Let’s scratch some out now for Page 203! The Everly Brothers, Beat & Soul (Jim Gordon) [1965] Mel Tormé, Right Now! (Gordon) [1966] Gene Clark, Gene Clark with Gosdin Brothers (Gordon) [1967] Van Dyke, Song Cycle (Gordon) [1967] The Stone Poneys, Evergreen, Volume 2 (Billy Mundi, Gordon) [1967] Canned Heat, Canned Heat (Henry Vestine) [1967] Tim Buckley, Goodbye And Hello (Jim Fielder, Gordon) [1967] Fred Neil, Fred Neil (Mundi) [1967] Wolfgang Dauner, Free Action (Ponty) [1967] Judy Collins, Who Knows Where The Time Is (Gordon) [1968] Harry Nilsson, Aerial Ballet (Gordon) [1968] Harry Nilsson, Skidoo Soundtrack (Gordon) [1968] Randy Newman, Randy Newman (Gordon) [1968] Canned Heat, Boogie With Canned Heat (Vestine) [1968] Canned Heat, Living The Blues (Vestine) [1968] Earth Opera, Earth Opera (Mundi) [1968] The One O’Clock Lab Band, Lab:68 (Bruce Fowler, Sal Marquez) [1968] Canned Heat, Hallelujah (Vestine, Elliot Ingber) [1969] The Hamilton Face Band, Hamilton Face Band (Ruth Komanoff-Underwood) [1969] Bread, Bread (Gordon) [1969] Hoyt Axton, My Griffin Is Gone (Gordon) [1969] Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Eternal Equinox (George Duke, Ponty) [1969] Dave Mason, Alone Together (Gordon) [1970] Randy Newman, 12 Songs (Gordon) [1970] Canned Heat, Vintage (Vestine) [1970] Hamilton Face Band, Ain’t Got No Time (Ruth) [1970] John Mayall, USA Union (Sugarcane) [1970] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Sugarcane (Sugarcane) [1970] Joe Cocker, Mad Dogs And Gentlemen (Gordon) [1970] Geoff & Maria Muldaur, Pottery Pie (Mundi) [1970] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Keep on Driving (Sugarcane) [1971] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Fiddler On The Rock (Sugarcane) [1971] Nolan Porter, No Apologies (Lowell George, Roy Estrada, Jimmy Carl Black) [1971] Bob Smith, The Visit (Don Preston) [1971] T. Rex, Electric Warrior (Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan) [1971] Canned Heat and John Lee Hooker, Hooker n Heat (Vestine) [1971] Canned Heat, Live At Topanga Corral (Vestine) [1971] Canned Heat, Historical Figures And Ancient Heads (Vestine) [1971] B.B. King, B.B. King in London (Gordon) [1971] Leon Russell, Leon Russell And The Shelter People (Gordon) [1971] Traffic, The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (Gordon) [1971] Tom Rapp/Pearls Before Swine, Beautiful Lies You Could Live In (Mundi) [1971] Maxayn, Maxayn (Andre Lewis) [1972] Nolan Porter, Nolan (George, Estrada, Black) [1972] Domenic Troiano, Domenic Troiano (Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner) [1972] Nicholas Greenwood, Cold Cuts (Bunk) [1972] John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Sometime In New York City (Live Jam/tracks 3-6 featuring Frank, Mark and Howard, Ian, Don Preston, Bob Harris #1, Jim Pons, Dunbar) [1972] T. Rex, The Slider (Mark And Howard) [1972] Pure Food & Drug Act, Choice Cuts (Sugarcane) [1972] New Violin Summit (Sugarcane, Ponty) [1972] Albert Hammond, It Never Rains in Southern California (Gordon) [1972] Bobby Whitlock, Bobby Whitlock (Gordon) [1972] Bobby Whitlock, Raw Velvet (Gordon) [1972] Skip Battin, Skip (Mundi) [1972] Tom Fogerty, Tom Fogerty (Mundi) [1972] Razmataz, For The First Time (Mundi) [1972] Eric Von Schmidt, 2nd Right, 