Scott Roos
Special to the Herald
Colin James, the eight-time JUNO Award-winning blues-rock legend, is gearing up for an exciting return to his home province of Saskatchewan.
As part of his highly anticipated Chasing The Sun Canadian tour, Colin will perform live at Prince Albert’s EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts on Monday, Feb. 24. It’s an unmissable night for fans of his powerful music and rich legacy.
With a career spanning over 35 years, James has firmly established himself as one of Canada’s most celebrated artists. Over the years, he has released 21 studio albums, received 8 JUNO Awards, and amassed an impressive 31 Maple Blues Awards.
His debut album, Colin James (1988), became the fastest-selling album in Canadian history, earning him his first JUNO Award and the chance to open for rock icon Keith Richards. Over the years, his sound has evolved, to include memorable forays into the world of blues, rock, swing and Americana to name but a few. This, in turn, has kept his loyal fanbase engaged for decades.
As James, who grew up in Regina, prepares for this new tour, he reflects on his deep roots in Saskatchewan.
“I have a lot of super great memories from Saskatchewan. Most were a pretty long time ago now because I left when I was 16 and have never really lived there since. But I spent a lot of years in Regina (early on) and a lot of time in Saskatoon and a fair amount of time in Prince Albert,” he said in a recent interview with PA Daily Herald. “Our family would always go on vacation north of Prince Albert, up to Dore Lake and the Waskesiu region, and I’ve been to Stanley Mission and Cumberland House and a few places like that”
Saskatchewan has also always held a special place in James’ heart from a performance perspective, and it’s clear his connection to the province remains strong in that regard as well. He fondly remembers early venues where he got his start, like the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society in Regina.
“It gave me a place to play and put a little bit of money in my pocket. I must have played there 20 times,” he said.
He also recalls getting a taste of playing live blues in places like Bud’s on Broadway in Saskatoon, which remains a touchstone venue for many blues musicians from the area.
This tour follows the release of Colin’s electrifying 21st studio album, Chasing The Sun (Stony Plain Records). When asked about the live energy that tracks from Chasing The Sun have, Colin explained, “All the songs really just fall into place, and they’re fun to play. They sound great,” adding that he’s excited to bring this new material to the stage.
The album showcases a more contemplative and Americana-influenced sound, a natural progression after his three consecutive albums with road-themed titles. On stage, fans can expect to hear nine songs from Chasing The Sun, along with some of Colin’s timeless hits (it’s going to be a 19 or 20 song set in total).
This show at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts will undoubtedly be an evening filled with music, stories, and nostalgia for Colin James, one of Canada’s most enduring and versatile artists. Fans will get a rare chance to experience his new material live, alongside many of his blues-rock classics.
