| Author | Message | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1242 Registered: 12-2004 |
No sweat. Next time?  I'll buy you a Fisher scone. Bradley | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1153 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jimmy, Is this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naUdueljRas&feature=related) as much to play as it sounds like it would be? I'm guessing by the smile on your face in the video that it must be. I love this track and listen to it a couple times a week... just had to get your opinion on it. | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 151 Registered: 8-2008 |
Tony, Yes, a great song with a great groove - way fun to play. It was originally recorded for "New Moon Shine" in '91, Danny Kortchmar producing that track with Steve Jordan on drums. Jordan has an amazing feel, especially with this kind of in-between straight and swing vibe. The clip you linked to was from a Beacon Theater show in '98, the first gig we played after Carlos Vega's passing. Jordan was kind enough to join us for that and part of the tour that followed. Cheers, Jimmy J | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1204 Registered: 3-2004 |
Just putting in my humble and heartfelt endorsement for Allan Holdsworth Group Then! (Live). Got it on iTunes and it is a thrilling recording. Thanks Jimmy! 1. Zone I (4:08) 2. Proto-Cosmos (5:42) 3. White Line (9:39) 4. Atavachron (4:42) 5. Zone II (5:30) 6. Pud Wud (8:05) 7. House Of Mirrors (4:26) 8. Non-Brewed Condiment (5:44) 9. Zone III (7:39) - Allan Holdsworth / guitar, baritone guitar - Steve Hunt / keyboards - Gary Husband / drums - Jimmy Johnson / bass | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 152 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks Danno. That recording includes some very serious blazing by Allan and Gary in particular. I feel lucky to have been along for the ride. Recorded live in Japan in 1990, the tapes sat around for a dozen years before Allan decided to mix and release it. We're glad he did! Jimmy J | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2568 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Jimmy. By sheer coincidence I've just had an email notification of Allan's upcoming European tour. I don't suppose you know who'll be in the band and how far north they'll be coming ? ;-) Don't worry if you're not allowed to say, sometimes anticipation is half the pleasure. hah! Graeme | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 153 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hi Graeme, I think what you're hearing about is an April tour of the Bozzio / Mastelotto / Levin / Holdsworth project, and I believe it's mostly Central EU. This is a group that Terry put together and not meant to be advertised as a Allan's band or music. In fact, there is NO fixed music as such. It's an evening of free "in the moment" performance by these talented guys listening and playing off of each other. I have yet to hear the band but any of these individuals would be worth hearing in person so the combination is likely to produce some very interesting moments. Cheers, Jimmy J | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2570 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks for the update Jimmy, the email from holdsworth's website didn't give any details. If they come close enough I'll most likely try to see them, Tony Levin is another of those 'must see' bassists that I need to tick of my list ;-) All the best Graeme edit: Just checked Terry Bozzio's site and it doesn't look like they'll be coming any further west that Germany. bummer ;-( (Message edited by jacko on February 16, 2010) | ||
| djbass
New Username: djbass Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2010 |
Jimmy, I've just been enjoying your work on JT's Covers and Hourglass albums. I've picked up the bass again after a many-year layoff to play in our church ensemble which plays many moderately complex arrangements. Your work is a fine example of how to craft rich and tasteful basslines. I especially like your use of thirds and other tones to substitute for the tonic creating a natural progression. With your experience, are you able to do this on the fly or do you usually study the score and work out your part before recording? And when is the Jimmy Johnson bass primer coming out?! | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 159 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Doc (hope that's an OK usage), Welcome to the Alembic forum. Glad to hear you have found an opportunity to bust out the bass and play again, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Thanks for the kind words, I'm proud to have been a part of those two records. As I've said before, almost all the notes I play with JT are simply doubling what he's playing on guitar so that makes creating the bass lines pretty easy! Generally speaking bass parts are worked out at the recording session, but it varies. Occasionally somebody will send a chart in advance or even an audio demo, but I am usually fine-tuning the bass part right up until the final take. Sometimes even after the final take - as an overdub! I've never had much interest in teaching, writing or talking too much about what I "do" (except for all my blabbering here in this forum...). Maybe because I never studied bass or maybe because I'm not sure what I'm doing! I've been at this a long time, playing these same instruments, and am happy to share some of my experiences with friends here. But don't hold your breath for any "how to" manuals. My only suggestion is to listen to all kinds of music and then play and see what comes out. Jimmy J | ||
