J.J. Vicars: News
Video Shoot With Steve Lukather - January 10, 2008
I spent today being the bass player in the video for EVER CHANGING TIMES, the title track for the upcoming Steve Lukather album. On drums was Christian Muhr from Sweden. You can check him out at www.christianmuhr.com
We arrived at 1:00 and by 3:00 we were on the soundstage shooting. Most of our parts were done without Steve. In the video our parts are done in "negative" (like a film negative) with Steve superimposed over us in full color. We did get to shoot one scene with him that will probably be in color when the video is finished. We would have had a quick jam but the amps weren't plugged in! We did a few wide-screen shots and then all the close-ups. Lee Sklar played on the album and if I had know that I would have practiced harder!
As with most movie and video shoots there was a lot of waiting around so we got to hang out with Steve and his manager a bit. They were real cool and everybody was cutting up, cracking jokes and generally enjoying themselves. There were also several people shooting "the making of" type stuff and a few photographers including Jun Sato of WireImage Japan. His photos of the shoot can be seen at http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====299709 Maybe some shots will appear in the Japanese music magazines in the next few months. The video is supposed to be going out to MTV, VH-1, and every place else. After 25 years I'm finally gonna be on MTV! LOL!
This was the second time I met Lukather. The first time was at a club in Roppongi (Tokyo) around '91 or '92. It was well into the evening and we were both lit up like Christmas trees. This time we were both sober so chances are we'll remember it. After the shoot I wanted to get a picture with him for the site so we hung around while they did some close-ups of him and then we all jumped up on the set as every photographer in the room closed in snapping away.
Big thanks to everybody I was on the shoot with today for making it such a memorable shoot and especially to Steve Lukather for being so much fun to work with. www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=380
We arrived at 1:00 and by 3:00 we were on the soundstage shooting. Most of our parts were done without Steve. In the video our parts are done in "negative" (like a film negative) with Steve superimposed over us in full color. We did get to shoot one scene with him that will probably be in color when the video is finished. We would have had a quick jam but the amps weren't plugged in! We did a few wide-screen shots and then all the close-ups. Lee Sklar played on the album and if I had know that I would have practiced harder!
As with most movie and video shoots there was a lot of waiting around so we got to hang out with Steve and his manager a bit. They were real cool and everybody was cutting up, cracking jokes and generally enjoying themselves. There were also several people shooting "the making of" type stuff and a few photographers including Jun Sato of WireImage Japan. His photos of the shoot can be seen at http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====299709 Maybe some shots will appear in the Japanese music magazines in the next few months. The video is supposed to be going out to MTV, VH-1, and every place else. After 25 years I'm finally gonna be on MTV! LOL!
This was the second time I met Lukather. The first time was at a club in Roppongi (Tokyo) around '91 or '92. It was well into the evening and we were both lit up like Christmas trees. This time we were both sober so chances are we'll remember it. After the shoot I wanted to get a picture with him for the site so we hung around while they did some close-ups of him and then we all jumped up on the set as every photographer in the room closed in snapping away.
Big thanks to everybody I was on the shoot with today for making it such a memorable shoot and especially to Steve Lukather for being so much fun to work with. www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=380
Happy New Year!!! - January 1, 2008
Happy New Year to all you good folks out there. 2007 was a special
year. Most of what happened was 'behind the scenes' so there wasn't
much to report. Among other things HEARTLAND was finally released
after HI-TECH HILLBILLY (2006). With all the back catalogue out of
the way the road is now clear to work on the next three albums
starting with LONG WAY FROM HOME, the follow-up to SCI-FI DINER. A
half-live/half-studio album will follow that capped off by an
all-instrumental album.
Plans for 2008 include the recording and release of LONG WAY FROM
HOME, new videos on YouTube, several tours and some collaborations
with other artists. Look for several guest appearances on the upcoming
albums. Continuing a tradition started in 2007 at the end of January
will be The Second Annual J.J. Vicars Birthday Jam, venue to be
announced.
Many thanks to all of you who made 2007 a special year, including
some old aquaintences renewed. You know who you are. Here's to 2008!
year. Most of what happened was 'behind the scenes' so there wasn't
much to report. Among other things HEARTLAND was finally released
after HI-TECH HILLBILLY (2006). With all the back catalogue out of
the way the road is now clear to work on the next three albums
starting with LONG WAY FROM HOME, the follow-up to SCI-FI DINER. A
half-live/half-studio album will follow that capped off by an
all-instrumental album.
