Child Of Light - Man Of Shadows (album cover artwork)
Dreamy, haunting, ethereal, thought-provoking, wistful, spiritual, melancholic, uplifting...A few words that can be used to describe the music and songs of James Alan Gourley...A highly original fingerpick style, poignant, emotive and powerful lyrics, strong and heartfelt vocal presentation and a distinctive guitar sound combine to leave the listener with a lasting impression of genuine quality, real talent and musical integrity.
James Alan Gourley is an electro-acoustic guitarist / singer / songwriter / poet based in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Guitarist and songwriter for many years with popular Glasgow based hard rock band Liars Edge Alan (one of those awkward people who prefers to be called by their middle name!) has spent the last year or two re-familiarising himself with the acoustic guitar and experimenting with a wide variety of alternative tunings having, for the time being at least, hung up his electric to concentrate on a solo acoustic career.
Having just recorded his first solo album "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" Alan is currently in negotiation with several local labels, publishers and distributors with regard to release of his album and has already attracted significant interest from other artists, listeners, podcasters and music-industry personnel on myspace and other websites.
Having developed a highly original style of guitar fingerpicking - an eclectic mix of rock, folk, classical and celtic influences - "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" is a stripped down, no frills recording featuring only electroacoustic guitar and vocals. Containing seven songs and four instrumentals the album is a very personal one - confessional even - reflecting many of Alan's opinions on life and its trials and tribulations. From the intense and haunting opening instrumental "The Things In The Attic" to the hearfelt and emotion laden cynicism of the albums' closing track "A Place In The Sun" Alan takes the listener on a musical and lyrical journey through many emotions including sadness, hope, despair, love and anger. His instrumentals speak to the listener of both beauty and pain in a dreamy and ethereal way with no need for words.
Alan is currently playing a series of gigs in and around Glasgow with plans to tour further afield later in 2008 and then record his second album. Although currently playing solo he is looking at recruiting a cellist, pianist and possibly a double bass player for some larger shows.
Alan is also hoping to publish a book of poetry/lyrics at some point in 2008 and will post some of this material on subsequent blogs on this site. When he's not writing songs, lyrics or poetry Alan enjoys sleeping, beer, playing WW2 FPS's and travel. Did I mention he is left handed? That explains a lot.......
Many thanks to those who have already expressed interest in Alan's work and he hopes you enjoy the three songs ( full album versions) posted here on Ourstage! Please note the fourth song "The Last Day Of Earth" is NOT a forthcoming album track but an instrumental trance track mixed by Alan from samples from eJay software and samples created by himself using Reason software. As you can see a few more songs have been added now as well - Many thanks for your votes and song purchases!
If you would like any additional information or wish to pre-order a copy of "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" please email jamesalangourley@hotmail.com
James Alan Gourley is an electro-acoustic guitarist / singer / songwriter / poet based in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Guitarist and songwriter for many years with popular Glasgow based hard rock band Liars Edge Alan (one of those awkward people who prefers to be called by their middle name!) has spent the last year or two re-familiarising himself with the acoustic guitar and experimenting with a wide variety of alternative tunings having, for the time being at least, hung up his electric to concentrate on a solo acoustic career.
Having just recorded his first solo album "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" Alan is currently in negotiation with several local labels, publishers and distributors with regard to release of his album and has already attracted significant interest from other artists, listeners, podcasters and music-industry personnel on myspace and other websites.
Having developed a highly original style of guitar fingerpicking - an eclectic mix of rock, folk, classical and celtic influences - "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" is a stripped down, no frills recording featuring only electroacoustic guitar and vocals. Containing seven songs and four instrumentals the album is a very personal one - confessional even - reflecting many of Alan's opinions on life and its trials and tribulations. From the intense and haunting opening instrumental "The Things In The Attic" to the hearfelt and emotion laden cynicism of the albums' closing track "A Place In The Sun" Alan takes the listener on a musical and lyrical journey through many emotions including sadness, hope, despair, love and anger. His instrumentals speak to the listener of both beauty and pain in a dreamy and ethereal way with no need for words.
Alan is currently playing a series of gigs in and around Glasgow with plans to tour further afield later in 2008 and then record his second album. Although currently playing solo he is looking at recruiting a cellist, pianist and possibly a double bass player for some larger shows.
Alan is also hoping to publish a book of poetry/lyrics at some point in 2008 and will post some of this material on subsequent blogs on this site. When he's not writing songs, lyrics or poetry Alan enjoys sleeping, beer, playing WW2 FPS's and travel. Did I mention he is left handed? That explains a lot.......
