James Hunter (singer)
Encyclopedia
James Hunter is a Grammy Award
-nominated English
R&B
musician and soul singer
.
on Oxford Street in London. Hunter's soulful style drew the attention of Van Morrison
, who appeared on Hunter's first album released on Ace
, Believe What I say in 1996. (Morrison sang backing vocals on "Turn On Your Love Light
" and "Ain't Nothing You Can Do.")
Hunter's relationship with Morrison led to a tour with the latter in the early nineties; he sang backing vocals on Morrison's 1994 live album, A Night in San Francisco
, and his 1995 studio recording Days Like This. Hunter's first solo release in the United States, his 2006 breakthrough album People Gonna Talk
, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album
at the 49th Grammy Awards ceremony. He parted ways with Rounder Records in 2008 and issued the album The Hard Way
via Hear Music/Concord.
Howlin' Wilf&The Veejays:
James Hunter:
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-nominated English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
musician and soul singer
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
.
Career
Hunter's career began with a band called "Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays," who released their first album in 1986 entitled Cry Wilf. Later he released three more with his own band. He spent much of the 1990s playing small clubs in London, such as the Weavers Pub in Islington (North London), and the 100 Club100 Club
The 100 Club is a music venue in London situated at 100 Oxford Street, W1, originally called The Feldman Swing Club.The 100 Club attained legendary status in modern British music, having played host to live music since 24 October 1942....
on Oxford Street in London. Hunter's soulful style drew the attention of Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, who appeared on Hunter's first album released on Ace
Ace Records (UK)
Ace Records Ltd. was started in 1978. Initially the company only gained permission from the label based in Mississippi to use the name in the UK, but eventually also acquired the rights to publish their recordings. When Chiswick's pop side was licensed to EMI in 1984, Ace switched to more licensing...
, Believe What I say in 1996. (Morrison sang backing vocals on "Turn On Your Love Light
Turn On Your Love Light
"Turn On Your Love Light" is an R&B-style blues song recorded by Bobby Bland in 1961. It was a both an important R&B and pop chart hit for Bland and has become one of his most identifiable songs...
" and "Ain't Nothing You Can Do.")
Hunter's relationship with Morrison led to a tour with the latter in the early nineties; he sang backing vocals on Morrison's 1994 live album, A Night in San Francisco
A Night in San Francisco
A Night in San Francisco is a live album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1994. Guest artists were John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells and Jimmy Witherspoon as well as Morrison's daughter, Shana Morrison...
, and his 1995 studio recording Days Like This. Hunter's first solo release in the United States, his 2006 breakthrough album People Gonna Talk
People Gonna Talk
People Gonna Talk is the third album by English singer-songwriter James Hunter, released on March 7, 2006. The album charted at number one on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. The album reached the top ten in Mojo magazine's Albums Of 2006 critics polls. It was also nominated for Best...
, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album
Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album
The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album was awarded from 1983 to 2011. From 2001 to 2003 the award recipients included the producers and engineers as well as the artists...
at the 49th Grammy Awards ceremony. He parted ways with Rounder Records in 2008 and issued the album The Hard Way
The Hard Way (James Hunter album)
The Hard Way is the fourth album by English singer-songwriter James Hunter, released on June 10, 2008. The album charted at number one on the Billboard Top Blues Album chart and number five on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.-Track listing:...
via Hear Music/Concord.
Solo and as leader
- Howlin Wilf & the Vee-Jays, Cry Wilf! (1986) re-issued by Big BeatBig Beat Records (Ace subsidiary)Big Beat Records is a British record label and import distributor owned by Ace Records, specialising in garage rock.-Roster:Releases include:*Big Star*Dean Carter*The Chocolate Watchband*Count Five*The Cramps*The Flaming Stars*Frumious Bandersnatch...
; (2002)
Howlin' Wilf&The Veejays:
- "Blue Men Sing The Whites" (mini LP) WATERFRONT WF 036 (1987)
- "Howlin' Wilf & The Vee-Jays" UNAMERICAN ACTIVITIES BRAVE 8 (1988/89)
- "6 By Six" (six song mini album) HOUND DOG BUT 004 (1990)
James Hunter:
- ...Believe What I Say (1996) Ace Records, appearances by Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
and Doris TroyDoris TroyDoris Troy was an American R&B singer, known to her many fans as "Mama Soul".She was born as Doris Higginson in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir... - Kick it Around (1999) Ruf RecordsRuf RecordsThe motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations....
, produced by Boz BoorerBoz BoorerBoz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz... - People Gonna TalkPeople Gonna TalkPeople Gonna Talk is the third album by English singer-songwriter James Hunter, released on March 7, 2006. The album charted at number one on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. The album reached the top ten in Mojo magazine's Albums Of 2006 critics polls. It was also nominated for Best...
(2006) Rounder RecordsRounder RecordsRounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students... - The Hard WayThe Hard Way (James Hunter album)The Hard Way is the fourth album by English singer-songwriter James Hunter, released on June 10, 2008. The album charted at number one on the Billboard Top Blues Album chart and number five on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.-Track listing:...
(2008) Hear MusicHear MusicHear Music, also known as StarCon is the brand name of Starbucks' retail music concept and record label. Hear Music began as a catalog company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1990 before being purchased by Starbucks in 1999.-Concept:...
Album appearances
- A Night in San FranciscoA Night in San FranciscoA Night in San Francisco is a live album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1994. Guest artists were John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells and Jimmy Witherspoon as well as Morrison's daughter, Shana Morrison...
(1994) with Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely... - Days Like This (1995) with Van Morrison
- Live at KEXP Volume 5Live at KEXP Volume 5Live at KEXP Vol. 5 is the 5th installment in the Live at KEXP cd series. Live @ KEXP Volume 5 was lovingly compiled from the best of our more than 440 live, in-studio performances hosted by KEXP in 2009,this CD is more than just a record—it’s an archive of one-of-a-kind, exclusive live tracks from...
Track 13: Hunter's "Don't Do Me No Favours" (Various Artists) (2009)