3rd Row (Mundi) [1972] Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Sweet Potatoes (Mundi) [1972] Peter Yarrow, Peter (Mundi) [1972] The Nat Adderley Sextet and Rick Holmes, Soul Zodiac (Duke) [1972] The Nat Adderley Sextet and Rick Holmes, Soul Of The Bible (Duke) [1972] Roxy Music, Stranded (Jobson) [1973] Buddy Miles, Chapter VII (Lewis) [1973] Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Listen (Lewis) [1973] Maxayn, Mindful (Lewis) [1973] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Sugar Cane’s Got the Blues (Sugarcane) [1973] Canned Heat, The New Age (Vestine) [1973] Canned Heat, One More River to Cross (Vestine) [1973] Art Garfunkel, Angel Clare (Gordon) [1973] Donovan, Essence to Essence (Gordon) [1973] The Incredible Bongo Band, Bongo Rock (Gordon) [1973] Albert Hammond, The Free Electric Band (Gordon) [1973] David Gates, First (Gordon) [1973] The Hues Corporation, Freedom for the Stallion (Gordon) [1973] John Cale, Paris 1919 (Lowell) [1973] Happy Ends, Happy Ends (Lowell) [1973] Borderline, Sweet Dreams and Quiet Desires (Mundi) [1973] John Compton, To Luna (Mundi) [1973] Flora Purim, Butterfly Dreams (Duke) [1973] Joe Williams, Joe Williams Live (Duke) [1973] Gordon Lightfoot, Stallion (Gordon) [1974] Tom Waits, The Heart Of Saturday Night (Gordon) [1974] John Sebastian, Tarzana Kid (Lowell, Gordon) [1974] Robert Palmer, Sneakin Sally Through the Alley (Lowell) [1974] Mick Ronson, Slaughter on 10th Avenue (Dunbar) [1974] Roxy Music, Country Life (Jobson) [1974] Howdy Moon, self titled album (Lowell George, Roy Estrada) [1974] Luis Gasca, Born to Love You (Duke, Bozzio) [1974] Billy Cobham, Crosswinds (Duke) [1974] Maxayn, Bail Out For Fun! (Lewis) [1974] Roger McGuinn, Peace on You (Mark And Howard) [1974] Dave Mason, Dave Mason (Sal Marquez) [1974] Herbie Mann, London Underground (Dunbar) [1974] Freddie Hubbard, High Energy (Ian Underwood) [1974] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Cup Full Of Dreams (Sugarcane) [1974] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, I’m On Your Case (Sugarcane) [1974] Junior Hanson, Magic Dragon (Lewis) [1974] Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (Gordon) [1974] John Stewart, The Phoenix Concerts (Gordon) [1974] Claude DuBois, Claude DuBois (Mundi) [1974] Mahavishnu Orchestra, Apocalypse (Ponty) [1974] Cannonball Adderley, Love, Sex, And The Zodiac (Duke) [1974] Cannonball Adderley, Pyramid (Duke) [1974] Flora Purim, Stories To Tell (Duke) [1974] Gene Ammons, Brasswind (Duke) [1974] Herb Ellis & Ray Brown, Herb Ellis & Ray Brown’s Soft Shoe (Duke) [1974] David Axlerod, Heavy Axe (Duke) [1974] Roxy Music, Siren (Jobson) [1975] Freddie Hubbard, Liquid Love (Ian) [1975] Billy Cobham, A Funky Thide Of Sings (Walt Fowler) [1975] Down And Dirty Duck Soundtrack (Preston, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Pons, Dunbar) [1975] Mick Ronson, Play, Don’t Worry (Dunbar) [1975] Nils Lofgren, self titled (Dunbar) [1975] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Keyzop (Sugarcane) [1975] Mallard, Mallard (Art Tripp) [1975] The Carpenters, Horizon (Gordon) [1975] Minnie Riperton, Adventures in Paradise (Gordon) [1975] Art Garfunkel, Breakaway (Gordon, Max Bennett, John Guerin) [1975] Joan Baez, Diamonds And Rust (Gordon) [1975] Darryl