Colin James
Encyclopedia
Colin James is a Canadian
singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, who plays in the blues
, rock
, and neo-swing
genres. He grew up as a Quaker.
for several tour dates in the U.S.
. James also played guitar on Richard Marx
's song "Thunder and Lightning".
James's worldwide popularity waned somewhat in the late 1990s, but he continued to release albums in rock, blues, and acoustic styles, in addition to his Little Big Band. In 2005, he gave a command performance
for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to his home province of Saskatchewan
.
James' backing band frequently includes members of the Vancouver-based band Odds
, and he has co-written songs with Odds singer-guitarist Craig Northey
. In February 2005, James guest-starred in an episode of the television program Corner Gas
, a Canadian sitcom based in rural Saskatchewan.
In 2007, James' album Limelight received a Gold record for sales in Canada. In January 2008, James received three Toronto Blues Society
Maple Blues Awards
: "Entertainer of the Year", "Electric Act of the Year" and "Recording of the Year" for Colin James & The Little Big Band 3
.
In 2009, James recorded an album, and amongst the collaborators were Tom Wilson
, once of Junkhouse
. The album, Rooftops and Satellites, was co-produced, engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser
, at the Warehouse studios in Vancouver
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, who plays in the blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, and neo-swing
Swing Revival
The Swing Revival was a late 1990s and early 2000s period of renewed popular interest in swing and jump blues music and dance from the 1930s and 1940s as exemplified by Louis Prima, often mixed with a more contemporary rock, rockabilly or ska sound, known also as neo-swing or retro...
genres. He grew up as a Quaker.
Early years
James and his band The Hoodoo Men opened for Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
for several tour dates in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. James also played guitar on Richard Marx
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
's song "Thunder and Lightning".
Rock and swing band careers
In 1988, following his association with Vaughan, James released his self-titled debut album, which yielded several international hit singles, as did the followup Sudden Stop. He presaged the mid-1990s swing music revival with his Colin James and the Little Big Band project, which released a successful first CD in 1993, followed by two others in 1998 and 2006, as well as a Christmas album in 2007.James's worldwide popularity waned somewhat in the late 1990s, but he continued to release albums in rock, blues, and acoustic styles, in addition to his Little Big Band. In 2005, he gave a command performance
Command Performance
Command Performance is a radio program which originally aired between 1942 and 1949. The program was broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network with a direct shortwave transmission to the troops overseas. It was not broadcast over domestic U.S...
for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to his home province of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
.
James' backing band frequently includes members of the Vancouver-based band Odds
Odds (band)
Odds are a Canadian alternative rock band. The band's power pop style has been frequently compared to that of contemporaries such as Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Tom Petty, Sloan, The Clash, XTC, Franz Ferdinand, and The Tubes.-Odds :...
, and he has co-written songs with Odds singer-guitarist Craig Northey
Craig Northey
Craig Northey is a Canadian musician and one of the founding members of the band Odds.After the breakup of Odds in 1999, Northey has embarked on several other ventures, including working with Colin James, Rosanne Cash, Glen Phillips, Bruce McCulloch and many others...
. In February 2005, James guest-starred in an episode of the television program Corner Gas
Corner Gas
Corner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
, a Canadian sitcom based in rural Saskatchewan.
In 2007, James' album Limelight received a Gold record for sales in Canada. In January 2008, James received three Toronto Blues Society
Toronto Blues Society
The Toronto Blues Society is a provincially funded Art Service Organization based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1985, a Board of Directors governs the Society.BACKGROUND...
Maple Blues Awards
Maple Blues Awards
The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s blues awards, "honouring the finest in Canadian blues". They are the only comprehensive national best in blues awards program. The program's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement...
: "Entertainer of the Year", "Electric Act of the Year" and "Recording of the Year" for Colin James & The Little Big Band 3
Colin James & The Little Big Band 3
Colin James & The Little Big Band 3 is the tenth studio album by Canadian blues/rock musician Colin James and the third Little Big Band album with its swing/jive themes...
.
In 2009, James recorded an album, and amongst the collaborators were Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson (musician)
Tom Wilson is a Canadian rock musician from Hamilton, Ontario.A veteran of the Canadian music scene, Wilson has been a writer and performer for many years. Wilson's eclectic musical style has ranged from the psychobilly sound of the Florida Razors, to the western/roots style of Blackie and the...
, once of Junkhouse
Junkhouse
-History:Formed in 1989 in Hamilton, Ontario, the band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Tom Wilson, guitarist Dan Achen, bassist Russ Wilson and drummer Ray Farrugia....
. The album, Rooftops and Satellites, was co-produced, engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. Mike is best known for his work with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith and Joe Satriani...
