James Dewar (rock vocalist)
Encyclopedia
James Dewar was a Scottish
bassist
and vocalist for the Robin Trower Band
and Stone The Crows
, the latter having its beginnings as the resident band at the legendary Burns Howff
in Glasgow.
and the Luvvers
in the early 1960s. His career eventually reached its zenith
with the Robin Trower Band, a British rock
power trio
, after the 1974 release of the album Bridge of Sighs
.
Dewar made his mark as an acclaimed blue eyed soul singer, performing in front of sold-out stadiums and concert halls at the crest of the 1970s classic rock
era. The Scotsman had a rich, powerful voice, with a soulful timbre, and has been regarded by critics as one of the most under-rated rock vocalists. His vocal sound was deep, gritty, and resonating, his style shows the influence of Ray Charles
and Otis Redding
. Like Paul Rodgers
and Frankie Miller
, his voice evoked a blues
y, soul
-inspired sound.
Dewar recorded his one solo album, Stumbledown Romancer, during the 1970s, at the height of his career, but it was not released until two decades later. He collaborated primarily with longtime Procol Harum
organist
Matthew Fisher
on the album, with the title track relating a hard-luck story ...
...Stumbledown Romancer
I never made the grade
Never on the dance-floor when the music played
Always moving on when I should have stayed...
At Dykebar Hospital in Paisley
, Scotland, Dewar died of a stroke
after years of disability reportedly resulting from a medical error which damaged his brain in 1987. His funeral was held at Paisley's Woodside Crematorium.
as lead singer:
as lead singer and bassist:
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
and vocalist for the Robin Trower Band
Robin Trower
Robin Leonard Trower , known professionally as Robin Trower, is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio.-Biography:...
and Stone The Crows
Stone the Crows
Stone the Crows were a blues band formed in Glasgow in late 1969.-History:The band were formed after Maggie Bell was introduced to Les Harvey by his elder brother, Alex Harvey...
, the latter having its beginnings as the resident band at the legendary Burns Howff
Burns Howff
The Burns Howff is probably the best known Rock and Blues music venue in Glasgow. It was located on West Regent Street in the city centre and established a reputation as the launch pad for many Scottish musicians....
in Glasgow.
Biography
Dewar's career began with LuluLulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
and the Luvvers
The Luvvers
The Luvvers were a Scottish rock group. They are best known as the backing group to Lulu on her debut chart single, "Shout" . They subsequently had a low-key career of their own before disbanding in March 1966.-Career:...
in the early 1960s. His career eventually reached its zenith
Zenith
The zenith is an imaginary point directly "above" a particular location, on the imaginary celestial sphere. "Above" means in the vertical direction opposite to the apparent gravitational force at that location. The opposite direction, i.e...
with the Robin Trower Band, a British rock
British rock
British rock describes a wide variety of forms of music made in the United Kingdom. Since around 1964, with the "British Invasion" of the United States spearheaded by The Beatles, British rock music has had a considerable impact on the development of American music and rock music across the...
power trio
Power trio
A power trio is a rock and roll band format where the traditional power trio has a lineup of guitar, bass and drums, leaving out the rhythm guitar or keyboard that are used in other rock music to fill out the sound with chords...
, after the 1974 release of the album Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs (album)
Bridge of Sighs is the second solo album by the English guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower. It was released in 1974.Bridge of Sighs, his second album after leaving Procol Harum, was a breakthrough album for Trower...
.
Dewar made his mark as an acclaimed blue eyed soul singer, performing in front of sold-out stadiums and concert halls at the crest of the 1970s classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
era. The Scotsman had a rich, powerful voice, with a soulful timbre, and has been regarded by critics as one of the most under-rated rock vocalists. His vocal sound was deep, gritty, and resonating, his style shows the influence of 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...
and Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. Like Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
and Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
, his voice evoked a blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
y, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
-inspired sound.
Dewar recorded his one solo album, Stumbledown Romancer, during the 1970s, at the height of his career, but it was not released until two decades later. He collaborated primarily with longtime Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher is an English organist and singer-songwriter, and was responsible for the organ sound on the 1967 single, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum.-Biography:...
on the album, with the title track relating a hard-luck story ...
...Stumbledown Romancer
I never made the grade
Never on the dance-floor when the music played
Always moving on when I should have stayed...
At Dykebar Hospital in Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
, Scotland, Dewar died of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
after years of disability reportedly resulting from a medical error which damaged his brain in 1987. His funeral was held at Paisley's Woodside Crematorium.
With Stone the Crows
on bass:- Stone the CrowsStone the Crows (album)-Personnel:Stone the Crows*Colin Allen – Drums, percussion*Maggie Bell – Vocals*Jimmy Dewar – Bass guitar, Vocals*Les Harvey – Acoustic, Electric Guitars*John McGinnis – Organ, Piano, KeyboardsAdditional personnel...
(1970) - Ode to John Law (1970)
With Robin Trower Band
as lead singer and bassist:- 1973 Twice Removed from YesterdayTwice Removed from YesterdayTwice Removed from Yesterday is guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower's first solo album. It was released in 1973. Cover art is by "Funky" Paul Olsen...
----- Certified Gold by RIAA - 1974 Bridge of SighsBridge of Sighs (album)Bridge of Sighs is the second solo album by the English guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower. It was released in 1974.Bridge of Sighs, his second album after leaving Procol Harum, was a breakthrough album for Trower...
----- Certified Gold by RIAA - 1975 For Earth BelowFor Earth Below (album)For Earth Below is guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower's third solo album with cover art by "Funky" Paul Olsen. It was released in 1975.-Fun Facts:...
----- Certified Gold by RIAA - 1976 Robin Trower LiveRobin Trower LiveRobin Trower Live is a live album by Robin Trower. Recorded at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden on 3rd February 1975 for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, it was released on vinyl in 1976, and re-released on CD in 1990, 2000, and 2004. The album entered the US Album Top 10, and reached #23...
- 1976 Long Misty DaysLong Misty Days (album)Long Misty Days is guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower's fourth solo album with cover art by "Funky" Paul Olsen. It was released in 1976.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Robin Trower and James Dewar; except where indicated...
----- Certified Gold by RIAA
as lead singer:
- 1977 In City DreamsIn City DreamsIn City Dreams is guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower's fifth solo studio album. It was released in 1977.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Robin Trower and James Dewar; except where indicated#"Somebody Calling" - 4:56...
----- Certified Gold by RIAA
as lead singer and bassist:
- 1978 Caravan to MidnightCaravan to MidnightCaravan to Midnight is the sixth studio album by Robin Trower. The album cover art is by Hipgnosis.-Track listing:All tracks by James Dewar and Robin Trower except where noted#"My Love "- 3:17#"Caravan to Midnight" - 5:01...
- 1979 Victims of the FuryVictims of the FuryVictims Of The Fury is Robin Trower's seventh solo studio album and was released on the Chrysalis Records label in 1979.-Track listing:# "Jack And Jill"# "Roads To Freedom"# "Victims Of The Fury"# "The Ring"# "Only Time"# "Into The Flame"...
- 1983 Back It UpBack It Up- Track listing :# "Back It Up" – 3:54# "River" – 3:51# "Black to Red" – 2:56# "Benny Dancer" – 8:52# "Time Is Short" – 3:40# "Islands" – 4:04# "None But the Brave" – 2:36# "Captain Midnight" – 3:09# "Settling the Score" – 5:16- Personnel :...
External links
- TrowerPower.com - Official Robin TrowerRobin TrowerRobin Leonard Trower , known professionally as Robin Trower, is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio.-Biography:...
website