Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[artswork99]

Jimmy,  Welcome!  Real nice to have you here part of the forum.  Great insight into the profession.  Thanks for sharing.
Play it Healthy!
Art

[jakebass]

I'm interested to hear that you 'don't play extremely loud' Jimmy, I'm lucky enough to have made my living playing and I've found that others perception of how loud I am differs greatly from mine. I've come to the thinking that my heightened sense of the low end means that I can hear (in the bass) what others can't. I've arrived at this from a lifetime of being asked to turn up! Early on in my playing life I was reluctant, mainly through self consciousness but now I oblige, but still not too loud :-)

[JimmyJ]

Thanks Art.
 
Jake, I suppose volume perception is an individual thing (maybe I DO play extremely loud and only think I don't.  Ha!)  I think volume is also directly related to your tone.  Alembics pass such a wide bandwidth signal that engineers are shocked to discover that there is actual content at 5k that can be EQ'd.  But I think a consequence of this wide sound is that if it gets too loud it can take over the World.  (Entwistle had permission to do so!!)  
 
A stock Fender by comparison is fairly narrow and doesn't stray from it's comfy home in the lower audio band area.  So in a way, you can really crank up that kind of sound and it won't interfere with everybody else in the band.
 
For me, I just want to be able to play dynamically and hear all the notes while the drums are roaring, usually right next to where I'm standing.
 
Writing this out is an interesting exercise, thanks for the question.
 
I always say my sound isn't for everybody.  Sometimes engineers make a funny face when they see it come out of the bag but they almost always like the sound once they hear it.  Most of them say I'm not doing ANYTHING to your bass!  And I say cool.
 
later,
Jimmy J

[jakebass]

Hi Jimmy,
I've had that experience a couple of times in studios, as you say when they hear an Alembic I think they are mostly pleasantly surprised. I have done some pop sessions in London where they definitely want a Fender sound though so I always take my Jazz to sessions too. There are some producers that just can't see past the badge.
With regards to taking over the world with sound, the first time I played a large venue with the Alembic (I've only had it for 18 months) I was stunned at the way in which it filled the room with sound. The most rewarding aspect of which was being able to maintain a very light and easy playing style without losing any impact of the sound. That makes me very happy as a player!!
A little unexpected plus I found when getting into Alembic gear, I also use my F 1-X for my double bass, with a Schroeder 212L It is a great sound. (amplifying upright is even more difficult in my experience)
Cheers.
Jake

[kimberly]

Wow, how very cool!  Jimmy Johnson in the flesh so to speak.  
 
Just gotta love the net and the camaraderie of Alembic ownership.  
 
Hope to see you around more.  
 
Best regards and much respect.  
 
Kimberly  

[jacko]

Well, We saw Allan Holdsworth last night and I have to say it was a superb gig. The interplay between the three musicians was bordering on telepathic. Ernest's playing was excellent (sorry Jimmy) although he was reading for alot of the tunes. The only thing lacking in his playing was that extra Alembic sparkle we all love ;-)  Chad wackerman was on particularly spectacular form taking two solos during the gig. The guy is a drum monster - made it all look so natural too - no flailing arms or missed beats.  
Next time, it'd be really great to have Jimmy and Gary Husband (who we're seeing next sunday with Level 42) in the trio. BIG HINT ;-)
 
Graeme

[white_cloud]

Greame..I totally agree!  
 
It was a night of absolute monster playing. Ernest was awesome, I really enjoyed his playing (I thought his bass tone was really good to be fair) - and Chad? wow! lets put it this way and give it a label...drumming virtuosity!!
 
The best of all, however, was the man himself. Allan was superlative! I stood almost beside him for the entire gig and Im convinced he slipped into a trance whilst playing - he was definitely zoned out for sure!  
 
Oh, and I must say he made my night by taking and guzzling the bottle of beer I offered him between songs  well, I am a BIG fan after all!
 
One other thing that really surprised me - as I stood right beside him I was astonished at how he was shaking with nerves at the start of the gig...I mean , come on Allan, YOU ARE  GOD OF THE SIX STRING AND RULE ALL YOU SURVEY!!!
 
