James grew up and began performing in Kingston, Jamaica, where he recorded as a solo artist with producers Coxsone Dodd, Clancy Eccles, and Lyndon Pottinger. His most successful release was an early version of "Come To Me Softly", which found local success and persuaded James to give up a job with the Inland Revenue for a music career.
The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. James teamed up with them under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. "Ska-Time" (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK. After meeting manager Peter Meaden in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds supported The Who and Rod Stewart who was with his group The Steampacket at the Marquee Club in London. The band played the Shanklin Pier ballroom on the Isle of Wight in June 1965 and returned for two further sold-out concerts that summer. He and the Vagabonds shared several bills with Jimi Hendrix's band, The Experience, during the late 1960s when they were both trying to establish themselves. "We used to hang out a lot at clubs like the Bag O' Nails, the Cromwellian and Whiskey A Go Go. A great guy, very quiet and unassuming," James recalled. The Vagabonds and the Experience also played the Ricky Tick and Upper Cut clubs in London in December 1966 and January 1967 respectively, and at the Beachcomber Ballroom in Nottingham.
They signed a recording contract with Pye Records and released their best known studio album, The New Religion in 1966. The band also played as support for The Who, and Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart (who was also on Pye Records at the time), and The Rolling Stones. The band often used the Abbey Road Studios, once being there at the same time as The Beatles were recording. Their live performance was captured in the album, London Swings – Live at the Marquee Club, also featuring The Alan Bown Set. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds were labelmates and rivals of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
The Vagabonds disbanded in 1970, but James, who owned the name, reformed the band with a new, all white line-up in 1974. They had hits in the UK Singles Chart with " I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" and "Now Is The Time". Without James, the Vagabonds recorded an album (Ska-Time) as "Jamaica's Original Vagabonds" which was released in 1970.
Former Vagabonds bass player Alan Wood (1973–77) now runs his own management agency and represents Paul Carrack.
In 1979 a new band, Big Business, was formed by Alan Kirk and Andrew Platts, former Vagabonds and they continue to tour to this day. Big Business toured with Mick Jackson ("Blame It on the Boogie"). Kirk owns Hilltop Studios in Dronfield near Chesterfield. Platts is managing editor of the entertainment paper, Mercury Newspaper in Sheffield.
In 1999, drummer Russ Courtenay co-wrote the track "Whatever You Need", which appeared on Tina Turner's album, 24/7, and later on her All the Best and The Platinum Collection compilation albums. He is currently working on a project entitled 'Rainbow Beach'.
In 2007, James contributed the track "The Other Side of the Street" for Ian Levine's Northern Soul 2007 album.
James regularly performs around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. The pair, along with Flirtations vocalist Earnestine Pearce have toured with 'The Soul Explosion'. In April 2007, James performed at the 'Classic Gold Weekender' along with Marmalade, Love Affair and Showaddywaddy. In 2013, they toured with James' early hero, Ben E. King.
In February 2014, the song "Whatever You Need", written by drummer Russ Courtenay and Harriet Roberts featured on Tina Turner's album, Love Songs.
The Vagabonds
Members of the Vagabonds have included:
Rupert Balgobin (drums, 1960–70)
Barry Sutton (Trumpet, 1967–70)
Colston Chen (bass, 1960–70)
Phil Chen (guitar, 1960–70)
Fred Fredericks (saxophone, 1960–70)
Carl Griffiths (saxophone, 1960–70)
Count Prince Miller (vocals, 1960–70) died in 2018
Carl Noel (keyboards, 1960–67)
Art Regis (Hammond organ, 1967–1969)
Wallace Wilson (guitar, 1960–70)
Stewart Blandamer (saxophone, 1970-1972
Steve Farr (saxophone, 1970-1972)
Bill Roberts (guitar, 1970-1972)
Eddy Spence (keyboards, 1970-1972)
Kelvin(Kelly)Cantlon (bass, 1970-1972)
Mick Dolan (drums, 1970-1972)
Alan Wood (bass, 1973–77)
Martin Dale (trumpet, 1971)
Dave Hopper (guitar, 1973–74)
Fred Guite (drums, 1973–74)
Pete Wright (drums, 1974–75)
Russ Courtenay (drums, 1975–77)
Chris Garfield (guitar, 1975–77)
Alan Kirk (keyboards, 1975–77)
Pete Gill (drums, 1974–1975)
John Steele (guitar, 1974–1975)
Rick Sequeira (keyboards, 1974–1975)
Andrew Platts (trombone and vocals 1977–1979)
Glenn Harland (Lead Guitarist 1981–1984)
John Wintony (keyboards 1981–1984)
Dave Bussey (drums 1981–1984
Chris Turner (bass 1981–1984)
Steve Ward (lead guitarist, 1990–1995)
David Cooke (keyboards, 1990–1995)
Pat Coleman (drums, 1990–1994)
Mario James (bass, 1990–1992)
Mike Scrimshaw (bass, 1992)
Dean Spain (backing vocals, 1998–current)
Discography
"Red Red Wine" – 1968 – Pye – No. 36 UK
A Man Like Me -1972 - Stateside Records Did not Chart
I'll Go Where your Music Takes Me– Pye – No. 23 UK
"You Don't Stand a Chance if You Can't Dance" - 1975 - PYE Records Limited
"Now Is The Time" – 1976 – Pye – No. 5 UK
Now is the time
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Now!) now is the time we should unite
We don't need revolution
We just need to open our eyes
Revolution is no solution
We ought to realize (now!)
