Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[moongerm]

Nice recognition Jimmy!  Well deserved and then some!

[Enzo]

...and here you are answering the questions of bass knowledge thirsty fellow Alembic players. How lucky we are... thank you!

[JimmyJ]

Aw, thanks you guys...  That's a surprise to me for sure and I'm honored to be on their ... well ... rather lengthy list of players.  I'm sure they've missed about 100 more and are getting an earful about it right now.  Ha!


I will take this opportunity to remind everybody that music is NOT a competition and there can be no "greatest" or "best".


I'm often asked who among the drummers I've worked with is "the best" and all I can say is "all these cats have their own distinct voices on their instruments and they're all a treat to play with".  I think that applies to everybody on any level.  We're just the sum of our musical influences and experiences which differ for each individual, so the results are also different and unique.


Often music schools are set up as competitive systems with "winners" but I think that's a mistake.  Real life simply doesn't work that way.


Nonetheless, it was very kind of the magazine to include me. 


Thanks all!


Jimmy J

[rustyg61]

I didn't view the article as a competition. In fact, I don't believe the number they assigned to you was any sort of ranking from best to worst, it was merely a way to take a head count to keep track of all 100. The role you played in developing & popularizing the 5 string makes you more than worthy of being on this list. While there may be more flashy or technical bass players, you are at the top of my list for taste & tone! Every note you play oozes with bass goodness, & as I have said before, your tone is the benchmark I use for setting my rig. The fact that you are so humble & willing to hang out with us here & answer our questions & offer suggestions when people are having problems also sets you apart form most of the other bass players on that list. You were very helpful when I was building my Europa & I will always appreciate you for that!

[bigredbass]

70 ? 70?

WTH, I'd have put you at 68 !!  You ever hear Robbie Shakespeare play Holdsworth charts?   Geez . . . .

Joey

[David Houck]

I just dug into my archives and found my list of the greatest bass players, and, interestingly enough, they all happen to be members of the Alembic club.  Don't know how that happened.

Oh wait; wrong list.

It's the greatest guitar players list; can't find the bass players list at the moment.

[eddievig]

Jimmy,

Late congrats, and also for the Grammy nom with the Gadd Band...all great things and so well deserved!

[hankster]

Jimmy, congratulations!  There was never any doubt!

[cozmik_cowboy]

Just bought our tickets for JT & Bonnie at Wrigley July 17!!!!!!


Peter

[eddievig]

Jimmy,

I see that JT and company are headed back to NOLA this August with Bonnie Raitt...that's gonna be a stellar combination! Is she bringing her band or workin' with youse guys?

Best,

Ed V

[edwardofhuncote]

Jimmy J, just wondering if you'll be backing JT at MerleFest in North Carolina 4/28/17? That's a fantastic event... (I got to play it once many years ago) I'd love to catch you guys' show again, especially back home in Carolina. 

Might even be a chance for an Alembic mini-meet-up with Moderator Dave not too far from there.   

[JimmyJ]

Hey pals, sorry I missed a couple notes here...

The Grammy thing was nice, mostly for Gadd to get some recognition.  It went to the Snarky Pups from Texas but they're a talented bunch so all good. 

Peter, glad to hear you'll be at Wrigley.  Pray for good weather!

It looks like Bonnie and her band will be double-billing with us for the entire summer run, large and small gigs. That includes NOLA so maybe we'll see you there Ed V.  It's rare for James to tour with another act but this is great news because we're all Bonnie fans.  I expect she'll join us for a couple tunes and James might jump up with them for a couple.  It's a nice combination and it will be a blast to hang with Hutch and the cats.

Greg, I think James is just a guest for one of Jerry Douglas' spots at Merlefest so he's not bringing any of us.  In fact, we'll be in Tallin, Estonia with Gadd on that date.  (Yikes!)  That looks like a great show though, I hope you can go hear it all.

Cheers everybody,
Jimmy J

[fmm]

Jimmy: are you the Jimmy Johnson that played on C. W. McCall's Black Bear Road?  Did you play on Convoy?

[eddievig]

Jimmy,

By the time you read this, I'm sure you will have heard of Allan Holdsworth's untimely passing. The world lost a genius musician,  his family lost a father and grandfather. My condolences to you for losing a friend and bandmate.

Time to put on the headphones, hoist a glass, and celebrate his music.

Best,

Ed V

[rustyg61]

Jimmy, I'm so sad to hear of Allan's passing. He was truly one of the most talented & unique guitar players of all time. I know you cherish the time you spent playing with him & we cherish the incredible music you made with him. Praying God will comfort you & all of Allen's family & friends in this time of loss.