Hall and John Oates, Darryl Hall And John Oates (Gordon) [1975] Richard “Groove” Holmes, Six Millionare Dollar Man (Gordon) [1975] Thelma Houston, I’ve Got the Music In Me (Gordon) [1975] Gordon Lightfoot, Cold on the Shoulder (Gordon) [1975] Robert Palmer, Pressure Drop (Lowell) [1975] Mahavishnu Orchestra, Visions Of The Emerald Beyond (Ponty) [1975] Cannonball Adderley, Phenix (Duke) [1975] Nat Adderley, Double Exposure (Duke) [1975] Eddie Henderson, Sunburst (Duke) [1975] Joe Henderson, Canyon Lady (Duke) [1975] Stanley Clarke, Journey to Love (Duke) [1975] Joan Baez, From Every Stage (Gordon) [1976] The Brothers Johnson, Look Out For #1 (Ian) [1976] The Carpenters, A Kind Of Hush (Gordon) [1976] Neil Diamond, Beautiful Noise (Gordon) [1976] Journey, Look Into The Future (Dunbar) [1976] Jean-Luc Ponty, Aurora (Ponty, T. Fowler) [1976] Roxy Music, Viva! [1976] Spirit, Farther Along (Ian) [1976] Jean-Luc Ponty, Imaginary Voyage (Ponty, T.Fowler, Allan Zavod) [1976] Grand Funk, Good Singin, Good Playin (Produced by Zappa) [1976] Air Pocket, Fly On (T. Fowler, Bruce Fowler, W. Fowler, Thompson) [1976] Stephen Stills, Illegal Stills (Mark And Howard) [1976] Ian Hunter, All American Space Boy (Dunbar) [1976] Flo and Eddie, Moving Targets (Mark, Howard, Ian) [1976] T. Rex, Futuristic Dragon (Mark and Howard) [1976] Nils Lofgren, Cry Tough (Dunbar) [1976] Carmen MacRae, Can’t Hide Love (Ian) [1976] Sammy Hagar, Nine On A Ten Scale (Dunbar) [1976] Alphonso Johnson, Moonshadow (Ian) [1976] Marathon Man Soundtrack (Ian) [1976] George Duke, Liberated Fantasies (Duke, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ruth) [1976] Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Flashin’ Time (Sugarcane) [1976] Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band, Bat Chain Puller (Beefheart, Denny Walley) [1976] Seals & Croft, Sudan Village (Ralph Humphrey) [1976] Joan Baez, Gulf Winds (Gordon) [1976] Harvey Mason, Earthmover (B. Fowler, Ian) [1976] Stallion, Stallion (B. Fowler, W. Fowler, Albert Wing) [1976] Cannonball Adderley, Lovers (Duke) [1976] Flora Purim, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (Duke) [1976] The Billy Cobham/George Duke Band, “Live” On Tour In Europe (Duke) [1976] Nancy Wilson, This Mother’s Daughter (Duke) [1976] Phil Keaggy, Love Broke Thru (Gordon) [1977] The Brothers Johnson, Right on Time (Ian) [1977] Dolly Parton, Here You Come Again (Ian) [1977] Chunk, Ernie, & Novi, Chunk, Ernie, & Novi (Ian) [1977] George Duke, From Me to You (Duke, Glenn Ferris) [1977] Demon Seeds Soundtrack (Ian) [1977] Journey, Next (Dunbar) [1977] Jean-Luc Ponty, Enigmatic Ocean (Ponty, Zavod) [1977] Little Feat, Time Loves A Hero (Lowell) [1977] Genesis, Seconds Out (Thompson) [1977] Quincy, Jones, Roots (Ian) [1977] Mandré, Mandré (Lewis) [1977] Alphonso Johnson, Spellbound (Thompson) [1977] Bob Meighan Band, (Me’hun) (B. Fowler) [1977] Flora Purim, Encounter (Duke) [1977] Journey, Infinity (Dunbar) [1978] U.K., self titled (Eddie Jobson) [1978] Lynda Carter*, Portrait (Humphrey) (*yes, the same one who played Wonder Woman) [1978] George Duke, Reach For It (Duke) [1978] George Duke, Don't Let Go (Duke) [1978] The Brecker Brothers, Heavy Metal Be-Bop (Bozzio) [1978] Jean-Luc Ponty, Cosmic Messenger (Ponty, Zavod) [1978] Steve