line-up 1 (1961-)

- Jesse James (aka Jessie James, aka James McClelland, aka

  Jess Harris) --  vocals

 

- Jessie James and the Royal Aces

Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Jesse James

Company: 20th Century Fox

Catalog: S3197

Year: 1968

Country/State: El Dorando, Arizona

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Price: $40.00

This one is major league OBSCURE and stands as one of our favorite soul finds of the last year.   It's also worth noting that there are at least three mid-'60s Jesse James out there, so it's understandable that various reference works tend to get them confused.  

As far as I can tell this guy was born James McClelland in El Dorando, Arkansas.  The early-'60s found him working in a chemical factory and performing on the side under the stage name Jessie James.  Fronting The Royal Aces (including a young Sylvester Stewart on guitar), he started performing in soul clubs in and around California's San Francisco/Oakland area.  

As a member of the Vallajo, California based The Royal Aces, James' debut came in 1961 when the group was signed to Ron Badger's California-based Shirley label.  Over the next six years James released a string of obscure 45s for Shirley:

  credited to Jessie James and The Royal Aces

-1961's 'Cha Cha Minnie' b/w 'I WIll Go' (Shirley catalog number SH-103-A/B)

  credited to Jessie James

- 1962's 'Baby Please Come Home' b/w I Got a Little Girl (SHirtley catalog number SH-106)

- 1962's 'A Sad, Sad Situation' b/w '<y Future' (Shirley catalog number SH-110-A/B)

- 1963's 'I Wanna a Full Time Love' b/w 'I Gotta Little Girl' (Shirley catalog number SH-112)

- 1963's 'Going Back To Nashville' b/w Lost My Baby' (Sims catalog number )

- 1966's 'Are You Gonna Leave Me b/w Someone To Love Me' (Shirley catalog number SH-119)

Along the way he picked up a mentor in the form of manager/producer/r Jesse Mason Jr. Unable to attract a major label deal, Mason set up his own HIT Records label, releasing a pair of instantly obscure James 45s; the second credited to "Jessie James & the Dynamic Four":

- 1967's 'Bring My Baby Back' b/w 'I Call On You' (HIT catalog number H-6119)

- 1967's 'Believe In Me (Part 1)' b/w 'Believe In Me (Part 2' (HIT Records H-6120)

1967 found James finally breaking into the big time via a recording contract with  20th Century Fox. Teamed  with Mason in the production role 1968's "Jesse James" was a surprisingly impressive collection.  While James high and thin vocals weren't among soul's most recognizable voices, he made the most of his talents, turning in an impressive set of deep soul performances.  AT least to my ears on a couple of tunes like 'I'll Always Love You' he briefly reminded me of a young Sam Cooke.  The hip opener 'Facts of Life "68", the earlier vamping single 'Believe In Me Baby (Parts 1 and 2)' and 'Green Power' were all interesting in that their pseudo-live sound made it sound like they were recorded in a small club before a fevered crowd.  Most comfortable working in a mid-tempo range, tracks such as 'I'll Always Love You', 'If You're Lonely (Take My Hand)' and 'Bring My baby Back' were all strong performances.  The only real misstep was the supper club jazz piece 'Time After Time.'  It may have lacked an "ear candy" single, but it's one of those albums that grows on me with every spin.  Maybe falling just short of being a lost soul classic, but well worth the admissions price! 

"Jesse James" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Facts of Life "68" (Jesse James) - 3:11 rating: **** stars

If you wanted to hear a song that captured what early 1968 must have felt like, then it was hard not to nod along to James' tale of self-empowerment.  Complete with the nods to James Brown and a great sax solo, 'Facts of Life "68"' was pretty cool.  The Revered Al Green had nothing on this performance.  Okay, I'll agree  the live-in-the-studio female backing comments became increasingly irritating.  Also, the ending was a bit abrupt.  Hard to imagine that the social optimism shown in the song would vanish by the end of the year.

2.) Thank You Darlin' (Jesse Mason Jr. - Jesse James - Sugar Pie DeSantos) - 2:32 rating: *** stars

I've heard lots of frenetic soul sides, but 'Thank You Darlin' is definitely up on the list.  BY the end of the song James sounded like he was going to tear out his throat ...  In spite of the energetic performance, lacking a standout melody, or hook,  the song wasn't all that great.  The track was tapped as the album's second single:

- 1968's 'Thank You Darlin'' b/w 'Bring My Baby Back' (20th Century Fox catalog number 6700)

3.) I'll Always Love You  (Jesse Mason Jr. - Jesse James - Zel Mason) - 3:08 rating: **** stars

With a slight jazzy vibe, the sweet ballad 'I'll Always Love You' has always reminded me of a cross between the late Sam Cooke and James Brown.  The dramatic reading has always struck me as being one of the album's standout performances/

4.) Until You Girl  (Jesse Mason Jr. - Jesse James - Sugar Pie DeSantos) - 2:54

5.) Believe In Me Baby (Part 1) (Shena Demell - Sugar Pie DeSantos - Anderson) - 3:22 rating: **** stars

The two part 'Believe In Me Baby' was another tune that had previously been released as a single on Mason's HIT Records label.  Another faux-live track, the smooth tune mixed stabbing organ, jazzy guitar and shouting audience sounds with surprisingly topical lyrics, including a nod to Vietnam.  One of James' best performances, the track was released as the album's first single:

- 1967's 'Believe In Me Baby (Part 1)' b/w 'Believe In Me Baby (Part 2)' (20th Century Fox catalog number 6684)  # 92 pop and # 42 R&B Billboard charts

(side 2)

1.) Believe In Me Baby (Part 2) (Shena Demell - Sugar Pie DeSantos - Jesse Anderson - Jesse James) - 2:45 rating: *** stars

'Believe In Me Baby (Part 2)' continued tune with James going off on a weird rap about mothers sneaking out on their young children.  

2.) If You're Lonely (Take My Hand) (Johnny Heartsman) - 2:40 rating: *** stars

Always loved the jazzy guitar on the ballad 'If You're Lonely.'  This ballad showcased James' gruffer voice to good effect.  In spite of the intrusive horn arrangement this one was quite commercial and probably would have been a better 45 than the ones 20th Century Fox released.

3.) Green Power (Johnny Heartsman) - 2:07 rating: **** stars

Judging by the blazing 'Green Power' James and producer Mason Jr.clearly loved a faux-live sound.  An up-tempo slice of social commentary, the only thing wrong with this one was it's length.  It ended far too soon.  The song served as the album's third and final 45:

- 1968's 'Green Power' b/w 'If You're Lovely' (20th Century Fox catalog number 6704)

4.) Time After Time (Styne - Kahn) - 4:46

5.) Bring My Baby Back (Johnny Heartsman) - 4:46 rating: *** stars

Another track that reminded me of Sam Cooke, the ballad 'Bring My Baby Back' had an odd early-'60s, MOR arrangement and feel.  The explanation may lie in the fact the song appears to have been previously released as a non-LP single on producer Mason's own HIT Records label:

- 1967's 'Bring My Baby Back' b/w 'I Call On You' (HIT catalog number H-6119)

6.) At Last (Warren - Gordon) - 3:10 rating: *** stars

Clearly Etta James' versionof the ballad 'At Last' sets the standard.  That said, James' cover isn't bad, just not enough to make you forget Etta's version.

© 06/2024 Scott R. Blackerby