His first album since 2008's When The Haar Rolls In, I Was A Cat From A Book finds James playing with a new band comprised of members of Lamb & The Cinematic Orchestra alongside old friends. The album was produced by James Yorkston and Dave Wrench and mostly recorded live during 5 wintry days in Bryn Derwen Studios, North Wales. It's an album full of energy and great musicianship, and contains James' strongest and most bewildering set of songs yet.
Since the release of When The Haar Rolls In, James has published a book (It’s Lovely To Be Here), collaborated with The Big Eyes Family Players on Folk Songs & seen the 10 year anniversary release of Moving Up Country, his landmark debut album
I Was A Cat From A Book will be available on CD, 2 x 10” vinyl (exclusively featuring 2 extra tracks ‘Thar She Blows’ and ‘Black Horse White’) and digitally. There is also a spectacular Box Set version, containing 2 x 10" gatefold vinyl with download, the CD of the album, a DVD of James’ performance at the Union Chapel in 2011, a remix album by David 'A' Jaycock, printed backgammon pieces and dice to be played on the LP gatefold and 3 badges.