, at the Warehouse studios in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
Studio albums
- Colin JamesColin James (album)Colin James is the debut album from Canadian rock/blues musician Colin James, released in 1988 . The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida.The album earned James a Juno Award for "Most Promising Artist"....
(1988) - Sudden StopSudden StopSudden Stop is the second studio album by Canadian blues musician Colin James released in 1990 on Virgin Records. The album was recorded in Vancouver and Memphis, Tennessee....
(1990) - Colin James and the Little Big BandColin James and the Little Big BandColin James and the Little Big Band is a swing-jive album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1993 .-Track listing:# "Cadillac Baby" – 3:12# "That's What You Do To Me" – 3:27...
(1993) - Bad Habits (1995)
- National SteelNational Steel (album)National Steel is a blues album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1997 . The album was recorded at Rat's Ass Studios and Mushroom Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia and mastered at MasterDisk in New York City....
(1997) - Colin James and the Little Big Band IIColin James and the Little Big Band IIColin James and the Little Big Band II is a swing-jive album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1999 .Colin James and the Little Big Band II earned James the 1999 Juno Award for "Best Producer".-Track listing:...
(1998) - FuseFuse (Colin James album)Fuse is the seventh studio album by Canadian blues/rock musician Colin James released in 2000 .-Track listing:# "Hide" – 4:48# "Mystery to Me" – 4:25# "Stop Bringing it Down on a Perfect Day" – 3:47# "Carried Away" – 4:53...
(2000) - Traveler (2003)
- Limelight (2005)
- Colin James & The Little Big Band 3Colin James & The Little Big Band 3Colin James & The Little Big Band 3 is the tenth studio album by Canadian blues/rock musician Colin James and the third Little Big Band album with its swing/jive themes...
(2006) - Colin James & The Little Big Band: ChristmasColin James & The Little Big Band: ChristmasColin James & The Little Big Band: Christmas is an album by Colin James, recorded in Nashville and released in November 2007. The album is a collection of Christmas songs, starting with a cover of Louis Armstrong's "Cool Yule".- Track listing :...
(2007) - Rooftops and Satellites (2009)
Compilation albums
- Then Again...Then Again...Then Again... is a compilation album of Colin James's greatest hits from 1995 and earlier released in 1995 . Three songs were recorded for and first released on this album: "I Hope You're Happy", "Stay", and "Milk Cow Calf Blues"....
(1995) - Take it From The Top: The Best Of Colin James (2011)
Guest appearances
- The ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
- Another CountryAnother Country (Chieftains album)Another Country is a 1992 album by The Chieftains. It is a collaboration between the Irish band and many top country music musicians including Ricky Skaggs, Don Williams, Colin James, Emmylou Harris, members from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins and Sam Bush...
(1992) - JW-JonesJW-JonesJW-Jones is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer and band leader. Jones is signed to the NorthernBlues Music label in Toronto, Canada, CrossCut Records in Europe, and Ruf Records in USA. In the last decade, he has released six albums and played in 17 countries, 4 continents, over 260 cities and...
Blues Band - My Kind of Evil (2004) - Craig NortheyCraig NortheyCraig Northey is a Canadian musician and one of the founding members of the band Odds.After the breakup of Odds in 1999, Northey has embarked on several other ventures, including working with Colin James, Rosanne Cash, Glen Phillips, Bruce McCulloch and many others...
and Jesse ValenzuelaJesse ValenzuelaJesse Valenzuela was the original vocalist of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms when it was formed in 1987. In 1988, he switched roles with the band's new guitarist, Robin Wilson. He continued to be a member until the band's breakup in 1997, and reunited with the rest of the group in 2002...
- Northey Valenzuela (2004) - Corner GasCorner GasCorner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
Singles
- 1987:
- "Five Long Years" (Independent)
- 1988:
- "Voodoo Thing"
- 1989:
- "Dream of Satin"
- "Chicks and Cars and the Third World War"
- "Five Long Years" (released by Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
) - "Why'd You Lie"
- "Back in My Arms Again"
- 1990:
- "Just Came Back"
- "Keep On Loving Me Baby"
- "If You Lean On Me"
- "T Stands for Trouble"
- "Give It Up" (with Bonnie RaittBonnie RaittBonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
)
- 1992:
- "Love Thang"
- 1993:
- "Cadillac Baby"
- 1994:
- "Surely (I Love You)"
- "Breakin' Up the House"
- "No More Doggin'"
- 1995:
- "Freedom"
- "Saviour"
- 1996:
- "Real Stuff"
- 1998:
- "Let's Shout (Baby Work Out)"
- "C'mon with the C'mon"
- 2000:
- "Hide"
- "Getting Higher"
- 2003:
- "I'm Losing You"
- "Make A Mistake"
- 2004:
- "Know How To Love You"
- 2005:
- "Far Away Like A Radio"
- "Better Way To Heaven"
- "Travelin'"
- 2006:
- "Into The Mystic"
- "If You Need Me"
- 2009:
- "Man's Gotta Be A Stone"
- "Lost Again"
- "Wavelength"
- 2010:
- "Johnny Coolman"
Wins
- 1989Juno Awards of 1989The Juno Awards of 1989, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 12 March 1989 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. André-Philippe Gagnon was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.Blue Rodeo won in three of its...
