Feature of the month. October 2001: JAMES The perfect feature of october must be James. The six piece out of Englandīs Manchester is through their music a forever shining sun, even on the darkest days. And in times like it is nowadays music that can make you feel happy is vital. And thatīs how James has always made me feel. Happy. Free. Clean. Singer Tim Booth & co made their message perfectly clear for me and all of my friends in the beginning of the 90īs. They had a big breakthrough through the boom of the Madchester hype. But bands like Northside, Happy Mondays or even the mighty Stone Roses never had such an impact on me. And it wasīnt right to put James in the same bag although "Come Home" and "Sit Down" were part of that scene. I was lucky to be a part of their legendary Hultsfred show in 1991. At first they were supposed to play in the Sahara tent, but big troubles with the sound made them cancel the performance. But all of us that felt cheated that evening got a big surprise next day when James replaced another cancelled show, Status Quo, on the Hawaii stage. Tim Booth entered the stage in front of about at least 12.000 people, 6.000 of them being Status Quo fans not knowing that their band had cancelled the show. Tim said "We dedicate this song to Francis Rossi (singer of Status Quo) who isnīt feeling well today" and then they opened with the fantastic "Johnny Yen". The opening lines "Ladies and Gentlemen hereīs my deceit give me your standing ovation and your sympathy, poor old Johnny Yen set himself on fire" was forever stuck in my mind. I canīt see many bands that arenīt U2 or Depeche Mode that has such a brilliant back catalogue. James is still around but I still havenīt had the chance to see them play live again. I really hope that will happen. The positive energy that fills the people at a James concert is something really special. Itīs my recommendation to everyone whoīs not feeling at their best to take this fall and spend money on some James records. They can cure your depression. By the way, itīs my recommendation for everyone to listen to this truly fantastic band! /Andreas JAMES DISCOGRAPHY includes 1990īs "Goldmother" -the breakthrough album including "Come Home", "Lose Control", "How was it for you?" and "Sit Down"....all classic James singles. The chorus-chant of "Sit Down" only is worth the investment. "Seven" 1992. Propably their best album to date. All songs are James at their best. "Born of frustration", "Sound", "Seven", "Ring the Bells" "Laid" 1993. This album is produced by Brian Eno, who stripped down the production. Not the happiest James, but still fucking fantastic. Beautiful. Includes "Sometimes" (possibly the best "Sometimes" song ever -competing with Depeche, The Valentines and The Marychain amongst others) "The Best of James" 1998 includes almost all of the above AND "Sheīs a star" the best single of 1997. "Millionaires" 1999. Includes a song that some people I know want to be played at their funeral. And it is quite possibly the best James song ever -"Weīre going to miss you". This under-rated album also includes a James in classic style -"Crash", "Just like Fred Astaire" and "I know what Iīm here for". Get full info on http://www.jamestheband.com Back