James (musician)
James | |
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James performing in San Francisco Bay Area, USA (Sep 2013) | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Faruq Mahfuz Anam |
Also known as | Nagar Baul, Guru, James |
Born |
2 October 1964 Naogaon, Bangladesh |
Genres | Psychedelic rock, rock, hard rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, actor, composer |
Instruments | Guitar, bass, vocals, khamok, keyboards, drums, Saxophone, Fluite, Percussions |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Sargam, Soundteck, Shangeeta, Sony BMG |
Associated acts | Feelings, Nagar Baul, Metro Band |
Faruq Mahfuz Anam (Bengali: ফারুক মাহফুজ আনাম), known by his stage name James is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist, and composer. He is also referred to as Nagar Baul (the urban mendicant).[1] He is currently the lead guitarist and vocal of the band Nagar Baul (formerly known as Feelings). He has also played back in few songs in Bollywood movies.[2] He is considered as a pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh.[1]
Early life
James was born in Naogaon and raised in Rajshahi and Chittagong. His father was a government employee who later promoted to the Chairman of Chittagong Education Board. From his teens, James developed an interest in music, an interest which was not liked by his family. He first played guitar with his friends when he was in class seven in 1973.[3] After a huge dispute with his family, James left his house when he was in class eight. He started living in a dormitory named Aziz Boarding in Chittagong. This is from where his musical career started flourishing. Here he met few musicians of a band named "Feelings" and started his musical career as a vocal and lead guitarist of "Feelings".
Musical career
As previous members of the band 'Feelings' left, James, along with Funty, Pablo and Swapan reformed the band and started to perform in local gigs in 1980. At that time, the line-up was
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal
Funty- Drums
Pablo- Keyboards, Vocal
Swapan- Bass Guitar.
He became popular among musicians as 'The one who can play Mark Knoepffler with the right feels'. After several years of stage shows, they came to Dhaka to record their first album, 'Station Road'. All the songs were composed by James, with five lyrics been written by himself. Though the album was not a hit, some songs became popular like 'Ager Jonome', 'Amai zete Dao' and 'Rupshagor'.
In 1993 they released the album 'Jail Theke Bolchhi' (Words from a condemn cell). This album became a major hit and Feelings, became a mainstream band along with Souls, Feedback and Chime.
Bangladesh
James sings psychedelic rock and blues music. Many lyricists have written songs for James including Poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi. Musicians like Lucky Akhand and Manam Ahmed have also composed song for him. In his early days, he was inspired by artists like Jim Morrison, Mark Knofler and Eric Clapton. James released his debut album, "Station Road", with his band "Feelings" in 1987. He released his first solo album named "Annonna" in 1988. The albums he released later are "Jail theke Bolchi" in 1990, "Nogor Baul" in 1996, "Leis Fita Leis" in 1998 and "Collection of Feelings" in 1999 with his band Feelings. He also worked in lots of solo albums. He released "Anonna" in 1988, "Palabe Kothai" in 1995, "Dukkhini Dukkho Korona" in 1997, "Thik Achhe Bondhu" in 1999, "Ami Tomader E Lok" in 2003, "Jonota Express" in 2005, "Toofan" in 2006 and "Kal Jomuna" in 2009. Later James renamed "Feelings" into a new name "Nogor Baul" with some former members. Their next album named "Dushtu Cheler Dol" was released in 2001.
Bollywood
As James was working in Bengali Band Music, his songs had been widely received by the people of Bangladesh and West Bengal since the 1990s. James met "Pritom", a Bangali music director in Bollywood in 2004. In 2005, James played back in the movie named "Gangster". The name of the song was "Bheegi Bheegi" and it was a blockbuster hit. The song remained at the top of Bollywood Hit List for more than a month.[4] Then he sang another song named "Chal Chalein" in another movie named "Woh Lamhe" in 2006. He again playbacked two songs titled "Rishtey" and "Alvida (Reprise)" in the movie named "Life in a Metro".
