Jameson & Sordid Seeds release new CD

A year after their first national tour, the Whitefish-based band Jameson and the Sordid Seeds is ready to hit the road again promoting their new album “I Walk Down Your Street.”

“We broke through on this one,” Jameson told the Pilot in a recent interview.

The new album was produced and recorded at Marco Forcone’s studio in Whitefish.

“Marco brought out the best in us,” Jameson said. “We’re starting to find our own sound.”

The band’s first tour was an “educational” and sometimes rough experience.

“We learned a lot out there,” Jameson said. “It’s one hell of a fight.”

Sometimes they’d play in front of a packed house five or six stops in a row. Other times the venue would be empty.

“Being a band from little Whitefish, there were more shows with no people than with a crowd,” Jameson recalled.

“It’s so hard to get in the van and be broke. It’s like we’re going to college but we’re not sure if we’re going to have a degree at the end — but we’re doing all the work to get there.”

The tour made Jameson appreciate the love and support Whitefish venues offer local bands.

“Places like the Craggy Range and Great Northern, people don’t realize how well they treat musicians,” he said.

A number of local musicians teamed up with the Sordid Seeds and are featured on “I Walk Down Your Street.”

John Dunnigan plays the banjo and harmonica, 20 Grand’s Emily Clark provides vocals, Eli Watts plays trumpet and the Crown of the Continent Choir provides backup vocals. Dave Griffith, who Jameson calls one of the best musicians in the valley, plays mandolin, steel guitar and piano.

“This album is really about the community,” Jameson said. “There is a ton of talent here.”

The Crown of the Continent Choir are, “some of the finest singers in the valley,” Jameson said. “We wanted to bring in as many community artists as we could.”

The album kicks off with “Brother Man,” an upbeat tune that features powerful horns and Jameson’s unmistakable vocals that blend hints of reggae, soul and blues. It’s a sound that Sordid Seeds fans will be familiar with from the track “I Got Soul” off the 2010 album “Two Shoes in Mary’s Basement.”

While a reggae feel can be heard throughout the new album, many of the tracks explore new territory for the band.

The track “I Walk Down the Street” has a gospel feel, while “Keep Me in the light” is “like Paul Simon’s Graceland,” Jameson said.

Other tracks bring hints of bluegrass and classic rock, but it’s Jameson’s vocals that tie it all together.

All of the songs were written by Jameson and bass player Sean Cooksey. Band members include Forcone on drums, Craig Barton on organ, piano and backup vocals, and Leonard Govenettio on harmonica.

The band will be on the road Jan. 8 to Feb. 3 for 20 shows across the nation promoting the album. They plan to make use of their learning experience from last year’s tour.

“This will be the first tour where we make money — where we come home with our rent paid,” Jameson said. “That’s a good feeling.”

While getting signed to a record deal is the ultimate goal, Jameson says that’s not the end all and be all.

“We’re going to give it one hell of a fight,” he said. “You just never know. Either way, we still love it. What matters is if you believe in what you’re doing. Others will recognize it if you’re putting your passion out there.”

Jameson and the Sordid Seeds will debut their new album “I Walk Down Your Street” at a CD release party this Friday, Dec. 7 at the Great Northern.

Visit the Sordid Seeds Facebook page for more information.