| muller1007
Intermediate Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jimmy, Am I hearing you play the 'Bic on "Our Town" by JT?? Duncan | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 167 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Duncan, Funny you should ask me about that one. I did play on that soundtrack - great writing by Randy Newman - and we did cut a version of "Our Town" during those sessions. But the track they used in the film, and I believe on the soundtrack recording, was reworked to be more orchestral and that included "underdubbing" the drums and bass. I recognize some of the notes but it doesn't sound like me (the giveaway is the high register notes that don't sustain...) I don't think they ever released an alternate version so I don't think you heard me. Maybe you just knew I'd BEEN there? Ha!. That's a great song and quite an emotional moment in that movie. In my opinion Randy is on the short list of America's greatest songwriters. Jimmy J | ||
| jakebass
Intermediate Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 107 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi Jimmy, I'm with you on Randy Newman, really love his writing, his work on the pixar films is brilliant. And I remember seeing him in the late 70s singing a song about tall/short people on a music show that used to run on the BBC called 'the old grey whistle test' he is a great wit as well as a damn fine tunesmith. Jake | ||
| muller1007
Intermediate Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 181 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Jimmy, Thanks for that insight. Actually, the reason I asked is that I heard the song and thought I'd recognized your playing style, especially in those few high register notes, ha! So I guess despite the reworking of the bass part, your signature style is still definable. That's a pretty good thing isn't it? Indeed Randy Newman is brilliant. About 23 years ago I tagged along with a friend and his dad to a solo perfomance of Randy. It made such a deep impression on me that I still remember it clearly. I remember the song "Short People", it was hilarious. Thanks for mentioning that, Jake! Duncan | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2578 Registered: 10-2002 |
Another huge fan of Randy's over here (waves). 'Short People' is the opening track of his 'Little Criminals' album which is probably one of my most played LP's (yes, many of us still prefer to spin 12 inches of vinyl). It's a remarkable album, having some excellent song titles like "Sigmund Freud's Impersonation of Albert Einstein in America" and 'Kathleen (catholosism made easier)'. There's alot of humour running through this album. Randy accumulated some superb musicians for this album too, including Willie Weeks and Klaus Voorman on bass, Jim keltner on drums, Ry cooder on guitar and also the eagles on various instruments and backing vocals. If you only ever buy one Randy Newman album, this one should be it. Coincidentally, Randy will be performing in Glasgow this May. I'll be there. Graeme | ||
| jakebass
Intermediate Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 108 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks for that recommendation Graeme, another vinyl spinning household here (although we do indulge up to the minute technology too) My ten year old is checking out all my old Led Zep, Beatles and Hendrix vinyl at the moment... | ||
| djbass
New Username: djbass Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2010 |
Jimmy, Thanks for answering my questions about how/when you work out bass parts. Yes we can learn a lot about good bass playing just from your generous comments in this forum! You said you never "studied bass." Wow, how did you learn? Was your dad an influence? I understand he played classical upright bass. Thanks-- | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 170 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Doc, My pleasure. And to answer your next question here's my whole boring story... Mom taught piano, dad played upright (orchestral and no-amp big band amazingly loud pizz.). My older brother and I started piano lessons quite young, not from mom. Didn't much enjoy that experience but sure wish I had kept it up... Around age 11 or 12 we were encouraged to choose orchestral instruments to study. Brother Gord chose flute, I chose clarinet. Legit study on those instruments through jr. high and high school (and college for Gord) taught us both how to read, exposed us to some great music, and filled our heads with melodies. On the side we were allowed to play whatever instruments we wanted for fun. Gord started with electric bass in HS jazz band (my first exposure - a Fender P) then he went on to organ, elec. guitar, and ended up back on bass later. I got into electric bass and just stayed there. Some of that solo clarinet music is complicated reading so that really helped when it came time to learn to read bass music. Growing up with all that music around, encouragement from my folks and musical influences from my brother made for a very lucky atmosphere for me. There you have it, much more than you needed to know. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ... wha? oh yeah, click the post button... Jimmy J | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2584 Registered: 10-2002 |
