James’ ability to evoke fragility and triumph remains a thing of wonder
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‘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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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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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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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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James have really excelled themselves, orchestrating a true time capsule of thought-provoking and memory-laden songs. One of the greatest bands of a generation keep getting better, and Be Opened By The Wonderful is the proof.
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It is clear from this latest album that James have no intention of slowing down. It will be fascinating to see where they go from here.
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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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Be Opened By The Wonderful is a perfect capture of the evolution of a project that might well have had a different tracklisting and arrangements had it been recorded after the recent tour which saw over a dozen more songs performed. It eschews the easy path of an orchestral Best Of, giving Joe the freedom to select the songs that he feels work best with the addition of orchestration and a choir and allowing his ear and love of the band to combine to create magic. James are at their best when they work with kindred spirits who understand the unique and complex DNA that make up a band that has shape-shifted through four decades refusing to stand still and compromise.
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I cannot stop listening to this album. The themes covered – such as war, climate change and death are at total odds with the beauty of the songs and the music, with the emotions and feelings of these new versions intensified ten fold by the orchestra and choir. By working once again (and this time recording with) Joe Duddell, James have given themselves and their fans the opportunity to make new musical memories whilst revisiting old ones. There are so many layers and details to these songs and I am still discovering more after numerous listens. My advice is to shut yourself away, pop on some headphones and lose yourself in the pure musical magic – let yourself be Opened By The Wonderful.
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Listening to these two records, reminded me of how still the old can be guardians of a past, yet delivering it in a whole new way, becoming reborn and invigorated wearing new clothes that you can actually see. I love that the band had the balls to do this and quite brilliantly they have captured each and every song in a way that embraces their youth and turned them into the musical adults they have always wanted to be.
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James have announced details of their “Be Opened By The Wonderful – 40 Years Orchestrated” album and revealed the first track to be taken from it, a version of their 1997 Top 10 single She’s A Star. The album was recorded at Blueprint Studios in January 2023 with the ORCA22 Orchestra lead by Andra Vornicu and the Manchester Inspirational Voices choir, directed by Wayne Ellington. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Joe Duddell, who performed those duties with the band on their 2011 orchestral tour.
Tim Booth says of the album which celebrates forty years since the release of James’ first single Jimone on Factory Records – “Life begins at 40. For our midlife euphoria we recorded a double orchestral album of some of our deepest cuts. If you already have a golden ticket, you’ll be catching this on tour and at Latitude festival. Bring your wings and come ready to fly.”
Joe Duddell commented “Having attended the first 6 years of Latitude Festival, I’m excited to be involved in James’ special Main Stage Show this year in a UK Festival exclusive. James have always been a great band at Festivals, mixing their extensive well loved back catalogue with newer songs which immediately sounds as they too have been around forever.”
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