New Song Out Today & Special Competition Launched Too
Who Got My Money Has Landed
Read MoreWin A T Shirt & Signed CD
Enter my latest competition to celebrate the release of “Just Be Kind” for the chance to win a Just Be Kind T Shirt & Signed CD.
Just click here to enter.
Good luck
Facebook Banned My New Song For Being Anti Racist!!
Today I should be full of the joys of spring, as when I release a new single it's always an exciting time. But thanks to Facebook banning my song it isn't.
This song was one that was very close to my heart as it was about something that is a lot more important lyrically than my usual songs.
I grew up in Gloucester, which is a beautiful melting pot of lots of different people from lots of different backgrounds. I know musically that has definitely helped shape me and it's opened my eyes and ears to all sorts of different things.
The sad death of George Floyd which highlighted how we as society still see and act based on the colour of ones skin really saddened me. but that sadness turned into rage once Sainsbury's brought out there Christmas Ad.
The hate and bile that came out of people's mouths because a Black family featured in there ad really made me mad. Have we learned nothing?
That rage turned into a poem (my songwriting can sometimes act as self therapy sessions) and that poem became a song.
Being proud of my work I thought I would produce a video and try and help teach a few people to just be kind.
So, I set upon doing some promotional ads on Facebook only for the ad to be rejected. Thinking this was just a "bot" mistake, i set up my appeal, only to be rejected again.
Post based on social issues are not allowed to be promoted by the Facebook network.
Now I understand why they are so slow to deal with all the hate the Black Footballers and personalities have to deal with. Makes you wonder if the soundbites that come out of FB and Instagram are just small verbal token gestures to appease there users and the wider media.
After all, I'm just trying to promote love to each and every person on the planet.
Please share this blog post and please stream and save by clicking here.
Keep smilin:)
Jamie
New Christmas Song Out Now
Check out Jamie’s version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” at your favourite Digital Music Store now. It’s a beautiful acoustic version just involving Jamie’s voice and a piano and is perfect for the season.
Hear it on Spotify now by clicking here
You can also get it on the Me and Mrs Elf CD, which you can order from here
Listen Again to Jamie on BBC Radio Nottingham
Jamie was live last Sunday with Alan Clifford talking about Northern Soul, Me and Mrs Elf and his 20 years career in the entertainment industry.
To listen again to the interview just click here, Jamie is on from about 1 hour and 15 minutes in.
It also includes the very first radio play of Me and Mrs Elf
Black Friday Sale Is Now Live
Get 20% off across my Shopify store until 30th November 2020 in my super Black Friday Sale.
Just click here to see the special offers
You can get CDs, hoodies, Christmas jumpers, mugs, caps and T Shirts but it will end very soon so please be quick.
Some items are limited so please be quick.
Me and Mrs Elf Out Now
My very first Christmas single is out now in all Digital music stores.
It’s called Me and Mrs Elf and tells the tales of all the mischief the Elf on The Shelf gets up to with the help of his lady friend!!
You can buy the CD single and other Me and Mrs Elf goodies by clicking here https://www.thejamiereeves.com/me-mrs-elf
If you click on that link you can also see the video for the song too.
New Friday Cover, Otis Redding Cover
This week’s Friday cover is a stax classic, taking a tune from Mr Otis Redding.
Just click here to listen https://youtu.be/C4T_t84siBA
If You Believe CD Single Available To Pre Order
If you want to pre order the new CD single “If You Believe” then you now can do so.
Featuring the original version and the acoustic version, which has never been physically released before.
There are also some limited edition versions you can get if you order before 20th September 2020.
Just click here to see more….
Love You In Colour Now Available To Pre Order
The brand new single, Love You In Colour, comes out in all digital music stores on April 7th 2017.
The new single, which was co written with Charlene Michael and Anne Marie Shevlin, tells the story about becoming a Dad for the first time. it's keep to my retro soul roots by having shades of Al Green and Bobby Womack to it.
Pre order from one of the links below:-
Love You In Colour Is Track Of The Day
The brand new single, "Love You In Colour" is track of the day on the music site.com.
