Morgan James

Biography

If you have become a fan of Morgan James in the last few years, you may be surprised that her new album, Nobody’s Fool is inspired by 90s R&B. But if you really know her, it’s no shock at all. Perhaps you even anticipated it.

James, herself, will tell you that she identifies as a soul singer. And while she understands what lane to stay in, she does enjoy driving her vehicle through many distinctive lands.

“My first studio album, Hunter, was rooted in R&B. And while the albums that followed leaned heavily into classic soul, I knew I wanted to return to my R&B roots at some point. I’m a 90s kid, and that music just feels good.”

In addition to two soul albums (recorded live to analog tape), James simultaneously recorded full album covers of Joni Mitchell’s Blue, D’Angelo’s Black Messiah, The Beatles’ White Album, and Jeff Buckley’s seminal Grace, because her ambition all along has been to create a musical legacy that is varied, but first-rate, and classic without question. And what could be more classic than the Babyface, Toni, Sade, and Mariah tunes she’s been listening to for thirty years?

The album opens with “Everybody,” a song that sounds like a party in Maxwell’s living room. You can just imagine those inimitable voices sitting on a sectional sofa, bouncing their heads in time. “As It Is,” co-written with Ryan Shaw (Nile Rogers, Tedeschi Trucks Band), reduces the heat to 90 bpm so one can really appreciate the turn-of-phrase in her lyrics. She pleads in “Let It In,” first politely and then with abandon, while on a wave of keyboards, guitars, and drums. 

Jeff Buckley’s “Everybody Here Wants You” is the only cover on the album, and has long been a favorite for James.  “When I began digging into what I wanted on this album, I thought about the fact that we were recording in Memphis and that this city of soul is where we tragically lost Jeff.  I’ve always loved what he started with this song, and I thought I’d attempt to finish what he had already poured so much beauty into.”

Interludes “Like I Do” and “Take Away My Sorrow” (both collaborations with Raphael Saadiq) transition from color to color. She sings a whispery duet with herself in “I Waited For You” and roars for respect in “Nobody’s Fool.” 

“Nobody’s Fool But Mine” is a big, sexy, slow jam, with lots of layered vocals and horns, in the tradition of Prince and D’Angelo. Morgan State University’s choir adds appropriate gospel-infused back-up on “I’ll Be Holding On,” an anthem of unconditional friendship, inspired by her own life, and with a nod to Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need a Friend.”       

“The Hurting Kind,” which features legendary Memphis saxophonist Lannie McMillan (Silk Sonic, Al Green, Keith Richards) and “You Found Me” were actually written during sessions for Hunter with pop/R&B producers/songwriters Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello (Kelly Clarkson, Anastacia, Celine Dion), and have only gained richness and complexity in the decade since. 

The album is co-written, arranged, and produced, by her husband and musical kindred spirit, Doug Wamble, who also programs drums and plays guitars on every track. 

“After recording several albums in a row in the analog tradition, we wanted to make a record that satisfied an itch we were feeling for the 90s slow jams and ballads we love so much. Though we were still tracked live with a full band and filled it with live ingredients, it has more programming and more sonic depth. I also recorded all of the layers of background vocals myself, to create rich soundscapes and moods. I think this is probably my most cohesive record from start to finish, and feels like it goes on an organic journey.” 

Though stylistically Nobody’s Fool may differ from James’ last few albums, one dominant theme remains consistent – her undeniable voice, nurtured first through training at The Juilliard School and then throughout her varied career. Whether she is singing with a symphony orchestra, bringing down the house on a Broadway stage, or performing her original songs in musical venues around the world–it is, and has always been–done with soul.

 

Client Links

 

Media Assets

 
 
 
 
 

Explore More Clients