Best Of James, The - James

Advantages: Comprehensive round up
Disadvantages: no real order to the tracks

James have been going since 1985, but only really started to achieve proper chart success around the time of the whole ‘MADchester’ scene around 1990, and subsequently tended to get lumped in with The Stones Roses et all, despite not sharing either their home town or indeed their sound. James are also seen as typical white boy, middle class art student types, right from their name to dodgy sweaters and floppy fringes. This has tended ...
...been hip like Blur or Oasis, but that hasn’t stopped them from selling millions of records and having a career that’s spanned over 16 years and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon. Anyway, as for the music, if you’re a fan of James you’ll love this album (and indeed own all but a couple of its tracks) and it’s a definitive starting point for anyone who is just a dabbler. Featuring all their ‘big hits’ ... Read review

Advantages: very good songs, pretty cover
Disadvantages: just a couple of so so tracks

...album is one of the best 'best ofs' I think I own. It isn't full of chart toppers and unless you already own a few James albums then you won't have heard of many of the songs. Everyone will have heard ‘Sit Down’, now an anthem, which, unbelievably, was kept from being number one the second time round by the insane Chesney Hawkes. If it did just have top tens on it, this CD would consist of a mere three songs. That’s how underrated ...
...James, before then they were known as Model Team International- how very catchy! They hail from Manchester and disbanded in, I think, late 2002. They played their last gig in Manchester and I frequently kick myself over not going to see them live. James were always kinda left out of the whole Britpop scene, unfairly I think, as I always thought their sound was very British and very poppy. However, this turned into a good thing as the death of Britpop ... Read review

Advantages: Some good tracks
Disadvantages: Lots of not so good ones

...'Best Of' album. All James' best can be found on the 18 (!) track album, including the singles 'She's A Star', 'Laid', 'Born Of Frustration', 'Tomorrow' and 'Destiny Calling'. The music is simplistic to day the least, but it is far too catchy to ignore, and a lot of the lyrics are excellent. I love the tracks 'Sometimes', 'Sound' and 'Lose Control', but the rest of the tracks aren't really inspiring or particularly memorable, especially the cringe-making ...
...This album's biggest problem is that it's TOO long. It has some great tracks, but it is padded out by quite a few mediocre ones, meaning you won't play it all the way through often because there's not enough to play it for - you have to skip over too many tracks, and can't just leave it playing. It's a good album, but it is it's own worse enemy at times. ... Read review

Advantages: The best of a good band - what could go wrong
Disadvantages: None here

...singles. So, you'd expect The Best of James to be brilliant, right? And you'd be correct. All the very best songs are on here, such as Sit Down, Tomorrow, Destiny Calling and Say Something. They're supported by the likes of She's a Star, Laid, Lose Control and Sound, and it all mixes very well for a good album. Best of all, I don't think you need to be a James fan to buy this - the sound is diverse and entertaining and there is something for everyone ... Read review

Advantages: All the tracks are worth listening to
Disadvantages: Can't fit it on one side of a D90 cassette

It is only when you sit down and let the entire album run that you realise exactly how many hits this greatly underrated band have scored over the last decade. From the stripped down Laid to the epic Seven, they just keep coming. There are also some diverse moments instrumentally. One minute you are faced with the beauty of the piano-led She’s a Star, the next it’s brass on Born of Frustration which speaks volumes for the band’s ... Read review

Advantages: Ground breaking collection of soft folk/rock classic songs
Disadvantages: None

...*** Who is James Taylor? *** James Taylor is a very cool guy. He has dedicated his life to giving us a catalogue of truly exceptional songs which contribute towards a complex framework of music history. He is admired by both fans and fellow musicians. James has experienced some pretty turbulent and difficult times in his own life and his loyal fans feel that because of this, he truly understands them. *** Awards and recognition James has received *** James has won numerous awards in a career that has spanned three decades. He received his first Grammy back in 1971 for best pop vocal performance, male for his remarkable recording of his friend Carole King's "You've Got a Friend". More recently James Taylor picked up his Best Male Pop Vocal Performance trophy at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony for "Don't Let Me... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Timeless REAL soul music
Disadvantages: Only 10 tracks

...INTRO ---------- After 1980's rappers and The Smiths, James Brown is my other musical icon of choice. With a career in entertainment spanning his debut single release, "Please Please Please" in 1956 to his appearance with Will Young at this year's Olympic Torch Concert, only Cliff Richard could boast a career equal in longevity. Cliff, though, can't boast James Brown's critical kudos and influence. Of the 116 albums he's released, this effort - originally from 1981 - is one of 17 "best ofs" on the market! WHO IS HE? ------------------- Even if you don't know any of his music directly, the chances are that you'll have been affected indirectly by his vast 45 year output. For a start, he invented what used to be called "soul", that genre that put feeling and vocal passion before lyrics and image. He was 8 years ahead of Motown... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: some all time classics
Disadvantages: a few dud tracks, no live songs

...out of sight is a greatest hits collection from the godfather of soul, James Brown. it contains all of the classics that you would expect including 'sex machine', i feel good', 'papas got a brand new bag', 'its a mans mans mans world' and 'get up offa that thing'. there are 18 tracks here in total making this album good value for money. some of the songs dont quite live up to the same high standards as the songs mentioned before, but the song retains a funky groove throughout. perhaps a dissapointing thing is that there are no examples of Brown's legendary live performances here. Browns band is generally very tight. the inlay includes a fairly detailed biography and some good photos of brown in his younger years. overall this is a good album with some genuinely great tracks, there are a few weak links but it doesnt detract from... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful