James Henry Ford (August 23, 1941 – November 18, 2007) was an American singer-songwriter originally from
Johnson County, Kentucky
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,680. Its county seat is Paintsville. The county was formed in 1843 and named for Richard Mentor Johnson, War of 1812 general, United ...
. After living in
New Orleans
New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...
, Ford moved to Los Angeles, and finally settled in
Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg, officially the City of Fort Bragg, is a city along the Pacific Coast of California along Shoreline Highway in Mendocino County. The city is west of Willits, at an elevation of . Its population was 6,983 at the 2020 census.
Fort ...
. His music is a mixture of
soul
In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being".
Etymology
The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...
,
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...
and
folk
Folk or Folks may refer to:
Sociology
*Nation
*People
* Folklore
** Folk art
** Folk dance
** Folk hero
** Folk music
*** Folk metal
*** Folk punk
*** Folk rock
** Folk religion
* Folk taxonomy
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Folk Plus or Fol ...
. His songs and songs he co-wrote have been recorded by numerous artists, including
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the " Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in ''Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With ...
,
P.J. Proby
* Pajamas, or PJs
Arts and entertainment
* ''P.J.'' (film), a 1968 film starring George Peppard
* P.J. (Disney), Pete Junior, a Disney cartoon character
* P.J. (comics), a character in ''The Family Circus'' comic strip
* PJ (singer), Paris Ale ...
,
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, and the
Temptations
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 1 ...
. The UK singer
Sylvia McNeill
Sylvia McNeill (born 5 August 1947, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England) is a British people, British pop music, pop and rock music, rock singer and songwriter.
She began her career singing and playing bass guitar with various groups and bands. ...
recorded "Ugly Man" in 1970, the only known version, as Ford's could not be found in his archives.
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Sly Stone
Sylvester Stewart (born March 15, 1943), better known by his stage name Sly Stone, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer who is most famous for his role as frontman for Sly and the Family Stone, playing a critical role in the ...
once called him "the baddest white man on the planet."
His most famous song is probably " Harry Hippie", a song recorded and released by Womack in 1973.
After beating a
cocaine
Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly recreational drug use, used recreationally for its euphoria, euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from t ...
addiction in 2004, Ford found Jesus and started recording again. He was a recluse at that time, but L-P Anderson of Sweden's ''Sonic Magazine'' managed to track him down in his California trailer home in April 2006.The Sounds of Our Time booklet pages 3–7
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
re-released his album ''Harlan County'', originally recorded in 1969, with 15 previously unreleased songs and a 40-page booklet as ''The Sounds of Our Time'' in early 2007. The success of ''The Sounds of Our Time'' made the idea of recording new material possible. At times there was talk of using
Jim Dickinson
James Luther Dickinson (November 15, 1941 – August 15, 2009) was an American record producer, pianist, and singer who fronted, among others, the band Mud Boy and the Neutrons, based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Biography
Dickinson was born in Lit ...
as producer, and
James Burton
James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized ...
volunteered to play guitar. A charity gig for Jim was to take place in London, U.K., on May 18, 2008.
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave, A few months after his death,
Bear Family
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
released a compilation of previously unavailable Ford recordings, ''Point of No Return''.
White Whale Records White Whale Records was an American independent record label, founded in 1965 by Ted Feigin and Lee Lasseff in Los Angeles, California, and probably best known as the record label of The Turtles and a handful of one-hit wonder bands.
White Whale, i ...
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since ...
, 2011
Songs
*"36 Inches High" (Jim Ford), recorded by
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Jesus of Cool
''Jesus of Cool'' is the solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 by Radar Records in the UK.
In the United States, the album was reconfigured by Columbia Records and retitled ''P ...
''
*"American Dream" (Jim Ford,
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
P.J. Proby
* Pajamas, or PJs
Arts and entertainment
* ''P.J.'' (film), a 1968 film starring George Peppard
* P.J. (Disney), Pete Junior, a Disney cartoon character
* P.J. (comics), a character in ''The Family Circus'' comic strip
* PJ (singer), Paris Ale ...
*"Dr. Handy's Dandy Candy" (Jim Ford), recorded by Jim Ford, ''Harlan County''
*"Fountains of Love" (Jim Ford,
Ronnie Wood
Ronald David Wood (born 1 June 1947) is an English rock musician, best known as an official member of the Rolling Stones since 1975, as well as a member of Faces and the Jeff Beck Group.
Wood began his career in 1964, playing guitar with a nu ...
