In the 1980s, singer Daniel James worked with two of the most successful music producers in the business. Now the former singer of Yell! is getting in the Christmas spirit with a festive classic of his own…
By Ian Woolley
Daniel James (photo credit) Steve Ullathorne
His recent No 1 Heritage Chart hit ‘Do You Remember Me’ brought the singer a lot of new fans that weren’t around when his good looks adorned many an 80’s bedroom wall.
Whilst his band Yell! didn’t quite live up to the hype that surrounded them, a great voice is hard to ignore.
Now he’s recorded a classic ‘Silent Night O Holy Night’ produced by the fabulous Stuart Epps who has produced Sir Elton John, Robbie Williams, Oasis, and Led Zeppelin to name but a few.
Teenagers of NACN Coole Studios in Belfast
“I have recently been mentoring a great bunch of teenagers at NACN Coole Studios in Belfast.”
“Hearing them sing recently, reminded me of myself at their age singing ‘O Holy Night‘, while playing Joseph in the school nativity and the memory of the audience’s reaction when I hit the big note.”
“That inspired me to put together ‘Silent Night and O Holy Night’ for Christmas,” Daniel tells us.
In 1990, Yell! had a UK top 10 hit with a disco cover of Dan Harman’s Instant Replay. Produced by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken despite considerable airplay at the time it confined them to the ‘one-hit wonder’ tag. Daniel inspired Simon Cowell who signed him to the Fanfare Label and he’s worked with the legendary Dick Leahy who was the music publisher of George Michael.
“I was really chuffed when ROCKEFELLAS TV in California erected a billboard in the US to celebrate my single ‘Do You Remember Me‘ hitting number one in the Heritage Charts back in October.”For those that don’t know, they sponsor DJ Mike Read’s The Heritage Chart TV Show, and the chart features on the back cover of our Beat magazine.
I asked him what is his all-time personal Christmas tune.
“I’m gonna go for a Rocky number Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everybody. I love the original Top Of The Pops version he done of that song”, said Daniel.
Now with solo success in his own right as both actor and singer, he’s back where he belongs.
Daniel James’ new single ‘Silent Night O Holy Night’ is available now from Spotify, iTunes, and all the usual download sites.