Plans for 2008 include the recording and release of LONG WAY FROM
HOME, new videos on YouTube, several tours and some collaborations
with other artists. Look for several guest appearances on the upcoming
albums. Continuing a tradition started in 2007 at the end of January
will be The Second Annual J.J. Vicars Birthday Jam, venue to be
announced.
Many thanks to all of you who made 2007 a special year, including
some old aquaintences renewed. You know who you are. Here's to 2008!
Happy Holidaze!!! - December 29, 2007
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year was one of the best ever for me. As we get closer to New Year's a big 'thank you' to everyone that made 2007 a special year. You know who you are!
Ike Turner R.I.P. - December 12, 2007
Legend Ike Turner Dies at 76
Contributions to Music Were Often Overshadowed By Claims of Abuse
AP Posted: 2007-12-12 17:41:01
SAN DIEGO (Dec. 12) - Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogrelike image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.
Turner died at his San Marcos home, Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's career, told The Associated Press.
###
For those of you who are unfamilair with his work, Ike Turner was one of the founding fathers of Rock'n'Roll and modern guitar playing. In 1951 Ike Turner and his Kings Of Rhythm laid down the rollicking ROCKET 88, which was credited to songer Jackie Brenston and hailed as _the_ first Rock'n'Roll record. He was also a talent scout for Sun Records around that time bringing a certain Chester Burnette, later known as Howlin' Wolf, to the attention of Sam Phillips. Phillips later sold Wolf's contract to the the Chess Brothers in Chicago.
Starting out on piano, which he played on ROCKET 88, he switched to guitar so that he could lead the band easier than from behind the keys and in the proccess discovered the joys of whammy bar abuse. He was and always will be the original whammy bar king, and was a significant influence on a young Jimi Hendrix.
Like Tommy Bolin, Ike's biggest commercial success that brought his name to the masses was not his biggest aristic success. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue made him a household name, but not for musical reasons and the public has been so obsessed with tabloid-like stories that his extremely significant contributions to American music have been forgotten by all but a handful of guitarists and music historians. In his defense I have to say that he wasn't the only one, that sort of thing was common during the time and place he came from, Mississppi, and even Tina herself has stated publicly that Hollywood, as usual, overdid it in the movie. On a side note, Revue drummer Soko Richardson, who came up with their arrangement of PROUD MARY which was their biggest hit, later played with Albert Collins.
In 2001 Ike returned to his roots and released Ike Turner & His Kings Of Rhythm HERE AND NOW which includes a remake of ROCKET 88. Ike is in fine form on this album playing the music he started out on, on both guitar and piano, and generally enjoying himself. Anybody who likes to boogie is advised to pick up this CD. In 2006 he topped himself with RISIN' WITH THE BLUES, one of the best albums of his long career. His St. Louis style lowdown and Jump Blues is highlighted by Funk and Jazz and features lots of instrumentals along side the raspiest, nastiest vocals since Howlin' Wolf. This is also a must-have album and no fan of Blues, guitar, R&B or music in general should be without it.
Music is the purest art form, it needs no explanation other than itself. This is one of the reasons why I play a lot of instrumentals. Many of the guitarists whose styles became bedrock foundations of my own style are known for their instrumental peices; Albert Collins, Freddie King, Lonnie Mack and of course Ike Turner. My introduction to Ike was on a compilation album called BLUES GUITAR BLASTERS. Among Jimmy Nolen, Pee Wee Crayton and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson Ike's TWISTIN' THE STRINGS jumps out of the speakers like a hot rod busting through the garage door. More than a decade before Jimi Hendrix's fuzzed-out experience and Tommy Bolin's burning solo on Billy Cobham's QUADRANT 4 Ike is turning Leo Fender's vibrato arm into a rocket to Mars.
While The Ike & Tina Turner revue continues to be his household-name work his artistic triumphs are the bookends of his career. His early-50's recordings with The Kings Of Rhythm both define the R&B of his era while being timelessly beyond it. His last two albums with a new Kings Of Rhythm lineup are both old school back-to-roots, and fresh modern Blues records that defy the current Blues cliche's. What the public sadly overlooks with their soap-opera clebrity obsession us musicians, Blues lovers, R&B fans, and music historians celebrate as the work of a true master. Thank you Ike, for all the rockin' R&B, the catchy instrumentals, the whammy bar abuse, and in general all the contributions you made and the music you left us with. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you.
Must-have Ike Turner Discography:
TRAILBLAZER- A collection of his early recordings. Songs are creited to various artists -Bily Gayles, Jackie Brenston, Kings Of Rhythm - but all are Ike Turner on guitar or piano leading the band.
