The eighth of an occasional feature in which I’ll draw your attention to some albums that have been purchased in 2023 and which I reckon are worth highlighting.
OK. This is a total nostalgia kick. There’s a huge number of singers and bands who’ve been around for decades flogging many a dead horse to fans who are prepared to pay silly money for limited edition represses, gig tickets, t-shirts and all the other paraphernalia that comes with music in the modern era. I’m as guilty as most when it comes to forking out, although I’ve increasingly become tetchy and unwilling to pay the asking price for live shows which are unlikely to be as memorable or enjoyable as those from a few years or decades ago. (£50 for the Bunnymen at the Barrowlands next year? No thanks…….)
I did, however, fork out for the James show in Glasgow that was to feature an orchestra and choir. I did so as the venue was more than decent, and I’m very fond of hearing songs adapted to include strings. It proved to be a good call, as it turned out to be one of the best of what ended up being many live highlights during 2023.
I have to admit that the actual performance was far more spine-tingling than the accompanying album, but that really is down to the magic of seeing and enjoying things in the flesh as opposed to hearing a note-for-note perfect reproduction at home via the stereo speakers. It’s also the fact that the running order of the live show was quite different from the order in which the songs appear over the four sides of the vinyl, as well as having a number of songs that don’t appear on the record. But, all minor grumblings aside, Be Opened By The Wonderful is an album I’m very happy to recommend be added to your wish list from Santa if you’re looking for ideas.
I love that James went deep into the back catalogue for this one. Yup, a fair chunk of the better-known hits are given the full treatment, but there’s also a fair number of album tracks from before they hit payola, at least one very obscure b-side, a handful of songs from their most recent releases and one completely new song. They have all been imaginatively arranged by Joe Duddell, the Manchester-based composer and conductor, and the playing by the ORCA 22 Orchestra and the singing from the Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir is, as you’d expect, from the very top drawer, as too is the playing by the various members of James.
But none of it would work if Tim Booth wasn’t on top form. It’s hard to believe that he sounds as young, fresh and invigorated as he did when he started out some 40 years ago. He brings beauty, drama, power and raw emotion to every one of the tracks, his voice soaring when required but falling to a near whisper when the moments call for it, sometimes on the same song.
mp3: James – Hey Ma
The album and concept was pulled together to mark 40 years in the business. It would have been easy enough to go down some sort of box set route, but instead the band, and all involved with them on the management side, have spared no expense in this incredibly lavish production. Here’s one of the big hits.
If you need any more tasters for what the album offers, you can hear everything over at the James YouTube channel. Just click here.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
saw this tour at the royal Albert hall which can be a bit soulless . Went with 4 other friends who I’ve known since poly . We all said that it surprised us just how emotional the gig was with something getting in all our eyes for many of the songs . You are totally right , this doesn’t really come across on the lp but it’s still an excellent record .
friend of Rachel worth
As much as I love James – and they are a big family favourite – I just couldn’t get into this record. It now seems to be the ‘done thing’ where an established band makes a live album with an orchestra. It’s no longer an exciting prospect for me. I do like the fact James threw in some real curveballs with the tracklisting, but for me, it just doesn’t make me feel there’s new life in the songs. Perhaps if they had been the first band to do it, it might be different, or maybe if I was there at the show in person. Instead it just sounds exactly like a band playing with an orchestra, nothing more.
(Oh, and I agree with you about Echo & The Bunnymen tickets. They’ve priced me out, shame.)
Oh, and this new Reply interface WordPress has is a friggin’ nightmare!!!
Yup. I hate the new interface. It’s causing me all sorts of grief trying to get all the comments attributed properly!
I’d agree that the best thing about this record is the tracklist which is not at all obvious and contains some hidden gems from across the years, along with some of the mid-era songs that i rarely play being reimagined into something else