Best current British blues singer I know. – The words of BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson who has long given a nod of approval to the work of this singer-songwriter. Melissa James is, however, much more than a blues singer. Intuition guided Melissa’s creative decision of recording her second album – “Stripped Back” – in a pared down setting. Her naked voice intimately placed against the backdrop of just the guitar played by Tom Gamble or the piano played by Arthur Lea. All this gave space for her own voice and plight to clearly emerge.
Later, rising from this understanding was the idea of Sing for Sane – a Big Sing and mental health initiative in which Melissa would extend invitations to anyone who wanted to sing with her to come and do just that. People from all walks of life would stand alongside her in public spaces, and during her concert performances, to sing on stage. Melissa captures the audience with her own set intention which is to emit love through her music. This is evident through the emotion in her voice and her songs which see rootsy folk-blues traverse jazz and gospel tones.
Fresh from a completed run of performances in Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, Melissa performs an acoustic set at Greenbelt with Richard Bolton on guitar and Chrissy Lemonte joining her on backing vocals.
“James takes all of her musical loves – jazz, blues, soul, folk – and wraps them up into songs that achieve an astonishing array of moods and emotions.” – Jazzwise
“Melissa’s vocals are sensitive, soulful and emotional…” – Maverick