BLUES KINGPINS - A series put otu by Capitol Records that includes Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Elmore James, Fats Domino and Ike Turner. Another collection of early recordings. Being extremely prolific, this one doesn't repeat ay of the same numbers as TRAILBLAZER and features some Latin touches o several tunes.
BLUES GUITAR BLASTERS, Various Artists - The only record I know of that contains Ike's instrumental TWISTIN THE STRINGS. If you've ever wondered why Jimi Hendrix, Jimmie Vaughan, Don Leady, J.J. Vicars, and a million other guitarists reverd him this will answer in aprroximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds. An you'll never be the same again! The tracks from the other artists are also standout.
*I'm skipping over the Ike & Tina stuff, since most folks are already familair with it and any Greatest Hits package will do.
HERE AND NOW - His 2001 reurn to his roots. This album is just plain fun. Rock'n'Roll/R&B the way it was meant to be played. It jumps, it swings, it boogies, it shuffles and Ike is tearin' it up throughout.
RISIN' WITH THE BLUES - 2006 and he expands on his last album adding more Jazz and Funk to his palette. His vocals on this one have to be geard to be believed and the Jazz-influenced instrumentals are downright smokin'!
www.iketurner.com
Contributions to Music Were Often Overshadowed By Claims of Abuse
AP Posted: 2007-12-12 17:41:01
SAN DIEGO (Dec. 12) - Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogrelike image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.
Turner died at his San Marcos home, Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's career, told The Associated Press.
###
For those of you who are unfamilair with his work, Ike Turner was one of the founding fathers of Rock'n'Roll and modern guitar playing. In 1951 Ike Turner and his Kings Of Rhythm laid down the rollicking ROCKET 88, which was credited to songer Jackie Brenston and hailed as _the_ first Rock'n'Roll record. He was also a talent scout for Sun Records around that time bringing a certain Chester Burnette, later known as Howlin' Wolf, to the attention of Sam Phillips. Phillips later sold Wolf's contract to the the Chess Brothers in Chicago.
Starting out on piano, which he played on ROCKET 88, he switched to guitar so that he could lead the band easier than from behind the keys and in the proccess discovered the joys of whammy bar abuse. He was and always will be the original whammy bar king, and was a significant influence on a young Jimi Hendrix.
Like Tommy Bolin, Ike's biggest commercial success that brought his name to the masses was not his biggest aristic success. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue made him a household name, but not for musical reasons and the public has been so obsessed with tabloid-like stories that his extremely significant contributions to American music have been forgotten by all but a handful of guitarists and music historians. In his defense I have to say that he wasn't the only one, that sort of thing was common during the time and place he came from, Mississppi, and even Tina herself has stated publicly that Hollywood, as usual, overdid it in the movie. On a side note, Revue drummer Soko Richardson, who came up with their arrangement of PROUD MARY which was their biggest hit, later played with Albert Collins.
In 2001 Ike returned to his roots and released Ike Turner & His Kings Of Rhythm HERE AND NOW which includes a remake of ROCKET 88. Ike is in fine form on this album playing the music he started out on, on both guitar and piano, and generally enjoying himself. Anybody who likes to boogie is advised to pick up this CD. In 2006 he topped himself with RISIN' WITH THE BLUES, one of the best albums of his long career. His St. Louis style lowdown and Jump Blues is highlighted by Funk and Jazz and features lots of instrumentals along side the raspiest, nastiest vocals since Howlin' Wolf. This is also a must-have album and no fan of Blues, guitar, R&B or music in general should be without it.
Music is the purest art form, it needs no explanation other than itself. This is one of the reasons why I play a lot of instrumentals. Many of the guitarists whose styles became bedrock foundations of my own style are known for their instrumental peices; Albert Collins, Freddie King, Lonnie Mack and of course Ike Turner. My introduction to Ike was on a compilation album called BLUES GUITAR BLASTERS. Among Jimmy Nolen, Pee Wee Crayton and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson Ike's TWISTIN' THE STRINGS jumps out of the speakers like a hot rod busting through the garage door. More than a decade before Jimi Hendrix's fuzzed-out experience and Tommy Bolin's burning solo on Billy Cobham's QUADRANT 4 Ike is turning Leo Fender's vibrato arm into a rocket to Mars.
