Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[keith_h]

Musical Director?  
 
Keith

[JimmyJ]

Ha!  Doctor Johnson, I like it.
 
Keith is correct in that in this case MD means musical director but it's an inaccurate usage.  JT sometimes refers to me as the band leader (maybe because I've been there so long) but there's no doubt that HE is the musical director of the operation.  I'm more like the assistant concertmaster, or maybe librarian.  Organizational assistance for the band.  Only title I'll claim is bass, and I'm still just subbing for Sklar anyway!!!  You betcha!
 
Jimmy J

[David Houck]

Every band should have a librarian.

[basriber]

Hey Jimmy.
 
For some reason I was under the impression that my message got moderated (although not particularly offensive in my own opinion) ;-). Anyway, it wasn't until now I realized you actually wrote this danish dude back. Thanks :-). AND - since your little danish portion of the tour is approaching heavily, I'm looking forward more and more to the show and possibly a chat with you and thought I'd remind you by now.
 
As it turns out, It's not in Tivoli Gardens but in Falconer Salen, which is a pretty nice venue. Again, stop me, if I'm crossing the line, but... I know Gadd is probably arranging tickets for a friend of mine. Am I a jerk to ask you the same favor? probably... but I COULD pay you back in loads of Lakrids :-). Either way, I'll be sure not to miss out on hearing you live and sending you thanks for endless inspiration.
 
And I agree with Dave. I think Librarian is very descriptive. And catchy to boot :-)
 
/Mikkel

[JimmyJ]

Hey Mikkel,
 
Thanks for the reminder note.  Right, I still haven't seen the detailed itinerary but I guess we're not at Tivoli this time so no Flyvende Kuffert ride for me.  Wa!
 
I'm sorry but I can't arrange tickets for you, neither as comps nor as a broker (purchased for you).  I reserve that favor for immediate family members or very close friends - and only if they don't ask.  Ha!  If you are able to get yourself to the show the best I could offer is a couple after show passes if you wanted to come back and say hello.  This doesn't mean you would meet anybody but me ... but it could be a bass chat opportunity.  
 
Let me know (right here) if you are able to make it and we'll see if we can connect.  Thanks for understanding.
 
Jimmy J

[basriber]

I totally understand!
A couple of backstage passes with bass chat included would be ideal :-)

[JimmyJ]

OK Mikkel, thanks for going along with that, I appreciate it.  I'll see if I can arrange some passes.
Seeya,
Jimmy J

[bigredbass]

Jimmy, Bon Voyage !
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5tIHtbctFQ
 
J o e y

[JimmyJ]

Very funny.  In fact we played that song in the set on our first Cunard adventure in '09.  
 
The whole concept is pretty silly but ... passage for band, crew and gear to Europe at the cost of playing a couple short gigs on the boat makes some sense.  It is a bit odd to play in a theater that is MOVING.  I just hope we have better weather this time.
 
Thanks for the good wishes,
Jimmy J

[bigredbass]

That's one of my favorite ancients, used to be in a band and the chart started on that flat-seven riff in unison, what a hoot.
 
I love the sea, and what a treat to sail on such a ship on such a historic route to England.  Plus your things don't get smacked around under an airplane, not bad at all.
 
Well, here's hoping it's flat enough to water ski behind the Queen.  
 
J o e y

[edwardofhuncote]

I'll share this here... this video
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFvGq-52I8I
 
of JT doing Frozen Man has the camera slowly pan across Jimmy in the background with (one of?) his cone-headstock Alembic five-strings. Can't quite tell what other features it has, but in addition to that being one of my favorite ever JT tunes, I must have played that clip 500 times just to hear the bass. One of the bands I play in has tried in vain several times to add this tune to the set list. Beautiful bass, and a great bass line too.

[JimmyJ]

Thanks for that Gregory.  That is a great song isn't it?  
 
It's also an example of how the bass parts are already written and played by JT on most of his tunes.  I don't know of anybody who plays guitar quite like him ... and those bass lines come with the package.  All I do is pick and choose how much of what he's already playing should be doubled an octave lower.
 
That clip is from around '92 and is probably my recording bass - an '87 series II.  Great to see Don Grolnick and Carlos Vega and remember that happy time.  We miss those guys.
 
Jimmy J

[David Houck]

Nice video!  Thanks for posting.

[edwardofhuncote]

JT is one of those guys you hate to pick favorites from, but yes, Frozen Man is epic.  
 
I notice you often reference the guitar bassline as the strongest influence on what you play. Couldn't agree more... I'm fortunate enough to be playing with a very gifted young guitarist/vocalist/songwriter with whom I'm able to do just that - listen to his lines and pare down from there. He often reminds me though, it still takes a bass player to *hear it* that way.
 
 I truly appreciate your craft.

[eddievig]

Jimmy J,
 
I am very excited that I'll get to see you with JT in New Orleans come November. As always, I do hope you get time to enjoy some good eats and local music.
 
I'll bring my Grasshopper album and a Sharpie just in case I get lucky enough to run into you again
 
Best,
 
Ed Vigueira