Parlor Greens

Jason Landry, contributor
 

Emeralds is the sound of vintage soul and funk for a new generation.

 

Even though you can find each of the members of Parlor Greens playing in other bands from time to time, you can hear it in the grooves that these three are locked in when they’re playing together. When Adam Scone, Tim Carman, and Jimmy James are in the same room or on stage, something special transforms. I’ve seen it live and you can experience it here on their newest album Emeralds, a beautiful follow up to their 2024 release, In Green We Dream, both out on Colemine Records.

 

The album kicks off with Jimmy James’ tasteful high register descending riff that opens “Eat Your Greens” and follows with the swagger of Scone’s organ while Carman plays with a surgical sense of restraint, leaving just enough room for that massive organ sound to breathe. They then turn to the slower tempo “Drop Top” which creates this emotional landscape from which the rest of this album builds on. “Parlor Change” has a constant repeating guitar riff and drum beat while Scone snakes his B3 lines through the pocket like a boss—stylings like he’s known for in his other band Scone Cash Players.

 

What emanates from James’ guitar on the title track “Emeralds” isn’t speed and technique like you’d expect from guitar players, it’s raw emotion and soul. I feel this each time that I’ve seen him perform live and what gravitates me toward this music. “Francisco Smack” has a nice deep pocket groove to it before the trio join in on the chorus and flips the funk dial to ten. Carman finally erupts with some great drum fills as the track winds down, something that I’d like to hear more of—don’t you agree?

 

You’ll be boppin’ your head from the start and throughout the track “Jolene” before transitioning to my personal favorite on the album “Red Dog”. You can just tell that Jimmy James really pours his all into this track as his over-driven guitar belts out a bluesy I-IV-V rhythm groove. I can imagine his head tilted back with a big smile on his face when Scone takes over the rhythm so that James can wail away on his solo. After an extended break three-quarters of the way through, Scone and Carman bring the track home.

 

The band takes it down a notch to close out the album on the track “Queen Of My Heart”. Scone’s organ pedals the vocal lines while James’ guitar creates what I think of as the backing vocals and chorus. While the organ and guitar front load this killer trio, Carman is the engine keeping this whole ship on the right trajectory. Do yourself a favor and see them live. You’ll understand why I think they’re one of the best organ trios out there.