Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[JimmyJ]

Jan-Olof,
 
It looks like you're coming over for NAMM?  I'm not involved in anything for the show but if I'm in town I may be playing somewhere.  I don't know yet, I can barely plan what's happening next week!  Ha!!  
 
thanks for asking,
Jimmy J

[gbulfon]

Hi JJ,
 
latest Vince Mendoza Nights on Earth is marvellous, can't stop listening! And your presence just gives this work a familiar sound and nice surprises!
 
I also just knew that you've just finished working on the new Chad solo work, with Allan and Jim Cox!! The same ones that mesmerized me years ago with Forty Reasons.....can't wait to listen........any insights about it?
 
all the best,
G.

[JimmyJ]

Hey Gabriele,
 
I agree the Vince record came out great.  Beautiful writing, arranging, orchestrating, and playing by all.  I'm pleased to have been along for the ride!
 
For years whenever anybody asked about a new Holdsworth record I would say Chad's will probably come first.  And indeed he is finally at the mastering stage of his years-long project.  There are a few original composed pieces and a several short solo, duo and group ad libs.  I think I'm on most of it, Allan is on much of it and Jim Cox is also on several.  I don't know what he will call the album but it is coming soon!
 
Best to everybody,
Jimmy J

[redcloud]

Jimmy j,
 
I am new to bass and this forum, yet after looking on Utube and other links of you in action, I must say you are really something.
 
It seems like everyone that aspires to be a musician has a tone/sound in their head to which they try to emulate.  Your playing is what I would wish to emulate.
 
scott

[JimmyJ]

Hey Scott,
 
Welcome to the forum and thanks a bunch for the kind comments.  
 
What you say about having a sound in your head is true.  I probably mentioned somewhere in this long thread that my dad played bass and was also a piano tuner and technician.  As a young kid I remember being UNDER the family grand piano as he was tuning it.  He liked to hit the keys hard to help seat the strings as he tuned.  And that big, round, LOUD sound of the bass strings must have gotten into my head because I think it's a part of what I went after.
 
I played a few different instruments before happening upon Alembic around 1975 and this is where I've stayed for over 35 years(!!).  It may not be everybody's cup of tea but the tone still makes me smile.  I admire bass players who have a whole arsenal of different sounds to choose from, I've never had that, but I have been lucky to be able to fit my sound into many different situations over the years.
 
Blah blah blah!  What's gotten into me this morning?
Welcome to the forum.
 
Jimmy J
 
PS: my wife is an SLP so I know what trigeminal means.  Ha!
 
(Message edited by jimmyj on November 20, 2011)

[gbulfon]

Hi JJ, I see you're coming in Milan on March with John Taylor, am I wrong?
Any chance to have dinner/lunch with me and Franco??

[jacko]

Hey Jimmy. So now you're collaborating with Duran Duran's Bassist! When were you going to tell us?
hang on a minute - maybe gabrielle means James :-)
 
I also saw that Allan H is touring Europe from May. Will you be part of that band?
 
Graeme

[gbulfon]

Ohps! Sorry! Yes, James...
 
BTW, Allan will be touring with Virgil Donati and Jimmy Haslip  I will be there  
 
And, BTW again, .....I really hope someone will be taking a movie of the Chad Wackerman CD launch at the Baked Potato next week..........can't wait to have the CD!!!!!!

[JimmyJ]

Oh Graeme, you trouble maker!
 
Yes Gabriele, I expect to be in Italy with James in March.  I believe it will be a very small band, maybe in small theaters (?), I haven't seen a detailed itinerary yet.
 
And as you say, Allan H is touring with Donati and Haslip this spring which should be very cool!  Virgil and I have played on a few NEW tracks for Allan and I suspect the other Jimmy will as well.  Allan's making progress with these but its slow going.  We all look forward to some new music from his planet!!
 
I got to sit in on the mastering session for Chad's new record and hear the interesting tracks he has collected over the last several years.  A few organized tunes and several short group ad libs with some unusual musical moments.  I think you will enjoy it GB!  And the gig should be a kick too.  Chad and I haven't played with Allan for a while and never live with Jim Cox, so I'm sure some fun things will happen.
 
Best to all,
Jimmy J

[fmm]

Jimmy:
I had the pleasure of seeing your brother play during happy hour at the Dakota last Friday.  It was the highlight of my week.

[JimmyJ]

Yes, brother Gordon makes the upright sound easy - which to me it seems impossible...
 
Jimmy J

[bbutler123]

Jimmy, you're not going to believe this email probably, but 25 years ago, a friend made me a cassette tape of 17 jazz songs, 2 of which were Flim and BB songs, 'Just Another Beautiful Day' and 'Funhouse'. I have played the tape many hundreds, perhaps thousands of times. I played it back to back for months at a time, playing nothing else.
 
It finally occurs to me that I should pay for this music that I have enjoyed so many years. I have gone to Amazon and paid 99 cents each for the mp3 of every other song on the tape, but cannot find single songs to buy from Flim and BBs.
 
I know this sounds ridiculous, but could I find some way of paying for those two songs to you guys? (I not only have a conscience, but I am a musician who would want my own downloads to be paid for). -smile-
 
My email is bbutler356@hotmail.com. I check it daily. I don't come to Alembic because I don't play bass. (guitar, though)  
 
Thanks for the time reading this. I wish you could know how much I have enjoyed those two songs.
 
Brian C. Butler
Eau Claire, WI (90 miles southeast of Minneapolis)

[David Houck]

Hi Brian; the Alembic club is open to everyone, especially guitar players since, in addition to the most amazing basses in the world, Alembic also makes the most amazing guitars in the world.  But we have members who are here just because they appreciate quality craftsmanship and enjoy talking with a community of knowledgeable and friendly musicians.  So stick around; we don't just talk bass clef.

[JimmyJ]

Well, that's rare!  I don't think anybody has ever offered to do that before.
 
Hey Brian,
Welcome to the Alembic forum.  As Dave said, feel free to hang around - nice folks in here.
 
I'm glad you got such a kick out of those BB's tracks, it's always nice to hear from folks who somehow found and enjoyed those records.  As for your kind offer ... let's assume that the friend who made you that cassette so many years ago actually owned the two CDs those songs came from.  In that case, the band and I have already been paid and probably made out better than we could have now with Amazon or iTunes.  So as far as I'm concerned, you are off the hook and if your cassette machine and cassette both still operate you should just keep playing it.
 
Still, thanks for the thought.
 
Jimmy J (now about 2000 miles from Minneapolis)

[rustyg61]

Hey Jimmy, I just ordered a Flim & The BB's Tricycle CD from Amazon. Several reviews said this was the best F&TBB's CD to start with. I was wondering which was your favorite recording with the BB's?
 
Rusty