One Of The Three - The James Band Archive

Category Archives: Era: Be Opened By The Wonderful

Louder Than War – Jim Glennie (James bassist) – Interview

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Louder Than War | Natalie Royle | 4th November 2023

I don’t even play on every song, She’s A Star and Sit Down for example, I don’t play on those; I just get to sit and watch from the side of the stage and I have to admit there’s something quite magical about that because as band members we obviously don’t normally get that experience.  Inherently the show is about the orchestra, choir and of course the songs and I think that is a different experience for all of us.  It is really very special.

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Clash – Getting Away With It: 10 Questions With James’ Jim Glennie

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Clash | 21st June 2023

You have to keep changing as people, musicians and as a band. You need to inspire and surprise each other, pushing and growing together. We are like a family, and like families there is a lot of love but also moments of disagreement. It’s essential to have good lines of communication and be able to have open and honest dialogue and not let problems become bigger than they need to.

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Music For The Misfits – Album: James – Be Opened By The Wonderful

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Music For The Misfits | Rene Rosierse | 20th June 2023

‘To Be Opened By The Wonderful is a nice retrospective with tracks from the early days like ‘Why So Close’ (1986) until ‘Beautiful Beaches’ from James’ latest and their most critically acclaimed album ‘All The Colours Of You’ (2021). Other impressive reworks are ‘We’re Gonna Miss You’ (now we know where The Slow Show got their sound from), ‘Tomorrow’ (with an amazing horns section) and the critical ‘Hey Ma’ (the boys in body bags coming home in pieces).  We’d like to congratulate James with their 40th anniversary and with yet another great album.

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Buzz Magazine – JAMES’ timeless hits transformed: BE OPENED BY THE WONDERFUL celebrates 40 years

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Buzz Magazine | 13th June 2023

It’s the sound of James’ best-loved songs down the decades, reimagined with a 22-piece orchestra and eight-piece choir; pretty much most of their chart hits and other best-known moments are present, along with some lesser-known gems that will be well known to James’ most ardent followers. But it’s the grand renditions of Sometimes, Star and Tomorrow which stand out the most on Be Opened…; Laid and She’s A Star are ably adapted, too, and there’s a brand new track in the shape of Love Make A Fool.

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XS Noise – ALBUM REVIEW: James – Be Opened By The Wonderful

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XS Noise | Ian Burn | 9th June 2023

The band have certainly hit a sweet spot here, making some exquisite music. It could easily be perceived as a band having a mid-life crisis and being a bunch of pretentious wankers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Seek out this album, listen to it a few times and let it absorb into your soul. If I can’t convince you to do that, then at least listen to ‘Sometimes’ with the volume up high.

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Three Songs And Out – james - 'Be Opened By The Wonderful' Album Review

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Three Songs And Out | Ian McClay | 9th June 2023

However there isn’t a weak song on this album, some of the rarities are real revelations. It’s not something to put on as background music, it’s too good for that! I missed the recent tour with the orchestra, a fact I’m now bitterly regretting. James have always been at their best live, I’m guessing this was something special to see in the flesh!

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Scottish Music Network – Album Review – James – Be Opened By The Wonderful

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Scottish Music Network | James Edmond | 7th June 2023

So what are you waiting for? Get ready to be opened by the wonderful sounds of James and their double album “Be Opened By The Wonderful.” It’s a must-have for fans of the band and anyone interested in discovering their unique sound. With James’ experimentation, Joe Duddell’s expert touch, and the addition of the orchestra and choir, this album is an experience you won’t want to miss. Let James take you on a musical journey like no other!

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