Not to be confused with the Jamaican soul singer of the same name, Northeastern Canada's Jimmy James (1935-2014) started his career as a teen idol in Quebec, way back in the late 1950s... He steadily gravitated towards country material, but sang pop material as well, and recorded numerous French-language tracks. Following his successes in Canada, James tried to make a go of it in Nashville, though like many before him he found Music City to be a tough nut to crack. Here's a quick look at his work...
Jimmy James "Walking The Floor Over You" (Arc Records, 1965-?) (LP)
This was his first LP on the Arc label, and is packed with straight-up country oldies Marty Robbins, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and others -- stuff like "Wolverton Mountain," "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On," "Devil Woman," and "Your Cheatin' Heart," as well as a couple of French-language tunes, hinting at things to come. One song on here that James wrote, "Victim Of Love," was released as a single in Canada, and scored him a Top Ten hit. No info about the musicians backing him up, though... alas!
Jimmy James "I Remember You" (Arc Music, 196--) (LP)
Jimmy James "Jimmy James" (Arc Music, 196--) (LP) - #A-667
A French-only album, aimed at his hometown Quebecois fans...
Jimmy James "With A Song For You" (Arc Music, 196--) (LP)
(Produced by Ben Weatherby)
Jimmy James "The Eddy Arnold Songbook" (Arc Music, 196--) (LP)
(Produced by Ben Weatherby)
Jimmy James "To You With Love" (Kandy Records, 197-?) (LP)
Jimmy James "Jimmy James: En Spectacle" (Ranch Records, 197-?) (LP)
Another all-French album...
