Colorblind James Experience
Encyclopedia
Colorblind James Experience were an alternative roots/pop/rock band founded in 1980 in San Francisco, California
. Bandleader and singer/songwriter/guitarist "Colorblind" James Charles Cuminale was originally from Rochester, New York
but assembled early versions of what would become the Experience in Oswego, New York
before relocating to San Francisco. After a couple years of mixed results there, the band regrouped and moved again, this time back to Rochester which remained its home base until Cuminale's premature death in 2001. The band enjoyed brief fame in the UK and Europe after BBC DJ John Peel gave the Experience some exposure, and their music has made a deep and lasting impression. Their "Dance Critters" single reached number 10 on the UK Indie Chart
, while their albums Colorblind James Experience and Why Should I Stand Up reached numbers 5 and 13 respectively.
Often humorous ("The music stopped. And then it started again.") and parodic, and just as often laced with a profoundly questioning spirituality; their music blended elements of polka, country, cocktail jazz, blues, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, rock & roll and other genres. The band's sound was to a large extent inspired by the "old, weird America" famously chased by Bob Dylan
and The Band
during their Basement Tapes period, but other prominent influences included Ray Charles
, Randy Newman
, and Van Morrison
.
Their line-up changed repeatedly over the years, and their third album was released under the name of Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys.
The band was formed in Oswego, NY, the Port City, and christened the White Caps in homage to both Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps as well as the ubiquitous white caps of Lake Ontario. It was an immediate hit drawing a large and loyal following to the Market House Music Hall located on Oswego’s legendary Water Street. The songs were mostly executed in a fast and frantic two-beat style propelled by Kevin McDevitt’s manic and ferocious drumming.
During the band’s time in San Francisco, Gene was eventually replaced by Oswego native Thad Iorizzo who was in turn replaced by Dave Fisher. The band released one 45rpm record, Talk To Me b/w Kojak Chair to little critical or commercial success. In the summer of 1984, the band dissolved and Chuck and his wife moved back east to Rochester, NY. Guitarist Phil Marshall rejoined the band a few months later.
In Rochester, the band included former White Caps guitarist G. Elwyn, bassist Bernie Heveron (an alumnus of Personal Effects) and Jim McAvaney on drums. The band scraped together enough money to press 1000 copies of its debut self-titled LP in 1987. Chuck sent one copy abroad and specifically to BBC radio’s John Peel. The song “Considering a Move to Memphis” made Mr. Peel’s year end Festive Fifty list.
The band followed up its debut LP with Why Should I Stand Up?, which was released on Cooking Vinyl in the UK and Capitol subsidiary Gold Castle in the States. The all-acoustic album Strange Sounds From the Basement was released only in the UK and found the band working under the name Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys, though they were subsequently dropped by Cooking Vinyl and Gold Castle.
Chuck Cuminale unexpectedly died of an arhythmia in July 2001.
On July 8, 2008, a tribute to Chuck and his music was performed by an ensemble composed of musicians who had played with various incarnations of the band, as well as Chuck’s son Mark on guitar. The performance was recorded for WXXI's OnStage and is scheduled to air on September 21, 2008
Rush Tattered: vocals (1978–1980)
Phil Marshall: vocals/guitar (1980–1993)
Jimmy McAvaney: drums (1985–2001)
Bernie Heveron: upright bass (1985–1987)
Rita Coulter: vocals (1991–2001)
Brother Jaffe: keyboards (1993–2001)
Mark Cuminale: guitar
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. Bandleader and singer/songwriter/guitarist "Colorblind" James Charles Cuminale was originally from Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
but assembled early versions of what would become the Experience in Oswego, New York
Oswego, New York
Oswego is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 18,142 at the 2010 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in north-central New York and promotes itself as "The Port City of Central New York"...
before relocating to San Francisco. After a couple years of mixed results there, the band regrouped and moved again, this time back to Rochester which remained its home base until Cuminale's premature death in 2001. The band enjoyed brief fame in the UK and Europe after BBC DJ John Peel gave the Experience some exposure, and their music has made a deep and lasting impression. Their "Dance Critters" single reached number 10 on the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
, while their albums Colorblind James Experience and Why Should I Stand Up reached numbers 5 and 13 respectively.
Often humorous ("The music stopped. And then it started again.") and parodic, and just as often laced with a profoundly questioning spirituality; their music blended elements of polka, country, cocktail jazz, blues, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, rock & roll and other genres. The band's sound was to a large extent inspired by the "old, weird America" famously chased by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
during their Basement Tapes period, but other prominent influences included Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
, and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
.
Their line-up changed repeatedly over the years, and their third album was released under the name of Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys.
