Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[ryan_p]

Sorry, noticed typos in my post above that I cannot seem to edit.

[JimmyJ]

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to the Alembic club. The power and reach of music is amazing and your story is a good example.  We would have to say this Steve Topping recording - made in 2001/2002 and released in 2004 - is a bit obscure.  A small production of instrumental music which, as far as I know, didn't achieve wide distribution.  Yet here you are writing from Bombay to say this very music has made a strong connection with you.  We love these kinds of stories.

The important thing is that it means so much to you - but since you're asking I will tell you a bit of the technical background.  This record was one of my very first attempts at "remote" recording, something I do all the time now.  In other words, Steve sent me charts and audio and I made bass parts and sent the audio files back to him for assembly.  I think I was using an old Mitsubishi 2-track digital recorder as my A-D converter and frankly I can't remember what I used to capture the bits. I would then burn my audio files to CD-Rs and mail them (yes, snail-mail) to London and Steve would assemble the music.

The charts he sent were pretty specific so I generally tried to play what he wrote.  On Aigburth, only my fretless appears in part of the first section and Steve's synth bass plays the bulk of the track.  I did manage to squeeze a couple fun solos into other tracks on the album and Steve was very accommodating with whatever ideas I had to offer.  And he did a good job of assembling and making music out of all the bits and pieces.  Also some wonderful Gary Husband playing on this record.

So, thank you for asking about it and we're glad the music means so much to you.  I'll try to email Steve to tell him he has a fan in Bombay!

Jimmy J

[ryan_p]

Thanks Jimmy, for the welcome and information.

I have both of Steve's solo albums (the other being Time and Distance) and will pick an older jam  session that was released as 'What this is' I think, soon.

Also did see Steve Hunt, Marie Takahashi and Evan's snaps on Facebook of the Holdsworth Tribute at the Iridium and really wish I could have been there. Did you play Evan's bass when you sat  in?

Also, I just got the Holdsworth re-issue 12 CD set through Amazon - lovely remastering and fidelity and was spinning 'Then' yesterday.

Regards
Ryan

[JimmyJ]

Ryan,

OK, it's clear that you are a guitar fan!  I'm on the road and happened to have last night off in NYC.  That was the first night of the Iridium shows so I had to go!  Great bunch of musicians and terrific playing by all.  Strange to hear other guitarists play Allan's music.  Come to think of it, I don't think I have EVER heard any other guitarists try to play those tunes.  But the lineup of guys that Virgil got really did a fine job and it was a sweet way to honor Allan on a weekend that was originally booked as his band...  I hope they have a great few nights.

Nice to meet Evan too.  This guy can really blaze his way through chord changes!  He's an outstanding soloist.  Virgil insisted I sit in and I did attempt to play Evan's Ken Smith (don't tell anybody in here).  It's been about 100 years since I tried to do something like that and frankly I wasn't very successful.  At least it had 5 strings and fairly close spacing.  HA!  Evan made it sound wonderful but I couldn't get much going...  It was fun trying though!  I'm going to miss playing that rare and unusual music, that's for sure.

I bought the box set too.  I believe the proceeds will go to his family and that's probably more than can be said for any other record deal he ever had. 

Cheers,
Jimmy J

[ryan_p]

Thanks, Jimmy for the dope on the Iridium gig.

I had one chance to see Allan here in Bombay in 2011 (Holdsworth, Peralta, Crawford and Donati) but couldn't make it - to my everlasting regret.

On the other hand, I've been lucky to meet and see Victor Bailey, Jeff Andrews, Dominique DiPiazza, Gary Willis and see Anthony Jackson (for some reason was too intimidated to go upto him - thought he'd make me look like the village idiot), Bunny Brunel, Stu Hamm and John Humphreys perform here in town through the years.

Steve Topping too played in India but Delhi and Calcutta only, with Gary a long time back, perhaps 2005/6.

