TIME VAULT

Jim St. James

Before the charts… before the shows… before the road… this is where it all started.

These are the recordings that built everything that came later—

Tunes from the Time Vault.

Welcome to the Time Vault — a look and listen Read more

Before the charts… before the shows… before the road… this is where it all started.

These are the recordings that built everything that came later—

Tunes from the Time Vault.

Welcome to the Time Vault — a look and listen into my formative years as a singer-songwriter.

There are more than 100 tapes where these recordings still exist, some now over 50 years old. This is the first batch I’ve digitized and preserved here. As time permits, I’ll continue uploading more. So far, I’ve only made it through about 5% of the archive.

These are raw recordings, and the sound quality varies. What you’re hearing is the work in progress — the early shaping of a songwriter, a musician, and a life in music. Preserving them here helps tell the story of how I arrived where I am today — still playing, still building community, and still writing.

Thanks for being here.

Jim

ALLL SONGS ©2026 JIM ST JAMES, LLC

Much more coming soon…

The Railroad Song

Jim St. James

A cover of a song by Jim Croce.

Even back then, I was drawn to strong storytelling songs—and Croce was one of the best to ever do it. This recording captures me connecting with that style early on, learning how a great song can paint a picture and carry emotion with just a voice and a guitar.

16 years old in 1976.

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    Jim sings Jim Croce at 16 years old_ 2:00
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Saloon

Jim St. James

Projection 101

'Saloon' by Jim St. James. 18 years old. 1978.

Live from the 5th floor of my sleeping room at the Rumely Hotel on Michigan Avenue in LaPorte, Indiana.

There was an old tavern called the Capistrano Lounge Read more

Projection 101 🍸🍺

'Saloon' by Jim St. James. 18 years old. 1978.

Live from the 5th floor of my sleeping room at the Rumely Hotel on Michigan Avenue in LaPorte, Indiana.

There was an old tavern called the Capistrano Lounge that lit up the block with drunks every Friday and Saturday night. I wasn't old enough to get into the bar and hated all the noise and fights when the clock hit the wee hours. It was yee haw, ridiculous and depressing, but turned out to be the inspiration for this tune.

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    Saloon by Jim St. James. 1978 3:36
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When it comes to Love

Jim St. James

Here's a song from 1995 written at The Fret Haus Cafe, after dark. 'When it comes to Love' Unreleased, like the rest of these in the Song Time Vault.

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    'When it comes to Love' 1995 4:18
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Set me Free (1983)

Jim St. James

This song was written in an old apartment building off of Meridian Street in Indianapolis, IN with my friend Dave Evans. Dave and I wrote several songs together in this period while I was going to business college. Lots Read more

This song was written in an old apartment building off of Meridian Street in Indianapolis, IN with my friend Dave Evans. Dave and I wrote several songs together in this period while I was going to business college. Lots of beers and lots of songs. We were very serious! Unfortunately, Dave was ran down by a drunk driver in Hawaii in 2023, while walking home from his job as a cook. He was an excellent cook! The demon who took his life fled the scene and was later arrested and charged. He was in Hawaii trying to elude warrants from Seattle, Washington. I'll never forget the kinship as friends and young songwriting partners Dave and I shared. We spent years sitting at kitchen tables with cassette recorders, beers, and laughter. I'm sure he's lead chair in the band of angels above. He was one of the good ones and here's one of our tunes. 'Set me Free'

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    Set me Free Jim original 1983 3:17
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