James

IMHO 'Laid' is by far their best album'

Bob

Agreed, "Laid" is the place to start, and quite possibly end as well.

I'll go with Laid too, consistently excellent, aided by production from Eno I seem to remember. 'Millionaires', one of their last is pretty good too, and of the earliest 'Seven' is probably the classic. In general most James albums had one or two storming tracks and a fair bit of dross. The 'Best of' compilation is therefore a safe bet.

Bruce

Listening to Laid as I type. I've got the Simply Vinyl double version and its superb, one of SV better efforts.


Paul.

Great band. Brilliant live. Laid is the only one to get, but shame you didn't catch them live when they were around.

Must agree with the others LAID is a fantastic album.

James first album Stutter is one of the best debuts ever - produced by Lenny Kaye. For those used to the later stadium-rock sound of James it will come as a bit of a shock as it is completely mad in places but I grew to love it like a son. The 2nd album Strip-Mine is also great as is the hard to find live album One Man Clapping. I'm afraid Gold Mother and Seven left me a bit cold compared to the early stuff but thye certainly came back on form with Whiplash and Laid.

Possibly my favourite live band.

Cheers

Rich

Thanks for all your recommendations, I'll try 'Laid' first.

Peter

Ahh yes, the Laid album.

I remember the days when I used to put a name badge on and go hang around the sites that were advertising "Get Laid by James" . Ever hopeful...

My two pennies......

Surprised nobody has mentioned the 'getting away with it....live' album. Their final concert to a home crowd, with soulfull performances of a host of great tracks.....including the fucked equipment!
Oh, and the dvd is great too.....

My only gripe with James is BLOODY "Sit down".

I need to get "Laid" (ahem!) and "Stutter" - never got on with "Gold mother". Are the SV pressings that much better than the original efforts?

Tim Booth, the singer in James also made an album with Angelo Badalamente (Twin Peaks etc) called "Booth and the Bad Angel". It's really rather good.

I agree that Laid is my favourite of their albums.

quote:

Originally posted by domfjbrown:
Are the SV pressings that much better than the original efforts?

Dont know as i've not heard the origional version. It's just that it's a good recording for a SV issue, something that is not always the case. I have a SV copy of Ziggy Stardust that is frankly a waste of plastic.

Paul.

I just got Laid!

Thanks guys,
Brian