| Author | Message | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 209 Registered: 8-2008 |
J o e y, The closest I got to those cats was working on a record Walter produced for the Norwegian band "fra lippo lippi" in ... '87? I don't remember much about the experience but he seemed like a cool guy. I've worked with many of their "sidemen" but neither Hoops nor the Sisters. Ha! -Mike, not sure yet if I'll be on that tour, it's still in the formative stages. Jimmy J | ||
| tubeperson
Intermediate Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 103 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hello Jimmy Big fan, love the music created with Alan, Flim and the BB's and Wayne Johnson. Do you have transcriptions of songs you recorded with those various tandems? Last summer, my bass instructer and I attempted to transcribe Sky Pirates, but we had a cassette of the album, and I'nm not sure we are as accurate as we can be. It was a fun project. Do you still have the 5 string Yamaha bass that served as your fill in when the Alembic was tragically taken away? I was really impressed with the sound you got with the fill in bass, considering you did not have much time to work with it (I saw the NYC show at The Bottom Line, now closed). | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 210 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Steve, Thanks for the comments. No, I don't have any transcriptions as such. Any charts that I used would have been in my own shorthand just to help me remember the tunes. Really just scribbles which often don't even indicate major or minor, just the bass notes. That's amazing you were at THAT gig in 1987 to witness the grim look on my face and the worried looks of my bandmates. No, I have no recollection what I did with that temporary axe. I then owned another Alembic for a time - maybe a Spoiler? - until I could get a Series replacement. That was a sad moment and I often wonder what the heck could have happened to that old bass...... Check your attics! Jimmy J | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 576 Registered: 4-2004 |
>>>Mike, not sure yet if I'll be on that tour, it's still in the formative stages.<<< Jimmy, please let me know if you end up going out for that run. I work at a 250 seat venue halfway between NYC and Boston, and it's right across the street from my soon to be open shop.... There are only a couple of September dates currently booked. If I was to host a N.E. Alembic gathering, the gig would be like sprinkles on top, or maybe the other way around!!! -Mike | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 211 Registered: 8-2008 |
-Mike, That would put you in CT? I'll pass your contact info on to Allan's manager but although I'm not sure I will be there, the tour's routing is probably already organized. The Iridium in NYC is the linchpin of those tours and they usually pass through Piermont, NY, Norfolk, CT, and/or North Hampton, MA, on the way to and from Boston. Anyway, if I'm on the tour I'll have to give you a holler.. Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2010 |
Moderator moved post to appropriate category (Message edited by keith_h on July 02, 2010) | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 577 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yep, We're in CT right on the 95 corridor. The theater is on par with the Infinity in Norfolk, as far as the size and caliber of acts passing through the area http://www.katharinehepburntheater.org/. But, if you end up on the tour and you take that northern route, I'll make it a point to catch you either in Norfolk, or the Iron Horse.... -Mike | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 212 Registered: 8-2008 |
-Mike, Yeah, nice venue - maybe a bit too nice. Ha! I was just talking to somebody else about this ... it's rare for Allan to play in a proper theater setting for a couple reasons; #1 He is generally more comfortable playing clubs. I think he is a bit less nervous if he thinks the crowd is drinking... I love when the band plays halls and think it's a great way to take in his music, but that's just me. #2 Unless it is a guitar festival, or there is a guitar player on the board of directors, these venues are not likely to know who Holdsworth is. Musicians come out of the woodwork to hear him play but for the general public it's pretty esoteric and thus not an "act" that has a big "draw", if you know what I mean. Still, some of these small theaters are game and it's really cool when it works out. As I said, the dates for this upcoming fall tour are already fixed so it won't happen this time. But I will pass that link to the manager so he can see it as a future possibility. And I'll let you know if I'm making it when we figure it out. Many thanks, Jimmy J | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 578 Registered: 4-2004 |
