Reviews & Quotes:

 

 

 "James Clode and the JCB provide expertly crafted musicianship from a 9 piece band who have honed the art of playing to each other's strengths perfectly. Catchy tunes, fun on stage and off, and most importantly - they know how to bring a party!"

 

Steven Giddey - Events Manager Roundhead Productions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lovely review of our Album "Citadel" from DWF Media. Check below!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The AMAZING James Clode Band! You need to get these guys in your life. Incredible music. Lucky to say they're my friends!

 

Ellie Makes Music - Incredibly talented Local Singer/songwriter

 

 

 

"These guys really know how to put on a show"

"Totally Awesome, they rocked and stomped the Brewhouse."

- Big Scott - Radio Cardiff

 

Last night I went to the album launch of The James Clode Band. What a night. These guys rocked the joint. Thoroughly, professional entertainers. Look them up guys, you really won't want to miss them again. The JCB are the most exciting musical phenomena to come out of Cardiff since Shirley fecking Bassey! - John Camilleri-Training Designer & Friend of the JCB

 

 

James Clode Band - Citadel (A Live Session) JC001

 

The band came together following James’ participation at the Rumney Folk Club in Cardiff. Gathering a band of seven around him the eight piece band (Since expanded to a nine!) played as often as possible in the Cardiff area and very quickly gelled together, with an excellent sound..

 

This, their self released debut album contains ten songs, nine of James’ and one written by guitarist Phil Young. The album was recorded as live, all playing together in the studio, hence the sub title. The result is an album that has a lovely spacious sound, is not over produced, and has that energy and slight edge of nervousness required to get the take right – which they do.

 

I’m not going to go through the album song by song, you need to hear it for yourself to make your own mind up, but the songs both entertain and make you think at the same time. I will though pick a few personal highlights. Everybody in the band deserves a mention as their contributions go to make up the whole. Xenia Porteous is the violinist, Elaine Morgan and Lesley Gibian the backing vocalists, Gordon Kier keyboards, Phil Young lead guitarist with the rhythm section of Derek Morgan on bass and drummer John Turner. James of course fronts them all, playing acoustic guitar as well as his lead vocals.

 

You have to have a great song to start an album, and the box is definitely ticked by the uplifting “Keep On Breathing”. The gentle vocal, acoustic guitar and violin start is soon upped in tempo and volume by the full band kicking in.

 

“Rise And Fall” is the song written by Phil Young, and again starts gently with a lengthy violin introduction. A slower paced song there is a solid rhythm set throughout the song with Xenia featuring throughout on violin. It must be said that the gentle start and change up is not a standard procedure, but it works very well for both of these songs.

 

The band can certainly rock, but doesn’t have to on every song. Their second single “I’m No Hero” stays very gentle throughout, with just acoustic guitars and violin, with three vocals weaving around each other.

 

My final highlight is the closing track; “Party Town” which again features Xenia on the violin, with a title like that it is of course a positive song. A bright tune and performance it is just what they do in concert. You can sing along, tap your feet or dance, but you will have a good time.

 

If you see the band live you will of course hear much of the album, as well as many more songs from their ever increasing repertoire. When James takes a deep breath and goes for it (Which he frequently does!) he brings to mind Springsteen and Southside Johnny, with the good time swing of the band through the songs it’s certainly no bad thing and guarantees a rip roaring time for all.

 

The album is available on CD via www.thejamesclodeband.co.uk or downloads from iTunes and Amazon. The band also has songs on Soundcloud and video on You Tube. Follow the links from their website to find them.

 

Ian Burgess - The Ledge - April 2014

 

Nice mention from alt.Cardiff