An Idea for a
James Griffin Compilation
in a multi-CD set or series

Throughout 2005-07, one was occasionally hearing rumors about an imminent CD release of a new compilation of demos by James Griffin. Personally, I will only believe of such a thing when I finally have one in my hands! One should expect a quality product in all respects such as what Sundazed and Bear Family have become noted for, and this includes great attention to biographical and discographical detail. Here's hoping James Griffin's recording career will get the respect it deserves with a suitable and tasteful compilation finally appearing as a legitimate release.

In going through the James Griffin discography (solo/duo and group) – and also lists of his demos and recordings by others where he served as producer, writer or vocalist – I have come up with a proposal for a Griffin compilation that might serve the needs of the present and future fans and collectors. With his lyrical substance and incredible voice, a "best of" collection derived from such a list could blow people away. In the following list, I have probably just scratched the surface of his involvement with other artists, and one should be aware of his 2004 duet with Holly Cieri of his Academy Award-winner "For All We Know" which continues to be easily available.

Additional possible compilations (i.e., not yet included herein) may include the "Griffin & Sylvester," Remingtons and GYG recording projects. Both Remingtons CDs can easily be squeezed onto one with plenty of room for "Blue Christmas" and some outtakes, if any. Also, hard-core Bread fans would find live recordings by Toast most interesting. (There must be a few out there; I have yet to hear of any.)

So, to reiterate, the following is merely a proposal on my part. Such a CD compilation does not presently exist.

VOLUME I – THE "SUMMER HOLIDAY" LP and 45s released in the 1960s:

"SUMMER HOLIDAY":

1 Summer Holiday 2:20
2 Too Young 2:12
3 She Used To Be Mine 2:34
4 Summertime Blues 2:06
5 My Baby Made Me Cry 2:10
6 Love Letters In The Sand 2:00
7 You're Tempting Me 2:12
8 Cold Rainy Day 2:24
9 What Kind Of Girl Are You 2:37
10 The Bully 2:35
11 A Little Like Lovin' You 2:02
12 Sealed With A Kiss 2:04

Reprise 45s not on above LP:

13 Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys 3:03
14 It's A Free Country 2:15
15 Little Miss Cool 2:16
16 Marie Is Moving 2:22
17 Marie Is Moving (Italian version) – aka "Nei Baci Di Un Altro" 2:24
18 All My Loving 2:18
19 Running To You 2:31
20 Gotta Lotta Love 2:06
21 Try 2:02
22 You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You 2:38

Imperial 45s:

23 Walking To New Orleans 2:26
24 These Are The Times 2:37
25 He Will Break Your Heart 2:43
26 Hard Row To Hoe 2:34

Viva 45s:

27 The Miracle Worker 2:13
28 Looking So Much Better 2:15
29 Thank You Love 2:59
30 The Light Of Your Mind 2:41

VOLUME II – THE POLYDOR LPs:

"BREAKIN' UP IS EASY":

1 Breakin' Up Is Easy 3:57
2 Someday 2:35
3 Love You Till The Cows Come Home* 3:02
4 She Knows* 2:29
5 Father And Son 4:36
6 You'll Get Along 5:18
7 Lifeline 3:44
8 Goin' Back To Boston 3:43
9 Only Now 2:39
10 Love To Light The Way 2:54

* Bread recordings, early 1973

"JAMES GRIFFIN":

11 Laura Lee 3:31
12 Hanalei 4:02
13 Goin' Back To Tennessee 3:46
14 Blood From A Stone 4:21
15 How Do You Say Goodbye? 2:36
16 Treat Her Right 3:09
17 That's All I Need* 3:44
18 My Love Is Mine 3:03
19 I Repent 4:56

* Bread recording, 1974

MORE ITEMS – A GROWING LIST FOR VOLUME III AND BEYOND:

* = Very partial list. More to add later.
+ = Recordings (mainly by others) not mentioned on the discography pages.

More songs on 45s – not listed above:

1 Melody Maker (1973 Polydor single – B side of "Breakin' Up Is Easy") 4:43
2 Beachwood Band (1974 Polydor single – B side of "She Knows") 5:22
3 Lonely Girls (1982 Shoe single – A side) 4:10
4 Heartbeat (1982 Shoe single – B side) 3:14
     

Involvement in duet or group recordings: *

(See note in introduction above regarding
"Griffin & Sylvester," The Remingtons and GYG.)

