Hey Graeme,
Thanks for the nice post - great to see you, Mike P. and your gals again last night and I'm glad you enjoyed the concert.  I've had a lovely ride with James and feel very lucky to play with this lineup of players and singers.  I think because JT himself is a player (and not everybody realizes how great his guitar playing is) he has always had good bands.  And it's more a concert of music than a show so any musician he invites is eager to be a part of it.  He sometimes announces me as leader but I'll deny it.  He is the MD, I'm just a facilitator - I will help organize music and charts for the band, etc but the musical decisions are all his.  Nice of him just the same.  
 
See you all next time.  I'll keep an eye out for Jake in London.  Good to check in with the extended Alembic family!
 
Gabriele,
Wow, nice plan to come over for some master-classes with those guys.  I don't know yet what I'll be up to at that time but keep checking the Potato's calendar as they get it organized. Although their website is not always accurate ... there is almost always good playing to be heard there.  I'll expect you and Franco to become Baked Potato regulars while you're in town.
 
Cheers to all,
Jimmy J

Well London was a rather special gig in my opinion, the band were on top form, every groove worked... really worked. The features are too many to list so just like last time I mentioned a JT gig on these pages I find myself referring to the whole being just about as right as I could imagine it.  
 
The singing was fantastically in tune, and being a regular backing singer myself I know how hard it can be and how important monitoring is.  
 
I think mention should go to Chad Wackerman for stepping in to some very well worn shoes, (worn by some of the worlds greats) not only did he do the gig justice he made it feel amazing (along with all the players of course) I have always maintained that timekeeping is a shared responsibility drums are merely the most obvious marker, Chad was great in every tune as far as I'm concerned, even the impromptu 'Only one' which was called by an audience member and wasn't on the set list.
 
I would also give mention to Andrea Zonn whose violin playing was outstanding in sound, tone and lyricism, and SO in tune. As for Mike Landau, he hears ideas I didn't know existed and I loved all of them.... the epitome of taste and texture and exactly the same could be said for Larry Goldings of whom I have long been a fan.
 
I think it's fair to say that I could cite everybody in the band as a favourite in one context or another so the gig was a really special treat to my ears.
 
Jimmy (I don't want to embarrass you) but it has to be said that you hold that low end with some heavy duty gravitas brother, note choice to die for, placement, tone and dynamic range that some of the worlds most respected artists are clearly happy to pay for... I know we all feel lucky to be able to share this with you.
 
To all... if you haven't been to a JT gig, it's worth it for Alembic series II action alone, what goes on above that is actually history.
Jake

Graeme and Jake, nice reviews; thanks for taking the time to write these shows up so the rest of us can appreciate how wonderful it must have been to sit there and enjoy that band.

Wish you could have been there Dave. Jimmy is far and away the nicest professional musician I've ever met (and there have been a few) and a JT show can only lift the spirits. Quite a combination.
 
Graeme (who has just scored tickets for AKUS in november woohoo!)

(Congrats on the AKUS tix!)

Man, thanks for all the kind postings, you guys ARE making me blush...  Jake, so glad you enjoyed it, good to see you and Elliot again.  I'll pass along what you said to Chad and agree that he's doing a great job.
 
As I've said before this is super-rare gig which I'm extremely lucky to be a part of.  
#1. I like the music.  As in; at no time during the show do I look at the next tune and think ug.  Plus he has a back catalog of songs that seems endless, many gems we've never even gotten to.  
#2. The band is an amazing collection of players and singers.  I look forward to hearing Landau and Goldings each night, the singers have a great blend, and as you said Andrea's fiddle work is excellent.  And James is no slouch on acoustic either!  It's one of those great situations where the entire team is striving for the best possible performance of the music each night.  I'm VERY happy to be providing some low notes!
 
Graeme, we're all big Union Station fans here too.  Andrea has known Alison since they were kids going to fiddle competitions.  Plus, Jerry Douglas and Allison were JT's special guests on a show last April and it was a total blast.  I'm sure that will be a great show!
 
Best to all,
Jimmy J

Caught you with James & Robert Cray.
 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150173785563791&set=pu.101716548790&type=1&theater
 
Jazzyvee

Yes, Robert is the real deal.  Great player, great singer, super nice guy.  Thanks for the link.
Jimmy J

Hi Jimmy! You know me and Frank will be in L.A. at the end of august,and guess what?....the baked potato schedule is out and....omg! you will be with allan right in the middle of our staying! For 2 consecutive days!....can't wait

Hey, how about that? Good timing.  I played with Bruner in Landau's band a few years ago but this will be my first time doing Allan's music with him.  Should be interesting.  I may need a seatbelt...
Seeya then,
Jimmy J

Wow you played with him few years ago and you may need seatbealt, right now don't forget an helmet... :-)  will be a rhithm fireworks those gigs with Allan and I hope we'll be there to listen as told you Gabriele.
See you soon Jimmy.
Bye Franco

Wow....I got it now that the two Allan's dates are two gigs per day!!.......you know we will be there all the four gigs....isn't it?!...............

It's two sets per night at the Potato, 9:30 and 11:30.  Most likely with Allan we will play the same set of music 4 times.  But then, each performance is different, right?  
It should be interesting.  I'd better start practicing!
Jimmy J

Pardon my brief trip down nostalgia lane - but had to post this as I approach my 40th year as a bass player.  I had no interest in playing bass until I saw, heard and met you at Arrowhead Music Camp (MN) in the early '70's.  I took some lessons from you and was hooked.  Played on the road with cover bands for a few years, then taught music and now work for a music software company - and still am a weekend warrior on bass.  Thanks, Jimmy for inspiring me and countless others, I'm sure!  Still have my Debb Johnson vinyl...

Hi Bruce; welcome to the board!