James Govan
James Govan was an American soul and blues singer born on September 2, 1949, in Mississippi, who rose to prominence in Memphis music circles for his powerful baritone voice reminiscent of Otis Redding. He passed away on July 18, 2014, at age 64 after a stroke in 2012 and related health issues.
Govan moved to Memphis, Tennessee, as a baby and grew up immersed in the city's vibrant music scene. As a teenager, he played in a group called The Vans, where Fame Records songwriter George Jackson discovered his talents as a multi-instrumentalist on percussion and guitar.
In 1969, Govan began recording at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with producers like George Jackson and Mickey Buckins, releasing singles such as "Wanted: Lover (No Experience Necessary)" through 1972, though commercial success eluded him. His deep soul style also shone in covers of Bob Dylan and Beatles songs; later compilations like Wanted: The FAME Recordings (2013) by Ace Records brought rediscovery among aficionados.
From 1989 to 2014, Govan became a fixture on Memphis's Beale Street, performing vocals and percussion at the Rum Boogie Café with the Boogie Blues Band, earning "Best House Band" honors three times. He and bandmate Don Chandler received keys to the City of Memphis for their contributions.
Govan was a star at Italy's Porretta Soul Festival from 1993 onward, hailed as a "real thing" by founder Graziano Uliani. His live album A Night on Beale (1999) marked a decade on Beale Street.
Wanted - The Fame Recordings
2 You Left The Water Running
3 Take Me Just As I Am
4 I Bit Off More Than I Can Chew
5 Just Like A Woman
Written-By – Bob Dylan
6 Bye Bye Blackbird
Written-By – Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
7 You Get A Lot To Like
8 Your Love Lifted Me
9 Oh Baby What You're Doing To Me
10 I've Gone Too Far
11 Something
Written-By – George Harrison
12 I Shall Be Released
Written-By – Bob Dylan
13 Way Over Yonder
Written-By – Carole King
14 Stuck On Her
15 Jambalaya
Written-By – Hank Williams
16 That's Alright Mama
Written-By – Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
Label: Kent Soul – CDKEND 398
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2013
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Wanted: The Fame Recordings is a 2013 compilation released by Ace Records (under the Kent Soul label) that unearths the long-lost Muscle Shoals sessions of Southern soul vocalist James Govan.
The album is widely regarded as a definitive document of Govan’s talent, often described as "fine Southern soul from the label's greatest period".
Govan was known as "Little Otis" due to his striking vocal similarity to Otis Redding. Critics highlight his ability to wring deep emotion out of standards, much like his hero.
The recordings feature the legendary Fame Gang and high-profile session musicians including Clayton Ivey, Travis Wammack, and Duane Allman.
Most of these tracks were "left in the can" for nearly 40 years; Ace Records discovered 12 previously unreleased tracks to add to Govan's four original Fame singles.
While Govan never achieved mainstream commercial success during his time at Fame, this compilation is highly regarded by soul connoisseurs as a "classic album" that captures the peak era of the Muscle Shoals sound.
The physical CD release includes a booklet with unseen photos and liner notes by Southern soul expert Martin Goggins.