Terry Sylvester & James Griffin – Travellin' Boy (1976; TS & JG production from the UK "I BELIEVE" LP by TS) 3:23
Terry Sylvester – Travellin' Boy (1976; Alan Parsons production from all other issues of "I BELIEVE," whether LP or CD) 3:39
Mike Finnigan – Misery Loves Company (circa 1976; JG harmony)+ 3:48
Black Tie – Learning The Game – original, LP version (1985) 1:47
Black Tie – Learning The Game – redone, CD version (1990) 1:50
Black Tie – Chain Gang – original, LP version (1985) 2:59
Black Tie – Chain Gang – redone, CD version (1990) 3:26
Black Tie – If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody (1985) 3:51
Black Tie – You're My Life (1985) 2:34
Black Tie – Oh My Lover (1985) 3:23
Holly & James Griffin – For All We Know – 2005 CD single 2:37
Holly & James Griffin – For All We Know – 2006 CD single (country remix) 2:39
Lynn Bryant & James Griffin – Can We Still Be Friends – from 2005 CD by Lynn Bryant: "WOMAN ENOUGH"+ 4:04
Frank Black – Lone Child (JG background vocals) – from 2005 CD by Frank Black: "HONEYCOMB"+ 3:10
Frank Black – Atlantis (with Al Franken & JG) – from 2005 CD by Frank Black: "HONEYCOMB" (only on Japanese edition; bonus track)+ 5:43
     

Involvement with recordings by others as writer (and
often producer) plus related recordings for comparison:*+

(Not necessarily in any order. Record details and
dates coming later. Most are from the late 1960s.)

Ed Ames – Apologize 1,2 2:05
The Roosters – Love Machine 1,2 2:44
The Roosters – I'm Suspectin' 1,2 2:25
The Roosters – Home Down Right 2,1  
The Roosters – Good, Good Lovin' 2  
The Cascades – Main Street 2,1  
Michelle Lee – It's A Long, Long Way To Fall 1,2  
The Surprise Package – The Other Me 1,2 2:13
Bobby Vee – Save A Love 1,2 2:10
Bobby Vee – Get The Message 1,2 2:32
Brian Hyland – Get The Message 1,2 2:46
Michael J. James – Get The Message 1,2 2:32
The Young Men – Get The Message 1,2 2:36
Saggittarius – Get The Message 1,2 2:49
Saggittarius – Hotel Indiscreet (single version) 1,2 2:22
Saggittarius – Hotel Indiscreet (LP version) 1,2 2:11
Wild Silk – Jesse 1,2 2:52
Peter Courtney – Loving Two 1,2 1:44
The Leathercoated Minds – Sunset Strip 4 2:02
The Morning Glories – You're So Young 1,2,4
(uses "Sunset Strip" as instrumental track)		 2:12
The Morning Glories – Love-In 1,3,5 2:38
The Beethoven Soul – Dreams 1,2 2:34
The Beethoven Soul – A Violent Crime 1,3 2:24
The Beethoven Soul – Beggin' Your Pardon M'Lady 1,2 2:15
The David – The Light Of Your Mind 1,3 2:50
The Bells – Love Once Removed 3,1 3:18
Slade – Could I 1,3 2:47
Allan Nicholls – Coming Apart 1,3 3:19
Jack Jones – Coming Apart 1,3 3:34
Jack Jones – Games Of Magic 1,3 2:40
Richard Manuel – She Knows (live) 1,3 3:38
Restless Heart – You Can Depend On Me 1+ 2:38
Conway Twitty – Who's Gonna Know 1+ 2:49
WRITER CREDITS:
1  James Griffin
2  Michael Z. Gordon
3  Robb Royer 		  4  J. J. Cale
  5       le Blanc    
  +  more to add

The limited-edition demo collection titled "James Griffin's Greatest
Hits (or A Legend in My Own Mind)" which is also listed here:

1 Be That Way 3:30
2 Preacher On The Air 3:45
3 Shango 3:09
4 The Healing Has Begun 3:24
5 Adrienne 2:40
6 Slow Train 4:18
7 Dance On The Moon 2:38
8 Moon Over Memphis 4:41
9 All I Need 4:10
10 Stop And Think It Over 3:21
11 Blown Away 3:41
12 Finders Keepers 3:33
13 It's Over 4:02
14 I Remain 2:38
15 Once Again 3:51
16 Angel In My Eyes 3:13
     

Live Recordings and Additional Demos: *+

Get The Message (1967)  
For All We Know (1969) 1:21
Just Say When (live, 1997) 3:35
Something Else Altogether (circa 2002?) 3:20
Break And Run (2003) 4:25

Samples of 45 Griffin songs can be accessed on the "Music" page of the James Griffin website.

Kellie's idea for a new Bread compilation CD is here.

We always have available free CDs of our James Griffin Radio Tribute from March, 2005
  on WORT-FM in Madison, Wisconsin. Just email me your shipping address.

Page last updated on 7/17/07 at 5:30 PM, CDT.
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