I sometimes wonder how many of us started off on clarinet. I'm sure from previous threads there have been quite a few. I played in the school orchestra until I was about 15 when I took up the bass and haven't played one since; something I deeply regret and something I've been planning to pick up again for about 20 years ;-) Graeme | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 535 Registered: 5-2002 |
I went through a similar upbringing. Recorder at 4 years old (when I started to learn to read music), then clarinet, piano and finally 10 years of oboe. I started fooling around with the bass at age 13, but didn't buy one until I was 16 or 17. I'd love to play the oboe again, but I can't face dealing with the reeds and physically it requires the dedication of a marathon runner. | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 171 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey my fellow ex-woodwind players! That's an interesting coincidence. Our experience on these other instruments certainly has an effect on our bass playing. And that unique range of personal experience is what makes everybody play differently ... and the World go around for that matter. Edwin, I know what you mean about the reed battle, my sax player buddies are always moaning. And DOUBLE reeds must be impossible. I also think the back pressure of playing oboe makes people crazy - at least all the oboe players I've known - so you're probably better off leaving it in the closet. Ha! Jimmy J (Message edited by jimmyj on March 18, 2010) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 537 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ah, the oboe: the ill wind nobody blows good! At this point, I think the damage is done! Sax reeds are some work to keep going, but oboe reeds all have to be made from scratch (buying them is problematic because the reed making style that you develop becomes a huge part of your personal tone) and the success rate is somewhere around 30% for a real player, which doesn't become obvious until you are at least an hour into it. Then you get a great reed, which doesn't stay stable throughout its short life, and a few weeks later, it's done. There's some pleasure in making a great reed, but that gets old pretty quickly. The oboe stays in the closet. Probably more than you wanted to know! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9198 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think that this may be my favorite Randy Newman song. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4356 Registered: 7-2004 |
This is one of my favorite Randy Newman tunes. Bill, tgo | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2010 |
Hi Jimmy, nice to finally find you on the Internet. I'm an italian keyboard player but I love your bass playing since my first time listening to Chad's Forty Reasons, almost 20 years ago! This led me to all of Allan's music, and to me you and Chad are the perfect combination for him. After 20 years of listening, and hoping to see you live with Allan, I could finally see that perfect trio last year at Innsbruck! And you were totally awesome. Well, it's some time I hope to find you at facebook, where I can follow many musicians daily, but not you  Don't you have it? I have some pics there with you at Innsbruck, and I'd like to tag you and share them with you and your fans. Thanx for all the music, Gabriele | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 174 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hi Gabriele, Thanks for the kind comments. It's always interesting to hear the path people take to discovering unusual artists and music like Allan's. I'm glad you got to the Treibhaus gig, next time say hello. You have indeed found one of the few places I appear on the 'net. The social networks don't really appeal to me for a few reasons: #1. I'm a private guy #2. Self-promotion has never been my forte #3. I have no product of my own to sell (like solo CDs) so I see no reason to have that kind of web presence. I prefer to keep a low profile, or maybe NO profile. Thanks for listening! Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2010 |
We actually have met at the Treibhaus that was an opportunity to see you live, so I came to you (and you were on the stage helping to pick up stuff) and asked for some pic, and we did )) That pic with you and me is my profile pic at facebook at the moment ))) Let me try to post some pics of Innsbruck here: http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0640.JPG - Allan http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0641.JPG - Jimmy http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0642.JPG - Chad http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0645.JPG - Me and friends with Jimmy http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0646.JPG - Me and Maria with Jimmy http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0647.JPG - Me and friends with Allan http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0648.JPG - Me and Maria with Allan http://www.sonicle.com/gbulfon/Flim/CIMG0652.JPG - Me and friends with Chad Well, actually we also gave Chad 3 T-shirts for all of you, hand made just for you all. I hope Chad did not forget to give you your one! Anyway, my opinion is that you don't need to have something to sell or promote yourself to find facebook useful: for me is a very nice tool to keep in touch with many great musicians (Scott Kinsey, Leon Gaer, Chad, Otmaro Ruiz to name a few) and have the opportunity to know what are they doing and where they're gonna play next, other than find many pics they often upload themselves. You can give it a try, with no risk ;) Anyway, I just remembered I've been in L.A. in July 2009. The last night I was at the Baked Potato to see Otmaro Ruiz, and you were stated as the bass player. Then, I found Jimmy Haslip instead well, I love his playing too but...you know...do you remember what happened? Maybe you were around with Mr. Taylor Well, I've seen you're going to have another European tour at the end of the year, with Chad and Allan. Hope you're coming around Milan/Italy, or I'll have to travel again! (Yes! I came to Treibhaus from Milan just because of you 3!). | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 175 Registered: 8-2008 |