In 2013 James sang a Hindi song titled "Bebasi" for a movie named "Warning 3D" which already been released in YouTube.
Modeling and Television appearance
James first appeared in a television commercial of Pepsi in the early 2000s. This commercial was broadcast both in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Later in 2011, James worked again in a Bangladeshi television commercial of an energy drink "Black Horse". James appeared in some parts of the Bollywood movie "Life in A Metro" where he played role as a member of street band.
Personal life
James was first married to Rothi. In 2002, he ended his first marriage again,[5] whom he reportedly met during a concert around the year 1999. James has three children: daughters Jannat and Jahaan, and son Danesh.
Red Dot Entertainment
James, along with Gazi Shubhro and Jewel Paiker, co-owns a production house RED dot Multimedia Ltd. That was established in December 2005 and James is the Chairman of this Company. This house made a video commercial named "Beautiful Bangladesh" for "ICC World Cup Cricket 2011". Red Dot Entertainment produced numerous reality shows like D Rock Star (2007), Lux Channel i SuperStar (2010 & 2014), Ke Hote Chay Kotipoti (2011) and others. Red Dot also makes TV Commercials, Music Videos, TV Reality Shows, Corporate Audio Visuals and in future they are planning to make a full length global cinema.
Discography
![](../I/m/James_at_SUST.jpg)
Studio albums
- Station Road (1986, under the name 'Feelings')
- Jail Theke Bolchhi (1989, 'Feelings')
- Nogor Baul (1995, 'Feelings')
- Lais Fita Lais (1998, 'Feelings')
- Dushtu Chheler Dol (2001)
- Collection of Feelings (1999) (compilation album)
Songs/albums as a solo artist
- Anonna (1987)
- Palabe Kothai (1995)
- Dukkhini Dukkho Korona (1997)
- Thik Achhe Bondhu (1999)
- Ami Tomader E Lok (2003)
- Jonota Express (2005)
- Toofan (2007)
- Kal Jomuna (2008)
- Bheegi Bheegi (2005, 'Gangster')
- Chal Chalein (2006, 'Woh Lamhe')
- Rishtey, Alvida (Reprise) (2007, 'Life in a... Metro')
- "Bebasi" (Warning 3D) '(2013)
Album Description
Station Road (1986)
All music composed by James.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Station Road" | James | 3:41 | |
2. | "Ar Noi Juddho" | James | 3:58 | |
3. | "Ager Jonome" | James | 4:15 | |
4. | "Amay Zete Dao" | James | 3:47 | |
5. | "Jhorna Theke Nodi" | James | 4:55 | |
6. | "Dukkho Keno Koro" | Babu | 2:37 | |
7. | "Glass Beat Games" | Pablo | 2:28 | |
8. | "Ekdin Chhilo" | Musa | 2:57 | |
9. | "Zodi Emon Hoto" | Salauddin Shazal | 3:05 | |
10. | "Ever Since You" | Pablo | 3:50 | |
11. | "Shotyer Shundor" | Dewan Babu | 3:29 | |
12. | "Rupshagor" | Collected | 3:48 |
Personnel
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal
Funty- Drums, Percussions
Pablo- Keyboards, Clarinet, Fluite, Vocal
Swapan- Bass
Jail Theke Bolchhi(1989)
All music composed by James.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Jail Theke Bolchhi" | Latiful Islam Shibi | 5:15 | |
2. | "Nil Akash" | Ashraf Babu, Shibli | 5:40 | |
3. | "Ichchher Palok" | Bappy Khan | 4:47 | |
4. | "Vabna" | Salauddin Shazal | 4:50 | |
5. | "Josie Prem" | Latiful Islam Shibli | 2:47 | |
6. | "Amar Valobasha" | Salauddin Shazal | 5:11 | |
7. | "Hridoyer Ekla Prantore" | James | 7:57 | |
8. | "Peshadar Khuni" | Latiful Islam Shibli | 6:37 | |
9. | "Jhorer Rate" | Bappy Khan | 4:50 | |
10. | "Dakar Prem" | Bappy Khan | 2:56 | |
11. | "Tomake Khuji" | Bappy Khan | 3:47 | |
12. | "Praner Shohor" | Latiful Islam Shibli | 3:54 |
