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Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: bassmother on February 19, 2009, 12:16:31 PM

Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: bassmother on February 19, 2009, 12:16:31 PM
Hi there,
I'm new to this forum. To learn about me, check my myspace www.myspace.com/keerstiin (http://www.myspace.com/keerstiin).
I'm interested in all things bass and writing for German Bass Magazin(print) bassquarterly, see homepage of the mag at www.bassquarterly.de (http://www.bassquarterly.de)
 
Mostly I'm supporting the young French bass player Hadrien Feraud.  
 
I made interviews for the magazin with Hadrien Feraud, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Uriah Duffy, Michael Manring, John Myung,Bobby Vega.
 
Right now I'm preparing interviews with Jimmy Johnson, Yolanda Charles, Fernando Saunders.
 
Mostly I'm preparing with infos from the internet...
 
BUT
 
in the case of Jimmy Johnson I didn't find A THING on the net!! except a few small wikipedia entries.
 
Through googling I came to this forum, in the 2007 archive I found a thread about Jimmy Johnson, so I think, he must have some fans here.
 
So, if you would buy a magazin with a Jimmy Johnson interview, what would you expect to read? Any proposals welcome! Please help me with infos and clever questions. Not too much technical insider questions, though, it has to be understandable for every kind of reader.
 
Thanks a lot in advance
 
bm
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: crobbins on February 19, 2009, 12:26:16 PM
Hello, welcome to the club. I am a big fan of Jimmy Johnson,and Hadrian Feruad. I met Hadrian in 2007 in Santa Babara CA. when he was touring with Johnny Mac. Here's a pic of myself and Hadrian.. I met Jimmy Johnson in 2008 at The Baked Potato in Los Angeles CA. when hw was touring with Allen Holdsworth. Both shows were great..(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/61485.jpg)
 
(Message edited by CRobbins on February 19, 2009)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: crobbins on February 19, 2009, 12:33:10 PM
In this thread is a pic I took of JJs bass.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/47743.html?1200800800 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=18316)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: bassmother on February 19, 2009, 01:13:27 PM
hi crobbins, thanks for the pictures! :-)great to hear that you like both bassists too!
 
what do you want me to ask Jimmy? what do you always wanted to know?
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: hankster on February 19, 2009, 05:37:47 PM
I would love to have Jimmy explain what it is that enables him to play across the genres - from Allan Holdsworth to James Taylor.  what it is that makes him tick musically and allows him to be so great in such different contexts.  And what he likes about it.
 
R.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: David Houck on February 19, 2009, 11:16:59 PM
You should ask him about his stage setup, it's pretty interesting.  And then of course, the reason you ended up here is that he plays an amazing bass; you'll definitely want to ask about his bass!  In fact you should publish pictures of that beautiful bass!
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: adriaan on February 20, 2009, 01:44:11 AM
Five replies already, and yet no one mentions that for the last few months JJ has been contributing to this very forum, and not only on his showcase thread.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: jacko on February 20, 2009, 04:30:58 AM
Kerstin. Jimmy contributes frequently on this forum so may decide to join in on this thread or contact you directly.
 
Satisfied Adriaan ;-)
 
graeme
 
P.s. If you want a chance to talk to alot of 'name' and amateur bassplayers, come across to the UK for Bass Day in November. I've had the pleasure of chatting with the likes of hadrien, Yolanda, jeff Berlin, jan olaf Strandbeg and trip walmsley, not to mention several of our forum members.
 
Graeme
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: jacko on February 20, 2009, 04:35:28 AM
In addition, I have a book called bass heroes (http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Heroes-Tom-Mulhern/dp/0879302747) which comprises articles taken from Guitar player. There's an interesting article in there about Jimmy (although from memory I don't think it's an interview) which would provide useful background information. it's a superb book to have anyway.
 
Graeme
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: David Houck on February 20, 2009, 07:37:25 AM
Graeme; when you suggested that Jimmy may join in on this thread, are you thinking that Jimmy may have some questions that Kerstin should ask in the interview?
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: jacko on February 20, 2009, 07:39:34 AM
It's certainly a thought Dave. Isn't that how politicians prefer to be interviewed ;-)
 
Graeme
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 20, 2009, 09:57:59 AM
I know, this is funny!  
 
I'll be chatting with Kerstin in Germany at the end of next month.  Nice of her to be doing some research (who the heck is this old dude?) but it may not help asking these folks here because I try to answer their questions directly...  Her searching has found one of the only places I hang out on the 'net.  Well done!
 
You could ask me about my ex-dog!  Sorry, not very helpful.
 
