For a while now I am flying into NYC almost twice a week from somewhere in Europe. It never happened to be a Monday until this one night in 2017.
So it was quite amazing for me so be able to see Jim and his trio live in Rockwood. My jetlag was gently sonically blown away -immediately.
The way Jim thinks and then plays (his) music is very unique in my humble opinion. Playing myself a little it happens sometimes that someone is saying : "...you sound like....whoever." As humans we are eventually always influenced or inspired by someone or something and what makes the twist for me is how Jim is taking the twist into his songs. It is relaxing and still creates a sweet tension towards the resolution. (bringing back Roy Buchanon to attention) For me Jim feels like a sculptor who is sculpting/shaping tones out and build something new out of it.
So how did I came to hear JC? I was simply checking live music places in New York and came across Rockwood Music Hall and the JC trio gig. Flying in from Europe tired, jet lagged with the expectation to see a unique musician and his trio.
And man, that was the most influential gig in my life.
I was in a local guitar store and heard two employees talking about Jim- it was shortly before he came to Detroit. I’d never heard of him, and mentioned that I liked melodic guitarist and didn’t care for shredders. Then you’d really like Jim, they said. I checked out his you tube videos and instantly became a fan.
I picked up the first Little Willies CD soon after it was released. I can’t remember where, but I do remember it seemed like an interesting compilation. Norah was familiar, of course, and I remembered Jim’s Ten Gallon Cats ads in the back of Guitar Player magazine. So, worth a shot, right?
That CD took up the number one slot in my car CD player for years, partially because the ejection mechanism didn’t work very well. It was the soundtrack of our family road trips, the daily commute, and grocery runs. We listened to it so often that my youngest daughter told me that she learned to sing harmony from it. I gained a deep appreciation for Telecasters and weird bends, and realized the power of simple music with a complex musical backstory.
Two years ago, my daughter – now an adult and a musician in her own right – and I took a trip to Brooklyn so that she could record with some friends. It was an extended weekend, so on Monday we headed into Manhattan to see Jim at the Rockwood. Nadia spent the whole show at the edge of the stage, and afterwards we both shook hands with him and headed off to Mona’s to go see a bluegrass jam with some people we met there that night. In all, a fantastic, memorable event.
Fast forward to tonight: my daughter’s band (Deux Trois) are playing a showcase in NYC, and of all the places they could have played, it turns out they’re playing at Rockwood. There’s no real relationship between her music and Jim’s; hers is heavy and sounds like and electronica (without the synths) / punk fusion. But still, it’s a full circle from the Little Willies to her playing in NYC.
I can't remember how I was introduced to Jim's music, but today I went into a local guitar shop to buy some strings and got into a conversation with an employee about behind the nut bends. I mentioned that I was giving 9s a shot as recommended by Jim Campilongo. He looked at me puzzled, and I went into a 10 minute monologue that ended in "just do a YouTube search". I was a little dismayed that he didn't know who Jim was (The shop is a Fender dealer), but I must of made an impression because as I was leaving he said, "Hey, how do you spell that name?"
Oddly enough, I'd known of Jim for years and years, knew he was a Tele guy, knew he played with the Little Willies, knew he was highly regarded, had seen his name countless times over the years in the gobs and gobs of guitar magazines I've subscribed to but until the last year never actually listened to him. My loss. But I'm making up for it. I have about 21 or 22 guitars (I think) but the one model I don't own is a Tele. Guess what I'm jonesing for now?
Comments
So it was quite amazing for me so be able
to see Jim and his trio live in Rockwood.
My jetlag was gently sonically blown away -immediately.
The way Jim thinks and then plays (his)
music is very unique in my humble opinion.
Playing myself a little it happens sometimes
that someone is saying :
"...you sound like....whoever."
As humans we are eventually always influenced or inspired by someone or something and what makes the twist for me is how Jim is taking the twist into his songs. It is relaxing and still creates a sweet tension towards the resolution.
(bringing back Roy Buchanon to attention)
For me Jim feels like a sculptor who is sculpting/shaping tones out and build
something new out of it.
So how did I came to hear JC?
I was simply checking live music places in
New York and came across Rockwood Music Hall and the JC trio gig.
Flying in from Europe tired, jet lagged with the expectation to see a unique musician and his trio.
And man, that was the most
influential gig in my life.
Thank you for this.
I picked up the first Little Willies CD soon after it was released. I can’t remember where, but I do remember it seemed like an interesting compilation. Norah was familiar, of course, and I remembered Jim’s Ten Gallon Cats ads in the back of Guitar Player magazine. So, worth a shot, right?
That CD took up the number one slot in my car CD player for years, partially because the ejection mechanism didn’t work very well. It was the soundtrack of our family road trips, the daily commute, and grocery runs. We listened to it so often that my youngest daughter told me that she learned to sing harmony from it. I gained a deep appreciation for Telecasters and weird bends, and realized the power of simple music with a complex musical backstory.
Two years ago, my daughter – now an adult and a musician in her own right – and I took a trip to Brooklyn so that she could record with some friends. It was an extended weekend, so on Monday we headed into Manhattan to see Jim at the Rockwood. Nadia spent the whole show at the edge of the stage, and afterwards we both shook hands with him and headed off to Mona’s to go see a bluegrass jam with some people we met there that night. In all, a fantastic, memorable event.
Fast forward to tonight: my daughter’s band (Deux Trois) are playing a showcase in NYC, and of all the places they could have played, it turns out they’re playing at Rockwood. There’s no real relationship between her music and Jim’s; hers is heavy and sounds like and electronica (without the synths) / punk fusion. But still, it’s a full circle from the Little Willies to her playing in NYC.
And the CD is still in my car.