Personnel
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal, Cover Concept
Funty- Drums, Percussions
Babu- Bass
Tanvir- Keyboards
Nagar Baul(1995)
All music composed by James.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Monnan Mian'r Titash Molom" | Latiful Islam Shibi | 5:15 | |
2. | "Haragacher Nurjahan" | Deholovi | 5:40 | |
3. | "Taray Taray" | Based on the poem 'Uttor' by great poet Shamsur Rahman, James | 4:47 | |
4. | "Nagar Baul" | Rudro Polash | 4:50 | |
5. | "Humayrar Nishwash" | Deholovi | 2:47 | |
6. | "Ekta Prem Dao" | Deholovi | 5:11 | |
7. | "Nag Naginir Khela" | Deholovi (Concept- James) | 7:57 | |
8. | "Kotota Kangal Ami" | Latiful Islam Shibli | 6:37 | |
9. | "Zatra" | Deholovi (Concept- James) | 4:50 | |
10. | "Jongole Valobasha" | Latiful Islam Shibli | 2:56 | |
11. | "Nobojiboner Kotha Bolchhi" | Deholovi (Concept- James) | 3:47 | |
12. | "Tobe Bondhu Nouka Verao" | James, Deholovi | 3:54 |
Personnel
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal, Cover Concept
Funty- Drums, Percussions
Babu- Bass
Asad- Keyboards
Lais Fita Lais(1998)
All music composed by James.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Poth" | Asiruddin Mondol, Anondo | 5:15 | |
2. | "Lais Fita Lais" | James, Anondo | 5:40 | |
3. | "Sharothi" | Sumon | 4:47 | |
4. | "De Dour" | Marjuk Russel | 4:50 | |
5. | "Shinay Shinay" | James, Anondo | 2:47 | |
6. | "Bioscoper Khela" | Anondo (Concept- James) | 5:11 | |
7. | "Lag Velki Lag" | Sumon | 7:57 | |
8. | "Rakhe Allah Mare Ke" | Marjuk Russel, Anondo | 6:37 | |
9. | "Housy" | Anondo (Concept- James) | 4:50 | |
10. | "Khule Dekh Monta" | Sumon | 2:56 | |
11. | "Puber Hawa" | Based on the poem by Shuvash Mukherzee, James | 3:47 | |
12. | "Doyal" | James | 3:54 |
Personnel
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal, Cover Concept
Funty- Drums, Percussions
Babu- Bass
Asad- Keyboards
Dustu Chheler Dol (2001)
All music composed by James.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Chirotakal" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 5:15 | |
2. | "Dushtu Chheler Dol" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 5:40 | |
3. | "Bijli" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 4:47 | |
4. | "Joy Toruner Joy" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 4:50 | |
5. | "Eka" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 2:47 | |
6. | "Guarantee Nai" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 5:11 | |
7. | "Chhoto Kichhu Asha" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 7:57 | |
8. | "Gotiraj" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 6:37 | |
9. | "Kichhui Pelam Na" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 4:50 | |
10. | "Ma o Mati" | James, Bishu Shikdar | 2:56 |
Personnel
James- Lead Guitar, Vocal
Asad- Keyboards
Tajul- Bass
Romel- Drums, Percussions
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Even people in villages relate to my music: James". The Times of India. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "James & Nagar Baul’ live in concert". Indian Week Ender. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ http://www.mastradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4179:ill-be-more-regular-in-releasing-albums-in-bangladesh-james&catid=9&Itemid=435
- ↑ http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=177439
- ↑ "Bangladeshi pop singer arrested". BBC News. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 30 September 2013.