BC BLOG CRITICS - GINGER ST. JAMES
With only six songs, Ginger St. James’ debut is a bit closer to an EP than a full-fledged CD release. Having said that, though—very few artists pack as much punch into a full-length recording as St. James squeezes into Spank, Sparkle & Growl.
The title, in fact, sums up the contents very well indeed. St. James is a sassy chanteuse who’s alternately coy and downright brazen, and political correctness aside, there’s a burlesque quality to both her material and the way she delivers it. “Boom Boom Room,” the disc’s third track, is a double-entendre ditty with a raunchy stripper beat, and St. James ditches the "double" about halfway through for some rather explicit exhortations to a tentative lover. “Devil Dance” is even more blunt, but it’s all in good fun—as St. James says, “Don’t worry baby, It only hurts at first …” “Swing About You” is equally naughty, though the lyrics are cushioned by a jaunty swing arrangement that sounds—superficially, it turns out—quite innocent.
The Grinders aren’t known names but they’re excellent throughout, particularly the guitar work of “Snow-heel Slim,” who adds subtle embellishments here and there that add an extra dimension to each tune. Also of note is Greg Brisco’s work on keys, though drummer Andre Tellier and upright bassist Tyrone Ramsey are no slouches either, negotiating the driving train-rhythm beat that powers “Lonely Cryin’ Blues” and the sweetly-swaying “Lullaby” with equal aplomb.
But it’s clearly Ginger’s show, and she’s an absolute force of nature, strutting her stuff with abandon yet tempering her delivery with irresistible charm that keeps the rather salacious content delightfully naughty rather than nasty. It may not be suitable for all audiences, but Spank, Sparkle & Growl is a scintillating, sexy delight … Ginger St. James is definitely one to watch!
GINGER ST. JAMES: PRESS/ REVIEWS
ARTIST PROFILE - WEST OF THE CITY MAGAZINEAs her name would suggest, Ginger St. James is a red-hot singer with looks that could thrill and who teases and tantalizes her way through a performance with brazen reckless abandon. She ain't no saint; she's a sinning singer who's having a whole lot of fun.
In 2002, St. James first landed on stage – legs and all – in Toronto as a member of Les Coquettes, one of the first burlesque troupes in Canada to revive the old vaudeville tradition. Her love for Broadway tunes, dance and theatre, outlandish costumes (or lack thereof) led her to form her own group in Hamilton, the Steeltown Sirens. “That opened a lot of doors because it gave me a platform for singing,” she says. People took notice of her voice (and a little more). “I was asked to participate with various events and that gave me the confidence to pursue different projects.” One of St. James' trademark acts was a comedic burlesque routine where she would get stuck in her clothes. “I'm a klutz, so it was kind of funny,” she admits.
Born and raised in Binbrook, St. James always had a deep-seated desire to sing, and she did when she was little, though only to herself. “I'd never let anybody hear me,” she recalls. “It didn't really come until later when I started going out seeing live bands, seeing there was this whole other world, especially with the music, burlesque, and theatre that I thought ‘I want to do that and be up there'.” The voice was always there, but she didn't become a gal with a guitar until later, being mostly self-taught. “I took a lesson – or two – when I was young,” she laughs, “but I never stuck to anything.”
St. James' bio reads like a sexy thesaurus, but does she consider herself an exhibitionist? “I suppose at one point I would have when I was running the burlesque,” she admits. “But I think just as a performer you are kind of an exhibitionist because you have to be unafraid. Performing a song that you've written can be compared to taking your clothes off in front of somebody because you're really bearing your soul – baring it all – to the audience.” Interestingly enough, the stage is her platform, the only place she says she feels totally comfortable. “I just like to entertain and people can see that when I am on stage.”
Do people perceive her the same way they might interpret her songs: naughty, brazen, bawdy, sultry or sassy? “Ya, if you get to know me,” she laughs. “There're a lot of different sides of me. I'm a joker, and a jackass quite often. I'm sarcastic, I can be smart-mouthed but I can also be sweet. I think my songs do represent all sides of me and they come from different experiences.”
