Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[JimmyJ]

So this is pretty funny; I looked at my old chart for this tune and it's clear that at the time I didn't understand what was going on either. HA!  I have the feeling that only Gary knew what was happening and Allan, Steve and I were just going by feel...  Again, it would be interesting to hear what Hunt says about it as it may have actually come down to Husband's interpretation.  
 
Listening to it NOW however I can say with some certainty that this triplet approach is what we were trying to do (or what Gary was trying to help us do) even though our execution may not have been perfect.  This means your band has a chance to play the song more accurately than the original!  Haha!
 
One more scribble here, this includes Gary's drum fill leading into the first 6/4 bar (upper note is tom, lower is kick).  To help you hear it the way I do consider that we may speed up a bit on the way into that bar and then relax on the way out...  Try tapping steady 1/4 notes as we breath our way through and it actually works.  If I had the multi-track session in ProTools I could adjust it all to the grid (removing all emotion as I did so).  HAHAHA!

Cheers!
Jimmy J

[gbulfon]

great transcription of the drum fill ))
 
It's amazing how your 6/4 view fits into my 7/8 view.
If you tap quarters from the beginning, you end up with a 7/8 bar to have E on the 1st beat.
It's as if you change the metronome on that bar to think 6/4!  
And infact, your solo mirrors your view, because you work the ending with tuplets that I cannot even write down into 7/8... hahaha!
 
Anyway, I'm also astonished that you mention Gary Husband here, because I've always thought it was Vinnie Colaiuta! It really sounds more the way of Vinnie

[JimmyJ]

Oh yeah, that's Gary.  Mostly Chad on this record, a couple Gary tracks, and Vinnie only plays on Against The Clock which for all you Holdsworth trivia fans (all two of you?) features Chad's wife on vocals.  Furthermore, City Nights the opening cut on Secretsis a Husband composition with Vinnie playing drums.  This corner of the music World is very small indeed!
Jimmy J

[afrankie]

Hi jimmy,
thanx for all, I'm the bassist who plays Dodgy boat and other AH's trivia  with Gabriele

[kcview]

Mister Johnson,
 
Is there a remote possibility you would consider a BB's Reunion? The question is posed a lot I suppose, but, I'm thinkin'  the world coud use a dose of the good feelings of Flim and the BB's, and I know of two venues in KC that would work perfectly.  I am dead serious about this question.  Please reply   apetersen1@kc.rr.com

[JimmyJ]

Hey Franco (Frankie?), very cool that you guys are covering that song.  Hopefully Gabrielle doesn't expect you to play the bass solo as he wrote it out (!!)  Please make up your own!
 
Andrew, thanks for asking.  Actually no, it's rare that people bring it up now as it's been almost ... 20 years since the BB's last worked together.  But it's always nice to hear from people who enjoyed the band.  As to your question, I won't say never but a reunion is highly unlikely.  Coincidentally I'm seeing Bill Berg on Monday.  I'll tell him you said hi.  ;-)
 
Jimmy J

[afrankie]

Yes I'll make up one mine, but I'll try to keep features you done (anyway I must trascribe it from 6 to 5 strings)
Franco

[JimmyJ]

Franco,
Yes definitely do your own thing.  Just make up some melodies that fit over those chords - that's the entire challenge in a nutshell!  
I may have misunderstood your comment but I play 5-string not 6.  However, on that solo I cheated with some fingered harmonics for a few extra high notes.  Pay no attention whatsoever!
Cheers,
Jimmy J

[afrankie]

WOW, listening to high notes I understood You used a 6 strings bass, ok I'll do my way.
Thanx again
Franco

[afrankie]

Hi Jimmy,
I would ask you informations about teaching, may we talk in private? I suppose you can see my email address.
Thanx Franco

[JimmyJ]

Hey Franco,
 
Thanks for the question and excuse me for answering in public...  
 
When I was very young I studied piano for a short time and then clarinet for a bit longer, but I never took any bass lessons.  On this instrument I was self-taught so I have no method to pass on to anybody or even any suggestions that could be thought of as teaching.  My technique and understanding of music just kind of came out this way and I don't really know how to explain what I do because often I don't know myself...
 
In other words; I don't know what I'm doing.  HA!
 
My general recommendation to others is that you listen to (and try to play) as many different styles of music as you can.  Even consider experimenting with other instruments.  Because all your musical experiences will effect your bass playing and make your voice on the instrument unique.  The music we make is the sum of what we've heard and enjoyed and how we apply it when we get the chance to play.
 