Ah yes, now I recall meeting you and your friends (sorry, I meet a lot of people and am terrible at remembering). Thanks for the custom T-Shirts, an unusual gift that definitely made us all smile! Sorry to have missed you at the Potato last July. Ironically, I was in Europe while you were in LA. The BP website tends to cut and paste bands which play monthly so I was listed with Otmaro throughout 2009 even though I only played a few times. I'm a Haslip fan too so I'm sure you had an enjoyable "Spud" experience. I know Allan is trying to put together a fall EU trip (with a tentative Milan date on Oct 29) but it's still only in the planning stages so we will see what happens. Maybe we'll see you there! (No need to bring gifts!) Jimmy J | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 590 Registered: 5-2002 |
While we are talking about meeting, were you in Allan's band ca. 1986-87? At the time, after graduating from Berklee, I was driving a cab in Boston. Around 11pm on a Tuesday night, I was flagged down by Allan and his band outside of Quincy Market. Chad wanted to know where the action was, where to find the ladies. Boston is a pretty boring town on a Tuesday night and I was at a loss. I didn't really think the Combat Zone was appropriate, so I drove everyone to Harvard Sq. (with Chad in the front seat) and dropped them off at the Wursthaus. Years later, around 1999 or so, I was hanging out with my friend, Bill Kopper, a wonderful jazz and Brazilian guitarist who I met here in Boulder and was telling him this story. It turned out that the band went straight from my cab to his table at the Wursthaus. Like me, he was a starving musician in Boston and this was his first or second night on the job as a waiter there. Apparently it was also his last! I gather that he managed to screw up the orders pretty badly that night. Although he might be a poor waiter, he is a wonderful guitar player! Anyway, it occurs to me that you might have been in that cab that night! Best, Edwin | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 176 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Edwin, Wow, crazy coincidence. That probably was me, the timing is right. The only thing you don't remember correctly is Chad asking about "ladies", it was never that kind of band. The request was more likely to be for a brewery so the Wursthaus makes sense as our destination... I really wish my memory of life's details was better. Allan can remember all the venues, their sound, and whether or not he had fun there the last time. I sometimes can't remember a place even while loading in for the 3rd time. I think my soft drive (brain) is filled up with audio files. Need more RAM... Ha! Anyway, nice to meet you back then Edwin! Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2010 |
FYI, I have created a Fan Page for you at facebook, you deserved one. I will keep you informed of the "fan numbers" rising up, and it already started. You also have some true friends of yours commenting on you : -Joel Taylor- Jimmy's the Baddest ever! -Leonardo Pavkovic- one-of-a-kind bass player and one-of-a-kind guy, one and only, JIMMY JOHNSON a really good friend of mine..... 19 fans and these 2 posts already, in just few hours | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 177 Registered: 8-2008 |
Gabriele, While I am honored by your enthusiastic support and I have no control over what you or anybody else does on the web ... I wish you hadn't done that. As stated above - I'm a private guy - and I am not interested in that kind of exposure (or I would have set up my own page). Please do not post my presence here as a way to contact me, OK? That's not what this forum is for. I am here to chat with fellow musicians, bass players, Alembic users, on an equal footing, not to "reach out to fans". I actually don't play music to make "fans". thanks for understanding, Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2010 |
Sorry Jimmy, I feel there is a misunderstanding for what I did at FB. I have been contacted by a couple of persons at Alembic about this, and gave them directions to check what I did, that is absolutely nothing official and nothing pointing to here, but just a page for other people at FB liking your music to share their joy (it is not a FB account about you, but just a page about you, as for example Wikipedia's page about you). If you still think this is till not appropriate, I will instantly remove it. I completely share your point of view about "fans" and about playing music, but sometimes your listeners just like to share their joy, and this is what happening on that page. Again, sorry for this misunderstanding. You may want to take a look and decide if you want me to delete it. Gabriele. | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 178 Registered: 8-2008 |