What an absolute pleasure to see Allan up here in Scotland...the highlight of my musical year so far! Wunderbar!
 
John.

[jakebass]

John, Allan is a human being just like all of us :-)

[JimmyJ]

Hey Graeme and John,
 
Thanks for posting these reports!  I'm so glad you got out to support the team and get an earful of amazing music.  
 
I agree that all 3 of those guys are playing at an extremely high level and Allan is truly in another orbit altogether.  He is a super nice guy and very humble.  He never tells the band what to play (sometimes we wish he would) but his command of harmony, melody and musical form is really, really unusual and amazing.  He is a one-off.  The chordal solo he does as an intro to the ballad Above And Below is completely different each night, a fully-formed, IMPROVISED choral / orchestral composition.  Worth the price of admission right there...
 
I'm a fan of Tibbs as well.  I like that he can play solid bass and then switch to very fluid soloing.  He'd sound good on an Alembic too!  (Had to get that in).  
 
And Chad's command of of the kit is a treat to observe.  He looks so relaxed while playing so intensely - really great.  
 
It's also good to hear that band in its different forms.  Allan's music is always great and changing just one of the 3 musicians alters things in interesting ways.
 
I miss being out there and playing the music but hopefully I'll see you guys next time around.
 
Thanks again for the posts!
Jimmy J

[white_cloud]

Well, I for one was extremely sad when I found out that you wouldnt make the UK gigs Jimmy. It would have just been the icing on the cake to have seen you in the flesh doing what you do best!
 
Kudos to Ernest though - fantastic player (he made it look easy) and a very very cool guy! For me Allan has always been my number one six stringer - his music touches me emotionally and intelectually...I just totally get it whatever undefinable thing It is lol!
 
Allan seemed embarrassed by the warm reception he got - what a lovely humble man. He genuinely surprised me with his stage fright - but then again I can only imagine that there is a certain pressure when so many expect so much!!!!
 
Do me a favour Jimmy, make sure you make the trip to Scotland on the next trip (hopefully soon) We always offer the warmest welcome to our friends!
 
Thanks for keeping up to date with the posts - its appreciated!
 
John.

[richbass939]

The Dec 08 Bass Player cover story is about Anthony Jackson's invention and development of the 6-string bass.  In the interview he was asked, Are there other 6-string bassists you've come to admire?  He answered, ...Another name that bears mention is Jimmy Johnson, who very early on took his chances and made an impact down low playing a 5-string -- in addition to being one of the finest bass guitarists ever to play the instrument.
Congrats, Jimmy.  That's quite a compliment.
Rich

[JimmyJ]

Rich,
Wow, what a kind thing for him to say.  AJ is one of my all time favorite players.  Great notes, great time, amazing sound, a true Artist on the instrument.  And he probably was the first guy to go low (and high at the same time) with his 6-string contrabass guitar.  An excellent idea!
Thanks for posting, I'll go buy the mag.
Jimmy J

[jakebass]

The journey downwards was a great moment in the instruments' history from both you and AJ Jimmy, I also play upright and have always loved the low notes available from C extensions, particularly Arco, there is nothing quite like a long D or Db.  
I also think AJ is an absolute master. His groove is very deep and his ideas so musical. A joy.
Jake
 
Edit:
I just had to add, that he would also sound awesome on an Alembic!!
 
(Message edited by jakebass on November 16, 2008)

[richbass939]

The Jan 09 issue of Bass Player has the following in its recommended CDs section:
 
GJ4
With his fourth CD featuring multiple piano trios, Minneapolis-based Gordon Johnson (brother of L.A. bass ace Jimmy) has become a scholar of the form, equally adept at anchoring, soloing, and group discourse.  As hard-swinging host to the five piano-drum tandems here, Johnson steps forward to spin the unison melody of Bouncing with Bud and launch Blues for C.J. with a deep rubato moan, remaining a cohesive force throughout.
 
Jimmy, sounds like the household where you grew up was really grooving.
Rich

[JimmyJ]

Hey Rich, thanks for posting that.  
 
Brother Gordon makes playing upright sound easy.  (I never even got a permit to operate one of those and can't imagine how he does that...)
 
Dad played bass too so yeah, lot's of low end around our house!
 
Jimmy J