James Calvin Wilsey
| James Calvin Wilsey | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1957 (age 58–59) Logansport, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock, pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Lakeshore Records |
| Associated acts | |
James Calvin Wilsey (born 1957) is an American musician. He played bass with San Francisco punk band The Avengers, but became better known as the lead guitarist for Stockton crooner Chris Isaak's band Silvertone. His playing was featured on Isaak's albums Silvertone, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World, and San Francisco Days.
Musical style
Wilsey's 1965 Fender Stratocaster and use of reverb, delay, and gentle vibrato, gave a distinctive sound to Isaak classics such as "Wicked Game" (the opening two-note riff, in his own words, "crystallizes Wilsey's approach") and "Blue Hotel".[1]
Having apparently dropped the moniker "Calvin", Wilsey released a solo album of guitar instrumentals in 2008, titled El Dorado, which paid homage to musical influences such as Duane Eddy, The Shadows, Billy Strange, James Burton and Link Wray[2]
Selected discography
As leader
- El Dorado (2008)
As sideman
With Avengers
- Died for Your Sins (1999)
With Chris Isaak
- Silvertone (1985)
- Chris Isaak (1986)
- Heart Shaped World (1989)
- San Francisco Days (1993)
References
- ↑ Elliott, Steve (10 January 2015). "James Wilsey, Former Chris Isaak Guitarist". Something Else!.
- ↑ "James Wilsey Finds El Dorado". Punk Turns 30. 26 February 2008.
External links
- James Calvin Wilsey at AllMusic
- James Calvin Wilsey discography at Discogs
- James Calvin Wilsey at the Internet Movie Database