Edinburgh's original open mic night

James Jamieson

in his own words

Which OOTB performer really rocks your boat?

I’ve got to admit, that I’m a real sucker for the female vocal/guitar sound, so I reckon it has to be, Iona, Lisa, Lindsay W, Dale and Jill. I also like Lynsey H (ex Houdini Box )in the band format. On the male front, I love listening to Ross, BJ, FFA, Fraser, David F and Young William. It obviously goes without saying that my absolute favourite is me old mucker CBQ !!! (Check out his new album Deeperdown – well worth a listen).

What was your worst musical experience?

Many moons ago, I used to play bass for a band called Ritual Dance. We played this gig in Aberdeen at the Lemontree (I think). The previous night Big Country played the same venue. Anyway, the leather clad locals obviously didn’t appreciate our early 80’s style, and proceeded to start throwing coins on the ground in front of the stage. All very disheartening, particularly so when it proved to be the bands last ever gig. Still, it was the first time we got paid for a performance!!!

What's the best song you've written so far?

Generally, this tends to be the last song I’ve written which at the moment is a song called The First Line. I suppose my best song would have to be Why Billy Why coz it was the first song I wrote which wasn’t about the usual ‘relationship’ twee that I tend to write about. I still enjoy listening to this song on my album and look forward to playing it as part of my live set.

What's the best songwriting advice you've ever had?

OK, he didn’t tell me personally, however, the way David Bowie used to cut up lines he’d written and played about with the format is an interesting songwriting approach, particularly for someone like me who struggles with lyrics. Someone also once told me NOT to use the word ‘love’ in a song e.g. I love you, your love means everything, give me your love, etc, which is a rule I do tend to apply to my own lyrics.

What's your favourite song of all time?

OK I’m going to change this to my top ten songs of OOTB performers (not in any order):

• Flowers For Algernon - Optimism
• Cloudland Blue Quartet - I Re-Arranged The House
• Big Jim - Live Feed
• Iona Marshall - Lost Without
• Lisa Paton – Albasylum
• Chris Brown – Throw Away The Orange Peel
• Scuff – EPTO
• David Ferrard – Rain
• Houdini Box – Cold Reading
• Graeme Mearns – Your Light Comes Spinning

Who's the funniest person you've ever met?

I’ve played a few times live with an old mate of mine called Jim Park (ex Exploited),on percussion. He makes me laugh. He has this incredible way of taking normal everyday situations and expanding them into hilarious anecdotes. He also has one of the most infectious laughs I’ve heard which I find really contagious. At times, this tends to have the undesired effect when trying to look mean and moody supporting CBQ. Terrible, at my age and I still suffer from a ‘fit of the giggles’. Ach Well – its good to laugh !!!! Check out Jim’s website www.toecurler.com , in particular his blog or take in one of his stand-up shows.

What's the best performance you've seen at OOTB?

Gosh, I’ve seen so many. I do recall one occasion where I was a complete emotional and physical wreck when listening to Jill singing a song called Lotus Moon at OOTB which was nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful. CBQ still slates me about this less than masculine display. Honest guv, it was a one off !!!

Who do you fancy at OOTB?

The female variety.

at OOTB

(May 2003)
James Jamieson gave a passionate performance tonight. “Time Of Ours” had an uptempo, gently pumping rhythm underpinning the rousing chorus ‘don’t you want this time of ours to last forever?’. “The Hurting In Me Is You” was a new one ‘risked’ tonight about a separation. A strong vocal with a lyric about looking for a place far away in the sun but not being able to forget his lover, this was perhaps not fully formed yet but what was there sounded very good. More familiar to these evenings, “Precious” was a joyous romp, which James sounded very comfortable singing. I loved the way the lyrics and guitar riff overlapped relentlessly, a quality composition.

(July 2004)
The numerically challenged “James Jamieson Trio” (JJ and CBQ) began with a tribute to Billy Mackenzie of the Associates. James, strong, confident, understated vocal delivered a thoughtful view of a wasted talent “poor psychotic you”, CBQ delivered a masterfully understated lead flourish, which could have been longer; this was a strong song. Another mature, well-crafted song was “Fairy Tale” descending finger picking which finished with the line “only wishes come true in fairytales”. The final anti- First World War song, the “Kings Country”, delivered in marching time was the story of a 17-year-old “Kitchener boy” going to war. Historical references to Earl Haig brought the past to life in this dignified, stirring yet ultimately sad song.