Jimmy James (singer)

:"For alternatives for the name "Jimmy James" see the Jimmy James disambiguation page"

Jimmy James (born Michael James, 13 September 1939, Jamaica) is a soul music singer. [ [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/villa/9500/jamesjimmy.htm Geocities.com] ]

The Vagabonds

The Vagabonds was the name of Jimmy James backing group, and the band consisted of:
* Wallace Wilson - guitar
* Phil Chen - guitar
* Colston Chen - bass guitar
* Fred Frederick (real name Mathias Frederick) - saxophone
* Rupert "Bally" Balgobin - drums
* Carl "Breadback" Noel - organ
* Carl "Grog" Griffith - saxophone
* Count Prince Miller - regular guest - vocalist/MC

Background

The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. Later, James, already a successful solo artist in Jamaica, teamed up with them and in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. "Ska Time" (Decca Records) was recorded within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK. In 1965 they made some more recordings in Hungary before signing with Pye Records and releasing their best known studio album, "The New Religion" in 1966. Also in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds met The Who and supported them at the Marquee Club in London. They were well received and became the resident band there, on Tuesday nights, for about a year.fact|date=July 2008

Their live performance was captured in the album, "Live at the Marquee", also featuring the Alan Bown Set. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds were labelmates and rivals of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.

In 2007, James contributed the track "The Other Side of the Street" for Ian Levine's "Northern Soul 2007" album.

On tour

James can regularly be seen performing around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. [ [http://www.visitblackpool.com/?OBH=176&ID=132 Visitblackpool.com] ] [ [http://www.butlinsonline.co.uk/index.cfm?page=2688 Butlinsonline.co.uk] ] The pair, along with The Flirtations vocalist Earnestine Pearce can be seen touring with 'The Soul Explosion'. In April 2007, he performed at the 'Classic Gold Weekender' along with Marmalade, Love Affair and Showaddywaddy. [ [http://www.goldweekenders.com/jimmy-james.html Goldweekenders.com] ]

Discography

*"Red Red Wine" - 1968 - Pye - #36 UK
*"I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" - 1976 - Pye - #23 UK
*"Now Is The Time" - 1976 - Pye - #5 UKcite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages= p. 279
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5]

ee also

*List of performances on Top of the Pops
*List of Identity Parade guests on Never Mind the Buzzcocks

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/music/vagabonds_review.shtml bbc.co.uk] - Jimmy James artist review on BBC Radio Lincolnshire site
* [http://www.unitoneentertainment.co.uk/biog_jimmy_james.html unitonentertainment.co.uk] - Jimmy James and The Vagabonds artist information
* [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/villa/9500/jamesjimmy.htm geocities.com] - Vagabonds fan site
* [http://www.vinyltap.co.uk/shop/artist/Jimmy+James+And+The+Vagabonds.aspx vinyltap.co.uk] - Jimmy James and The Vagabonds records
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2qywUiFLNA youtube.com] - Jimmy James clip