While The Ike & Tina Turner revue continues to be his household-name work his artistic triumphs are the bookends of his career. His early-50's recordings with The Kings Of Rhythm both define the R&B of his era while being timelessly beyond it. His last two albums with a new Kings Of Rhythm lineup are both old school back-to-roots, and fresh modern Blues records that defy the current Blues cliche's. What the public sadly overlooks with their soap-opera clebrity obsession us musicians, Blues lovers, R&B fans, and music historians celebrate as the work of a true master. Thank you Ike, for all the rockin' R&B, the catchy instrumentals, the whammy bar abuse, and in general all the contributions you made and the music you left us with. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you.
Must-have Ike Turner Discography:
TRAILBLAZER- A collection of his early recordings. Songs are creited to various artists -Bily Gayles, Jackie Brenston, Kings Of Rhythm - but all are Ike Turner on guitar or piano leading the band.
BLUES KINGPINS - A series put otu by Capitol Records that includes Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Elmore James, Fats Domino and Ike Turner. Another collection of early recordings. Being extremely prolific, this one doesn't repeat ay of the same numbers as TRAILBLAZER and features some Latin touches o several tunes.
BLUES GUITAR BLASTERS, Various Artists - The only record I know of that contains Ike's instrumental TWISTIN THE STRINGS. If you've ever wondered why Jimi Hendrix, Jimmie Vaughan, Don Leady, J.J. Vicars, and a million other guitarists reverd him this will answer in aprroximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds. An you'll never be the same again! The tracks from the other artists are also standout.
*I'm skipping over the Ike & Tina stuff, since most folks are already familair with it and any Greatest Hits package will do.
HERE AND NOW - His 2001 reurn to his roots. This album is just plain fun. Rock'n'Roll/R&B the way it was meant to be played. It jumps, it swings, it boogies, it shuffles and Ike is tearin' it up throughout.
RISIN' WITH THE BLUES - 2006 and he expands on his last album adding more Jazz and Funk to his palette. His vocals on this one have to be geard to be believed and the Jazz-influenced instrumentals are downright smokin'!
www.iketurner.com
Happy Birthday Courtney - August 7, 2007
Happy birthday to my niece Courtney. Coincidentally, she was born in Houston the same week as my first concert- Johnny Winter at Stage 1 in Houston. Look for her in the upcoming movie SPINNING INTO BUTTER, the kid's a star already.
RIP Uncle John Turner - July 26, 2007
Former Johnny Winter drummer Uncle John Turner passed away last night. He was suffering from Hepatitus C and in need of a liver transplant.
His discography with JW includes THE PROGRESSIVE BLUES EXPERIMENT,JOHNNY WINTER,SECOND WINTER and the three song reunion of the original trio on Winter's third Alligator release 3RD DEGREE (the Alligator house band with Albert Collins bassist Johnny B. Gayden plays on the rest),all albums I cut my teeth on. He also performed with him at Woodstock. There's some videos on YouTube.
For complete info go to www.uncathon.com and www.unclejohnturner.com
His discography with JW includes THE PROGRESSIVE BLUES EXPERIMENT,JOHNNY WINTER,SECOND WINTER and the three song reunion of the original trio on Winter's third Alligator release 3RD DEGREE (the Alligator house band with Albert Collins bassist Johnny B. Gayden plays on the rest),all albums I cut my teeth on. He also performed with him at Woodstock. There's some videos on YouTube.
For complete info go to www.uncathon.com and www.unclejohnturner.com
Albert Collins @ JBC '88 - July 7, 2007
Photos from the J.J.V. archives of Albert Collins & The Icebreakers have been posted. These are personal shots taken backstage hanging out with Albert,the Icebreakers,and Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials. It was their guitarist Michael Garrett who took mebackstage to meet Albert in the first place. More pics to come!
Tales From The Heartland - June 24, 2007
The HEARTLAND album has been released on Annie Gator records and is being distributed through CD Baby. Like HI-TECH HILLBILLY before it this album is the product of a 'musical phase' I went through many years ago. Since this material is outside of the usual fare there will be no promotion done on it and it will only be available as digital downloads for the time being. After LONG WAY FROM HOME and a couple other albums similair to it and SCI-FI DINER,i.e. what I usually do,are released then I'll go back and spend the time and money to press copies. The jackets for both albums have been designed already,however,and anybody who bought the downloads and wants to print out the jacket should e-mail me.
HEARTLAND Tracks Posted - May 13, 2007
Five of the ten songs on the HEARTLAND album have been added to the music page complete with lyrics and background info. The background info tells of the people and events that inspired each song and also has some notes for guitar nuts like which guitars were used for what parts and other recording details. The songs can be downloaded in MP3 format until the album is released this summer.