Click here to see the review of the song, where they call me "an artist to be celebrated".
Love You in Colour is now available for pre order on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play and is available worldwide from April 7th.
The Lyric Video For Love You In Colour
Check out the brand new lyric video for my latest single, "Love You In Colour", which is out at all digital music stores from April 7th.
Check it out here https://youtu.be/CT533c3879E
Could You Help With The New Single?
We have written the new single, with an album in progress for next year. It's a great tune called "Love You In Colour" and I need your help to get it out there.
I'm crowdfunding this release and there are loads of great rewards up for grabs. First copy of the single on download or CD, live acoustic gigs, lunch with me and even the chance to appear in the video.
Just visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/love-you-in-colour-recording-the-next-single to make your pledge.
With your help, hopefully we can get this out there for early February time.
Thanks, Jamie x
Funky 13 - 2nd December 2016
Not much new stuff on the list this week because I've been a bit snowed under, so it's more of a sneaky peak under the murky musical bonnet of moi!!
Here's the track listing and some of the stories behind the choices:-
Edwin Starr - 25 Miles
Edwin is one of the greatest vocalists ever in my eyes and this song is just a foot stomping choon. Aggressive, passionate vocal, driving drums, wicked bass line and a horn line that sings all on its own.
Rag N Bone Man - Human
Found out about this guy a couple of weeks ago and then this week he gets nominated for the sound of 2017 BBC award and critic's choice for the Brits. All while spending a 9th week at number 1 in Germany. Not happy he has stolen the Joe Cocker reference though, should of trademarked that!!
The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale Of New York
It's now December, Christmas songs are officially allowed. If you played this song in November, go sit yourself on the naughty step and make yourself drink eggnog (I'd rather a bushtucker trial)
Faces - Stay With Me
If ever I'm travelling back from a gig and I feel tired I stick this tune on, a 4 and half minute triple espresso shot. Who is Rita though?
Lack of Afro featuring Wayne Gidden - A Time For
I've had the pleasure of doing a couple of songwriting camps with Wayne this year (not a co-write with him yet though, that needs to happen) and what a voice this man has. This is an old track from a few years back and we need some new material from this superstar.
Joss Stone - Super Duper Love
Another of my driving tunes, I adore Joss' voice and her groove and this is one of her best.
1Eye - Mr Bailiff
A good friend of mine, Nigel King, introduced me to 1Eye after seeing them at a festival this year. I checked them out on Spotify and found this. Every musician has been through this point at some time or other!!
Jamie Reeves - If You Believe
The song that started it all off. Hard for me to think that I wrote this over 14 years ago as a message to myself. It took over 10 years to record and now inspires lots of people on a daily basis. Let the words feed into your core being.
Bob Marley - Punky Reggae Party
Another driving companion, and in the season of good tidings and parties, make it a punky reggae one.
The Jam - Down At The Tube Station At Midnight
I love the bass lines and the musical energy of The Jam. I also love the storty telling that goes into this song. I can visualise Paul Weller get 7 shades kicked out of him, not sure if that was the intention but thats what it does for me!!
The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
The greatest intro on a record ever. That bass line, the strings, the wah wah guitar, PERFECT. Just listen to the first 2 minutes, the rewind. The vocals on the rest of the song are pretty amazing too.
Charles Bradley - Victim Of Love
I love this song. This is what hooked me into Charles Bradley. The angst, the pain in his voice, the emotion. That's what real singing is about, the cracks, the screams, the rawness of it all.
Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
Just a piece of musical heaven, the tops are just awesome, there vocals, there moves, there sound. The world's greatest ever boyband bar none.
Funky 13 - 25th November 2016
I'm starting a weekly Spotify playlist featuring some of my favourite tunes of the moment. it wil be a mix of old and new, some friends and a cheeky little track from me too.
Here's the track listing and the stories behind the choices:-
Will Simms - Chariot
I saw Will speak at a songwriting conference a couple of weekends ago and his energy was immense. You could feel his passion from 6 rows back. Chariot is just a buzzing dance song that will make you smile.
