The James Hunter Six’s OFF THE FENCE is a landmark album for James Hunter himself for a number of different reasons. In many ways it represents his past, his present and his future.

On the most basic level, the album marks 40 years since the British soul singer made his recording debut with the release of his first album back in ’86. Equally significant is the appearance of one of his earliest supporters and collaborators, Van Morrison.

The pair were introduced back in the early ’90s and first collaborated on a brace of Van Morrison albums – 1994’s live set, A Night In San Francisco and ’95’s Days Like This. The following year Morrison returned the favour, guesting on James’s album Believe What I Say, running through a pair of Bobby Bland classics. Three decades on, the legendary 80-year-old Irish singer adds his voice to one of the most joyous tunes on OFF THE FENCE – a jump blues blaster entitled “Ain’t That A Trip.”

“I tried to get Van to sing one of my songs 30 years ago, but I hadn’t really written anything he fancied at the time,” recalls James. “But we were having a chin wag backstage at a gig where we were opening, and I asked him if he wanted to sing something on our next record and he said yes, so I sent him the track. Hearing him actually singing words I wrote gave me a real kick. It’s brilliant.”

The raucous party tune sits among the 12 self-penned gems that make up OFF THE FENCE, all of which are delivered with the Hunter’s customary blend of smooth vocal control coupled with heart-worn grit and wit.

Mckinley James

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