The album's first track, "Two Birds One Stone," begins with a drum roll, like a classic introduction to an act, perhaps a death-defying stunt, and soon takes on a cool rhythm. "You never know when the wrong that you've done will backfire/I can't forget it, I'll regret it 'til the day I die/With just one word, I broke her heart as well as my own." James Hunter delivers a wonderful, soulful vocal performance that could fit right in with some of the great performances of the 1960s. This is a song of regret, of wanting to take back whatever he said. "You know I would have stopped myself if only I'd known/That'd be the day I got two birds with one stone." What a damn good song to start things off. "I've had enough, let me out of this love right now," he then sings at the beginning of "Let Me Out Of This Love," but, oh so gently, so smoothly. This one too has a great classic vibe. This music will transport you from these current days to another time. And has that ever been more appealing? I'm particularly digging the work on keys. "I've got to be free from this misery/And face the unknown/Whatever it brings, I know there's worse things than being alone." What's interesting is how relaxed he sounds. There is no urgency to the music, to his voice.
There is a delightful innocence to "Gun Shy," as he tells us, "Because I'm gun shy whenever you're around/Tongue-tied, like a lovesick clown." There is also a delicious rhythm. I love the drumming here. You might find yourself moving, shaking. And this one really features saxophone, and that lead in the second half is part of what makes this track so appealing. Hell, even the sudden ending of this one is a delight. "Believe It When I See It" also has a really nice rhythm. I love the feel of this music. It comes to us from another time. It's great that folks are still recording music like this, writing new songs in this vein. "Now I've opened my eyes/They do a whole lot more than cry." Ah yes, it's so good to make that discovery. There is something particularly fun about this one. And I love the way it builds toward the end, as he repeats the title line.
There is a more intimate quality to James Hunter's vocal performance on "Here And Now." And it's a love song. Check out the opening lines: "Try to sell that dream to me/How fine can heaven be/Could it ever live up to/This moment here with you." I think we've all experienced something like that, and the answer is No, heaven could never be as good as those moments. This track features a sweet and cool guitar lead in the middle, one that is allowed to breathe, to take its time. "I don't need eternity/Just this memory." That's followed by the album's title track, "Off The Fence," a lively number, the rhythm having a good deal of pep. "Come off the fence and tell me if you love me," James sings at the beginning of this song about needing a decision. "Now if my love is unrequited/I'll take my chances someplace else," he sings. And you can bet the saxophone has something to say about it.
"Ain't That A Trip" is the song that features Van Morrison joining James Hunter on vocals, and it is certainly a highlight of the album. They are clearly having a good time, and you will almost undoubtedly have a good time listening. "Ain't that a trip," indeed! "Shows you what your heart is for/Well now, baby, that's a trip for sure." This track also features some excellent stuff on harmonica, and that lead on harmonica is followed by a cool lead on guitar. Everything is working so well. If you need a reminder that life is good (and I think we all do these days), listen to this music. Then "One For Ripley" has a softer, gentler sound. "Brought my sorrow home with me/Hoping you forgive me/Now there's one for Ripley/'Cause I can't believe it myself." The "Ripley" of the song's title is Robert Ripley of Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Remember that show? I never saw the original series, just the later one with Jack Palance. Ah, who can believe anything at this point?
At the beginning of "Trouble Comes Calling," James Hunter sings, "Don't you worry, baby, if your wishin' well runs dry." These days, it seems all of our wishing wells have run dry. What the hell is going on out there? I tell you what I wish - I wish music like this could determine the course of events. Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't imagine people doing such terrible things to each other while they're enjoying good music. But for now trouble is going to keep calling. "When every dream that you've ever known/Falls and bites the dust/And your life's a bowl of cherry stones/Because somebody got there first." Then I love the way "Particular" eases in, gently but with confidence. And its first line makes me laugh out loud: "It's a lovely day if you're not particular." I am completely in love with this song from that moment. "Remember first it could always be worse/And it's beginning to look like it will." This is my personal favorite track. James Hunter's vocal delivery is perfect, and there is a nice lead on keys. This is a song that should speak to basically everyone. Check it out as soon as you have a chance.
The energy then increases on "A Sure Thing," another track to feature a great groove. "I had luck before it up and wandered/But you'll soon see love can't outrun me much longer." This song uses the gambling analogy throughout, as he declares he's sticking with a sure thing. And something about this song leads me to believe in his sure thing. The album then ends with a pretty song, "Only A Fool," in which James Hunter sings, "Only a fool knows how to say goodbye." He draws us in closer with his vocal performance, the vocals being the focus, the backing instruments kept relatively low. This track contains one of the album's best and moving vocal performances. "What heart of stone turns its own blessed home to a barren land?"
CD Track List
- Two Birds One Stone
- Let Me Out Of This Love
- Gun Shy
- Believe It When I See It
- Here And Now
- Off The Fence
- Ain't That A Trip
- One For Ripley
- Trouble Comes Calling
- Particular
- A Sure Thing
- Only A Fool
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