Well it's been, let's say .. a while, since I last updated this blog thingy, so I'm a bit rusty to say the least, any  how , just thought I'd let the peeps out there know whats going on in Harrisonland.

I have been hindered by terrible computer problems and unforgiving audio terribleness trying to get the long long awaited "Harrison Unit Album" finished - well it's only been 2 years hehehe!!! oh well.

After all that I still havn't found the right way to go about it - however I do have 2 tracks from the album that I have uploaded for you to listen to - Please feel free to tell me what you think of them and I'll keep ya posted on the rest of the album which should be along shortly.

Peace
James xx

REVIEW---REVIEW---REVIEW---REVIEW---REVIEW---REVIEW---REVIEW---


Happy With You James Harrison

By: Rebecca Fludgate - Dolfin Music

Wow! This much awaited album of new songs is a welcome addition to Jamess repertoire - nine new songs and a variety of styles and influences shining through. His manager Fiona Anderson has told me it's been a busy year for James - festivals, winning a busking licence on Bournemouth pier, connecting with numerous other locals artists in collaborative live gigs, producing his own album, playing at Bournemouth Live, joining a band, leaving a band, getting a residency at a local pub, putting on events and about to start on his second album.

The opening title track, Happy with You has a brilliant overdriving lead rock guitar running through it backed by simple drums, bass and acoustic guitar. The song reminds me faintly of the Everly Brothers, mainly due to the melodic harmonies and country style sound. The second song, one of my personal favourites, is Loving Flame, an original title and lyric with a poignant perspective of a lovers acknowledgement of his inspiration. The track features James and his guitar only and seems all the better for it as this gives space for the lyric and the listeners imagination.
Following this is Its just a dream with Chris De Burgh style keyboards with a lullaby melody. The mood changes for I need you which has been produced with slightly overdriven guitars which give a raw sound feel, complemented by harmonies. One of the strongest songs on the album follows, with Tell me Why a New York style piano shuffle and a mature sound reminding me of that supreme talent Billy Joel. Shes only in my Head also has a nice piano intro, it is a ballad and has a clever lyric and good arrangement.

The whole album shows with out doubt Jamess talent for writing original, good commercial songs, in a variety of styles and rhythms. It is a mood album, taking you through highs and lows of personal relationships and subtle in its simplicity. It also inspires you to go and see him live. The album shows James potential as a songwriter and performer and that it may not be that long before he becomes a major artist.

Great nite coming!....
Hey You Musicians!

You probably have all heard that Si Genaro and the Lovely Laura are going off to Australia for 3 months.

Well, Leon, publican at the ever-fun Salisbury Arms Pub, in Purewell, Christchurch, has kindly agreed to let us hold a GOING AWAY PARTY for Si and Laura.

We want it to be a night of MUSIC 4 MUSICIANS.

Making great music is the reason that Si and Laura are able to make this fabulous trip and sharing music with others is what they do best, so let's give them some back.



* * The event will be held in the pub on SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER about 9 pm but of course you can turn up earlier * *

I would appreciate it if you could RSVP if you plan to come along.

If YOU WANT TO PERFORM we are drafting a short list at the moment.

You can either contact
James Harrison at music@jamesharrison.org
or
Fiona Anderson at manager@jamesharrison.org

Some people have already indicated that they would like to do a special piece with Si in mind.


Si and Laura know all about it but we also thought it might be fun if we could get everyone wearing police man's hats and Hawaiian Leis for a giggle.......cos' we can't find red jackets any where!
We'll see how that works out and I probably won't mention that bit to Si..... Give 'em a laugh! :o)

Si did say he doesn't mind playing a bit of blues harp but no singing or compereing....he wants a nite off and have lots of drinks bought for him :o)

Please get back to me ASAP so we can get on with planning this party.....they'll love it.....we'll all love it!

Speak soon!

Fi x x

--

Fiona Anderson
Manager - James Harrison
manager@jamesharrison.org

http://www.jamesharrison.org
http://www.myspace.com/jamesharrisonuk

Wallingford Bunkfest may have been mostly about Folk music and dance but there were so many good musicians there, with differing musical backgrounds that I reckon the Live Mic at night was just about as good as it can get.
I jammed with Dave a well-known bag piper; 'The Clown' has never been done that way before. I was called up to do a bit of blues harp with Steve the compere: Si would have been proud of me :o) and Big Al gave us a blast of his deep voice into the wee hours in the camper van, at yet another late nite jam sesh.
All good fun! But the highlight was certainly my Dad and Stuart from the 70's band, Saraband, getting together after all these years and jamming wherever they could get their guitars out. I won't forget that one in a hurry.

08/27/2006 04:00 PM - The Metropole in association with The Gander
2 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 8AD,UK - FREE
ACOUSTIC GROOVES @ The Metropole in association with The Gander on Holdenhurst Road BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY AUGUST 27 from 4pm
Featuring:
JURADO
SIRPICO
SARAH GRIFFIN
JAMES HARRISON
FRANKIE MILNER
BIG CHRIS PUGH
STUART GAUNTLETT
LUKE E MAC
+ MORE
James will be playing 45 minutes worth of original music from his debut CD, 'Happy With You'.
James Harrison is a singer / songwriter based in Bournemouth, he writes his own songs in a style loved by many loyal followers. He has been playing guitar and piano for most of his life and his passion for music really shows through in his songs which capture his audience.