Gabriele, I understand it's not an "official" page but if Joel and Leo found it then in some way it represents me and as I said I am not interested in this kind of presence. Again, I have no say over what you do online - and I do understand that you are just being kind and trying to show your support so you are free to do what you want - but since you've offered ... my request would be that you remove the page. Or at least don't tell me any more about it! Ha! Thanks again, Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2010 |
I just removed the page ;) (BTW, Joel and Leo found it because they're both in my friend list at FB, that's how FB goes ) EOT Now, let's get back to more interesting stuff. I remember at Treibhaus, while waiting for the gig to start, being worried when looking at the stage and no bass amp was there. I remember saying to my friends "omg, don't tell me that Jimmy is not here tonight!". Then I was so surprised to see you play with no amp at all, you were probably directly into the mixer. Is it? Your sound was amazing. Did you use any device to get that direct sound? | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 685 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hi Gabriele, and welcome to the board. If you'll go back & read this whole thread, you'll that Jimmy addresses those questions in some detail. I'm not sure how far back it was, so don't forget the archived sections. Peter | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 179 Registered: 8-2008 |
Good Lord, don't make him read the whole thread! Gabriele, thanks for honoring my request. Yes, when I travel with Allan I travel light, just my bass and DI box, and I use the stage monitors as my "amp". This works for me because I like the sound of these basses through a full range system - like the PA. Thanks again, Jimmy J | ||
| keith_h
Moderator Username: keith_h Post Number: 1598 Registered: 2-2005 |
(Message edited by keith_h on April 20, 2010) | ||
| nimachi
New Username: nimachi Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2010 |
Just had to jump in here. Jimmy, thank you for many hours of delighful listening. Doin' some construction stuff this weekend at the pad and I was kept semi-sane by listening to Flim, Wayne J and other old stuff that takes me back to the old days. I love my good buddy Tommy F., but I think I like your sound better. Don't tell Tommy or Walt. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1921 Registered: 6-2002 |
Gbulfon is the Treibhaus the venue in Innsbruk Austria? If it is I did a couple of gigs there a few years back when touring in Europe with Apache Indian. Great venue and great responsive crowd too. Jazzyvee | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2010 |
Jazzyvee, yes, it's that one. Very characteristic theatre, and great sound. JJ, I understand that you like the sound through a full range system: it's the same for me with my keyboards (I hate it whan I'm forced to listen in mono or just an unbalanced listening position!). If you don't mind, I'd like you to tell us some "secret" behind first Chad solo album. That album made me addicted to Allan/Chad/Your way of making music, and I'm deeply tied to the Forty Reason sound. It's almost 20 years old now, but it still delivers fresh music an sounds avantgard. How did you record that album? Was it a true live session for all the pieces? Any "secret" will be appreciated ;) Gabriele | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 181 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks Eric. Funny, listening to that same music makes me semi-INsane. Ha! I'm a big fan of the F bros. too. Gabriele, I wish I had a better memory of the details of that recording session but I'm afraid you will need to ask Chad. The next time you see him be sure to get some stories. The engineer on those CMP projects was quite an eccentric fellow too. He added some extra creativity to the final sound. Isn't it great how certain records can really get to you? We all have them, that's the power of music. It's cool that Forty Reasons hit you this way. Jimmy J | ||
| gbulfon
New Username: gbulfon Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2010 |
I was hoping about some introspection on how you ended up with those bass lines. I know (thanks to my FB friendship with Leon Gaer) that Chad uses to write a lot if not every parts, ending up with solo lines that you hardly recognize if that is a written line or an improvised solo by the musician. You play a lot of bass lines there with your distinctive melodic approach. I like to call it "horizontal approach" in contrast with "vertical approach". For example, Carpenter (we all still love you!) used more a vertical one when accompanying Allan solos, ending up with many chords alternating the main bass notes. I've seen you working a lot more horizontally at Treibhaus, where harmonies could be heard through your notes succession rather than chords. My personal taste seems to prefer your approach, because it gives a sense of melody under the solo, like having a second voice moving its own way. Gabriele. | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 182 Registered: 8-2008 |
