August seems an unusual time to release a record, but James Maddock's
Sunrise on Avenue C landed last Tuesday.  It's James' first album
(there
was an EP a few years back) since his previous band, Wood, released
their first and only album, Songs from Stanford Hill 10 years ago.  I'm
here to tell you that Sunrise on Avenue C is worth your attention.

James stock in trade is the mid-tempo rocker, and he sings with an
engaging gravelly voice someplace between Steve Forbert and
Rod
Stewart.  James has been able to round up an all star band for this
release, including Leslie Mendelson on piano, Aaron Comess (formerly
with The Spin Doctors) on drums and Eleanor Whitmore (Kelly Willis
among others) on strings.

Sunrise show off James' strength as a songwriter.  The 12 songs which
make up the album run from optimism (Chance), moments of grace (Stars
Align), the sublime (Sunrise on Avenue C) and the ridiculous (Dumbed
Down).  James is able to mix humor into his songs without any of them
becoming novelty numbers.  And he is able to make both When the Sun's
Out and Straight Lines anthemic numbers.

I've seen James play small clubs over the past two years.  It's great
to have his songs finally out there and have Sunrise on Avenue C around
to brighten up your day.  It's available as a CD and as a download from
all the usual places.

 –Eliot Wagner