St. James' musical taste is a list about as long as a feather boa. In the car she blasts dance music; other times jazz, punk, rock and roll or rockabilly are the playlist of the day. “I grew up with such a diverse influence of music,” she says, owing her paradoxical preferences to her grandparents, who listened to big band and swing, and loved musicals. During her early years, car rides with her dad meant listening to country hits. Trips to hot rod shows gave way to the backdrop of rock and roll. “All of the influences are genuine,” she states. ‘I don't peg myself as one certain way. I draw influences from everything.”
In May 2010, St. James finally released her first album, Spank, Sparkle & Growl, which she recorded with The Grinders (Snow-heel Slim (Guitar), Andre Tellier (Drums) Greg Brisco (Keys), and Tyrone Ramsey (Bass)). “Most of the songs were ones that I'd had already in the bank for a long time,” she says. “Swing About You”, “Boom Boom Room” and “Lullaby” were the ones that I'd held onto for the longest.” The CD itself is a potent cocktail of vaudeville, cabaret, and rock and roll filled with double-entendres and rhythms that tease, but all in good fun.
With plans to record a new album this year, and probably a tour, most of the material is already written in her latest lyrical style that resembles “Lonely Cryin' Blues” and “Devil Dance” (on her current CD), with more of a country blues sound rather than swing. Keeping her finger on the pulse (or the pasties) of the art of the tease, St. James is an affiliate with Great Canadian Burlesque, producing shows. “One way or another I'll be involved (with burlesque) – but the clothes stay on!”
See it Live!
Don't miss Ginger St. James performing live music at West of the City's Girls Night Out on May 25 at the Oakville Conference Centre.
For more information visit westofthecity.com.
Can a burlesque artist from Hamilton crossover to rock-a-billy?
A trip to Halifax for business turned into a chance meeting with ex-burlesque performer Ginger St. James.
St. James was well known in Southern Ontario as a regular on the burlesque circuit – yes it still exists despite the prevalence of strip clubs in Ontario.
I was over to Halifax for the weekend on a mix of business (studio lights) and personal (visiting my uncle in the hospital) and wanted to catch some music Saturday night.
Checking The Coast for live entertainment, I noticed Ginger St. James was playing at the Seahorse Tavern in something called Rockabilly Riot.
Awesome. Ginger St. James has been a Facebook Friend of mine for years, via Jezebel DuPree, via Tom Wilson – all Hamilton based artists.
We jumped at the chance to meet her in-person. You have to be up for adventure on a trip.
Some one messaged me on Facebook at supper time that the venue had changed to the Elephant and Castle, due to an electrical fire at the Seahorse.
Rockabilly Riot is an annual Halifax show that was featuring St. James.
May 2nd St. James is playing Moncton at the plan b – Bar & Lounge
I spotted Ginger St. James right away with her flaming red hair.
Screwing up my courage I approached her and she was instantly friendly.
Apparently she has been working on transition from burlesque to a singer songwriter for five years, although she still keeps involved in the burlesque circuit.
Elephant & Castle
The basement of the Elephant & Castle had a festive air, although a smaller crowd than The Seahorse Tavern.
Haligonians have taken to tattoos and mix-and-don’t-match wardrobes that were interesting in themselves.
The first act was Miss Magenta, a burlesque performer from Tainted Temple Burlesque. The crowd was so thick we missed most of it.
The Whiskey Kisses opened the music with a tribute to country rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson.
The band played well and the singer did a full-throated version of the material. Worth listening to as a bar band. The audience loved them.
The Trouble Shooters followed as a Chuck Berry Tribute band, including a sax player.
Here’s how tribute bands work – you play the music as it was recorded. Unfortunately the band didn’t learn the licks so it was the “Chuck Berry Fake Book” version.
The singer assumed he had some right to improvise the tunes which was dreadful.
When the Trouble Shooters performed their own bluesy material they caught the groove and the audience danced and pushed towards the stage.
Ginger St. James
We moved to the front of the stage for Ginger St. James’ performance since by then the club was full.
Good move – back on the floor came Miss Magenta for another burlesque performance. I tried to video her dance but my camera locked up.
Immediately, Ginger St. James took to the stage for three solo songs with her new blue guitar. She’s a high energy gal but the house engineer didn’t give Ginger a break and the music sounded flat.
Singers should never sing without any vocal effects like reverb or delay.
As soon as the band came back on stage, things heated up and Ginger St. James rocked and belted out her sultry songs.
