Disco de James: “Getting Away with It: Live”

I listen to this CD and think "dammit, why did I only just get introduced to this band three years ago and why do I live in the U.S.!?" I envy any of you Americans out there who had the chance to see James in the States. And, of course, now it's too late to see them anywhere. But...on with a review.

For any James fan, this album sells itself. And I'll admit, even though I only started listening to James three years ago, I have managed to amass all of their albums, my point being that I'm a bit biased. Speaking of, I also envy any of you out there that have your hands on any James singles before Millionaires, especially those containing songs left off their album of B-sides.

Anyway, the highlights of this 2-discer for me are, in no particular order, "Sit Down", "Johnny Yen", and "Protect Me". I find that there are a number of things one can do to improve a song for a live performance: add accoustic guitar, slow it down a bit, and/or throw in some nice piano playing. The best example of any of this is "Sit Down". Appropriately, it's the last song (and decidedly my favo(u)rite after hearing this recording) of the concert. Here, it starts off with a very nice piano part, and it's funny because it takes the audience more than a few moments to figure out (at least to me) which song they're hearing. But there's the piano and the first verse, before the chorus chimes in, which is slowed down a great deal and, as a result, even more poignant.

I won't ramble on much longer, only to say this. For me a great live album re-emphasizes just how great a band is and just how truly wonderful are their songs. I go away from this album with a better understanding of every song here, loving many of them even more, and, as someone on the west side of the pond, very happy to hear an entire crowd singing soulfully along with Tim Booth, having only encountered a handful of people over here who know who James are, and even fewer who can name a song beyond "Laid".

Buy this album and enjoy!!

Think of them as U2 without the ego. Instead of the popular kid at school who was always visible and outspoken, James was more like the unassuming quiet guy you'd see every day and barely notice. But down-to-earth as they were, this group could write a mean hook and a joyful soaring chorus with the best of them. Combine that with some intelligent lyrics and a staying power underneath the catchiness, and you've got one of the most modest but fascinating pop catalogues out there. (Even with several hits, they'll always seem like an under-the-radar treasure to me. I'm sure I'm not the only one.) This set can't help seeming like a memento - farewell shows tend to do that - but as a live album it's also top-notch. The band puts everything they've got into a heartfelt performance, and a few small warts only make it that much more honest & personal.

Getting Away also makes a splendid introduction to the group - it covers their entire career in two hours, it's got some material you'd otherwise have to hunt down some import CDs for, and it shows their variety much better than the single-disc best-of. The ambience is almost palpable. The energy is infectious from start to finish. It's easy to imagine how well some of the tunes must have worked as bouncy arena singalongs, but there's also a sincerity that can't be faked, from the modest jokes about technical glitches to Tim Booth's parting farewell ("I'd love to invite you all home for milk and cookies"). Like all James, this stuff is always fresh and never fails to give me a lift. At the heart of it all it's a group and an audience having a great time enjoying some excellent songs.. no flash or showiness required. Simple and fairly common, yes, but it's something that never gets old.

I love this band just to start with. I bought their best of CD and was instantly hooked on songs like Laid, Hymn From A Village, Sometimes, and How Was It For You. Even though I love all of there songs.

I have a huge weakness for this band and especially for this CD. I automatically love everything I hear from them. And even though I knew that they were broken up when I got into them I almost cry when I hear this CD. Maybe because I want to see them live. Maybe because I love the band. I don't know.

But about the CD. It's great. It's a great set list with a loud vocal participant crowd. What else do you want in a live album. All I can tell you is buy this CD if you are a fan of James or you are new. Just get it.

When looking for one of the great bands of modern music you can't get better than the seven guys from James. Every single member and every single track is memorable. This DVD made me travel 8 hours south to NYC in September 2010 to see them live.

They are a genuinely gracious set of gentlemen, very humble to boot and their music spans three decades... who else can approach this type of review?

I admit that I'm not the world's biggest James fan.... but this CD blew me away! I've had it for several days and it has only left my home stereo to make its way to my car's CD player for when I run about town.

This CD is just remarkable. It is, in my opinion, James at their best. They have some amazing musical moments and the between song banter is interesting and even funny in some spots (including an apology to Mum for the swearing!).

I won't rattle on, but this CD is fantastic. It's easily one of the best CDs I have purchased in the last year. I bought it with several others and I'd take them all back so long as I could keep this one....