Many thanks to those who have already expressed interest in Alan's work and he hopes you enjoy the three songs ( full album versions) posted here on Ourstage! Please note the fourth song "The Last Day Of Earth" is NOT a forthcoming album track but an instrumental trance track mixed by Alan from samples from eJay software and samples created by himself using Reason software. As you can see a few more songs have been added now as well - Many thanks for your votes and song purchases!
If you would like any additional information or wish to pre-order a copy of "Ten Miles Out Of Midnight" please email jamesalangourley@hotmail.com
James Alan Gourley's Achievements
June 2008 Solo Instrumental
April 2008 Instrumental
Liars Edge Lyrics
in no particular order….lyrics to most Liars Edge songs written by me..as sung
Jaded
This is the day when I get it together
Then I give it away
This is the nightmare – Here I go
Now I’m back on my own
Another victim of the child inside today
Another extra in a real-time passion-play
Another night to demonise
My own mind de-sanitises
And all the things that I’ve never done
Left me a man with a loaded gun
And every day is a battlefield
I go to war with my own mind – It’s hell inside
But it’s just another day of my life
Just another twist of the knife
Only 24 hours till it ends
And then I’ll start it all over again
Just another room with no view
Its just another turn of th...
James Alan Gourley's Favorite Songs
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Number of fans: 32
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The Light At The End Of The Tunnel? (Inst.)
Uploaded Jun 30, 2008
- 56th in Instrumental
Played: 12 Favorited: 0
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34 comments
-Neil
Thank you again.
Alan
Ewen
Steve R.
Thanks for finding me, - You are unique but with a glen hansard feel... i love it..peace, lauren
On behalf of Cici, thanks for your kind comments. After listening to your music, I suspect Hollywood may come knocking on YOUR door. Wouldn't be surprised if Craig Ferguson flies you across the pond someday soon. Sorry I can't do anything specific to help you at this point in time. Just keep putting it out there. And the best of luck.
BTW, our video "Don't Say a Word" just got accepted by the Baltimore Women's Film Festival yesterday so we're a tad stoked about that here! Haven't composed a press release yet so you're the first to know.
Just noticed you listed "Pompeii" as a favorite song. Please to check out the video as well. Love your work.
Rogers
Shine On.
Zuri
Tammy
Greetings from Seattle. Thank you so much for the kind comments you left on my page. Yes I really have been enjoying this site so far. Your music is very wonderful. I don't know if you ever get compared to Michael Hedges - you have a finger picking style similar to his but yet you are both very different. I really enjoy your music. This is the type of guitar music I could just sit and listen to for a long time.
Best of luck to you!
Jennifer
I notice alot we have alot in common musically, even as far as looking for cellist and pianist, etc for live shows haha
i really love fingerpicking too and was drawn right away to your talent and arrangements
Honestly the only Nick Drake song I've heard is Black Dog, but I'll have to listen to more after your comment...
great musicianship!
thanks for the kind words.
that little riff (new shapes)makes me think early 80's tv series lol!
Your kind words are greatly appreciated. It is an honor to be friends; and your work is brilliant! "The Things in the Attic" is amazing; keep up the great work and stay in touch.
Matt
Until later,
Brion
thanks so much for the words. Nick Drake is definitely a big influence on me so I'm glad you mentioned him! I can certainly hear his influence in your work too which is really well done by the way. Really great guitar picking and a perfect mellow atmosphere. I'm interested if you've been using some of his unusual tunings too since some of your playing seems really unconventianal.
Cheers,
Daniel
Michael james moore
Cheers,
~ Justine ~
Foreverlast
THANK you for picking one of my songs as a favorite! I am truly flattered that someone of your artistic caliber would do so, and thank you for your kind words! Your music is beautiful and dynamic and you deserve much praise and many wins!!
Best of luck to you,
Lana
peace
robert
Thank you from the bottom of my heart (even if its number 598 next week lol - its such a thrill to be in the top two however fleetingly!!)
Respect and thanks again
Alan
Singer songwriter includes so many full bands - some of them great but the solo performance should be re-instated for one singer one instrument
Alan
I have had many emails expressing sympathy (fuck that) that my songs aren't higher placed. Well I'm not bothered about that though it does touch my heart that so many think I should be in the top ten..hey..time will tell...i only been on here a couple of months..but your sentiments are deeply appreciated..
There are some wonderful musicians on here..great writers..lyricists..players..and also a lot of people who obviously have roped in their mates to vote for them..which is sad...that will pass if this site (and its a damn good one) gets bigger
Anyway...thanks to all that vote for me and thanks to all those wonderful musicians I would never have heard of that make my heart sing here on Ourstage
Alan x
I have enjoyed your music as well...I will have Marnee read your message and listen to your music...she loves this style of music. I tried to find you on myspace but haven't been able to...what is your name on myspace ?
Wendi
Alan