1978-1981: Formation
The Colorblind James Experience began life as Colorblind James & The White Caps. While primarily based around the original songs of Chuck Cuminale, a.k.a. Colorblind James, the band also featured original songs by lead guitarist G. Elwyn Meixner. Rounding out the line-up were Rush Tattered, née Russell Tarby, on lead vocals, Kevin McDevitt on drums and Terry O’Neill on bass.The band was formed in Oswego, NY, the Port City, and christened the White Caps in homage to both Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps as well as the ubiquitous white caps of Lake Ontario. It was an immediate hit drawing a large and loyal following to the Market House Music Hall located on Oswego’s legendary Water Street. The songs were mostly executed in a fast and frantic two-beat style propelled by Kevin McDevitt’s manic and ferocious drumming.
1980-1984: From Oswego to San Francisco, San Francisco to Rochester
In the summer of 1980, after enjoying two years of unparalleled success in their hometown, Chuck looked west to San Francisco as the ‘next step’ for the band. Inviting the entire band to join him, he was surprised to find only Kevin was eager to make the trip. He recruited Phil Marshall to take over guitar chores and Gene Tighe to fill in the bass duties. In the fall of 1980, the four members caravaned west with Phil and Kevin arriving the day after Thanksgiving.During the band’s time in San Francisco, Gene was eventually replaced by Oswego native Thad Iorizzo who was in turn replaced by Dave Fisher. The band released one 45rpm record, Talk To Me b/w Kojak Chair to little critical or commercial success. In the summer of 1984, the band dissolved and Chuck and his wife moved back east to Rochester, NY. Guitarist Phil Marshall rejoined the band a few months later.
In Rochester, the band included former White Caps guitarist G. Elwyn, bassist Bernie Heveron (an alumnus of Personal Effects) and Jim McAvaney on drums. The band scraped together enough money to press 1000 copies of its debut self-titled LP in 1987. Chuck sent one copy abroad and specifically to BBC radio’s John Peel. The song “Considering a Move to Memphis” made Mr. Peel’s year end Festive Fifty list.
1987: Record contract (Fundamental/Red Rhino)
The band was signed to Fundamental records in the U.S. and its sister company, Red Rhino, in the U.K. Prior to touring, G. Elwyn left the band, followed shortly by Bernie Heveron. Auditions were held and Chuck, Jimmy and Phil were soon joined by David McIntire on clarinet/sax, John Ebert on trombone and Ken Frank on bass.1988-1990: Fame in the UK: the touring years
On October 17, 1988 the band landed at Heathrow airport ready to embark on what would be the first of three European tours.The band followed up its debut LP with Why Should I Stand Up?, which was released on Cooking Vinyl in the UK and Capitol subsidiary Gold Castle in the States. The all-acoustic album Strange Sounds From the Basement was released only in the UK and found the band working under the name Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys, though they were subsequently dropped by Cooking Vinyl and Gold Castle.
1991-1993: American success eludes the band
The release of Solid! Behind The Times on the U.S. folk label Red House found the band without a UK label for the first time. While Red House pinned their hopes on the CD's success, the band was not in a position to tour the States extensively since the time between 1991 and 1993 found many long-time members leaving the band.1993-2001: The post-touring years
The release of I Could Be Your Guide found Chuck and Jim joined by Gary Holt on bass, Tommy Tramontana on guitar, “Brother” Charles Jaffe on keyboards, Rita Coulter on vocals, and Ethan Lyons on saxophone. That CD was followed by the final studio CD, titled Call Of The Wild.Chuck Cuminale unexpectedly died of an arhythmia in July 2001.
On July 8, 2008, a tribute to Chuck and his music was performed by an ensemble composed of musicians who had played with various incarnations of the band, as well as Chuck’s son Mark on guitar. The performance was recorded for WXXI's OnStage and is scheduled to air on September 21, 2008
Rush Tattered: vocals (1978–1980)
Phil Marshall: vocals/guitar (1980–1993)
Jimmy McAvaney: drums (1985–2001)
Bernie Heveron: upright bass (1985–1987)
Rita Coulter: vocals (1991–2001)
Brother Jaffe: keyboards (1993–2001)
Mark Cuminale: guitar
Singles
- Blind Girl b/w America America (as Colorblind James & The White Caps) (1980) 7" 45rpm
- Talk To Me b/w Kojak Chair (1983) 7" 45rpm
- Sophisticated b/w Havoc Theme (1988) 7" 45rpm
- Dance Critters (1988) 12" 45rpm re-mix
- That's Entertainment b/w Buster Cornelius (1989) 7" 45rpm
Albums
- Colorblind James Experience (1987)
- Why Should I Stand Up? (1989)
- The Peel Sessions EP (1989)
- Strange Sounds from the Basement (1990) (as Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys)
- The Rochester Sessions (1992)
- Solid! Behind the Times (1992)
- I Could Be Your Guide (1996)
- Call of the Wild (1999)
- Greatest Hits! (2000)
External links
- The greatest hits disc is still available here (http://stubdaddy.com/CBbuy.htm)
- Tribute page to Cuminale at Rochester e-zine The Refrigerator - http://www.therefrigerator.net/music/chuckintro.html
- CbJE info and images of album covers - http://www.greendoch.com/cbje/