When musicians play music for the joy of playing music ; that should matter.

The band James were in town Sunday night as part of a double bill with the legendary Johnny Marr. James should be given a key to the city of Montreal.

James were formed in Manchester,England in 1982 and had four Top Ten singles on the 90s singles charts and nine top songs on the album charts. The songs ‘Come Home’, ‘Sit Down’, ‘She’s a Star’ and ‘Laid’ are the foundations of James. On record, the songs are great yet they don’t really parlay the essence of James’ music.

Live, in person is where the ‘magic‘ takes place. Music and the band members’ ability to play multiple instruments is what makes James breathe life into themselves and into the audience. Confidence should never be confused with big egos and this may be the reason James are not operating on the same size stages as Coldplay (et al) are.

Tim Booth leads the way in a cosmic other worldly sense. Everything about his performance is world’s apart from his contemporaries and many of the legends in music history that came before. Joy emerges from Booth’s soul like caterpillars released from caves. Like the ensuing butterflies – his presence, his voice and spirit; floats, lands and enters the punter’s souls.

To not be transfixed by Booth means something inside is dead. He is a dancing poet and a poetic dancer. Booth knows something most of us don’t and his full range vocals tease with a glimpse of his knowledge. Booth swallowed the canary and remains in the bag.

The rest of the band seem also transfixed by Booth. When not – they are equally transfixing. They escape into a James world. A wondrous musical voyage. The band has bought into Booth’s elixir and are spitting it into the air. A translucent cloud is created which should be hovering the entire planet. Humanity needs reprogramming.

When musicians play music for the joy of playing music; it does matter. James matters.

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