I sometimes wish I had a bit more legit training. But ultimately after you learn scales, voicings, patterns, riffs, theory, transcribe and work out famous solos, then you must FORGET all that and play music. When a piece of music sends a chill up your spine, it's not because your brain is enjoying the analysis. HA!
 
For me this is perhaps the single most  pertinent observation/evaluation on musicianship I have seen - young aspiring musicians take heed.

True. And untrue.
Sure it's not about your brain enjoying the analysis.
But sure, when you reach the level to FORGET and play, your brain is doing the analysis in the background.
It's not about the technical background on the instrument (that, anyway, helps).
It's about understanding the music around you.
And I can't believe you don't have your own idea of scales and chords when Duncan Terrace starts and you have D/C# and then Dmaj7.
It's there in your bass playing, in your melodic choices and in your root bass notes.
And you know what you're playing, and your choices.
That's why you can FORGET and play.
Sure, it's true. Just staying around scales, voicings, patterns, riffs and theory won't take you to the next level. That is Your level.
But I can't believe you never did this.
It's there. In your playing.
 
Gabriele.

Oh...sorry, I read your answer to my allan's chords question only now.
And it's a very nice answer  
 
Yes. Allan's way of thinking is his own way.
As it is another way for me, as a piano player, to think about his chords and scales, visually and tehcnically different.
This is, to me, an interesting aspect to analyze (and analysis, to me, is always good): how different is the way you all three (you, Allan and Chad) are thinking and listening to the same music you create.
 
Nice what you say about the bass notes.
One thing that I learned to love is the 7th note of a major chord down to the bass note, something that I would have avoided totally 10th years ago.
Now...after reading you, I'm not sure if you taught me this or Allan
How could I ever get used to it and start using it if I did not happen to listen and start recognizing it?
 
 
 
Gabriele.

Hey Jimmy!  
 
Enjoying reading the posts here from everyone. It's Royce, remember me? haha!  
 
I'm pleased to say that I am still the proud and humble owner of your 5-String Spoiler bass that you played on that tour with Allan. =)
 
Look forward to catching up. It's been much too long. I'm living in Simi Valley now, so perhaps I can catch you at the Baked Potato sometime.  
 
All the best!
-Royce

Here's the bass. After looking around at other basses on the site I believe this is a Persuader 5-string?

Hey Royce!
 
Nice to hear from you and to learn that you still have that bass.  For others, here's the story:
 
It was a dark and stormy night ... not really but it should have been.  On tour with Holdsworth in November of 1987 we played Poughkeepsie, NY.  Packed the gear after the show and went to bed.  In the morning it was discovered that the front of the truck had been broken into but luckily they hadn't gotten the rear doors open.  We drove to NYC for the next gig at the Bottom Line and it wasn't until the crew guys unloaded that they realized we had lost two pieces of gear - through the cab of the truck (there was a small pass-through door from the cab to the box) - a speaker cabinet of Allan's and MY BASS.  AC76-418 http://www3.alembicguitars.com/img/623.jpg my original 5-string.  
 
My memory gets a bit fuzzy here but I ran over to 48th street (music row as it was at that time) to find something to play on the gig and ended up renting a Ya*%ha 5-string for that night. The next day (I think) I went back and purchased the above bass to play the rest of the tour.
 
Once I got back to a series model my pal Royce here was kind enough to buy this temporary off of me.  I remember it as a pretty nice axe too.
 
Thanks for the pic, I'm sure I'll see you around town.
Jimmy J

Thanks Jimmy!
 
It was interesting to read about your custom bass bridges. I still have your improvised bridge extension you made on this Persuader - two 1/4 jacks that were modified to hold the B and G strings out, with a piece of cardboard underneath to protect the finish. Ha! It is amazing how the slightly longer throw improved the tonal clarity and made that low B really sing!
 
I'll also never forget you handing me this bass after that concert in San Diego and encouraging me to try it out.  I attempted to play your solo from Panic Station and you were so gracious and kind. I nearly hit the floor a few weeks after that when I got a call and the voice said It's Jimmy Johnson, remember me? =)
 
Thanks for all the inspiring musical moments and great memories, my friend.  Nice to reconnect and look forward to seeing you sometime soon!
 
-Royce

I have recently bought the new Gary Husband CD Dirty & Beautiful vol 1 and I am compelled to congratulate Jimmy on his playing (yet again) on this excellent release.
 
The bass solo on dreams in blue is simply astounding & sublime....Jimmy, you did it again!

Thanks a lot John,
 
The music is not everybody's cup of tea but as I said above it's an honor for me to be on a record with so many great musicians.  Gary did a great job putting the project together, we'll see what happens with Volume 2...
 
New Year's cheer to all, it's better when it goes to eleven!
 
Jimmy J

I agree Jimmy, this music is'nt everybodys cup of tea....but for the small hardcore of folks that love it this kind of project is a real treat! I just love the feeling & tone that you impart into the music.
 
All the very best for 2011 - it would be great to see you over on these distant shores again soon.

A happy new year to you too Jimmy!

Jimmy,
Lee Sklar had some kind words to say about you in the Feb, 2011 issue of Bass Player.  It's in a thread in the Misc section.  Here's a link.
 
https://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/449/93448.html?1294497388
 
Rich

Thanks Rich,
That's nice of Leland, he's a good cat.  Even though I've been playing with JT since 1990 it still feels like I'm just subbing for Lee.  He literally wrote the book on much of this music.
Jimmy J

Jimmy I think your humility is very beautifully human on this, and I agree that Leland had a profound impact on James' sound in his time in the band. The bands that emerged since your joining have taken James into another very beautiful place in my opinion, and for me the recordings of you guys from that period until now make for some of the best live performances in history, which are easy words to say, but for once I think it's true.
Jake

Jake,
Thanks for the supportive words.  Just like a great set of chord changes makes it easier to play a nice sounding solo, JT's music and the players he chooses for the band provide a great setting to bring out one's best.  I am proud to be a part of those records and live shows.    
I also consider Leland to be one of the great unsung pop bass guys around.  I learned a lot listening to and playing along with his tracks.
Jimmy J