James fans have universally praised the band for performing a three-track set with the backing of a live orchestra during an appearance on Radio 2’s Piano Room.
The iconic band, fronted by singer Tim Booth and famed for their anthemic 1989 hit Sit Down, were the latest to perform alongside the BBC’s resident concert orchestra on Wednesday.
Fans were treated to stripped down versions of the band’s 1997 single She’s A Star, recent release Hallelujah Now and a pitch-perfect cover of the of Lou Reed classic, Perfect Day, complete with the Piano Room’s signature orchestral flourishes.
Booth, who originally formed the group with guitarists Paul Gilbertson and Jim Glennie in 1982, shared vocal duties with Chloë Alper, an active band-member since 2018.
Commenting on Wednesday’s live performance, fans credited the two singers for delivering ‘beautiful’ and ‘stunning’ versions of their three chosen songs.
Taking to Instagram, one impressed viewer wrote: ‘Perfect Day actually was better than Lou Reed’s version, dare I say it.’
A second added: ‘You guys had me tears today! Such a powerful performance!! Thank you.’
Elsewhere, a third shared: ‘Would be great to let them do more than three songs. James have so many incredible songs that are amazing with an orchestra.’
Evidently in agreement, a fourth wrote: ‘Love it brilliant.’
Moved to tears by the performance, a fifth added: ‘My mum and I saw you at the Brighton Dome a couple of years ago. She has since passed, but this song always reminds me of her. I was sobbing this morning. Thank you.’
There was also special praise for Alper, who joined the group as backing vocalist and percussionist following a lengthy career with bands including punk rockers Period Pains – famed for their reactionary single, Spice Girls (Who Do YOU Think You Are?) – and Pure Reason Revolution, formerly known as The Sunset Sound.
Commenting on her vocal skills, one viewer wrote: ‘I never thought James could get any better….until they added @chloealper and it seemed like she should have been there all along.’
A second added: ‘Wow Chloe, different class, you have done amazing…’
While a third posted: ‘Absolutely stunning! Gave me goosebumps earlier. Really showcases Chloe’s incredible voice.’
Booth had previously confirmed the band would take to the stage for their latest Piano Room performance as he celebrates his 66th birthday.
He told the BBC: ‘Whenever our songs are orchestrated, it deepens the emotional impact.
‘So we are looking forward to another fresh orchestral collaboration in the Piano Room – on my birthday. Expect fireworks and a cake!’
The band’s eighteenth studio album, Yummy, was their first to hit number one following its release in 2024, some 42 years into the band’s career, surpassing Beyoncé and her Grammy Award winning Cowboy Carter by reaching the the top spot.
Previously their only number one LP was a Best Of compilation, released in 1998.
Discussing the celebrations that followed the commercial success of Yummy on the Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Show, Booth said: ‘I drink once every two years and went out with them and had three margaritas.
‘I was surprisingly able to walk home afterwards, which was good!’
Article by the Daily Mail