Thanks for giving it some consideration Jimmy, I hear what you're saying on all points, that's why we have a liquor permit and allow drinks in the hall!  We're also able to move the first 5-7 rows out and make way for cabaret style seating, or even a dance floor to make things less "stuffy". Believe it or not, our director is more than receptive about the possibility (Allan's Soft Machine association?!?)~ but you nailed it~ promotion would have to pursue a couple of different avenues to get the musician's musican crowd "out of the woodwork".... thanks, -Mike | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1429 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jimmy: Here in Nashville the argument seesaws back and forth among guys who record a lot: Really high action (to kill as much action/fingerboard noise as possible) or a normal to low action (and hope your technique is just not noisy) for your recording basses in the cartage case. What do you do? And can you recommend some good 'bass' headphones? Thank You, J o e y | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 213 Registered: 8-2008 |
J o e y, That's interesting, I never thought of doing that on purpose... My basses are all just set up as I like them, which I would describe as med to low action. Nothing rattles unless I play hard and then that becomes part of the sound. I only adjust if the weather moves them one way or the other. The graphite fretless has no truss rod and thankfully doesn't move. Are the cats in your town still bringing their own LA-2A compressors and such to dates? Pre-processed line level straight into the board? I'm no help with the headphone question either. I tend to be happiest with a flat response as opposed to the more hyped variety. I don't bring my own to studios. Thanks for asking! Jimmy J | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1432 Registered: 9-2002 |
It's all over the board, depending on your rank: New guys show up, plug into the little passive DI and keep their mouth shut. Senior players bring everything, my favorite being a friend that plays through a WW2 Bogen tube PA head, modified to bypass the power section ! I'm out of that stuff (never was really in, actually), so you'd probably know better than me, I'm sure. Everything is so digitally processed now, it's a wonder you couldn't bring a fretless and pitch correct it. I hate the vocals, you hear those high harmonics and the three-part harmony that is utterly linear like a keyboard, no wavering vibrato at all. Oh well, I've become a curmudgeon. Shame on me that I remember when you had to be able to play and sing without computers. Thanks, Jimmy. J o e y | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1202 Registered: 11-2004 |
Joey, Pitch correction for a fretless? Where do I sign up?!! LOL... | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1433 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jimmy, I can relate a story I do know of personally: A late friend was a fabulous fiddle player, a 5-string fiddle no less (only man I ever saw who could play TRIPLE stops in tune (!) on a violin). Did some song demo sessions that went downtown to the label. Songs went in the round file, but the staff producer wanted to know 'what box is that guy using' to get that fabulous fiddle sound. Well, Jim would only record with his orchestra grade fiddles: Serious violins, no pickup, different than his stage fiddles which were padded for feedback, pickups, etc. He'd record his parts in a small, hard wall room with his C414 AKG, and that was all. He thought great tone + great mic was all you need. Little reverb at the board, done. So the label sends a guy out to watch him cut, who followed his signal path across the room, thru the wall, and behind the console, only to climb out and say 'He's NOT using ANYTHING!'. A few weeks later Jim's on a session and he keeps hearing these great-sounding string pads from the keyboard guy. The guy smiles and thanks him for the compliment, then thanks Jim, as it's HIM sampled from previous dates. J o e y | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 214 Registered: 8-2008 |
J o e y, Yes, for those of us who have been on the scene for (a-hem) a while, the art of recording has reached a crazy state. It's all just tools though, the machines aren't very creative on their own. It turns out the Arp String Ensemble didn't end all string dates and the drum machine didn't make drummer obsolete after all... When I work on a track for somebody at home I use it all - comp several takes, nudge my notes around, etc. Still my sound, my notes, my choice to line them up better with the kick, etc. Yes Toby, I've even requested the engineer tune a fretless note or two after the fact. It's all just tools. There are so many stories like this one about your friend the fiddler. I was once overdubbing bass on several tracks for a young producer who, late in the day, asked me "why would anybody want to record more than one musician at a time?" Sigh. Funny about the Bogen pre! It's probably the same circuit as our F-2B anyway. Ha! Jimmy J | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2646 Registered: 10-2002 |
Toby.. "Pitch correction for a fretless? Where do I sign up?!!" They're called frets ;-) graeme | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1203 Registered: 11-2004 |
Graeme, But if I use the fretted bass I'm left having to hum, "Mwaaaaah" into the microphone.... =) | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 593 Registered: 5-2007 |
Mr Johnson, When you shared photos of your graphite necked Alembics I noticed the you have experimented with the bridge/set-up of some of you Alembics. What electronic modifications have you tried? Vann-Di | ||