She is a charmer and knows how to put over a song. Most of the material was tinged with a burlesque sensibility. We were feeling a little naughty.
Boom Boom Boom – Ginger St. James and The Grinders
You can catch Ginger St. James tonight May 2nd in Moncton at the plan b – Bar & Lounge.
ROCKABILLY RIOT, HALIFAX - GINGER ST JAMES
What a night! The Rockabilly Riot folks know how to put on a show and even though their original venue (the Seahorse) almost caught on fire - resulting in the show being moved to the Elephant & Castle – these folks put on a spectacle of sex and rock and roll that’s hard to beat.
Hamilton Ontario’s Ginger St James closed the night with a set of original songs that nicely fit in with the theme of the evening. she played a couple solo acoustic offerings, showing off her rich voice, before being joined by the Trouble Shooters (who had taken it upon themselves to learn all of Ginger’s songs) and the dance floor was once again on fire. Miss St James’ song’s were more contemporary sounding than Wanda Jackson or Chuck Berry, but they kept the 50’s rock and roll feel intact.
It was an evening that represented what rock and roll is all about in the first place: having fun. There were folks teaching swing dancing, all kinds of nifty merch for sale and tons of people dressed in sweet 50’s outfits (poodle dresses and suits & ties). If you want a little more bang for your buck than long haired shoe-gazers and ironic mustaches, I suggest you give the Rockabilly Riot a whirl. As Chuck Berry would say: You’ll be feeling the music from head to toe, so round and round and round we go.
Ginger St. James provides musical treat
By GLEN SILVERTHORN
A lthough most of this column will consist of our annual New Year's and Boxing Day listings, I did manage to catch a set at The Station, which featured the gorgeous Ginger St. James.
She is familiar in this area by previously performing at this venue and is currently a regular on Wednesday nights at Two Doors Down.
I had been told of her amazing talent and versatility, and I finally discovered this for myself on Sunday afternoon at the Roots Revival Show. In this setting, she worked as a duo with her guitarist, who goes by the name of Snow-Heel Slim. This fellow is an excellent highly experienced accompanist, capable of easily adapting to the many genres of song material that this attractive performer delivered.
We heard some great string-bending solo guitar segments between the song verses. Styles included rockabilly, blues, country, swing, old classic pop ballads, and more. This talented young woman, who has a background of burlesque and Broadway musicals brings a wealth of experience and, along with this, is able to use her natural energy to sell her songs.
She explained to me that she's been performing for eight years. She has developed a voice that can growl with that gritty blues quality if needed for an up-tempo country or blues tune like Wanted Dead or Alive or My Babe. In contrast, a beautiful silky tone comes out on a ballad like Cold Cold Heart or a classic like You Belong To Me.
It's no wonder her new album, Spank, Sparkle and Growl, with her band, The Grinders, won best alternative country record of the year at the Hamilton Music Awards in November. She was also nominated for female artist of the year.
Check out her website for a lot more on this blossoming artist and, as I'm planning, visit Two Doors Down some Wednesday for dancing and fun. She tells me
she's also appearing at Warmington's in January.