There's always hope for me that JT and the gang with the Alembic toting M.D. make it down here, sometime!

Cheers and regards
Ryan

[eddievig]

Jimmy,

Like everyone else, I was thrilled that the Iridium shows happened (I would have loved to have been there). It did my heart good to know that you were there; the universe saw fit to make that happen I suppose. Knowing that Evan is such a big fan of yours, I'm glad he got to meet you. I'm looking forward to whatever the Holdsworth family allows to be shared from those shows if anything was recorded.

In other news, me and the girls got great seats for the JT/Bonnie show in NOLA on 8/3 (section 113, row 4, seats 9-11). If there's time and space to say hey, we'd love to see you. I'll try to sneak in some beignets if I can get them past security ...

Best,

Ed V

[JimmyJ]

Hey Ed,

Yeah, that was some lucky cosmic alignment that allowed me to get to the Iridium gig.  I was sorry to miss Louise, Emily and Lynne H who all came in the following day, but it was good to see the players and chat with some Al fans.  As fun as it was to hear those guys storming through those tunes it was also quite poignant for me.  In the same way that a funeral helps you understand that the person is really gone... 

I would not hold my breath about anything being released from those gigs.  As you know the business side of Al's world was never smooth and it continues to be a struggle for his family.  Maybe eventually there will be some hidden treasures discovered but I kinda doubt it.  More on this subject when I see you.

And I will do my best to come say hi in NOLA.  Bonnie's set is a blast and we're having a good time with JT.  It's a real nice double-bill.

Jimmy J

[cozmik_cowboy]

Well, 3 more days!  Can't wait to see JT again, and, while I've been madly in love with Bonnie for about 40 years, this will be my first time seeing her; I'm pumped!
If you get a minute, we'll be in Sec 216, Row 9, seats 3 & 4; look for a fat hippie with a ponytail maybe longer than yours.  I'll be in a red hawai'ian shirt and (since it's Wrigley, I have to) a White Sox hat.

Peter (Who would not mind a bit if you brought Ms. Raitt up with you......)

[JimmyJ]

Hey Peter,

I'll have family at that show but if I get the chance I'll try to come and say hi before Bonnie's set.  She and her band sound great so I know you'll enjoy it!

Jimmy J

[cozmik_cowboy]

It'd be great to meet you, but I understand; family comes first.  No problem.  (Just pass my seat number on to Bonnie....... )

Peter

[ryan_p]

Ed, Jimmy - footage from the Iridium tribute is starting to surface. Footage posted by concert goers was taken down, but officially shot footage is being edited and sent to the Artistes who performed, who can upload it should they wish.

I just saw some footage that Evan has uploaded, on Facebook.

Regards
Ryan

[cozmik_cowboy]

Just got home; great night!  Weather was perfect.  Bonnie's 2nd song was "Spit Of Love", 3rd was "Love Me Like A Man".  That would have been enough right there - but wait, there's more!  Two great bands did two great sets, and Jimmy found time to stop up & say hello; if you haven't met him, be advised he is as friendly & gracious in person as he is here.
Thanks for making the time, Jimmy; it was great to meet you.  As soon as you left, Florence texted all 3 sons - "James's bass player just came in the stands to talk to Dad."  They were all duly impressed:)  And you (as well as all your esteemed colleagues) truly applied boot to buttocks all night.

Peter

[JimmyJ]

Hey Peter,

Nice to meet you two and chat for a minute, thanks for making the trek to Chicago.  Glad you and the Mrs. enjoyed the show.  Bonnie is a riot isn't she?  It's a great double bill and both bands are enjoying each other.  I usually don't say this but this tour might be too short ... hope they do some more together in the future.

Jimmy J

[bigredbass]

This is proof of what I always felt:  The band has WAY more fun if the front man is a serious musician / vocalist instead of vocalist only.

[adriaan]

Joey, surely you're not suggesting Bonnie Rait is a man?