Colin James adds November UK Tour Dates in support of 'Blue Highways'
Canadian singer-songwriter and acclaimed blues guitarist Colin James will issue his new album 'Blue Highways' in the UK on November 25th via True North Records. To support the album Colin James will be touring the UK as special guest to Beth Hart and will play an additional headline show at Under The Bridge in London. Loads more about Colin James, the new album and the tour dates follows.
'Blue Highways' was co-produced by Colin and Dave Meszaros (Wake Owl, Old Man Canyon) and recorded at The Warehouse Studios, Vancouver, Blue Highways pays tribute to some of Colin’s long-time blues idols, including Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Freddie King, Junior Wells & Buddy Guy, Peter Green, Robert Johnson and William Bell to name a few.
Colin wrapped up his Hearts on Fire tour in the spring of last year, and after a couple of months of straight touring, he was loving playing with the band and really happy with the sound they’d created on stage, so what better time to make a record? Especially the record Colin had been itching to make for years - a collection of some of his favourite blues tracks. In less than a week Colin and his touring band went into the studio and in just 2 days, Blue Highways was born.
The album’s lead single, ‘Going Down’, inspired by the great Freddie King, features Geoff Hicks (drums), Steve Pelletier (bass), Jesse O’Brien (piano), Craig Northey (rhythm guitar), and of course Colin James (vocals/guitar).
Colin has just been confirmed as Beth Hart’s special guest on her November UK tour and is planning further UK & European dates for summer 2017.
Colin James · November 2016 UK Tour
as Beth Hart’s special guest, except*
Fri 11 Birmingham Symphony
Sat 13 Gateshead Sage
Mon 14 Glasgow O2 Academy
Thu 17 Bristol Colston Hall
Sat 19 Bournemouth Solent Hall
Sun 20 London* Under The Bridge, Stamford Bridge
Mon 21 Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Wed 23 London Royal Festival Hall
Colin James Bio
Six-time Juno Award winner Colin James has worn many hats during his long and storied career. When Colin first hit the scene a quarter century ago, he became an instant rock guitar hero, mentored by the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan. Since then, this iconic Canadian has topped the charts as a pop vocalist, recorded an acclaimed blues album and led the swing revival with his Little Big Band, which he both fronted and produced. He has performed for the Queen, sold multi-platinum many times over and continues to sell out shows coast to coast. Along the way, he's written memorable hit songs and given us distinctive covers of timeless classics with his newest album teasing that the best is still yet to come.
Looking back over Colin's career, it's a timeline rich in highlights. His 1988 self-titled debut, featuring his two self-penned hits ‘Voodoo Thing’ and ‘Five Long Years’, was the fastest-selling album in Canadian history. It won him his first Juno and an opening spot on tour with Keith Richards. His second album, Sudden Stop, featured his hit ‘Just Came Back’, which reached #3 on the U.S. radio charts and earned him the Juno Award for "Single of the Year." Colin was next credited with launching the swing revival, thanks to his wildly popular Little Big Band, which has released four successful albums to date. He has performed with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Lenny Kravitz, Albert King, Mavis Staples, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Mick Fleetwood and The Chieftains; had his songs recorded by artists such as Lucinda Williams, Johnny Halliday and Maria Muldaur, and won a staggering 17 Maple Blues Awards. Even after 17 acclaimed albums, Colin remains at the top of his game, always challenging himself musically.
In many ways Colin has been Canada's quiet superstar - going about the business of making consistently excellent music, all the while etching out his own unique and important place in the country's musical history.
A consummate professional and a superb guitarist, Colin is a musician’s, musician. The confidence that comes with maturity can be heard in his voice and seen in his electrifying stage performance. He does what comes naturally – he always has – he knows no other way and no other life.