James Royal


James Royal is a British pop singer. His most international successful record was "Call My Name" in 1967.

Life and career

James Nairn was born on 14 July 1938 in Ealing, near London. After leaving secondary school, he served three years in the Royal Air Force.
In 1963 he formed a band that performed in London pubs and clubs under the name Jimmy Royal and the Hawks. The group recorded its first track in 1964 for Decca, followed by singles in 1965 for Parlophone, the second of which was credited to “James Royal.” He soon emerged as a solo artist.
Royal signed with CBS in 1966, and his first release for the label, “Call My Name”, became a hit in continental Europe. The single reached No. 11 in France in December 1967 and No. 4 in Belgium in March 1968. Although it failed to chart in the UK, ‘’Record World’’ later highlighted it as an example of foreign songs that found success in France despite limited recognition in their country of origin.
Between 1966 and 1970 CBS issued eleven of his singles and one album, with additional releases tailored to markets such as Germany, Spain, and Italy. During this period, Royal was often described as a British blue-eyed soul singer.
In 1970 Royal left CBS to join impresario Mervyn Conn’s Carnaby label, which produced six singles and two albums, including Spanish-language versions for overseas markets. His 1971 single “Carolina,” written by Terry Britten, achieved success in France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Australia.
Royal recorded three albums between 1970 and 1973, along with singles in multiple languages for specific markets. In 1972 he also toured with Jerry Lee Lewis. By the end of the decade, however, his recording career had slowed. In 1984 he emigrated to Australia, his wife’s native country, and settled in Toowoomba in 1988.

Discography

Singles

  • 1965: "She's About a Mover" / "Black Cloud"
  • 1965: "Work Song" / "I Can't Stand It"
  • 1967: "Call My Name" / "When It Comes to My Baby"
  • 1967: "It's All in the Game" / "Green Games"
  • 1967: "I Can't Stand It" / "A Little Bit of Rain"
  • 1968: "Take Me Like I Am" / "Sitting In The Station"
  • 1968: "Hey Little Boy" / "Thru' The Love"
  • 1968: "A Woman Called Sorrow" / "Fire"
  • 1969: "Time Hangs On My Mind" / "Anna-Lee "
  • 1969: "House Of Jack" / "Which Way To Nowhere"
  • 1969: "I've Got Something Bad On My Mind" / "She's Independent"
  • 1969: "Sent Out Love" / "I've Lost You"
  • 1970: "And Soon The Darkness" / "I'm Going Home"
  • 1971: "Noah" / "Big Heat "
  • 1971: "Ol' Man River" / "Conspiracy Of Cards"
  • 1971: "This Is My Woman" / "Noah"
  • 1971: "Noah" / "The Children Outside"
  • 1971: "Carolina" / "Woman Called Sorrow"
  • 1972: "Two of Us" / "Who Are We"
  • 1973: "Lazy Mazie" / "Shining Sun"

    Albums

  • 1964: Ready, Steady - Win!
  • 1969: Call My Name
  • 1970: One Way
  • 1971: The Light And Shade Of James Royal
  • 1973: Stone Cold Soul
  • 2017: Call My Name: Selected Recordings 1964-1970, retrospective compilation.