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MUSIC SHE BLOGGED - GINGER ST. JAMES LIVE @ CADILLAC LOUNGE, TORONTO
I was bothered a bit about this evening. I felt a little like Dr John's right place wrong time, you can't help the crowd, I get that but I felt like I was in a small town country bar with a university close by. But every so often I saw that hidden treasure of the show, the original Honky Tonk fan. Honky tony is sexier then country, most of the crowd was country the band was sexy. From the beginning.. on the other side of the room I see this beautiful dark haired woman with a giant cheetah fur coat she lit up the room. The band started.. backup was 3 guys and she was playing guitar as well as singing. She started with a lot of energy and surprisingly kept it the entire time. None of the songs sounded the same, that's huge for me especially if I'm going to see a band for the first time. She is talented, her bridges did not drag on and her voice did not strain nor did it keep the same tone through each song. I just really believe this girl is better than small town. How do we make this happen? Her lead guitar player played a song for the women that wore heels, the song was pretty good, nice vocals, clear and rather fancy. There was an older woman behind me with a polar bear fur coat, I asked her to dance with me. I mean fuck, how often do you get to dance with a polar bear? I kept rubbing her back, it was so soft she probably thought I wanted her, that my friends was a 50 year old bear, a cougar bear, a bearacouga. HAHA anyways, I'm torn really, the band was wonderful but I wonder if the crowd was dancing because they really enjoyed it and saw the talent or it was just music to dance to. Regardless, I'm an asshole, I come from a small town and I left for a reason. In the end. awesome show, great job. Thanks to the man that takes longer to get ready than his missus, and the girl with the familiar mullet. Miss D. POSTED BY THIS IS MY BLOG. I DO WHAT I WANT. AT 6:45 PM LABELS: GINGER ST JAMES
GINGER ST. JAMES - STEAMING UP THE STATION, Brantford ON
St. James steams up the Station Posted By SAL BOMMARITO Updated 5 hours ago The local entertainment scene will heat up this weekend with a double dose of cabaret performance artist Ginger St. James on Valentine's Day. St. James, whose mother and sister live in Brantford, has performed in the city before, at the Station Coffee House and Gallery in the CNR Station. She'll make a return visit there on Sunday, for a matinee performance, before she takes the stage for an evening show at Two Doors Down on Market Street. "It will be a mellower show" at the Station, says St. James, who was interviewed earlier this week. "It's the first time I'll be in Brantford with the band. I've played solo there before, but not with my boys." The sultry songstress, a moniker that she has earned with her steamy solo performances, as well as with her extremely popular and titillating burlesque act, will help mark the Station's one-year anniversary. However, St. James, voted best female artist and sexiest Hamiltonian by View Magazine last year, is in love with the idea of playing cupid. "All of my songs lend themselves to performing on Valentine's Day," she laughs. The self-confessed "romantic" says her ideal Valentine's Day would include a "foot rub" from her favourite beau. "Just to be in love all day," she says. "I don't show that side of myself very often, but I'm a real softie," says the brassy performer. Apart from working on her new CD, suggestively entitled Spank, Sparkle and Growl, with her band the Grinders, which consists of rockabilly artist Snow-Heel Slim of the Boogie Infection on guitar and vocals, Tyrone Ramsey on upright bass, Andre Arriva on drums and Greg Brisco on keyboard. She's also been busily pursuing acting roles in indie films, as well as performing in her vaudeville show, Var ietease, which sold out the Corktown Tavern in Hamilton. The show includes magic, comedy and burlesque, St. James says. "I plan to do more of those shows," the performer, who now lives in Toronto, says. "I have the opportunity to do bigger productions in bigger venues; so that's exciting." St. James's act, which can best be described as a potent cocktail of vaudeville, cabaret, rock and roll and tease, began on Toronto's burlesque circuit. She performed with Les Coquettes before starting her own troupe, the Steeltown Sirens. It all started on the burlesque circuit about eight years ago. I was in theatre at the time, but I've always been a bit of a ham." For someone who grew up in the Hamilton suburbs of Stoney Creek and Binbrook, St. James's sassy and sexy character has left a trail of broken hearts across the club circuit. Her success is certainly attributable to her many talents, but a resurgence in public interest in live shows also has helped propel her into the limelight. "A live show is totally different than watching TV, which you can do any time. There's a resurgence of live shows in Toronto, where it's huge. "The hard work is paying off. I really have come a long way. I'm glad that I get to incorporate everything into my performances." St. James is planning a CD release show on May 15 in Toronto, but she promised there would be a separate launch for Brantford, to give her many local fans their Ginger fix. Article ID# 2444424
Rockin In Yer Stockin! - A Vaudeville Varietease Riot
With her official debut CD recording finally available, Ginger St. James has stepped up her performance schedule with the Grinders but this time of year, St. James has her mind on a performance that has become her own holiday tradition.
“It’s definitely been a whirlwind year and I’m looking forward to the tornado that is going to be 2011,” smiles St. James. “But Christmas has always been my favourite time of year, the snow, the food, the music and it’s the only time of year my family is usually in one place. Being around friends and family is something that I don’t get to do enough, especially this year it seems so it’s extra special being able to catch up with everyone.
“Christmas to me has always been about giving and throwing this event allows everyone to get a little something which is great,” she adds. “The bands are totally behind the cause, which is so fantastic! Picking them was the easy part. It’s a heap of holiday cheer, so hopefully this will be something that will continue for many years.”
