"Grape"-production: Eystein Hopland & Last James, engineered by Bernt Kanstad. "The Last James"-production: Lars Pedersen & Lars Lillo-Stenberg, engineered by Jørn Christensen, Kyrre Fritzner & Tomas Siqveland. "Kindergarten"-production: Bjørn Fløystad & Lars Pedersen, engineered by Bjørn Fløystad.
It sounds like: Haakon Ellingsen / Haakon Ellingsen..s "Bounty" album. It also sounds a lot like: WHEN "Trippy Happy",Beatles,Beach Boys,XTC,Crosby Stills Nash & Young,The Left Banke,Donovan,America,Wings,De Lillos,July,The Millenium...the 60's in the 90's...the 90's in the 60's... Dreamscapes out of the sandpits...
"An album shining with beautiful melodies, simple yet atmospheric lyrics and a general West Coast feel spliced with traces of British popsyke. If this album had come out on Elektra or Vertigo it would now be a first-class collectable- a fate that is looming large for a release as attractive as this being confined to a prolific yet underexposed label like Tenth Planet. Man, this is so intense and shiny that it ought to sell millions and indeed, it could change the world with all these awesome melodies and bopping rhythms. A Great Album. In capital letters." (Hartbeat! about "Kindergarten")
LAST JAMES was at first the former schoolmates Lars Pedersen and Rune Nilsen. They had made a decision in their teens, that they wanted to make an album with influences from the music they'd worshipped together when they grew up. In 1990 that dream came true and "Grape" was released as an LP through Voices of Wonder records. The coverart was "in the hands" of the mythological and historical painter Sir Joseph Noel Paton, and was also to set an early standard for LAST JAMES musically. Like this painting the music is full of romance, colours, nature, and even with some small strange creatures. Their music is rich and varied and has the influence from 60's pop and psychedelia, as well as folkmusic and avantgarde: something that Lars Pedersen should take even some steps further with his own brainchild WHEN. By the next album the project was called THE LAST JAMES, and instead of Rune Nilsen: Lars Lillo-Stenberg (DE LILLOS) and HAAKON ELLINGSEN (never-never land...) came in. Lillo-Stenberg and Ellingsen were also songwriters and "The Last James" (1993) contains songs in the best Beatlemanner in the way that the singer is in charge of the song.
By the third and last album THE LAST JAMES was only Pedersen and Ellingsen, though according to the "James-followers", "Kindergarten" is probably their strongest card. The album, though it is highly influenced by the spirit of 1967, contains some timeless songs, some of their most well-written material. The production has also a clear pathway, almost like a conceptalbum where the theme is childhood and innocence, and they're both creating dreamscapes out of their sandpits... (bio: Gerhard Humle)
Where to find THE LAST JAMES nowadays: Lars Pedersen and WHEN: www.myspace.com/witchwood or: Jester Records HAAKON ELLINGSEN: ellingsongs.no, My Space Lars Lillo-Stenberg: DE LILLOS
Glad to hear you're listening to some of the stuff. We're all excited here about the new release, please stay in touch and hope to see you at one of their gigs.
James
at Helium
** Stackridge at
Bush Hall, Album Launch 16th June **
Takk sjøl! For både vennskap og musikken. Dere var store helter på Giske på begynnelsen av nittitallet. Det er dere kanskje fremdeles for alt jeg vet, har ikke bodd der på en stund. Men musikken låter i alle fall feiende friskt, nå som da. Hadde nettopp en hyggelig lyttestund på siden deres.
Enjoy the promise of Spring and Celebrate the re-release of your Timeless album that deserves it's rightful place in the "Hall of the World's Best Recordings"
Thank you for finding me, and for sharing your beautiful music. I love your inventiveness, musicality and beautiful melodies. "Better Put Some Light In Here" is one of the most amazing songs I've heard in ages. Have an excellent evening.
"KINDERGARTEN" has proven itself in a world among many contenders as one of the finest albums ever produced! It's in all your intrinsic friends comments!! It also seems known how difficult it is to find a copy on CD or Vinyl!! Is there any hope for a re-issue?
I already have my 'vinyl' and CD copies... I'm thinking of everyone else that should have this divine work of art! Bravo from Calfornia on your well sought after Masterpiece!
Wow! Vilken fantastik låt, "To find some good disciples"! Det var bland det bästa jag hört sedan jag gick med i Myspace för ett år sedan. Och era övriga låtar är alla mycket bra och väl producerade. Lite Beachboys, Beatles, Millenium, Tages och ett stänk av Dukes of stratosphere plus en massa annat. Och kul att Haakon finns (eller fanns) med! Min egen Håkan, menandes Håkan Almkvist, som ni frågar om har hela 5 Myspace sidor,där jag mest kan reckomendera hans Orient squeezers, som är en fusion mellan Indien och väst-världen. Stort tack för att ni kontaktat mig! Nu lägger jag er bland mina favoriter.
Hello, your music puts me back in a 60's good time feeling with an edge. I've listened to a few CD's of yours and I think you are onto something. Theres nothing like those old hooks with the "oooo la la la's". Great sound! Carlo (crazy chef Mikes brother)
