James Howard’s new CD release, For the Love of Song, is a collection of recognizable tunes played as electric guitar instrumentals. Howard spontaneously composes content on top of familiar chord progressions and melodies. He is thoughtful in his description of the process, acknowledging that he is building on the works of others, adding his own vision. He says his contribution is to lift spirit in it, to transform and transport through experience. In this, Howard’s 6th CD release, he sings his guitar through these iconic songs, adding his own brand of virtuosity resulting in a satisfying mix of the familiar blended with novelty and originality. If it’s possible to paint color on sound, then listening to James Howard fill a space with music is such an experience. His guitar evokes an other-worldly quality, ethereal and expansive yet grounded and earthy, like dancing in a forest. It makes sense that Howard is known as much for his vocal bluesy originals as the layered instrumentals he plays. As his fingers work the strings on those hard-driving or long dreamy sequences, his body in constant motion, sometimes companion sounds spring forth to include howls, moans and whispers. The combination is dramatic, transporting the music to another level. He’s admired in Memphis, where his band represented the Washington Blues Society at the 2016 International Blues Competition, and he enjoys a sizable fan base in the Pacific Northwest, as evidenced by donations to his latest self-funded project, an instrumental CD of popular songs. His guitar virtuosity and emotional presentation have propelled him from finalist in Guitar Player Magazine’s Hendrix Contest to Best Blues Guitarist in the 2011 Yamaha Global Guitar Competition. This CD is meant to heal and inspire, to uplift and encourage. Take the ride you will not be dissatisfied.