| to_81_0190
Intermediate Member Username: to_81_0190 Post Number: 141 Registered: 5-2006 |
Hi Jimmy, Thank you for very exciting gig tonight at STB139. It was much more powerful than I expected. Your play from 5th string open to 1st string 24fret with many techniques was impressive. You seemed to be making various tones only with your finger, not instrument control knobs. Wow!! Then it was funny that triangled strings at machine head. Toshiaki | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 215 Registered: 8-2008 |
Vann-Di, No electronic mods really. My basses all have master volume controls and I set the output trimpot balance at probably 55% bridge pu, 45% neck pu. The only internal change is one resistor on the preamp boards which I've switched to produce a bit more output. I've built a few power supplies and modified my DS-5 with a mono/stereo switch and line-level/pad switches. I think that's it. As Toshiaki mentioned, I rarely turn the knobs. Ha! Toshiaki-san, Thanks for coming to STB and for the nice comments. I obviously really enjoy playing this music with these guys. The bent strings on the headstock are just because I don't carry a wire cutter, just trying to get them out of the way. I know, it looks a bit funny... Jimmy J | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 330 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm JEALOUS ! Unfortunately I didn't join tonight. Toshiaki reported to me at the time. Thanks Toshiaki ! Jimmy, I will join the next tour in Japan ! Eiji | ||
| chuckc
Member Username: chuckc Post Number: 76 Registered: 7-2004 |
So Jimmy, I need the inside scoop. I have seen a couple of vids of you and JT, most notably the "Mill Worker" vid and the "Only One" vid and you and JT seem to have this thing going with an almost extreme "oriental" like bow. The first time it kinda just went past me and then I saw it again in a different video/different song and wondered if there is some story behind it. Any juicy insider tidbit bones you can throw us regular folks? | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 218 Registered: 8-2008 |
Chuck, Funny you spotted that. At the end of "Only One" the arrangement has 3 ascending final chords reminiscent of a Beatles ending (think "Bill-y Shears"). So that led to us doing the "Beatles bow" like they used to do... Probably just confusing to the audience but it made us giggle onstage. The mutual bowing as JT introduced me at the beginning of "Millworker" was genuine. I've probably been to Japan too many times. Ha! Jimmy J | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 605 Registered: 5-2007 |
Is there a link where we can see your collection of basses? Vann-Di | ||
| jakebass
Intermediate Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 116 Registered: 7-2007 |
Language is a funny thing sometimes. I was reading the bowing question from Chuck and could not for the life of me grasp what was being discussed as I was pretty sure that there was no incidence of either you (Jimmy) or JT employing arco technique on your electric instruments in any of the JT repertoire that I am familiar with...!?!? Then bending forward at the waist hit me like a bolt from the blue.... HA HA (it was when I re read the "been to Japan too many times") Jake | ||
| chuckc
Member Username: chuckc Post Number: 78 Registered: 7-2004 |
That's funny Jake, I actually had to double check my spelling to make sure I had "bow" spelled correctly since I thought that it might be construed as bowing ala Jimmy Page not bowing as in "Take a Bow" | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 219 Registered: 8-2008 |
That's funny! In any other bass forum we'd be talking French or German style bowing, not Japanese. Vann-Di, I posted some pics of my 2 fretless basses in this thread: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/79924.html?1275547115 but I haven't taken any shots of the fretted models. I'll try to do that someday. Jimmy J | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1457 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jimmy: I wouldn't ask you to talk out of school, but I've always heard of session guys being called in to, ahem, finish projects for bands that have gone late, over budget, what have you, when the principals involved can not finish them for any number of unfortunate reasons. I'm generally thinking along the lines of 'The Decline of Western Civilisation, Part 2'. I often think of certain hair band records, then seeing vastly dumbed-down versions of the same tunes in their live shows. Was this a common thing then, or now? I even heard of guys having to sign confidentiality agreements that they were never there ! J o e y | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 220 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey J o e y, I never saw that movie but I have heard a couple funny "ghost player" stories. I was never personally in a situation that required non-disclosure docs, never replaced a "band member" as such. I did anonymously replace a rhythm section guy in a large ensemble once. And I might be on a Quiet Riot track or two (long story - really nice guys). It's probably less common now that you can "photoshop" anybody's performance into whatever you can imagine. Jimmy J | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 465 Registered: 9-2008 |
