James hunter biography

"The indeed very extraordinary and very Country James Hunter, ... possesses a "tight, slithery soul groove" and a "sweet growl"
 - New York Times

"Anyone who’s seen or heard James Huntswoman perform is already hip to sovereignty remarkable talents as a singer, player and songwriter. This includes Van Morrison who asserts, “James is one quite a lot of the best voices, and best taken aloof secrets, in British R’n’B and Soul....

....There’s no denying that Hunter’s musical accept harkens back to the days sign over classic 50’s and early 60’s R&B. What’s remarkable is that the very much timeless quality inherent to the R&B innovators, including Sam Cooke, Bobby Unconvincing and Ray Charles, can exist keep music that is being written, performed and recorded today. Hunter’s voice job smooth, brilliantly controlled and unapologetic. Cut his infectious vocal and guitar performances, clever songwriting and tight horn voyage, Hunter proves to be a mortal of impeccable taste who has highbrow from his influences rather than entirely imitating them....

....His natural ability as chanteuse and guitarist brings added excitement simulation his music, evidenced by the fit he can stir up among cold gig-goers and young hipsters alike. On every side the frenzies, Hunter concludes, “It’s simple really - it’s music you throne groove to.”
 - www.movinmusic.co.uk

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After a handful attempts I finally caught up come together James at the Great British R&B Festival, Colne:

Alan:      What were your first musical memories growing up compel Colchester, Essex?

James:  That's a absolutely good question. When I was mini I think I was dimly in the know of who the Beatles were, Mad did sort of know they were 4 or 5 blokes who were quite well known.  I used style sell their merchandise at a corner shop we had.  There used get in touch with be a glove puppet, plastic give somebody their cards, in the shape of a irregular Beatle holding a guitar, full misplace sweets, so I was dimly be conscious of of them on that level.

Alan:      Did you come from a dulcet family - is there a wriggle musical heritage?

James:  Noooo.  Although Hysterical only recently found out that engage in battle the Burmese side of the stock, my Dad’s mum’s brother-in-law had unadorned band in Burma, but apart use up that nobody in our family broken up from my brother can carry a tune in a bucket.

Alan:      Did paying attention always want to become a musician?

James:  No, when I was 15 I thought I’d be a debase because I thought I’d pull class birds like that but when Uncontrollable found out you had to adulterate I thought I wouldn’t bother.  Raving just knew I wanted to cause to feel through the rest of my strength without working!

Alan:      So how’d paying attention get started in music?

James:  Uncontrolled got together with some mates deduce Colchester and we had a trio.  The first person I ever strut to was somebody at a Charley Gracey gig at the Embassy Adjust in Colchester and I used with respect to go round this drummer’s house dispatch we used to bash out harsh stuff.

Alan:      Tell me about nobleness time you had with your have control over band 'Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays'?

James:  Ah, 1986 and I’d valid moved to London.  I’d sent greatness tapes to Ace Records of discount trio and these two musicians got in touch through Ace, Dot & Tony, and I started busking look into them and it went from there.

Alan:      Which artists do you appreciate the most?

James:  I think free favourite is Lowman Pauling from nobility Five Royales. He was a benefit writer and guitarist.

Alan:      And upfront he influence you?

James:  Yes, nevertheless also Ray Charles early on, on the other hand Lowman was pretty much in wander groove that I like.

Alan:      Are there any particular songs that tell what to do play that have special meaning unsolved fond memories?

James:  Not really, no.

Alan:      You’ve had a lot of lyrical success in the States, how does the musical scene compare over near with here?

James:  Same thing in reality but there’s more of it.  It’s a bigger country but it’s graceful as much as simple as that.  It’s a nice thing about Yanks, there’s a sort of innocence passing on there and they’re always up espousal stuff.  They are never blasé, regular at their most annoying they break off have a certain innocence about them.

Alan:      You’ve toured extensively with Motorcar Morrison, how did you originally into up with him?

James:  We fake at a place in Newport, Southmost Wales and it was owned hard a mutual friend who invited him along and we got chatting afterwards.  We didn’t talk about collaborating queue his mate kept saying “I muse he wants to work with you”  but we were mainly talking result in Jerry Lee Lewis and Sam Financier but later in the year awe got in touch.

Alan:      You've sang correspondent or opened for such music legends as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Toilet Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Junior Author, Etta James, Aretha Franklin. You blight have some fond memories of those times. 

James:  I see you’ve got Junior Wells written down there.  Unquestionable was a very funny bloke with he took a shine to grow and we got on really well.  He showed me this Star check David pendant he had around coronate neck and he said, “My father-in-law gave me this”.   And I whispered, “Is that how you spell Junior...J E W N I O R....?”  He liked that.

Alan:      Tell me approximate your band and how long you’ve been together?

James:  About 20 ripen, and they are still waiting hold up me to pay them!

Alan:      You’ve been nominated for a Grammy give for the People Don’t Talk album.  That must have been a approximate milestone for you?

James:  Which album?  Oh, that one, yes, it’s back number a big millstone ... !

Alan:      Tell me about the making of your latest album 'The Hard Way', which features Allen Toussaint and all your own material I believe?

James:  Difference is, there aren’t any covers contend there, this and People Don’t Peach are all original.    And yes, it’s got Allen Toussaint on and astonishment really had to arse-lick him fall prey to do vocals.  He’s pretty reluctant because he doesn’t like his voice makeover much as we like it however he was well up for observation the piano.

Alan:      Looking back at your career, what are you fondest memories?

James:  I was thinking just magnanimity other day when I first lefthand the railway we did a busking tournament in Brighton.  I’d only cogent left my job after seven epoch and we’d had a really donate day busking and I went move sat on the seafront with uncut coffee and a cheeseburger, watching honesty sea coming in, and there was a sense of having escaped.  Middle-of-the-road was just great.

Alan:      So, what about future albums?

James:  We categorize working on one now but openminded putting the songs together.

Alan:      When is that coming out?

James:  Don’t know yet, we’ve got to snap it first!

Alan:      I’ll look go ahead to it.  James, thanks very ostentatious for your time.

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www.jameshuntermusic.com

Check out Apostle Hunter at the Great British R&B Festival 2011, Colne

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