LONG WAY FROM HOME Pre-production Has Begun - April 20, 2007
Pre-production has begun for the LONG WAY FROM HOME ALBUM. With 2-3 albums worth of material the big dilema is what to include on this one and what to put on the follow up.
After recording by back catalogue,HI-TECH HILLBILLY & HEARTLAND,as a one man band it's back to the Blues,Boogie & Rock 'n' Roll trio format. That means a live trio like on SCI-FI DINER. There will also be a few guests on some songs.
After recording by back catalogue,HI-TECH HILLBILLY & HEARTLAND,as a one man band it's back to the Blues,Boogie & Rock 'n' Roll trio format. That means a live trio like on SCI-FI DINER. There will also be a few guests on some songs.
LONG WAY FROM HOME Tracks Posted - March 20, 2007
Two songs from the upcoming LONG WAY FROM HOME CD,MAYBE I'LL KNOW YOU and CUTIE PIE have posted to the slightly rearranged Music page. These demos from Jindaiji Monkey Studio are available for download.
Albert Collins Photos Posted - February 21, 2007
As some already know I met Albert Collins several times in my teens and was pretty chummy with him. He was a badass guitarslinger on stage and a humble,down-to-earth gentleman offstage. Knowing him was privelage,people of that caliber are rare.
After all these years I can finally share these pictures publicly. The photos that have just been posted are from the first and second times I met Albert,both in Japan and both with him headlining The Japan Blues Carnival.
The first five were taken backstage at Live Inn,a Blues club in Shibuya/Tokyo where I also met Bobby 'Blue' Bland,his legendary guitarist Wayne Bennet and Little Milton. Albert was the first I saw there. I had just met him a day or two before at the Blues Carnival. Also on the bill were Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials. I saw their guitarist Michael Garrett standing outside after their set and went up to him to get my record autographed (I always took my records with me to shows to get them autographed). Michael asked me if I wanted to meet Albert Collins and I gave him a starry-eyed 'yes'. He took me backstage and Albert seemed to glow. I went up to him,16 years old,shaking in my shoes and asked him if he would sign my records. He asked me where I was from and when I told him Houston he said,"You're from Houston too?! Come around here and have a drink with me." I sat behind the long table with him and he gave me a Miller (they were the sponsor). I remember there was also some champagne and a big bucket of KFC on the table. Not sure why,there wasn't any other food just yet. I watched his set from the wings. Man,I was GONE. Life doesn't get much better than this.
He played two shows a night two nights in a row at Live Inn. I got there near the end of the first show. He was already walking through the crowd with his 250' guitar cord and had made it all the way to the door in the back when we walked in. He let out a typical peircing Albert Collins guitar sting,stopped,shook my hand and said,"J.J.! Glad you made it!", and then proceeded to continue walking the crowd and shaking hands. We caught the late show and both shows the next night. That lineup was the best lineup of the Icebreakers I ever heard. Johnny B. Gayden was of course on bass along with Soko Richardson on drums. Future Black Crowe Eddie Hersch was on keys and future solo artist Debbie Davies was on 2nd guitar. Sam Franklin and Chuck Smith shared sax duties and Gabriel Flemings was on trumpet. I recorded one of the shows but the tape was unfortunately stolen out of my car some years later in Indianapolis. Too bad because it would be relatively easy for his widow Gwen Collins to release nowdays. And it was a BADASS show! The sixth photo is outside the club on the street.
On the second night the band went out to The Hard Rock Cafe,which was a small and new chain at the time,and we went with them. I sat next to Albert and my dad snapped off several photos. These are the next five on the page. Good thinking,Dad.
The next seven photos are from 1991. Again Albert was headlining The Japan Blues Carnival. I had been playing up in Hokkaido for the past week and as soon as I got back found out he was in town. We caught him at a club then went to the Carnival. I was suprised that him,Johnny B. and Soko all remembered me. Johnny B. even brought me a t-shirt from J.J.'s Blues Club in California! Which I still have,by the way. The rest of the Icebreakers was a different band. Teenie Hodges,who played on Al Green's big hits,was on guitar. Don't remember the keys and horns,I didn't really get friendly with them. The first lineup from '88 I was friendly with everybody. Debbie remembers me whenever we cross paths (Cincinatti,Phoenix,Vegas,MySpace). Eddie Hersch MIGHT remember me.
