Good evening. I'm writing this on my phone. See, I was meant to be at my parents house an hour ago but London traffic being the charming monster that it is (also a road accident somewhere along the line) I'm not getting there for another couple of hours. I think this brings my journey time today up to about nine hours. Might as well review this new James album then.

Hey Ma released today.

In other (related) news, Apple are making it really hard for me to hate them. iTunes has an exclusive deluxe edition of the album available now. Extras include the mellow b-side-ish Child to Burn, a 22 minute commentary track by the band (also Lee, I believe) on the whole album and an exclusive presale link for the December tour (one show per purchase, up to four tickets).

Price is £7.99 or 79p per track. If you want the commentary and the presale password you have to buy the whole thing. And if you want sleeve notes you also have to buy the CD. Ho hum. 

This was an amazing gig from start to finish featuring no new songs whatsoever, despite the setlist that'd been posted. It was all a trick, James had something far more special up their sleeves...

Bubbles
72
Oh My Heart
Boom Boom
Hey Ma
Destiny
PS
Junky
Semaphore
Monsters
Senorita
Waterfall
Waltzing
White Boy
Sometimes
--
Go Home
Upside / Sound

Whilst most of us were asleep last night, the lovely admin people from over at wearejames.com sent out emails to all registered James' fans informing us that the new album is due to be released on April 7th (no name as yet though) and the dates and venues of the April tour.  What's more, this email contained the dates and a special link so that real James fans (as opposed to touts) could get their tickets a day early ...WooHoo.

Dates so far...

April

Thursday 10th Derby Assembly Rooms

Friday 11th Lincoln Engine Shed

Saturday 12th Liverpool Uni

Monday 14th Newcastle Academy

Tuesday 15th Sheffield Academy

Thursday 17th London Shepherds Bush Empire 

Friday 18th Norwich UEA

Monday 21st Bristol Colston Hall

Tuesday 22nd Blackpool Empress Ballroom

Thursday 24th Edinburgh Corn Exchange

and just for the lovely Janine...

                                             ...Friday 25th Aberdeen AECC  

And...there's more

James are also going to be playing at the Isle of Wight festi June 15th, so make sure your passport is up to date ;o)

Can't wait...stuff Christmas