Motor City. Considering the legendary level of talent that has always defined Detroit, this is no small accomplishment. Musicians worldwide know that if an artist can make it in Detroit they can make it anywhere, and Nikki James made it to the top of the local music scene as an artist capable of delivering the kind of consistently entertaining performances that could please those notoriously critical Detroit audiences. Her showmanship and raw talent helped her to build a sizable and loyal fan base throughout the region that would regularly support her performances whenever and wherever she would appear. 


Nikki James

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