I saw Alber twice after this,once when he played the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival (yes I'm in the audience,no you can't see me in the video) and once in Houston at either Fitzgerald's or Rockafellers in late '92. Shortly after I saw him in Houston I moved up to a small town in Ohio near Canton,south of Cleveland. In early '93 Albert was playing in Cleveland. I was less than 2 hours away but didn't have a car and despite my offers for gas,food,drinks and cover charge could not get anyone to take me up there. Later that year he died making the Houston show the last time I ever saw him. Oddly enough I never said goodbye to him,he had disappeared somewhere and my ride was leaving. I remeber saying something to the effect that I'd catch him next time.
The two times pictured here,especially the first,were magical. There was something about it,something I can't quite describe in words, a warm,comfortable feeling of recognition as if all was right in the world and this was exactly how things are supposed to be. And it was both on and off stage. On stage it was a great lineup,everybody was really PLAYIN',really puttin' themselves into it heart and soul and it was a gas to be there. Hell,it was a gas to be alive! Offstage it was like old friends. I still remember Eddie Hersch sitting down at our table shooting the breeze with us and then seeing him a few years later in a Black Crowes video and my mouth hanging open wondering if that was really the same guy. These are some of my favorite memories,special,magical events that seemed to last an eternity,and in some ways they do. Everything from those times with Albert -his stage presence,his guitarslinging,his offstage warmth,the whole vibe in the air just being there- are still with me. Somehow,I like to think via some kind of Quantum effect,those events are still happening and they set the standard that I aspire to. Some days are better than others but the standard remains the same. Thank you ,Albert. Your example is something I carry with me. And thank you Johnny B.,Soko and Debbie. I hope to see you out there again real soon.
The Fiddler Has Left The Building - February 11, 2007
The Fiddler is no more. Money problems called it a day and the building owners found a new tenant before any outside help could jump in. The Birthday Jam was the last gig there that I know of.
Stinky Twinky & Shimpei 'Dead Eye' Ono R.I.P. - January 4, 2007
Stinky Twinky and Shimpei 'Dead Eye' Ono both passed away yesterday.
Stinky Twinky,the 22 year old cat I named a new Jump Blues instrumental after,passed away late last night/early this morning. The little stinker was known for being old,crabby and loud as hell. When I first moved in she hated everybody and would take a swing at you whenever you tried to pet her. Her nails were extra long and sharp,too! After a while she took a liking to me and became my little stinky buddy. She still hated everybody else though. She got her nickname 'stinky' after years of hiding out in a dark,dingy room under the kotatsu (a table with a heater underneath and a blanket on top regularly used in Japan). Whenever you would scratch her you could smell the grime breaking loose. After she had a bath she didn't stink anymore but the name had a good ring to it so it was changed to 'twinky'. After a while she started to stink again and the two names were combined. When she passed away one arm shot up giving everybody the finger.
I met Shimpei 'Dead Eye' Ono on April 21st of last year. I was playing at The Baron and on the bill was Max Blues. Mac came up to me and introduced himself,he was short a bass player and had just bought a bass of his own. We went on late and my drummer had to split to catch the last train home. Mac suggested that Shimpei fill in. Eventually the bass player left as well and Mac grabbed his new bass and sat in. We jammed forever on a bunch of old Blues numbers having a blast. Later they backed me up a couple times at Rock Factory and we remained friends. At one of those gigs Mac told me about Shimpei's condition and how he had already lost one eye. I was going to make an eye patch for him but we could never find the right material (couldn't retain any moisture). Max Blues played the L.A. Jones Tokyo Tour and Shimpei was at his peak. I never heard him sound better. Backstage he was running around like a typical hyper-as-shit drummer. What a riot. He was just plain fun to be around. Eventually his conditioned worsened and during the Glen Terry Tour he could only play a few songs. The last time I saw him was at Rock Factory. Despite being in obviously bad shape he insisted on playing a few songs,that was the kind of Spirit he had. He managed to play OK,played great considering his condition -it was clear that he was in severe pain. During a recent gig at The Fiddler Mac told me he had spoken with the doctor and it was just a matter of time. He passed away yesterday at his home in Tokyo.
Gone but not forgotten. We play STINKY TWINKY every gig,ironically Shimpei was the first drummer to ever play it,and it's being recorded for an upcoming CD. Max Blues had just finished recording their latest CD before Shimpei's condition started to deteriorate. There's also some video from the L.A. Jones Tour when Shimpei was at his peak. With a bit of effort all these will be released soon,the best tribute of all.
