Album Notes

“Until Now” is the second release from Robert James, a singer/songwriter/multi-
instrumentalist from Vancouver, Canada. This nine song retrospective spans a ten year period from 1985 to 1995. The CD leads off with 1985’s “Is It Love”, a song that received regional radio airplay and later saw live television performances with Robert and his back-up band “Fingerprintz”. “Girl’s In Trouble” and “Serious Strains” are taken from the same recording sessions. “Girl’s In Trouble” fared very well on mainstream radio, while “Serious Strains” was a darling for the college crowd and was considered for
a coca-cola commercial until it was discovered that the song was actually about a “john” waiting for his hooker. 1986 saw a hastily assembled line-up enter the studio for the recording of “Somebody Else’s Dream”. The newly formed unit was short-lived and Robert took a hiatus from playing live to concentrate on writing and recording.

A pure songwriter, Robert was growing tired of the labels the industry were trying to attach to his works, so he delved deeper into his roots and would often try out new material on the unsuspecting coffee house crowd. He roared back on the scene in 1994 with a new band and streamlined material. “Last Train”, “Sweat” and “The Rover” proved to be just what the doctor ordered and his fan club ranks swelled with sold out shows at the grittiest clubs on the circuit. “I Ain’t Looking For Love” and “My Sister’s Bringing Alex Chilton Home” were recorded in 1995 with the latter song attracting the attention of Jody Stephens, the drummer for the 70’s seminal band, “Big Star”.

“Until Now” offers an exceptional overview of Robert’s many musical stylings within the rock genre, and most of the songs presented here are perennial fan favourites and are still frequently requested at live shows. The CD clocks in at just under 35 minutes and serves as a cornerstone for “Lizard On A Rock” and “Slouching Towards Bethlehem”, the upcoming release that he hopes to have available here before January of 2009. Incidentally, the cover shot for “Until Now” was taken on a hot July evening in 1995, and sadly would prove to be the last show for that line-up.

Track Credits

Is It Love/Girl’s In Trouble/Serious Strains

Dizzy Richerds: Bass Guitar
Greg Watson: Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Gord Campbell: Electric Guitars
Mike Szekely: Keyboards
Dave Johnstone: Drums, Percussion & Samples

Somebody Else’s Dream

Greg Watson: Electric Guitars
Dale Pleven: Bass Guitar
Regan Myers: Keyboards
Dash: Drums

Last Train/Sweat/The Rover/I Ain't Looking For Love/My Sister's Bringing Alex Chilton Home

Marty Kinack: Electric Guitars/Keyboards/Drums, Percussion & Samples
Pam Martin: Guest Female Vocals on "Last Train"