Blues icon Colin James returns to Massey Hall

Canadian bluesman Colin James is playing Massey Hall this evening. We caught up with veteran musician, who has played for the Queen and opened for The Rolling Stones, to talk about his new album, the thrill of Massey Hall and why the Horseshoe Tavern will always have a place in his heart.
 

We hear you’ve got a new album on the way.
Yes, it’s going to be released in June. I seem to put out an album every two years — this’ll be my 15th.

What kind of sound are can we expect on your new album?
It’s got a bit of a Memphis-y soul. With the rock songs we’ve tried to tie a bit of R&B and Memphis into all of that, so if it’s rock it’s like Sticky Fingers / Rolling Stones rock and then there’s some nice gospel-soul songs.

Have you collaborated with anyone on the record?
I’ve worked with a few different writers. I write a lot with Tom Wilson from Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and me and Tom have tended to be partners a lot over the years, but on this one Ron Sexmith and I have co-written two songs together, and I co-wrote two with Gordie Johnson from Big Sugar. So it’s got a few collaborations like that.

Will you try out any of these songs at your Massey Hall show?
I’m hoping to. Gordie Johnson said he is going to show up and play a couple of songs with me. I put the invite out to the Blackie guys but they’re all on the road, so won’t be able to make it.

Does the thrill of playing such a storied venue like Massey Hall ever wear off?
It’s such a neat place. I always think about who was wandering the back rooms back in the ’50s. And it’s so intimate there, the crowd’s so close — I’m always afraid of deafening people.

Where were your first Toronto gigs?
At the Horseshoe Tavern. They booked me for an entire week way back when, and I remember looking out at the lineup on the street and thinking, “This is for me? These people are here for my show? On a Wednesday night?”

I know that this past summer you hosted a radio show. What was it like to be on the other side of things?
I really enjoyed it. I love spinning all the different tunes that I love. Sometimes people think that if you are a blues musician or a rock musician then that’s what you are and that’s all you listen to.

Anything on your iPod that might surprise your fans?
Well, my daughter makes me listen to Bruno Mars … but I’ll say, maybe Tchaikovsky?

Colin James, Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255. April 20.

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