COLIN JAMES: Traveler

Colin James

Traveler

© 2003 2003 Warner Music Canada Ltd.

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On ‘Traveler’ James’ originals kick back with Motown-inspired soul ballads and gentle pop-rock grooves that offer plenty of room for his raspy pipes and gently weeping guitar. Includes wah-wah-drenched covers of Lennon and Hendrix.

tracks

1 I'm Losing You
2 Make A Mistake
3 Sky Diving
4 I Know What Love Is
5 Black-Eyed Dog
6 You And Whose Army
7 Sending A Message
8 Know How To Love You
9 She Can't Do No Wrong
10 Anywhere Is Home
11 Rainy Day, Dream Away

notes

Traveler

trav-e-ler (n) - somebody who is on a journey to a particular place or who uses a particular form of transportation.

"I've been touring since I was 16 and I still find it exhilarating to change my surroundings whether it be for work or vacation."

Colin James is a traveler. As one of Canada's best guitarists, he has sold over one million records worldwide, seen most of the world, won many industry awards and international recognition for his versatility as a guitarist and his unforgettable voice. His diverse catalogue of music includes the blues/rock that got his career going, big band and his first musical love: the blues.

His music is his journey and his transport and it has brought him to his eighth full-length recording, Traveler. The album, produced by fellow Canadian Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams), was recorded and mixed primarily at the stunning Paramour Studio in Los Angeles.

"When I first saw the Paramour, I went to listening party where they (Lucinda and producer Mark Howard) were wrapping up Lucinda William's latest record. It was late in the day and as I drove up to the gated entry, a long marble pool greeted me as I walked along the lit gas lamps to the main room where the recording was done. The lights of downtown Los Angeles were down below and from the hill the house is perched on, you were allowed a ridiculous 360 view on every side," recalls Colin in awe. "Mark and I had been talking about working together and the idea of recording there became that much more enticing."

As with his last album, Fuse, Colin teamed up with good friend Craig Northey to pen a number of the songs on Traveler. "I'd always wanted to write a Motown ballad," says Colin. ""Make A Mistake" was the closest I've ever come, so it was gratifying when Craig and I finished that one."

The song "Know How To Love You" is the self-penned track on the album. "I wrote lyrics during a long stop over at the airport in Nashville after a Ft. Lauderdale date and somewhere between St. Paul and Vancouver it was finished," recalls Colin.

Jeff Trott of Sheryl Crow co-writing fame collaborated with Colin for "You And Whose Army" and came to Los Angeles to record with Colin. It was at the Paramour where "Skydiving" was written the day before it was recorded.

Along with Northey and Trott, Colin wasjoined in the studio by legendary bass player Daryl Johnson (Emmylou Harris, The Neville Brothers), highly regarded session drummer Victor Indrizzo (Depeche Mode) and drummer Dean Butterworth (Ben Harper).

Traveler features 3 covers, the first being the opening track "I'm Losing You" written by a man who was on his own journey, the late John Lennon. It was a real find for Colin, as he had always wanted to record a John Lennon song.

"There's a great blues base that we thought would really work as a vocal and guitar vehicle," says Colin. "When we were finished it was somewhat spooky when we realized how much it evoked the original at times."

'70's folk icon Nick Drake's 'Black Eyed Dog' goes down in Colin's mind as one of the most memorable and oddest recordings he has ever done. " You could hear a pin drop in the studio as it was peppered with live mics, making overdubbing impossible," recalls Colin. "You can feel the tension as we tried not to make mistakes. It put us in almost a trance-like state."

Jimi Hendrix's "Rainy Day, Dream Away" is an example of how Traveler represents Colin's ability to grow and move with his music, learning as he goes. Under Howard's engineering, Colin experienced a more spontaneous recording session. With Howard's penchant for leaving rough edges and minimum overdubbing, most of Traveler is the first take.

"True to Mark's spontaneity, we listened to Jimi's version once and cut the song immediately," remembers Colin. " It was a one take affair."

In 1988, Colin exploded onto the music scene as young guitar-slinger from Regina with a sound reminiscent of the great blues masters but at the same time uniquely his own. Needless to say, the world stood up and paid attention. In the years since his debut, Colin has dealt out multi-platinum rock albums, best selling big band records and chart topping singles. He has been called to the podium no less than six times to accept Juno Awards.

Colin has performed with such noted musicians as mentor Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Richards and the likes of Mavis Staples, Lenny Kravitz, and Bonnie Raitt have made guest appearances on his records. His first "jump blues" album, Colin James & the Little Big Band, was certified double platinum in Canada and foreshadowed the big band craze of the late '90's by five years. His acoustic blues album National Steel won a Juno Award as Best Blues Recording and he was named Best Producer in 1999 for his work on Colin James & the Little Big Band II.

"For me this record was a chance to delve into writing in a more personal way," says Colin. "It's very different from my more blues oriented recordings. And I love the chance to expand the breadth of styles and sounds that more contemporary recordings afford."

New sound. New songs. New journey. Traveler.

reviews

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  • This is a beautiful record!!!
    author: Helen Diana

    Traveler is a great album. Actually all Colin's albums are good. He gets better musically everytime a new one comes out. This fellow can sing just about any style of music and it works. Traveler has songs that can make you dance to, want to sing along with or just plain relax to with your precious ears. These songs are short stories written by him and other great writers, told in motion with emotion. Buy this and enjoy.

  • Wonderful "bluesy" album, thouroughly enjoyed it!
    author: Kristy

    Absolutly loved this album! I am a huge John Lennon fan and am pretty critical of covers done on his or the Beatles songs but I was very impressed with his cover of "I'm Losing You". I actually think I like it better than the original. I have and will continue to recommend this album to many of my friends!

  • VERY GOOD
    author: ARTO VAISANEN

    GOOD MELODIC ROCK WITH A TASTE OF BLUES. FINE GUITAR PLAYING.

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