Gabriele, OK, I dug out the CD in an attempt to jog my memory... It was nice working at Capitol for these mostly live dates, still one of the greatest studio. Chad's writing, especially early on was done on a sequencer and although he does play mallet percussion he admits to not being a keyboard player. So the charts were pretty basic, just forms and patterns, and we were all encouraged to add whatever we felt. For instance, the bass part for the opening tune showed only the C pedal figure for the A-section and any passing or connecting bits were my additions. Make sense? Melodies were all written but solos were not. Furthermore, any track listing me as co-composer were group ad libs. This has become somewhat of a tradition with this band, at least one completely open thing per gig. And we usually try it when we're in the studio too because sometimes some really interesting things happen. Sometimes not... The Bozzio, Holdsworth, Levin, Mastelotto tour is is the ultimate extension of this, all ad libs, no songs at all. Interesting description of my playing style. I've played a lot of guitar trio stuff in my career and early on I decided that it was not my job to spell out all the tonality but to stay down and play the bass notes. Just my choice. (Carp's knowledge of chords was so deep that it allowed him to sometimes do both!) For example, when Allan is soloing I think he does a fine job of spelling out the tonality - if I stay on the bottom it gives him additional freedom to move through and around the harmony. Sometimes having the chords sounded, as when we had a keyboard player, makes it easier for the audience to hear what's happening. But with the trio I think our brains can fill in what's missing and my preference is to be down low - between the drums and the harmony! Just my spin on it. Cheers! Jimmy J | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1379 Registered: 9-2002 |
So Jimmy, when you're tracking, is your recording set-up as minimal as your onstage signal chain? Specifically I was wondering have you used any of the 'channel strip' preamps (Avalon, Milennia, GML, et al) for recording or is it just a good direct box and done? Puh-leeeeze tell me you don't have to sit through endless tweaks for everyone else, then they turn to you and say 'hit me a few notes for level, bass, please', quickly followed by 'OK, let's roll some tape!'. . . . J o e y | ||
| jimmyj
Intermediate Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 183 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey J o e y, Yes, pretty minimal in the studio too: I bring my two basses, power supply, DI box and tuner. Lately I've been running the basses at near line-level out, passing through a REDDI box and straight into a line input of the board. if the engineer wants mic-level then I'll just trim the master volume down (doesn't change the tone on our basses - yay!). As I've said before I don't bring a lot of variety to the party - people generally know that I come with a sound. I'm not the right guy for every situation but I have been very lucky with it. The engineers I've worked with usually enjoy the sound and will often feel compelled to tell me: "I'm not doing ANYTHING to the bass". Cool. I haven't tried the channel strips you mentioned (3 great ones). Of course in a studio one would presume the board would be the best signal path... When I do a track for somebody at home I just go straight in, no EQ or compression. Whoever mixes it can tweak later if they feel the need. "... roll some tape"? We may need to explain this phrase to some younger members. Jimmy J | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1382 Registered: 9-2002 |
JJ, no matter what, I always slip up and reveal I'm an analog dinosaur in a digital age . . . you kids, ask your mom, SHE'll tell you about wow and flutter and 'tape saturation', your Uncle Joey's heading for the daybed now. I just hope I don't have those quantizing nightmares about pitch correction again . . . I thought pro tools meant you bought SnapOns instead of Craftsmans. J o e y | ||
| jcdlc72
Junior Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 48 Registered: 11-2009 |
(JimmyJ said: "... roll some tape"? We may need to explain this phrase to some younger members. " ) Well... believe it or not.. these days I am currently recording some stuff for a Venezuelan Prog-Rock band (signed to Musea Records in France), in 1-inch analog 24 track tape! So, We' re rollin' ! http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4549591097_4165c5abbc.jpg By the way... and without any intention of hijacking the thread, the shirt I am using on this particular pic, has an interesting story. At the Bass Player mag forum, a couple years ago someone told something funny about one of the members who posted a pic of himself playing with this shirt. Somehow, it developed into a game, where each interested player should receive the shirt, play a gig with it, have the pic taken, post it and then send the shirt to the next player on the list. So far The Shirt (which has sort of developed a life of its own) has traveled across the US, U.K., Scotland, Australia, Africa, now South America (Venezuela), and will return to the US soon. Once the "Tour" has ended (It has completed its second year!) it will get to its original owner's hands, who will wear it again, and then frame it or something alike. Kinda goofy, but fun anyway. Our own BrianT Alembician fellow has already played on it, and right now it's my turn. Funny, ain't it? | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 1088 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sorry everyone. My post was a hijack of the thread rather than continuing the discussion of Jimmy's music and chatting with Jimmy. I'll be more careful next time. Rich (Message edited by richbass939 on April 30, 2010) | ||
| jcdlc72
Junior Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 49 Registered: 11-2009 |
Maybe we could get Jimmy to wear "The Shirt" on a gig? That way it would not be so off-topic.. |