With a vaudeville style show, St. James offers a night of alt–country rocking with burlesque performers and more to raise food for the Hamilton Food Share.
“Last year we raised 476 pounds of food and the goal for this year is 500,” notes St. James. “Cash donations will also be accepted as well as un–opened toys for children. I think raising awareness is extremely important, and this event helps get the word out for sure. There are so many hungry people in our own backyards; actually, the number is
pretty mind–blowing. A reported 18,600 people per month turn to a food bank in our city. 44 percent of that number is under the age of eighteen. I don’t think people realize just how many people around us are struggling. I hope that this will help open up people’s eyes and get the charity we need to keep the shelves full.”
So with the party and the needy on the mind – St. James and company have a rocking night scheduled.
“This night is a little more than just rock and roll,” says St. James.
“This is the biggest event I have ever produced and as always, it will be a spectacle and a feast for the senses. I hope this will be something that everyone will remember and walk away feeling great, in more ways than one. This is a one–of–a kind show that only comes around once a year just like Christmas. It’s a remarkable, outstanding, shocking and scandalous show with over 20 performers in all – including Santa Clause and some pretty fantastic gifts will be unwrapped on stage. You just can’t get this anywhere else. You’d have to be a Scrooge to not want to be there.”
Rockin In Yer Stockin! - A Vaudeville Varietease Riot happens this Saturday December 18 at the Corktown Pub with Ginger St. James and the Grinders, the Vanishers, the Boogie Infection, Steve Winchester, Fionna Flauntit, St. Stella, Val Cano, Mz Kitty Demure, Jezebel Dupree and Emcee Larry Smith. Show gets underway at 9pm and tickets are $12 advance in advance or $15 at the doors (Discount ticket w/ non-perishable food item).
Click on gingerstjames.com or hamiltonfoodshare.org
HAMILTON MAGAZINE - BEST OF EVERYTHING, 2009.
BEST DOUBLE LIFE ~ GINGER ST. JAMES When she first stepped on local stages, Ginger St. James was not the alt-cabaret chanteuse she is today. That saucy, sassy personality was still very much in evidence, though. Her performance origins trace back to the burlesque circuit – first as a member of Toronto’s Les Coquettes, then as the prime mover of her own troupe, the Steeltown Sirens. Although the burlesque scene never really seemed to catch fire here, it certainly burned hot enough to sear St. James into the public’s imagination. That spirited profile led to TV and film work, and more recently to a second life as a siren of a different sort – a sultry singer with a surprisingly lithe and powerful voice, razor wit and a vaudevillian sense of showmanship. It’s no put-on."
SNAP! MAGAZINE ~ June 2009 Ginger St. James Chanteuse extraordinaire. Brenda Dushko
Ginger first appeared in 2002 on the Toronto Burlesque circuit with Les Coquettes as a sultry sassy nightclub singer. The creation of Ginger was based on a teenager who was deported to a French boarding school and made her escape to become a nightclub singer... and the rest as they say... is history. When asked where her fabulous voice comes from, Ginger explains, ‘I sang my heart out as a kid, but was pretty shy so it wasn’t until 1998 that I began performing in front of anybody.’ She continues, I developed my sound growing up with Broadway musicals and singing along to my favourite artists. The Ginger St. James sound is hard to pin down to one specific genre, incorporating roots music, swing, country, show tunes and good ol’ rock and roll to showcase her jaw dropping voice. When she’s not playing gigs in from Hamilton to Toronto, she’s organizing amazing nights of comedy, music and burlesque, because as she says, “I just love throwing an entertaining evening whether it is a burlesque show, car show or even just an evening with friends.” Ginger’s plans for the summer include the release of a CD which will feature at least 4 tunes, with a full length CD release planned for next year. She will be playing with some of Canada’s top artists in Toronto, furthering her mission to turn on as many people as she can to Hamilton music. You can experience the Ginger St. James sound on her website www.gingerstjames.com , then come out to see her play in Burlington this summer. Ginger St. James will be performing on Friday, June 19th as part of Burlington Downtown Streetfest and on Sunday July 12th as part of Performing Arts Burlington’s Downtown Dining Event. Downtown Streetfest is a unique opportunity to see where music hits the streets...with intimate street-side performance pods running during the Sound of Music Festival, from June 19th to 21st.