- "Most Promising Male Vocalist of the YearJuno Award for New Artist of the YearThe Juno Award for New Artist of the Year has been awarded since 1974 as recognition each year for the best new artist/musician in Canada. The category was originally divided by separate awards for men and women...
" - 1991Juno Awards of 1991The Juno Awards of 1991, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 3 March 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Paul Shaffer was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.This was...
- "Single of the YearJuno Award for Single of the YearThe Juno Award for Single of the Year has been awarded since 1974 for the best single in Canada. It has also been known as Best Single and Best Selling Single.-Best Single :...
" for "Just Came Back" - 1991Juno Awards of 1991The Juno Awards of 1991, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 3 March 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Paul Shaffer was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.This was...
- "Male Vocalist of the YearJuno Award for Artist of the YearThe Juno Award for Artist of the Year has been awarded since 2002 as recognition each year for the best artist/musician in Canada. The category was originally divided by sex...
" - 1996Juno Awards of 1996The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- "Male Vocalist of the YearJuno Award for Artist of the YearThe Juno Award for Artist of the Year has been awarded since 2002 as recognition each year for the best artist/musician in Canada. The category was originally divided by sex...
" - 1998Juno Awards of 1998The Juno Awards of 1998 were presented in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The primary ceremonies at GM Place before an audience of 10 000 on 22 March 1998....
- "Best Blues AlbumJuno Award for Blues Album of the YearThe Juno Award for "Blues Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1994, as recognition each year for the best blues album in Canada. The award was previously a combined blues and gospel award category.-Best Blues/Gospel Album :...
for National SteelNational Steel (album)National Steel is a blues album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1997 . The album was recorded at Rat's Ass Studios and Mushroom Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia and mastered at MasterDisk in New York City.... - 1999Juno Awards of 1999The Juno Awards of 1999 honouring Canadian music industry achievements were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The primary ceremonies at Copps Coliseum on 7 March 1999 were broadcast by CBC Television and hosted by Mike Bullard....
- "Best ProducerJack Richardson Producer of the Year AwardThe Juno Award for "Producer of the Year" has been awarded since 1975, as recognition each year for the best record producer in Canada. It was renamed the "Jack Richardson Producer of the Year" award in 2003, after Jack Richardson who is a noted Canadian record producer.-Producer of the Year...
" for "Let's Shout" and "C'mon with the C'mon" from Colin James and the Little Big Band IIColin James and the Little Big Band IIColin James and the Little Big Band II is a swing-jive album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1999 .Colin James and the Little Big Band II earned James the 1999 Juno Award for "Best Producer".-Track listing:...
Nominations
- 1989Juno Awards of 1989The Juno Awards of 1989, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 12 March 1989 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. André-Philippe Gagnon was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.Blue Rodeo won in three of its...
- "Canadian Entertainer of the Year" - 1991Juno Awards of 1991The Juno Awards of 1991, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 3 March 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Paul Shaffer was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.This was...
- "Canadian Entertainer of the Year" - 1992Juno Awards of 1992The Juno Awards of 1992, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 29 March 1992 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Rick Moranis was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television from 9 pm Eastern.Nominations were...
- "Canadian Entertainer of the Year" - 1994Juno Awards of 1994The Juno Awards of 1994, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 20 March 1994 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Roch Voisine was the host for the ceremonies, which were taped that afternoon for broadcast that evening on CBC...
- "Best Blues/Gospel Album" for Colin James and The Little Big Band - 1995Juno Awards of 1995The Juno Awards of 1995, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 26 March 1995 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- "Male Vocalist of the Year" - 1996Juno Awards of 1996The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- "Best Video" for "Freedom" - 1998Juno Awards of 1998The Juno Awards of 1998 were presented in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The primary ceremonies at GM Place before an audience of 10 000 on 22 March 1998....
- "Best Male Vocalist" - 1999Juno Awards of 1999The Juno Awards of 1999 honouring Canadian music industry achievements were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The primary ceremonies at Copps Coliseum on 7 March 1999 were broadcast by CBC Television and hosted by Mike Bullard....
- "Best Blues Album for Colin James and The Little Big Band II