A short while ago, someone asked, via the comments section, whether I could start a series that featured the various singles released by James over the years. I’m going to do my very best to comply with the request but there’s a few gaps in the collection that I might be unable to fill as the weeks and months go by.
Those of you wanting to go back to the very beginning will need to search the archives of T(n)VV and in particular the posting from 21 November 2013 featuring the songs that made up Village Fire, a 12″ EP from 1985 that brought together all the tracks recorded for Jimone and James II.
The band’s next release still causes a degree of confusion. Here’s wiki:-
“Chain Mail” is a single by Mancunian band James, released in March 1986 by Sire Records, the first after the band defected from Factory Records.
The record was released in two different versions, as 7″ single and 12″ EP, with different artworks by John Carroll and, confusingly, under different names. The 12″ version was released as “Sit Down, three songs by… James”, even though it did not contain the later James hit, “Sit Down”, which in 1986 had not been written yet.
The only difference between the two versions musically was the inclusion of the song “Uprising” on the 12″ version. Neither song made it onto James’s debut album, Stutter, although live versions of “Chain Mail” and “Hup-Springs” were later included in the live album One Man Clapping.
It received rotten reviews from the UK music press – “cold, turgid and morose” was the verdict delivered by Sounds, and it was completely ignored by mainstream radio. Not surprisingly it came nowhere near troubling the charts.
mp3 : James – Chain Mail
mp3 : James – Hup Springs
mp3 : James – Uprising
It can’t be denied that this was a very bizarre choice of single. It is whimsical and almost folk-like as indeed are the b-sides…..and yet, almost 28 years later it remains a hugely enjoyable listen……but even the most diehard of fans has to admit it would have been a miracle if it had made TOTP.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
“Chain Mail” is such a great song, it would have deserved TOTP’s #1 (never expected that to happen though!). In my humble opinion none of their output beats ‘Hymn From A Village’ though …. not even ‘Sit Down’ does …
Thanks for this one of the few James singles ive not got and only heard the one hand clapping version before. Love the early covers as well. As you say strange choice for a single but there was quite an off centre folky element to early James
I was an indie snob in my youth, I had the factory singles. But not this. What an idiot this is great ! I can put this on rpt on my cell and play it to death, just like as if I bought it the single decades ago on my hifi
A strange single for sure, but a good song. James always were a little quirky, even at their commercial peak, so they’re alright by me. Let me know if you want me to supply any of the things you’re missing, JC. I have pretty much everything James put out (save some of the more obscure remixes).
JC… I’m sorry. I only just rediscovered your blog after wondering why it had disappeared from my blog-roll. I can’t believe that happened 6+ months ago… but in my defence, I have been dealing with a new baby for the last 5 of those. I’m so sorry you had the old TVV taken away from you like that – but congrats on keeping on keeping on. You’re back in my blogroll where you belong now. All the best – Rol.
really made up you are doing a series on James. I always thought I was quite up on early James stuff, but I never knew this was released as a 12″, great to hear the track uprising, which was a new one on me. really looking forward to hearing what this throws up. if you’ve any missing stuff, I’ve a fair bit knocking about in the loft if it helps. – mr bovril
JC– Thanks for the series! I am looking forward to your comments about the singles as this goes on. I love Tim’s lyrics on this song and I didn’t realize there were two versions. Thanks again from New Orleans!