James Morrison’s current album ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ commenced a new era in the career of one of the UK’s most popular artists. Its lead single ‘My Love Goes On’ (featuring Joss Stone) was named Record of the Week and added to the A-list at Radio 2 as it raced to 8 million streams. It was followed by his first full UK tour in three years, which included what he describes as “one of my favourite gigs ever” at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
Recently James announced a new 12-date UK Tour this Autumn, kicking off on the 28th October in Ipswich, it includes a date in London at the Royal Festival Hall on 29th October and concludes in Southend on 14th October – tickets can be purchased from here!
James recently shared a live video last month to the album’s second single ‘Feels Like The First Time’. Filmed at Manchester’s ornate and historic Albert Hall, it sees Morrison and his band deliver the song in an intimate and impassioned performance. It was directed by Raja Virdi, whose previous credits include Freya Ridings and Lewis Capaldi. Arguably this is the track on the album that best captures his soulful take on the Motown and Stax traditions, ‘Feels Like The First Time’ is a shot of sonic sunshine as summer approaches.
As with the rest of the album, ‘Feels Like The First Time’ bristles with an exuberant dynamic which reflects his live shows. Morrison and producer Mark Taylor quickly recorded the core of the album within a week, before spending a second completing the finishing touches – tight backing vocals, strident horns and overdubs.
As a result,‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ is the album that James Morrison has always wanted to make. Vocally he’s never sounded better, with his honest songwriting inspiring a voice that exudes power, tenderness and experience. His band, meanwhile, hit that life-affirming sweet spot between rambunctious energy and tight musicianship and now you can go and watch him perform it live.
Since first breaking through in 2006, James Morrison’s achievements include two #1 albums, five Top10 singles, a BRIT Award and sales.
Check out James’ latest album You’re Stronger Than You Know below!
We managed to catch up with James as he talked about his latest album and more!
So how has the release of ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ gone down with fans so far?
Ha ha well … I think they like it! It’s the first time on an album I’ve toured that people know a lot of the songs word for word, I’ve been blown away by how much of the new stuff they have been singing along to.
What is your favourite track on this album?
It’s hard to choose my favourite because I have 4, but if push came to shove I’d have to pick Power because it’s just so feelgood.
Can you tell us something about the album no one else knows?
How good it will sound in 100 years. Oh and I was really hungover when I sang I still need you – I sang it again when I was fresh, but it wasn’t as good.
If you could work with any band or artist on a new song, who would it be and why?
I would sing with Lady Smith Black Mambazzo because I just love them.
So you’ve had a really successful career to date, is there any other goals in your career that you have yet to exceed?
Yeah, so many it hurts, but one at a time I’m ticking them off so just watch this space…
You have a headline tour coming up in October, what venue stands out for you on this one?
Hmmm well … all of them, every night is different. I’ve blown the roof off many a shit hole and I’ve also sounded shite in a really unique venue, but the old ones are the best.
If you could play at any venue in the world where you haven’t already played, where would it be and why?
The Hollywood bowl looks great and it’s outside. Or Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, just because they are outside and they are unique.
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
I think about making music!
The full list of UK live dates:
June
16th Essex, Down Hall
29th Glastonbury
July
13th/14th. London, OnBlackheath 2019
August
3rd Kenton, Tunes In The Castle
October *New UK Headline Tour Dates*
28th Ipswich Regent Theatre
29th London Royal Festival Hall
31st Manchester O2 Apollo
November
2nd Sheffield, City Hall
3rd Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
4th Birmingham, Symphony Hall
6th Bath, Forum
7th Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre
10th Newcastle, City Hall
11th Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
12th Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
14th Southend, Cliffs Pavilion