He plays covers from artists that have inspired him throughout his life such as, Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, The Beatles, and many more great artists.
James also pays tribute to his father in his act, playing delightful songs written by his dad when he was in a very successful folk band called Saraband during the seventies.
James puts on a great show and appreciates his audience as they always appreciate him.

James will have his debut album CD's available for purchase at £4 each. They are limited edition and signed.

Wallingford Bunkfest - Wallingford, Oxfordshire
http://www.bunkfest.co.uk/
Wallingford is situated about 15 miles south of Oxford on the A 4130, A4074 and A329.
James is playing at various times and various venues during the weekend festival.

1. First Venue James is playing at:
****Fri 1st - Sun 3rd September 2006****
Friday evening Coachmakers Arms - 1st September 2006
**James Harrison - Start Time 20.00 / End 21.20**

2. Also in the evening on Friday James will do some live mic:
The Acoustic Ballroom
****Friday night 20.00 - 23.00****
www.theacousticballroom.com
The Acoustic Ballroom was started last November in Wallingford in an attempt to bring together musicians, singers, bands, storytellers and poets. It has taken the town by storm - every month performers and music lovers pack out The Ballroom for a fabulous acoustic feast.
**Doors at 8pm, Music from 8.30 pm, Close at 11pm**

3. Next venue and time you can see James:
****Saturday Lunchtime Showcase Special - Portcullis Club - 2nd September 2006****
Compere - Paul Burke
**James Harrison - Start Time 13.35 / End 14.15**

4. Then the final confirmed venue that James will appear at:
****Sunday afternoon Coachmakers Arms Garden - 3rd September 2006****
**James Harrison - Start Time 16.45 / End 17.45**

James has some great sets worked out. We figure there will also be plenty of opportunities for spontaneous jam sessions as well, especially in the campsite and social club.
Wallingford is a super place to hold such a massive festival and great fun for musicians and audiences!

James Harrison with special guests Ben Cornish, Si Genaro and Steve Harrison www.jamesharrison.org at The Salisbury Arms

Headline spot at The Salisbury Arms Thursday 10 August 2006
The home of live music in Christchurch
Purewell, Christchurch, Dorset

http://www.christchurch-music-pub.co.uk

Tel: 01202 482949
email: salisburyarms@btconnect.com

It is set to be a great gig!

James Harrison has played many live venues around England, playing original music on guitar and piano from his debut album Happy with you. Expect to hear upbeat covers from the past and even more original music, which he is yet to record.

A great night of harmonies and blues harps from Ben, si and Steve :o)
Leon runs a friendly pub, the staff are fab and the atmosphere is all about music for musicians.

HEY EVERYBODY.....BEN CORNISH, SI GENARO AND I HAVE WON A BUSKING LICENCE TO PERFORM TOGETHER ON BOURNEMOUTH PIER.
THERE WERE 6 LICENCES TO WIN IN THE COMPETITION. THE AUDITION WAS HELD ON MONDAY ON THE PIER THEATRE STAGE.
The judges were Tim Dowland, Creative Director at The Mad Agency, Frances Cornelius of the Variety Club and a representative from the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
WE ARE SO STOKED....IT'S BEEN A GREAT SUMMER SO FAR AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY :o)
I'll keep you all posted but a big thanks to everyone who has been showing such support for my musical pursuits.

James

Gotta thank Adrian Golding for taking and editing some bonus shots - see my new profile page image :o) at Salisbury Arms Beer and Wine Festival last Saturday......he's great at Band Photography, PR, Advertising and CD Covers!!!!
** check out his site www.imagesofsound.co.uk **
Cheers mate!
James (Fi says Hi!)

Hey everyone !! Well where do I start? Just recently has been music mayhem !! in the life of James Harrison, it's just been non stop, which is really good but exhausting.

I haven't written a blog for ages because I'm never at my computer long enough these days to write one, so I will have to try and cast my mind back to tell you where i've been and what I've been up to.

I played the salisbury arms, pub in christchurch a few thursdays back, it was just after we won the football and the pub was crammed and everyone was in a good mood and I had a great time.

Then I played a set at bar fruit, downstairs for Conrad. Some great musicians there, incidentely Si genaro played harmonica for me on " Loving Flame " which was ace !!

Went to the summer soltice @ Stonehenge but for some STRANGE reason I can't quite remember everthing abouth that night lol....... still, I can remember it was great though.

Bournemouth live has been going on over the last 5 days and I was asked to play in the garden marquee. which I did and it was really cool, to play to chilled out peeps in the gardens on a sunny day !! yay !!

I have now played 4 times as a keyboard player for the band SONNET. First time was up at bar Klute on the triangle in bouremouth and also we did the battle of the bands for 2CR @ Junpin Jaks on the pier, and GET THIS !! WE WON !! Well we won the audience vote and we were soooooo happy for the prize which was a fender guitar.

Then an unexpected BOB DYLAN ticket, for his show on wed 28th turned up so after going to see Si genaro play on the pier i ran over to watch bob @ the B.I.C, but unfortunately he diddn't seem to be the magic Dylan we all once new ( age'll do that to ya ) but hey, it can't be helped.

After the Dylan concert I ran back over to Jumpin Jaks to play a gig at short notice for SONNET which went really well and I had such a laugh.

Well that's pretty much where I'm at now, I will be playing at Logans bar in Christchurch soon. So when I find out the dates I will let you now.

till then ................