Jimmy J
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: lbpesq on February 20, 2009, 09:58:29 AM
Graeme:
 
I'm shocked!  This usually a very friendly and respectful forum.  We should feel lucky to have as illustrious a professional as Jimmy J among our ranks.  And then, out of the blue, you hurl mean nasty invectives at him, comparing him to one of the lowest of the low, a POLITICIAN!  You should be ashamed of yourself!  
 
hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: flaxattack on February 20, 2009, 10:03:23 AM
i always want to know what strings these folks use.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 20, 2009, 10:08:58 AM
I am NOT running for office of any kind!  Ha!
JJ
 
Jeff, if you're serious, ghs boomers 45,65,85,105,130
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on February 20, 2009, 10:14:47 AM
Just so you know, Jimmy, my wife (who goes all googly-eyed over JT) complains less about the time I spend on this forum since I told her you were among us.  Thanks!
 
Peter
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: dannobasso on February 20, 2009, 02:50:12 PM
And that lowest of the low rebuke Graeme was made by a lawyer!
Funny how many politicians are also Esquires. Must be their dialectic training.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: dadabass2001 on February 20, 2009, 05:18:29 PM
Just this once, I'll refrain from quoting Politician lyrics.
 
 
(but I am sorely tempted)
 
Mike
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: hankster on February 20, 2009, 06:34:55 PM
I am just stunned to be in the company of JJ.
 
Rick
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: bassmother on February 21, 2009, 12:12:59 AM
hello guys, thank you all so much for contributing to this thread! Although there's not so much info for what I was actually waiting...come on! Give me some good issues to talk about!  
 
But what a great surprise to find Jimmy himself over here! :-) Jimmy, would it be possible to send me your bio and infos about your latest activities to my email (and any info you have to share? that would make things a bit easier)? (kerstin@baramsky.de (mailto:kerstin@baramsky.de))
 
The only thing I found so far is your contribution on Derek Sherinian's latest Solo Album in 2006....which leads to the question which has been postes at the beginning of this thread:  What enables you to play in so different genres?
 
Why do you have no homepage, no representation on the net at all? hmmm...
 
hope to hear more from you all... :-)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: kilowatt on February 21, 2009, 06:56:00 AM
How about asking if there are any artists that he would like to work with. Someone Jimmy has either worked with before that he would enjoy working with again, or that dream job that would really stand out in an already amazing career.
 
Good Luck
Pete
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: bassmother on February 21, 2009, 02:57:54 PM
good idea, Pete! Thanks for being connected on myspace, Craig!
 
@JimmyJ, if you come along this thread again. Please tell me, what was the main reason for you to pick up the bass and not playing piano like your mum..or something completely different. Did you start with acoustic bass?
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: jacko on February 21, 2009, 03:24:28 PM
Ha! Trust a Lawyer to twist my meaning ;-)  Jimmy knows I would never compare him to a politician. Hell, I wouldn't even compare him to a g****rist  ;-0
 
Graeme (the seldom serious one)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: dadabass2001 on February 21, 2009, 04:29:08 PM
Now I'm curious...
 
No, really... what about Jimmy's ex-dog?
 
Mike
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: lbpesq on February 21, 2009, 07:30:51 PM
Graeme:
 
Trust a lawyer !!!?????!!!!?????
 
Now you're really going off the deep end! lol
 
Bill, tgo
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 21, 2009, 10:06:37 PM
Sorry for this funny thread, kind of embarrassing.  But thanks to everybody for the kind words.  Let's move back to my old thread...  Seeya over there.
 
I've contacted Kerstin directly now so she and I can carry on this conversation outside this public place.  
 
I don't usually do interviews because:
A. Nobody asks (fine with me because I don't feel like I have anything to say, I'd rather just play).
2, I have nothing to SELL, no solo records, no gear obligations, no reason for self-promotion.
Three, I prefer being under the radar a bit.  But I have been enjoying hanging out here because we have the common  Alembic family link and I've been playing these basses for so long that I'm happy to shoot the breeze, talk gear, etc...  Nice folks in here.
 
So why did I agree to this interview?  I originally passed on the offer but the magazine she is writing for requested the interview in exchange for mentioning the upcoming Holdsworth tour.  (Like they wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise?)  So, for the team is a different thing!  No problem!
 
The ex-dog:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/61590.jpg)
Just another way of saying I have nothing better to talk about.
 
Jimmy J
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: white_cloud on February 22, 2009, 03:42:03 AM
Nice dog Jimmy - what brand of shampoo did you use when washing the good old boy up???
 
John.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 22, 2009, 11:10:48 AM
Alembic Supreme Polish for Dogs
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: mike1762 on February 22, 2009, 01:51:42 PM
Series II Dog: Chambered body, Fur top, Cochlea PUPs, Neuron wiring...
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: lbpesq on February 22, 2009, 03:17:55 PM
Mike:
 
I'll paws to consider your description, but I really think you're barking up the wrong tree.  Personally, I'd like to plug this puppy into an amp with a big woofer.  Hot dog, that would sound good!  What a tail to tell.
 