2Play - She's Got That Vibe
This was one of my fav tunes from back in the day and I'm a sucker for a cheeky little remix. This is another one which will get your energy levels rising.
Nevada - The Mack
Another 90s remix with the man, Mark Morrison. Energetic nostalgia that just puts a smile on my face.
Charles Bradley - Changes
This guy is such an inspiration. Didn't get his first record deal until he was in his 60s. Has a voice that is just dripping in funk. It took me nearly the whole song before I realised it was a cover of the Ozzy Osbourne track. Just beautiful.
Frankie Valli - The Night
A Northern Soul classic. Being an adopted Wiganer, some Northern Soul had to get in. I love the bass line to this, I'm as happy singing along to that as I am to the words.
Stevie Wonder - Loves In Need
With everything going on around the world today, the message of this song is even more potent. Remember that you solve more with honey than you do with vinegar.
Queen feat David Bowie - Under Pressure
With it being the 25th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's death, I had to put a Queen tune in as they were one of my favourite bands growing up. The bass line on this song and the mix of vocal from Freddie and David make this a proper tune. Not bad for an afternoon jam in Switzerland.
Jamie Reeves - Let's Get Married
My playlist so it should have one of my songs!! The song about my wedding to my wife, seems apt to put this in seeing that child number 3 is due in the next few weeks.
Bruno Mars - Chunky
Loving Bruno's new album, this is one of my favourite tunes from it. If you're enjoying it too check out some 80s rare groove albums and expand your musical horizons.
Danny Boyle - Need Your Love
I met Danny earlier this year at a songwriting bootcamp and he is an amazing young talent. Over the next few years you will be hearing a lot more from him. This is his new single and I'm giving you a chance to be ahead of the curve ;)
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number
This is just a proper tune, the beginning when he rings out those vocals. Magic. Nod your head like the churchill dog.
Cookin On 3 Burners - This Girl
The original version before Kungs got his hands on it. The brass section is just delicious and Kylie's voice just melts on top of it. Think of this song like a luxury hot chocolate with lots of melted cream and marshmallows.
Check out the songs here https://open.spotify.com/user/fredshrew/playlist/4XPrsv2Bxb8OXzMxJubn0y
You Hold Your Own Trump Card
As we wake up this morning my social media feeds are full of political experts, like hungover 40 somethings, full of remorse of the actions of the night before.
Yet in my 41 years on the planet I can't think of one direct thing a political leader has done that has had an immediate effect on my life, not one.
Sure the policies they put in place create circumstances I have to navigate like taxes, working conditions, freedom of movement and all silly stuff like that. But how I feel in the morning, thats down to me.
I am responsible for me, you are responsible for you. Not some nylon haired, spitting image puppet who has just closed the biggest business deal in his life.
Trump doesn't get a say in your life, the Prime Minister doesn't get a say in your life, your boss doesn't get a say in your life. It's all down to you. Like everything in life, you have to Believe (I think there is a song about that somewhere?!?)
So whatever your doing today, don't read the news, don't comment on “news” on social media, just smile and feel awesome.
PS The world survived 8 years with George Dubya, despite a Pretzels best efforts, it's all going to be OK.
Jamie Reeves Live on Phoenix FM
Last week I had the pleasure of being on Michelle Ward's morning show on the Brentwood based Phoenix FM.
Me and Primark Dayve (listen to the interview) as he is now known as, chatted and played 3 songs, all in an acoustic Live Lounge style. We sang Let's Get Married and We You Still Love Me Tomorrow from the album Believe, and did a cover of DNCE's Toothbrush.
To listen to the whole interview, just click on this link.
Enjoy
Bellevue Road Festival
Big thanks to the team at The Songwriting Academy and Luc Floreani for inviting me to play at this festival.
Had a blast doing a 30 minute set of songs from my album "Believe" and a couple of covers.
Check out this version of "Just Seventeen" below.
Enjoy...