JIMMY JOHNSON CLAIMS CITY NIGHTS W. GARY HUSBAND AGAIN! FAMOUS W. ALLAN HOLDSWORTH & VINNIE COLAIUTA

Wow! Well I can only say for me it’s the Main Event!

Since opening up my City Nights play-along to accommodate interpretations by keys, guitar and bass players (as well as drummers) my great friend Jimmy Johnson - co-conspirator and comrade of mine from those many, many years together with Allan Holdsworth - comes back and graces this new version of the tune with his inimitable genius!

As if his stellar performance on this song (with the great Vinnie Colaiuta) on our Holdsworth version of this piece from way back (“Secrets” 1989) didn’t set a standard in terms of the impeccable judgement he always spontaneously brings forth as a musician, he returns to knock us all out again on this recording tracking with me.

Difficult to explain. But nearest I can come is to suggest first to listen, (with awe, as I did on hearing this) at what he does, where he does it, how beautiful he spontaneously forms it), then play it through again listening to the bass and drums. You will hear how constantly accommodating he is of fairly dominant or outlandish drum conversational playing and how he (automatically), in the process, quite unselfishly, elevates everything I’ve done there. He doesn’t fight any of the drum ideas or attempt to “lock anything in”. His benevolent spirit weaving and supporting at every twist and turn, right in with the drums. Plus, at the same time he’s simultaneously exactly the same with me as the keyboard soloist!

This is BASS ladies and gentlemen. And no matter what kind of musical personality the drummer is, Jimmy is right there - complimenting, bending, conversationally interacting - allowing the drums room, and magically highlighting every idea I, (in this case), go for while in the process making me always sound infinitely better than I am! And THIS is why every great, famous, unknown or aspiring drummer has the revelation of his or her life playing with this man! He is adored by every drummer walking this earth who is or has been lucky enough to get the privilege to play with him .

Then, there are the notes, his genius harmonic all-knowing playfulness, that all involved in the harmony and soloist adore. Then there is the feeling! Ahhh! How he gives such musical weight and conviction to everything he plays, seemingly as easily as turning on a tap. And this is why every keys player, front line player or guitarist feel blessed to play him similarly!

Not only all these aspects, you can take his always beautifully poetic and exquisite soloing and know within seconds that it’s him. You can listen to his super economical playing with James Taylor, his quirky inventive and exquisite fundamentals with Steve Gadd Band right to all he did with Allan and know it’s the same guy. The same package. The consummate, complete voice, whatever the music.

I have, in turn, been privileged to work with Jimmy since the first time we had the experience of playing together, on an Allan Holdsworth concert back in Milwaukee 1984. I think it was 1984 anyway! It was one the highest turnarounds of my musical life back then. Every time thereafter over the many years was special. Every time!

For me to again witness this very particular sound of myself with him - a familiar and deeply cherished thing - is most moving. Like going home - slipping back to a wonderful realm where everything is real, whole, unforced, easy and beautiful.

No theatrics, shredding or superfluous antics here. Just a bass performance of sheer musical beauty and bliss from this (way too often overlooked) magnificent genius and beautiful human being.

Celebrating you Jimmy, thank you and bless you my friend.

Till the next time!

Musicians! You can play on it too!
The Videocast for City Nights is here ... https://garyhusband.com/item/track-analysis-city-nights

Видео JIMMY JOHNSON CLAIMS CITY NIGHTS W. GARY HUSBAND AGAIN! FAMOUS W. ALLAN HOLDSWORTH & VINNIE COLAIUTA канала Gary Husband