I'm not sure if that makes any sense (especially since I can't write it in Italian!) but that's about all I've got.
 
All the best,
Jimmy J

[jacko]

What a fantastic show last night! JT played mostly well known hits and even put my favourite ever JT song 'Blossom' in the first set. Chad's drumming was excellent; very tasteful with just the right amount of 'flash' in the right places - I've only really heard him with holdsworth so it was interesting to see him holding back. As usual, Jimmy's playing was sublime despite appearing to have problems with his in-ears in the first set. We were third row centre stage and had a perfect sonic balance - the only problem being that Jimmy was hidden behind James from my seating position. made him very difficult to photograph although I did manage one almost decent shot. Hopefully he won't mind me posting this one..

of course, we could hear every note he played - his series 2 sounding about as good as anything could.
Everyone on stage looked to be having loads of fun, especially Arnold McCuller who was taking cameras from the audience during the encore and getting closeups of the whole band. Arnold, together with kate Markowitz and Andrea Zonn provided absolutely perfect harmonies throughout the gig - Andrea played some excellent violin during one or two songs aswell. Last but by no means least, larry Goldings and Michael Landau were the ideal accompaniasts on keys and guitar respectively.  
It's amazing seeing James perform; he manages some very complicated finger picking while singing - his voice is still amazing. He also picked Jimmy out as the band leader, an accolade well deserved IMO.  All in all, one of the best nights I've had in a couple of years. Listening to Hourglass while I write this (during my lunchbreak in case my boss accidentally looks over my shoulder).  
I hope the rest of the tour goes as well as last night, especially the London gig for Jake.
 
Graeme.

[gbulfon]

Hi Jimmy,
me and Frank will be in L.A. between 19 Aug and 3 Sep, I will be getting private lessons from Alan Pasqua, he will be getting some with Jimmy Haslip.
Will we have any chance to see you live at the Baked Potato are anywhere else around L.A. during those days?
 
Gabriele.

[JimmyJ]

Hey Graeme,
Thanks for the nice post - great to see you, Mike P. and your gals again last night and I'm glad you enjoyed the concert.  I've had a lovely ride with James and feel very lucky to play with this lineup of players and singers.  I think because JT himself is a player (and not everybody realizes how great his guitar playing is) he has always had good bands.  And it's more a concert of music than a show so any musician he invites is eager to be a part of it.  He sometimes announces me as leader but I'll deny it.  He is the MD, I'm just a facilitator - I will help organize music and charts for the band, etc but the musical decisions are all his.  Nice of him just the same.  
 
See you all next time.  I'll keep an eye out for Jake in London.  Good to check in with the extended Alembic family!
 
Gabriele,
Wow, nice plan to come over for some master-classes with those guys.  I don't know yet what I'll be up to at that time but keep checking the Potato's calendar as they get it organized. Although their website is not always accurate ... there is almost always good playing to be heard there.  I'll expect you and Franco to become Baked Potato regulars while you're in town.
 
Cheers to all,
Jimmy J

[jakebass]

Well London was a rather special gig in my opinion, the band were on top form, every groove worked... really worked. The features are too many to list so just like last time I mentioned a JT gig on these pages I find myself referring to the whole being just about as right as I could imagine it.  
 
The singing was fantastically in tune, and being a regular backing singer myself I know how hard it can be and how important monitoring is.  
 
I think mention should go to Chad Wackerman for stepping in to some very well worn shoes, (worn by some of the worlds greats) not only did he do the gig justice he made it feel amazing (along with all the players of course) I have always maintained that timekeeping is a shared responsibility drums are merely the most obvious marker, Chad was great in every tune as far as I'm concerned, even the impromptu 'Only one' which was called by an audience member and wasn't on the set list.
 
I would also give mention to Andrea Zonn whose violin playing was outstanding in sound, tone and lyricism, and SO in tune. As for Mike Landau, he hears ideas I didn't know existed and I loved all of them.... the epitome of taste and texture and exactly the same could be said for Larry Goldings of whom I have long been a fan.
 
I think it's fair to say that I could cite everybody in the band as a favourite in one context or another so the gig was a really special treat to my ears.
 
Jimmy (I don't want to embarrass you) but it has to be said that you hold that low end with some heavy duty gravitas brother, note choice to die for, placement, tone and dynamic range that some of the worlds most respected artists are clearly happy to pay for... I know we all feel lucky to be able to share this with you.
 
To all... if you haven't been to a JT gig, it's worth it for Alembic series II action alone, what goes on above that is actually history.
Jake