Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[reinier]

As for e-mailing Wayne Johnson, perhaps a nice anecdote to share here (don't burry the guy with e-mails upon reading this pls): in the pre-Internet days (we're talking 1988), the 1980 audio cassette copy I had from the Arrowhead album didn't have any highs left on it, so I decided to write a letter to Wayne, asking about the Arrowhead album availability in the US (what did I know; just took a gamble writing to Zebra Records with whom he just released his CD Spirit of the dancer, asking them to pass my letter on). Many weeks later - I had almost forgotten about the letter again - the mail man rang the doorbell delivering a big cartonboard envelope with a letter from the man himself, thanking me for being a fan and saying he had found an audio cassette of Arrowhead and an LP Everybody's painting pictures he had - still sealed - lying around somewhere in his house anyway.... As you can imagine, I even still have the envelope.... As an expression of my deep gratitude, I sent him an album of my then fusion band to which he diplomaticly never reacted ;-D!
 
Anyway, a few years ago I came across an Internet store in LA (www.aeonmusic.com) where I was able to purchase a sealed album copy of Arrowhead, paying next to nothing (the B/W picture shown above is off of its cover). I transferred it onto a CD-R, using a crappy turntable I still keep in the attic and it sounds good enough for my taste. I just took a peek at AEON and they still list an LP for US $ 12,= and an audio cassette for US $8,= (go for the album, the cassette sounds a bit dull).  
 
Alternatively, I'd be more than happy to provide club members with one or two mp3s (it's for the good cause of Alembic proliferation I would say), but on the other hand, compared to our Dutch practices, US law suits are a bit too impressive for my taste (and budget). You reckon there's any harm in that (after all these years)?
 
Take care, RR

[David Houck]

The one Flim & The BB's that I have is Neon, the first track of which is an overdubbed bass only piece called Fish Magic.  Very nice!

[David Houck]

Reinier; I'm not a lawyer and I don't know the laws relevant to this issue.  However, if the album has never been released on CD and if the album is no longer in print, then I can't see the harm in making some MP3s for close friends if you are not seeking remuneration.  But I could be wrong.

[keith_h]

I'm no lawyer either but I think you would be ok if you did not provide the whole piece, just selected passages (correctly creditted) to demonstrate a certain technique. Also since these are albums and not CD's I believe the DMCA does not apply. Maybe one of the attorneys here could weigh in.
 
Keith

[lbpesq]

I'm no entertainment/copyright lawyer, but if I remember correctly from law school I believe as long as you are not selling it or receiving any economic compensation, copy away.  (No warranty, either express or implied created by this posting).
 
Bill, tgo

[fmm]

I'm also not a lawyer, but here's how I understand the copyright laws:
 
If you want to make copies for your own personal use, go ahead.
 
You can copy small extracts (much less than a complete song) for educational purposes.
 
You cannot distribute copyrighted material to others.  You can't sell it, you can't give it away.  It doesn't matter that you're not making any money, you can't do it.
 
Just because a work is out of print (not available on CD, no LPs available, whatever) does not change the law.

[reinier]

No offence to anyone, but please accept some friendly advice on essential Flim recordings from a totally uncritical Flim Johnson fan (that's how you end up owning all 6 Flim & the BB's CDs.....): although all 6 contain at least one or two Flim-featured treasures (Fish Magic is indeed a winner in this respect), they also contain quite a few songs that don't do justice to his talent and taste. So, before anyone may decide that all the fuzz is much to do about nothing please try and listen to anything from Wayne Johnson or Allan Holdsworth, featuring Flim. Most Allan Holdsworth albums are readily available in record stores or on the Internet (Metal fatigue and Atavachron are good Flim showcases). Take care, RR

[reinier]

Thx for all the legal advice. I guess the conclusion is warranted that there is no law against sharing only the solo (after all that's what it's all about here). It's strong enough to go without the context of the whole song anyway ;-) Any suggestions as to how? Take care RR

[marcm]

flim's work with the bbs isn't so hard to find.  i just ordered a copy of 'tricycle' from http://www.dmprecords.com/CD-443.htm .  dmp's catalog includes 'big notes', 'big notes gold', 'further adventures of', 'neon', 'tricycle gold' 'vintage bb's', and 'tunnel', all by flim & the bbs, as well as titles by a number of other artists.  many titles are available in sacd as well as red book
 
 
marc
 
p.s. somewhere out there there's a video (now possibly a dvd) of james taylor playing with his band in the barn at his home on martha's vineyard.  the performance was about 15 years ago, and i can't recall the title of it, but flim plays bass and he was sounding very nice indeed

[jacko]

Reading this thread sparked me to put Holdsworths' 'Secrets' on the turntable last night. It's the first time I've listened to it in about 20 years and up until now I hadn't paid proper attention to the bass. I got it when I was into Bruford and naively expected Jeff Berlin to be playing but as I'd never heard of Jimmy Johnson I kinda lost interest.
 Apart from rather too much 'noodling' from Allan, the album holds up very well indeed with Flims' playing standing out as being exceptional. looks like I'm going to have to do some research and spend some money ;-)
 
graeme

[jacko]

And there's more, I received the James taylor live at the beacon DVD yesterday and boy did it bring back memories. I listened to Mud Slide slim and Sweet baby James almost non stop during the first half of the 70's, so much so that the LPs are now really badly scratched and almost unlistenable so it's been a long long time since I've heard any JT. Apart from looking really old, his voice is exactly how I remember it and he really looks like he's the happiest guy on earth when he's performing. It's also good to see so much footage with Jimmy in it. A really nice bass and there are quite a few close ups. His playing, whilst not as busy as the holdsworth material, is still quite exceptional and exactly what's required, and, like phils' bass sound on Live/dead, it comes through the mix beautifully.
Even Mrs J likes it which is remarkable in itself;-)
 
Graeme

[bigredbass]

Isn't James' playing wonderful?  I love his playing behind his singing.
 
As for the mighty JJ:  Someone told me the secret to great playing is knowing what to leave out . . he could certainly overpower the JT gig, but his taste is impeccable.  He SURE knows what to leave out!!
 
J o e y

[jseitang]

it seems like jimmy johnson was into seriesII electronics since 1976... when was it made available as a regular in the alembic line up? you dont get to see a lot of old series II's

[adriaan]

I believe old #16 was a series II. Come to think of it, we sure haven't heard from Keavin for a long, long time.
 
And what about Paul TBO?

[palembic]

Hi Brothers
 
yes ...my daily quotum of posts is declining tremenduously.
Due to worksituations (no car, looooooooong train travels to get to job every day, ...short nights sleep ...) I cannot follow club life as actively as I would like to do.
Though I have a nice gig story I'll tell you all in the appropriate departement.
So please carry-on lads and ...dank je voor de gedachte broeder Adriaan!
 
Paul TOBO