), recorded by Ronnie Wood, ''1234''
*"Harlan County" (Jim Ford), recorded by Jim Ford, ''Harlan County''
*"Harry Hippie" (Jim Ford), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
*"I'm Ahead If I Can Quit While I'm Behind", recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''B.W. Goes C.&W.''
*"I'm Ahead If I Can Quit While I'm Behind", recorded by
Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz were a 1970s English pub rock band, named after their guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band evolved from the 1960s pop band Kippington Lod ...
, ''
Greasy Truckers Party
''Greasy Truckers Party'' is a 1972 live album by various artists recorded at a February 1972 Greasy Truckers concert at the Roundhouse in London. The concert featured three bands, Man, Brinsley Schwarz, and Hawkwind, and musician Magic Michae ...
''
*"Ju Ju Man" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas), recorded by
Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz were a 1970s English pub rock band, named after their guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band evolved from the 1960s pop band Kippington Lod ...
, ''
Silver Pistol
''Silver Pistol'' is an album by Brinsley Schwarz, released in 1972. It was the first album to include Ian Gomm.
Critical reception
AllMusic wrote: "''Silver Pistol'' isn't the definitive pub rock album, but it is the first great record to surf ...
''
*"Ju Ju Man" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas), recorded by
Dave Edmunds
David William Edmunds (born 15 April 1944) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer. Although he is mainly associated with pub rock and new wave, having many hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has alwa ...
, '' Get It''
*"Love on My Brain" (Jim Ford), recorded by Jim Ford, ''Harlan County''
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas), recorded by
P.J. Proby
* Pajamas, or PJs
Arts and entertainment
* ''P.J.'' (film), a 1968 film starring George Peppard
* P.J. (Disney), Pete Junior, a Disney cartoon character
* P.J. (comics), a character in ''The Family Circus'' comic strip
* PJ (singer), Paris Ale ...
, 1966
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas), recorded by
Bobbie Gentry
Bobbie Gentry (born Roberta Lee Streeter; July 27, 1942) is a retired American singer-songwriter, who was one of the first female artists in America to compose and produce her own material.
Gentry rose to international fame in 1967 with her Sou ...
, ''
Ode to Billie Joe
"Ode to Billie Joe" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry released by Capitol Records in July 1967, and later used as the title-track of her debut album. Five weeks after its release, the song topped ''Billboard's'' Pop single ...
'', 1967
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas), recorded by
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the " Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in ''Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With ...
, ''
Lady Soul
''Lady Soul'' is the twelfth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin released in early 1968, by Atlantic Records.
Background
''Lady Soul'' was Franklin's third R&B chart-topper and reached number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, tying w ...
'', 1968
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas), recorded by the Ventures, ''Swamp Rock'', 1969
*"Niki Hoeke Speedway" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas), recorded by
Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz were a 1970s English pub rock band, named after their guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band evolved from the 1960s pop band Kippington Lod ...
, ''Silver Pistol'', 1972
*"Outlaws" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood), recorded by
Bo Diddley
Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, incl ...
and Ronnie Wood, ''
Live at the Ritz
''Live at the Ritz'' is a 1988 live album by Ronnie Wood & Bo Diddley (The Gunslingers). It was a chart hit in Japan, peaking at #40 and selling over 11,000 copies.
It was recorded live at the Ritz, New York, in November 1987.
Track listing ...
''
*"Outlaws" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood), recorded by Ronnie Wood, ''1234''
*"Secrets" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, '' The Poet''
*"She Never Told Me" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood), recorded by Ronnie Wood, ''1234''
*"So Many Sides of You" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet''
*"Surprise, Surprise" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet II''
*"Sweet Baby Mine" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by Ronnie Wood, ''
Now Look
''Now Look'' is the second solo album by English musician Ronnie Wood, released in July 1975. In the United States, it peaked at number 118 on ''Billboard''s top 200 albums listings, during a six-week chart run. Produced by Wood, Bobby Womack an ...
''
*"Tell Me Why" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet II''
*"Through the Eyes of a Child" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet II''
*"Tryin' to Get Over You" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet II''
*"Ugly Man" (Jim Ford), recorded by
Sylvia McNeill
Sylvia McNeill (born 5 August 1947, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England) is a British people, British pop music, pop and rock music, rock singer and songwriter.
She began her career singing and playing bass guitar with various groups and bands. ...
, UK RCA 45
*"Under Construction" (Jim Ford), recorded by Jim Ford, ''Harlan County''
*"Where Do We Go from Here" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet''
*"Who's Foolin' Who" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack), recorded by
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne Womack (; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guit ...
, ''The Poet II''
*"Working My Way to L.A." (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas), recorded by Jim Ford, ''Harlan County''