Quiet Riot??? Now you've surprised me... | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 817 Registered: 11-2005 |
I remember a short interview with Jimmy with him stating that he had done some metal sessions with big amps and the such and the the bass "sounded like a twinkie". This was his response for recording direct as opposed to amp and direct. This was close to twenty years ago that I read this so please forgive me if anything is wrong. Lots and lots of beer in between now and then. Get down! | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 221 Registered: 8-2008 |
Your memory is working fine Adam. That rock production house where I worked for a minute had me bring my rig one day. At the time that was bass in stereo - neck pu through a pair of 15" cabs and bridge pu through a pair of 12" cabs. They took DIs, close miked the cabinets, added room mics, far away shotgun mics, something like 10 channels of bass all together. That can work pretty great on drums but when you're playing pitches (especially low, slow waveforms) you run into some funny cancellation and phase issues. It seemed like every time they un-muted another channel more fundamental went away. Thus the "twinkie" tone. Oh well. Jimmy J | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 819 Registered: 11-2005 |
Ah, so that's what you must do to get that "twinkie tone". Thank you for confirming my clouded memeory. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaw!!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2693 Registered: 10-2002 |
In response to Mike (pace)'s note of 1st July... Just arrived in my mailbox.. Dear Allan holdsworth fans, We are happy to announce the USA East Coast/Midwest tour of the USA in sept/oct 2010. allan will be performing in Annapolis, various cities in ny, piermont, Norfolk, boston, Northampton, Cleveland, Detroit, Dayton, and Chicago. Hope to see you all there! Featured musicians include chad wackerman on drums and Ernest tibbs on bass. For all cities, venues, and dates please go to therealallanholdsworth.com and click on “live”. So no Jimmy for you American Holdsworth fans. In a way that's a shame as Allan's uk Glasgow gig with Jimmy and Gary was brilliant but, having seen him with Chad and Ernest the year before, you'll not be disappointed. Still a great band. Graeme | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 222 Registered: 8-2008 |
Graeme, Thanks for that, sorry I forgot to "keep you posted". As I've said before, it's always a good idea to go hear Allan if he comes to your area - very unusual music played by a one-off musician with a great band. Support this unique music if you are able. I will also sadly miss Allan's Oct-Nov EU tour but I believe Skúli Sverrisson and Chad will be the team so that will be a treat as well. (I'd like to hear that!) Meanwhile, Gary Husband, Chad, and (eventually) Allan all have new recording projects in the works so there is more cool music coming! Cheers, Jimmy J | ||
| djbass
New Username: djbass Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2010 |
Jimmy, My favorite bass is a fretless and I wonder if you still play yours very much anymore? If so, what sort of material do you like to use it for? Doc | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 223 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Doc, Yes, my fretless still gets good use. It's the "other" bass I bring to sessions and if the decision is mine it usually ends up on a track or two. Most often ballads or tunes with long sustained notes that can benefit from a little vibrato... Jimmy J | ||
| muller1007
Intermediate Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 183 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Jimmy, Hope all is well, and that you have lots of nice projects going on. Really looking forward to Gary Husband's new album. I was just listening to Chad Wackerman's "Waltzing on Jupiter", on the "Forty Reasons" album. Great stuff!! I've heard that you'll not be joining Allan at De Boerderij, Zoetermeer in November. Is that correct?? I was really looking forward to seeing you there... Best, Duncan | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 224 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Duncan, Thanks for the kind words. Chad's "Forty Reasons" was a nice project which turned out pretty cool. I'm glad you like it. Yes, sorry to miss Zoetermeer this time. I think either Ernest Tibbs or Skúli Sverrisson will be there so the bass parts will be well covered! I hope you can go and enjoy that unique music. Seeya somewhere, Jimmy J | ||
| muller1007
Intermediate Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 184 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Jimmy. When Allan comes to De Boerderij, I always clear my calendar for that evening. So yes, I will surely be there. That particular week is pretty music filled, as I'll also be going to Level 42 and Lee Ritenour (at De Boerderij) :-) Probably mentioned before, but I was wondering what kind of bass strings you use. I've tried numerous brands over the years and keep coming back to Rotosound Swing Bass strings. Do you have a preferred brand/type? Cheers, Duncan | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 225 Registered: 8-2008 |
