Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[jazzyvee]

In case it's not in your diary it looks like you are on tour in the UK next year JJ. I saw James Taylor on the BBC Breakfast programme yesterday morning and when asked about touring the UK he said he is booked for a tour here next year.

[JimmyJ]

Oh, thanks for telling me Jazzy.  Did he say who was going to be in the band?  Ha!  We've only heard rumors of something happening next fall so hopefully that's what they're working on.  Thanks for the inside info!

Jimmy J

[jazzyvee]

No mention of who is due to be in the band, tho he did say that these days tours have to be booked way in advance and Manchester was mentioned so i presume things are still being negotiated. Hopefully one will be booked close enough for me to get to. I saw you once with Allan Holdsworth an a small venue in the midlands so JT will be a completely different experience  for sure.

[keith_h]

Was out on Youtube listening to stuff and found this recent addition of Jimmy with some guy named Steve Gadd. For some reason they show a lot of the drummer but not the bass player. Not sure why.

[David Houck]

Keith, thanks for posting the video link; great stuff!!

[rv_bass]

Cool tunes!  Nice recording too, all the instruments sound great (love the bass!) 

[jacko]

This arrived today. Only managed one listen through but I have to say it's marvellous. Jimmy shares bass duties with upright player Viktor Krauss but I'm hard put to say which tunes aren't Alembic.  Well worth a listen if you don't already have it.  There's a few songs I don't recognise but I'm not American so I don't have to live up to your standards.
And, as if it needed any endorsement, Sandra shouted up to me to 'turn it up'. That doesn't happen very often 

[JimmyJ]

Hey Graeme,

Nice turntable! 

Yes, James, John Pizzarelli and engineer/producer Dave O'Donnell did a great job on this album of classic old tunes.  I kinda think James could sing the phone book and it would come out nice.    They cut the basic tracks with only JT and JP, and then spent a couple years (!!) adding other players and singers.  They were kind enough to get everybody from JT's band (except Landau) to play on something, in addition to those amazing Nashville cats. 

The Alembic is only on one track; "Teach Me Tonight".  Victor K plays on a few others, there may be sampled bass on one, and some have no bass at all.  But I like how they approached the project.  Most Artists go straight for the lush orchestral or big band arrangements when they do "standards".  Instead, James built it around the 2 guitars.  The arrangements are all his, including some of the solo lines.  The end result has a real JT vibe throughout.

The songs and old-school lyrics may not be everybody's cup of tea but I figure his fans will still enjoy it.  And now I hope he will be inspired to write a few new original tunes!

Jimmy J

[dadabass2001]

Hi Jimmy,
I'm looking forward to seeing you with JT and the band in Chicago June 10 at the United Center! I'm gonna be in the 7th row - closest I've been to an act since the 70's! I saw you a few years ago at a Drum Shop clinic in the western suburbs of Chicago with Alan H and Chad.
I'm loving the Steve Gadd band CDs and the above mentioned Jazz San Javier set.
Mike

[JimmyJ]

Thanks Mike,

You've seen me at my musical extremes!  I've got some other pals coming to that Chicago show but I'll do my best to find you and say hi.  Remind me here as the date gets closer.

Cheers,
Jimmy J

[cozmik_cowboy]

This arrived today. Only managed one listen through but I have to say it's marvellous. Jimmy shares bass duties with upright player Viktor Krauss but I'm hard put to say which tunes aren't Alembic.  Well worth a listen if you don't already have it.  There's a few songs I don't recognise but I'm not American so I don't have to live up to your standards.
And, as if it needed any endorsement, Sandra shouted up to me to 'turn it up'. That doesn't happen very often 

I got an e-mail from James the other day (well, OK, from his mailing list - but "I got an e-mail from James" sounds much cooler); American Standards hit #4, making JT the only artist to have a top-10 album in each of the last 6 decades!  Congrats for your part in that, Jimmy!


I was looking forward to maybe seeing you again when the tour comes through Chicago this year, but it looks like we'll probably be living in Denver by then, and for some reason She (despite 37 years living with a Deadhead) thought that was a slightly excessive drive for a concert.........


Peter

[edited for unintentional formatting]

[JimmyJ]

Hey Peter,

That is really something!  It's a joy to work with such a talented guy, who is also a friendly and considerate fella.  (Not always the case with super-creative types...)

I'm sorry Denver isn't on the schedule this summer.  But if all goes well I predict this tour may be extended so maybe in the fall.  We'll see.

Thanks,
Jimmy J

[jacko]

James has announced he's pulling his Canadian dates. I guess in the current climate there's a fair chance his US dates will go too. Such a shame for anyone waiting to see him but I guess folk's health comes first.

Graeme
p.s. None of my dates have been canned so far so if you need an Alembic fix get over to Scotland next month

[JimmyJ]

Graeme,

Yes, it was announced last night that our run across Canada in April has been postponed.  No choice really with the current restrictions on gatherings.  The plan as of now is to get the tour rolling in late May with the US leg - so that's still on and I hope to see you guys on the dates we've been talking about. 

The mayor of Los Angeles said we must limit crowds to "50 people or less" - which made me think - "alright, jazz clubs are exempt".   


Everybody hunker down and stay safe and healthy.  As Goran said, it's a good time to do some serious practicing or songwriting!  Hopefully this situation will calm down soon and we can get back to playing music together.


Jimmy J

[rustyg61]

Hey Jimmy, I have tickets to the Houston show on May 16. Hopefully the crisis will be over by then & the tour will have resumed! They are limiting gatherings in Texas to 10 now!

Rusty