James King : RIP

[DataNick]

http://bluegrasstoday.com/james-king-passes/

[AlanN]

R.I.P., James King.

[MikeEdgerton]

Damn, RIP James.

[UlsterMando]

True bluegrass . . . RIP.

[AlanN]

When he was well, James was a fixture here at Lil John's (formerly Bass Mtn) Bluegrass Festival, held in Snow Camp, NC. Often you'd see him wandering around, lookin for a jam. He'd pick with anybody. The festival is next week, I imagine am going to hear Bed By The Window and 30 Years Of Farming all weekend long.

[EggerRidgeBoy]

One of the greatest singers in bluegrass, of any era. A true keeper of the flame.

He was so ill the last few times I saw him I can't say that the news is a total shock, but it is nonetheless very sad. He was only 57.

I will greatly miss hearing him play and sing at Gettysburg this summer. He was, for me, always a highlight of any festival at which he appeared, and an artist worth traveling a long way to see.

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Vernon Hughes]

I, along with Eugene Crabtree ( who passed a few years ago), Owen Saunders, Jason Moore and later Tad Marks were in the first real "road" band with James from 1992-94. What a strong singer he was. We played some mighty powerful bluegrass in those days all across the country. RIP friend.

[tiltman]

That is really tough news. I got to see him a few times, have all of his cd's (and then some!), and always enjoyed his music.
In fact, he really inspired me to sing because I don't have a high lonesome voice...
He will be missed.

Kirk

[Jim Roberts]

I saw him twice over the years and he really played and sang with his heart and soul.

[Skip Kelley]

That's so sad! He was a great Bluegrass singer! Prayers for his family!

[mtucker]

...Authentic ...a great country voice ...what it's supposed to sound like. RIP

[f5joe]

Thanks for keeping it REAL James! RIP

[Willie Poole]

Thats one of my favorites, along with "Bed By The Window", "Echo Mountain" and "Second Hand Flowers"....His songs did what I believe bluegrass should be like, always telling a story, that way the audience seems to listen to every word...

J.K. will be missed, rest in peace James...

[pointpergame]

Could somebody recommend "the" one of his albums. I'd probably prefer hearing the album with the best band ... possibly live.
many thanks

[tburcham]

RIP James King...the Bluegrass Storyteller!

[Fretbear]

...Authentic ...a great country voice ...what it's supposed to sound like. RIP

Thanks for that;
Never heard him sing, better late than never....

[EggerRidgeBoy]

Could somebody recommend "the" one of his albums. I'd probably prefer hearing the album with the best band ... possibly live.
many thanks

James himself listed "These Old Pictures" (1993) and the first (self titled) Longview project (1997) as his first and second favorite albums of those that he had recorded. So you might as well start with those. He always had a good band recording with him - I don't think there is much difference between his albums when it comes to the sidemen in the James King Band. But the best group he played with - instrumentally and vocally - would be Longview, as that was a bluegrass "supergroup" comprised of folks like Dudley Connell, Marshall Wilborn, Glen Duncan, etc.

When trying to choose between albums recorded by The James King Band, I think it comes down to the songs, since the playing and James' singing is always topnotch. My favorite is probably "Bluegrass Storyteller", but I think a lot of people choose "Bed by the Window".

[EggerRidgeBoy]

A nice interview from about five years ago: http://thefreegeorge.com/thefreegeor...th-james-king/

[AlanN]

To correct: James never did undergo a liver transplant; an effort was underway to do so, with a funds drive to collect money for the procedure. Said funds are to hence go toward funeral expenses.

[Vernon Hughes]

Could somebody recommend "the" one of his albums. I'd probably prefer hearing the album with the best band ... possibly live.
many thanks

These old pictures..backed up mostly by the Johnson Mt. boys. It don't get no better.

[Denny Gies]

I personally like "Three Chords and the Truth". What a great singer. He will be missed...............a lot.

[tiltman]

"Lonesome and Then Some" - is one of my favorite albums of his and one of my favorites all around.
To bring in some mandolin content - Mike Compton played mandolin on that one.

Kirk

[Tom C]

He sang with lots of soul