Stinky Twinky,the 22 year old cat I named a new Jump Blues instrumental after,passed away late last night/early this morning. The little stinker was known for being old,crabby and loud as hell. When I first moved in she hated everybody and would take a swing at you whenever you tried to pet her. Her nails were extra long and sharp,too! After a while she took a liking to me and became my little stinky buddy. She still hated everybody else though. She got her nickname 'stinky' after years of hiding out in a dark,dingy room under the kotatsu (a table with a heater underneath and a blanket on top regularly used in Japan). Whenever you would scratch her you could smell the grime breaking loose. After she had a bath she didn't stink anymore but the name had a good ring to it so it was changed to 'twinky'. After a while she started to stink again and the two names were combined. When she passed away one arm shot up giving everybody the finger.
I met Shimpei 'Dead Eye' Ono on April 21st of last year. I was playing at The Baron and on the bill was Max Blues. Mac came up to me and introduced himself,he was short a bass player and had just bought a bass of his own. We went on late and my drummer had to split to catch the last train home. Mac suggested that Shimpei fill in. Eventually the bass player left as well and Mac grabbed his new bass and sat in. We jammed forever on a bunch of old Blues numbers having a blast. Later they backed me up a couple times at Rock Factory and we remained friends. At one of those gigs Mac told me about Shimpei's condition and how he had already lost one eye. I was going to make an eye patch for him but we could never find the right material (couldn't retain any moisture). Max Blues played the L.A. Jones Tokyo Tour and Shimpei was at his peak. I never heard him sound better. Backstage he was running around like a typical hyper-as-shit drummer. What a riot. He was just plain fun to be around. Eventually his conditioned worsened and during the Glen Terry Tour he could only play a few songs. The last time I saw him was at Rock Factory. Despite being in obviously bad shape he insisted on playing a few songs,that was the kind of Spirit he had. He managed to play OK,played great considering his condition -it was clear that he was in severe pain. During a recent gig at The Fiddler Mac told me he had spoken with the doctor and it was just a matter of time. He passed away yesterday at his home in Tokyo.
Gone but not forgotten. We play STINKY TWINKY every gig,ironically Shimpei was the first drummer to ever play it,and it's being recorded for an upcoming CD. Max Blues had just finished recording their latest CD before Shimpei's condition started to deteriorate. There's also some video from the L.A. Jones Tour when Shimpei was at his peak. With a bit of effort all these will be released soon,the best tribute of all.
Happy New Year! Here's To 2007 - January 3, 2007
2006 was a landmark year for me. SCI-FI DINER was released the previous December and by Spring the reviews were being published and the disc was getting airplay over in Europe. It also saw quite a few downloads via iTunes,especially TAKE ME ON DOWN TO MEMPHIS and the Jerry Lee Lewis ode to juvenile delinquency REAL WILD CHILD.
The band lineup changed to include both my workhorse rhythm section and my Blues buddies Max Blues featuring Mac 'The Knife" Okuyama giving me two different groups to work with. I also made the aquaintence of some musicians back home in the States,Blues guitarist extrordinaire L.A. Jones who became something of a mentor showing me The New Voice and inspiring me to play some lowdown Blues,and the lovely miss Tara Tinsley a singer/songwriter from Modesto also touring behind her first album. I was also fortunate to make the aquaintence of Glen Terry,a fine Blues guitarist from Australia.
There were several deaths and serious illnesses on the part of both musical heroes as well as family and friends plus old friends moving away but that's change and change is a part of life.
My second album,and first of my back catalogue of songs,HI-TECH HILLBILLY was released as digital downloads in November shortly before playing the Christmas party at the Australian Embassy. That was a nice way to cap off the year.
2007 has some serious projects to look forward to both touring and recording. There will be more appearances in a wider variety of venues,both musically and geographically, and several recording sessions as the next album of new material is put together. There will be new MP3s on the site and new videos on YouTube,something else I was introduced to in '06 along with MySpace.
While all this is going on the second and last album of back material HEARTLAND will be released with both it and HI-TECH HILLBILLY available on CD as well as downloads.
The band lineup changed to include both my workhorse rhythm section and my Blues buddies Max Blues featuring Mac 'The Knife" Okuyama giving me two different groups to work with. I also made the aquaintence of some musicians back home in the States,Blues guitarist extrordinaire L.A. Jones who became something of a mentor showing me The New Voice and inspiring me to play some lowdown Blues,and the lovely miss Tara Tinsley a singer/songwriter from Modesto also touring behind her first album. I was also fortunate to make the aquaintence of Glen Terry,a fine Blues guitarist from Australia.
