In addition to being a fine academic, Jim also is a fine balladeer and guitarist with an extensive repertoire of traditional Irish songs. - Mick Moloney

I haven’t heard... such a strong, old-fashioned, ornamented style since I discovered Joe Heaney’s early records - Steve Winick Dirty Linen (Oct/Nov 1996)

By the third song... no one doubted that the voice was the real thing. It was the voice of Albert Einstein on splitting atoms, of Hank Aaron on hitting home runs - Gary Pettus Jackson Clarion Ledger (August 13, 1996)

One of the finest Irish singers ever to grace our area - Betsy Cummings Ceili (May/June 1996)