Duncan, That will be a nice week at De Boerderij! I've been playing ghs boomers on the fretted basses for about a century - .045, .065, .085, .105, .130. I change them frequently because I like the sound of new strings. On the other hand, the fretless has an old set of SuperWound (by RotoSound) which I hope will never break... If the Swing Bass sets are working for you then stick with 'em! Jimmy J | ||
| muller1007
Intermediate Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 185 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, I remember those SuperWounds! Piano string design by James How, UK. Back when I was a kid I visited the factory of How Industries. Made quite an impression. I used those SuperWounds on my basses until they got discontinued. Although the Rotosounds sound great, they loose their brightness and growl rather quickly. Also, the sets vary in quality so you might wind up with a duff string. And the Rotosounds are way too hard on the frets to my liking. So, my search for the "perfect" string hasn't ended. I might check how those Boomers sound and feel on my Series bass. | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 226 Registered: 8-2008 |
There are guys here on the forum who know a lot more about currently available strings. Check some other threads for that. Boomers are nickel over steel so a bit less bright sounding (??) and maybe the frets chew them before they chew the frets... Consistency has been good for me. And I think ghs "progressives" are their version of a SuperWound "almost bare-core" piano style. Those might be cool too. Good luck with your search. Jimmy J | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2629 Registered: 6-2002 |
[moderator's note] I've started a new thread under Alembic Basses and Guitars » Alembics and strings, where I've relocated a series of postings that evolved into a separate discussion. (Message edited by adriaan on October 15, 2010) | ||
| dsriehl1
New Username: dsriehl1 Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2010 |
Hey Jimmy - Glad to find this forum, as I have been a fan since "Big Notes". A CD shop in Stamford turned me on to it and I bought every Flim CD I could find! I worked at Krell for a time and I used a couple of Flim tunes as demos for our equipment - always made a great impression. Just wanted to pass along heartfelt "thanks!" for the great music from then until now! Doug | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 230 Registered: 8-2008 |
Adriaan, Thanks for the thread extraction and relocation service. Having played the same strings for 34 years, I just had nothing further to add... Doug, Thanks for the note and welcome to the forum. Glad you dug the BB's stuff. I believe we sold a lot of stereo equipment with those uncompressed and widely dynamic CDs. It's nice to know the audio passed through some high-end gear like Krell! Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
Junior Username: gbulfon Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2010 |
Hi Jimmy, just wanted to say... We missed you yesterday night at the Blue Note Milan... How to say...yes, Ernest is amazing, great technique, all the harmony knoweledge needed to play Allan music, everything. But...the energy that flows around you and Chad and Allan is something that cannot be clearly understood...and something that cannot be recreated in few steps... We missed you, really. But anyway, I'm happy about the news that Chad and Allan told me so kindly A new recording with you and Jimmy Cox!!! You probably remember that the 1st Chad solo album brought me into all of your music? My god, this is an amazing news!!! And also, Allan told me he's going to record a new album of his own....you gonna be there? This 2011 looks so promising, with all this news from you, Allan, Chad, and...let me say that I can't wait for the new Tribal Tech album too! Gabriele. | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 231 Registered: 8-2008 |
Gabriele, Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you got out to hear Allan, Chad and Ernest. I know "40 Reasons" was an important record for you and expect you will enjoy Chad's new project with the same cast of characters. And we all hope Allan can get his new project off the ground as well, what he comes up with is always surprising. One of the great things about music is that there is always something new coming. Creative folks are working to make our ears happy! Cheers, Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
Junior Username: gbulfon Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2010 |
yes, I'm sure they will both be surprising as always I just ordered the new Gary Husband recording featuring you on bass can't wait to hear it. I remember you talking about this milan date some months ago, you should have been here. What happened? | ||
| gbulfon
Junior Username: gbulfon Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2010 |
Jimmyyy!!! Wow!!! Finally I got the new Gary Husband CD )))) ...and....wow..... ...and...."Dreams in Blue".....I'm terrified! Expecially because, as a joke with my friend, we like to talk about you as the "Melodrome"...meaning...well, I think you know what I mean! Well....your solo in this Chaos Dream is still incredibly melodic!!! You're incredible! ;) Thanx for the music again ;) |