Bill, tgo (the groaning one!)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: Bradley Young on February 22, 2009, 03:30:43 PM
Bill,
 
What's next? A shaggy dog story?
 
Bradley
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: bassmother on February 22, 2009, 10:21:27 PM
Thanks a again, guys, for the nice welcome and your help so far. A big thank you to Jimmy for contacting me and being so cooperative.
 
The interview will be published in August, but I'll try to post a translation here, when I've got time. In any case I will post pictures and maybe a little review after the March gig, so watch out for this.
 
take care...
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: ulf on February 23, 2009, 04:19:55 AM
I look forward for the interview with Jimmy..
Fortunately, I have a Abonement for Bassquarterly
nice to read it in German....
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: white_cloud on February 23, 2009, 05:58:56 AM
I cant wait to read the interview - Jimmy is one of my main guys, his work with Allan Holdsworth is sublimely tasteful - he has a real pedigree
 
......he has a nice taste in canines also!
 
John.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: jacko on February 23, 2009, 06:02:32 AM
......he has a nice taste in canines also!  
 
But it's a scottie not a yorkie ;-) *
 
Graeme.
 
*in case that went over our tansatlantic friends' heads, a yorkie is a chunky chocolate bar supposedly favoured by truck drivers.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: Bradley Young on February 23, 2009, 09:11:41 AM
I prefer, I think they are called...
 
Cadbury flake.  Mmmm.
 
Of course, I'm not a lorry driver and my car does not have a boot (except on my feet).
 
Two countries separated by a common language, it never fails to amuse.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: slawie on February 23, 2009, 05:58:14 PM
This is a funny (haha) thread.
 
Nice to be in the company of greatness though.
 
Are there any other famous bass players hiding behind the anonymity of user names within these ranks?
 
slawie
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: altgrendel on February 24, 2009, 09:37:02 AM
Nope, not a Scottie, it's a Westie.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_White_Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_White_Terrier)
 
Just trying to keep off topic here.
 
(Message edited by AltGrendel on February 24, 2009)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 24, 2009, 12:23:12 PM
We might as well keep bending this thread until it breaks - or Mica deletes it (anytime is fine).  
Cheers to Pete, Ulf, John and Slawie.  And Graeme, thanks for reminding me.  We all brought these back for our wives just to see the reaction.  Not an ad campaign that would go over well here in the States...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/61729.jpg)
 
Jimmy J
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: keith_h on February 24, 2009, 12:38:20 PM
ROTFL
 
Jimmy,
You just gave me a great idea to use as stocking stuffers for my daughters this next Christmas.  
 
Keith
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: adriaan on February 25, 2009, 01:52:28 AM
There's a publicity campagne here in the Netherlands for Snickers bars where they use a completely different brand name:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/61763.jpg)
 
As in: Men's fuel.
 
They even have a lad-mag type of website where you need to be over 18 to enter.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: white_cloud on February 25, 2009, 06:49:02 AM
mmmmmmmmmmmmm, I love a nice bar of mannenbrandstoe....!
 
John.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: lbpesq on February 25, 2009, 07:16:51 AM
It's a good thing that bar is kept in a wrapper.  Safe mastication and all that, you know!
 
hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: Bradley Young on February 25, 2009, 10:52:56 AM
Hey, this is family friendly.  No talk of mastication here.
 
Oh, wait.  You said mastication.  Never mind.
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: dadabass2001 on February 25, 2009, 04:32:36 PM
Back on topic... Here's a serious bass question:
Jimmy how would you describe your preferred action on your instruments? low, middling, high? Is your fretless set up with lower or higher action than your fretted bass?
Mike
(see I can provide positive input)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: JimmyJ on February 25, 2009, 06:08:13 PM
Wow Mike, excellent dead thread revival work...
 
I think of my action as pretty low but I don't really have a reference.  Fretless is similar, not too much growl.  And my string spacing is also tighter than normal, almost 5 strings on a 4-string neck.  I guess I play pretty light and I'm not a thumb guy so this is what works for me.
 
Jimmy J
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: crobbins on March 10, 2009, 09:18:45 PM
This is one of my favorites...
 
 
http://music.aol.com/video/james-taylor-fire-and-rain-aol-sessions/james-taylor/1354213 (http://music.aol.com/video/james-taylor-fire-and-rain-aol-sessions/james-taylor/1354213)
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: David Houck on March 13, 2009, 04:17:11 PM
Great video!!!
Title: Help needed for Jimmy Johnson Interview!!!Please!
Post by: Bradley Young on March 14, 2009, 10:31:04 AM
Yes, very, very good.  I've had the refrain stuck in my head for days now.