There were several deaths and serious illnesses on the part of both musical heroes as well as family and friends plus old friends moving away but that's change and change is a part of life.
My second album,and first of my back catalogue of songs,HI-TECH HILLBILLY was released as digital downloads in November shortly before playing the Christmas party at the Australian Embassy. That was a nice way to cap off the year.
2007 has some serious projects to look forward to both touring and recording. There will be more appearances in a wider variety of venues,both musically and geographically, and several recording sessions as the next album of new material is put together. There will be new MP3s on the site and new videos on YouTube,something else I was introduced to in '06 along with MySpace.
While all this is going on the second and last album of back material HEARTLAND will be released with both it and HI-TECH HILLBILLY available on CD as well as downloads.
The Godfather Is Gone -James Brown Passes - December 25, 2006
James Brown died at 1:45 this morning after being admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Another one of the greats is gone and there's no one to take up the mantle.
Ahmet Ertegun Passes - December 14, 2006
More death news. Ahmet Ertegun who co-founded Atlantic Records and brought Ray Charles,Ruth Brown,Aretha Franklin and many others into the limelight died aged 83. Seems he was at an Oct. 29th Stones concert at The Beacon Theater in NY where he slipped and hit his head. He went into a coma and eventually passed away. Another legend is one with the Force.
HI-TECH HILLBILLY now on iTunes - December 9, 2006
Finally some good news! HI-TECH HILLBILLY is now available at iTunes. The link is http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=206512561 Currently it's only available as a download. A limited number of cpoies will be pressed early next year.
H-Bomb Ferguson R.I.P. - November 28, 2006
Cincinatti Blues shouter and pianist H-Bomb Ferguson passed away Sunday morning aged 77. Click on http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?s=573066 for the full story.
Back in '98-'00 I was living in Cincinatti and playing bass with my father's group Jerry & The Hipswingers. We played a lot of the same places as H-Bomb and got to know him fairly well. He was always a riot and the legends abound about his odd quirks,like arguing with spirits while on the bandstand. The wigs certainly added to the myth.
Once I got to sit in with his group and he passed the word through his bass player Bobo that me and the other guys in the Hipswingers were welcome to sit in any time we wanted. Getting that kind of recognition from one of the originals like H-Bomb is the highest of highs. H-Bomb,what a character.
Back in '98-'00 I was living in Cincinatti and playing bass with my father's group Jerry & The Hipswingers. We played a lot of the same places as H-Bomb and got to know him fairly well. He was always a riot and the legends abound about his odd quirks,like arguing with spirits while on the bandstand. The wigs certainly added to the myth.
Once I got to sit in with his group and he passed the word through his bass player Bobo that me and the other guys in the Hipswingers were welcome to sit in any time we wanted. Getting that kind of recognition from one of the originals like H-Bomb is the highest of highs. H-Bomb,what a character.
Glen Terry Dates Finalized - November 18, 2006
The triple intitial guitar-slinger will be making several guest appearances with Glen Terry & Max Blues during Glen's Tokyo Tour this month. Check out the CALENDAR page for dates and details and be sure to check www.myspace.com/glenterry and www.maxblues.net for additional info. Tara Solheim will making apperances as well. In addition to the scheduled appearances the face in the top left corner of this page may pop up at some other dates on the tour as well if they have Guinness on tap.
Ruth Brown Passes - November 18, 2006
Legendary R&B pioneer Ruth Brown has passed away in Las Vegas at the age of 78. Her contributions are way too numerous to list here,just 'google' her for the full story.
New Photos & Music - November 7, 2006
New photos and music have been added and the entire content has been rearranged. You can now listen to podcasts of HI-TECH HILLBILLY and HEARTLAND as well as seeing the photos and artwork from the inserts. Word on the grapevine is that after these two CDs are released the podcasts will come down and pre-production will be under way for the 4th disc LONG WAY FROM HOME with Max Blues as the backing band. More on that later.
In The Navy - September 14, 2006
J.J. is playing every Saturday night in September and October at The CPO club at Yokosuka Naval Base. The current lineup features Antoine Edery on drums and Aquila Furuta on bass. They will also be peforming selected dates at Atsugi including opening for Ingram Hill at Reid Field.
New Podcast - August 8, 2006
The mixing for HI-TECH HILLBILLY is now complete.You can preview the CD by listening to the podcast at www.myspace.com/jjvicars while the CD jacket is being designed.