Now is the time to see the light
Looking back to see the future
And to rid the age of nuclear
Now is the time to set things right
Take a look around
What a mess we're living in!
God created love
And man, huh, he created sin
Taking from the earth
But never ever putting in
Now what becomes of men when he has used up everything?
Tell me! (now!)
Now is the time to set things right
(Now!) now is the time we should unite
We don't need revolution
We just need to open our eyes
Revolution is no solution
We ought to realize
(Now!) now is the time to set things right
(Now!) now is the time to see the light
Looking back to see the future
And to rid the age of nuclear
Now is the time to set things right
(Now!) now is the time to set things right
(Now!) now is the time we should unite
We don't need revolutions
We just need to open our eyes
Revolution is no solution
We ought to realize
(Now!) now is the time to set things right (now is the time)
(Now!) now is the time to see the light
Looking back to see the future
The song "Now Is The Time" by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds encourages people to take action in order to make a change in the world. The lyrics emphasize that the time is now to set things right and unite, without the need for a revolution. The song suggests that people need to open their eyes to the issues around them and realize that a revolution is not the answer. Instead, we need to take responsibility and put in effort to set things right.
The lyrics also highlight the destructive nature of humanity and their abuse of the planet. The song suggests that people have taken from the world without returning anything, leading to a world of chaos and destruction. The lyrics ask, "Now what becomes of men when he has used up everything?" The song suggests that we need to look back to see the future and rid the world of nuclear destruction.
Overall, the song urges people to take individual action, to put in effort to set things right, and to unite together to create a better world free of destruction and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
(Now!) now is the time to set things right
The present moment is the perfect opportunity to correct our mistakes
(Now!) now is the time we should unite
Right now we must come together to achieve a common goal
We don't need revolution
A drastic change in society is not necessary
We just need to open our eyes
We must confront the problems that surround us instead of ignoring them
Revolution is no solution
Overthrowing the government will not bring about the change we need
We ought to realize (now!)
We must recognize the truth of the situation and act accordingly
Now is the time to see the light
The present is the moment to understand the truth
Looking back to see the future
By analyzing the past, we can understand what needs to be done in the future
And to rid the age of nuclear
We must eliminate the risk of nuclear weapons, technology, and accidents
Take a look around
Observe and assess our current situation
What a mess we're living in!
Our society is currently in a state of disorder and confusion
God created love
Love is a divine creation
And man, huh, he created sin
Human beings are responsible for evil deeds and actions
Taking from the earth
We are exploiting natural resources
But never ever putting in
We are not replenishing those resources that we have taken
Now what becomes of men when he has used up everything?
What will happen to humanity when we have exhausted all natural resources?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Biddu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@711honved
1976, what a time to be a teenager! We danced, laughed, formed lifelong friendships & fell in love.
@jackienuttall7549
The best days ever
@ElvarMasson
Just like I'm doing now (in 2022)
@gillianbritton833
All of that we did. Yes what a beautiful era to brought up in.
@devilcity5827
The 70,S were the greatest years indeed. 🎉
@pipjoyce7797
Absolutely right, fab memories ❤
@cosmicstargazer10
I get this song in my head so often. I was just a year old in 1976, but I remember dad putting this on the turntable & my feeling so happy. It still has that power, every time I hear it, I just smile. Thank you so much for posting this, I really appreciate it! One:LOVE ❤
@elybrown2527
That's ace. Me too x❤
@cosmicstargazer10
@@elybrown2527 You too, that's ace! I think we have great taste - anybody that is not inspired, to dance by the music & to make things better around them from the lyrics, they've no soul, or any right at all to be playing this video! :0)
@jamesd4764
My life and only life was the 70s...I'm 64 now.,,I long for those days. ,,,