Hackett, Please Don’t Touch (T.Fowler, Chester Thompson) [1978] David Bowie, Stage (Adrian Belew) [1978] Alice Cooper, From the Inside (Mark And Howard) [1978] Ambrosia, Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled (Ian, Ruth) [1978] Herb Alpert and Hugh Masekela, Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela (Ian) [1978] Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band, Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) (Beefheart, B.Fowler, Tripp) [1978] Lao Schifrin, Gypsy (Ian) [1978] Barbara Streisand, Songbird (Ian) [1978] Little Feat, Waiting For Columbus (Lowell) [1978] Mandré, Mandré Two (Lewis) [1978] Karen Alexander, Voyager (Humphrey) [1978] The Grateful Dead, Shakedown Street (Lowell) [1978] Al Stewart, Time Passages (Tripp) [1978] Eric Von Schmidt and The Cruel Family, S/T (Mundi) [1978] Andre Heller, Basta (Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ed Mann, Patrick O’Hearn, Peter Wolf) [1978] Michael White, The X Factor (Duke, B. Fowler, W. Fowler, Wing, Napoleon) [1978] SofTouch, SofTouch (B. Fowler) [1978] Flora Purim, That’s What She Said (Duke) [1978] Sonny Rollins, Easy Living (Duke) [1978] U.K., Danger Money (Jobson, Terry Bozzio) [1979] Jean-Luc Ponty, Live (Ponty, Zavod) [1979] David Bowie, Lodger (Belew) [1979] Big Sonny and the Lo Boys, In Heat (Black) [1979] Apocalypse Now Soundtrack (Preston) [1979] The Residents, Eskimo (Preston) [1979] Jefferson Starship, Freedom at Point Zero (Dunbar) [1979] Lowell George, Thanks, I’ll Eat It Here (Lowell) [1979] Peggy Lee, Close Enough For Love (Ian) [1979] Little Feat, Down On The Farm (Lowell) [1979] George Duke, Follow the Rainbow (Duke, Nappy) [1979] George Duke, Master Of The Game (Duke, Nappy) [1979] Tony Banks, A Curious Feeling (Thompson) [1979] Jean-Luc Ponty, A Taste for Passion (Ponty, Zavod) [1979] Freddie Hubbard, The Love Connection (Thompson) [1979] Lalo Schifrin, No One Home (Ian) [1979] The Warriors Soundtrack (Ian) [1979] Mandré, M3000 (Lewis) [1979] Ray Pizzi, The Love Letter (Humphrey) [1979] Leroy Hutson, Unforgettable (Thompson) [1979] David Pritchard, City Dreams (Thompson) [1979] Mary McCaslin & Jim Ringer, The Bramble & The Rose (Mundi) [1979] Randy Vanwarmer, Warmer (Mundi) [1979] Robert Lee, Escapade (Mundi) [1979] Joe Dassin, Blue Country (B. Fowler, W. Fowler) [1979] Flora Purim, Carey On (Duke) [1979] Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bad For Me (Duke, Brock) [1979] The Muppet Movie Soundtrack (Gordon) [1979]
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Apocalypse: Apocalypse is the fourth studio album by Mahavishnu Orchestra, released in April of 1974 on Columbia. Produced by Sir George Martin (who produced the Beatles, ohmyga!), the album marks the debut of the second lineup consisting of lead guitarist and bandleader John McLaughlin, our very own Jean-Luc Ponty on electric violin and electric baritone violin, Gayle Moran on keyboards and vocals, Ralphe Armstrong on bass and vocals, and Narada Michael Walden on drums/percussion/vocals. Augmenting the band is the London Symphony Orchestra as conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, orchestrator Michael Gibbs, violinist/vocalist Carol Schive, violist/vocalist Marsha Westbrook, and cellist/vocalist Philip Hirshci. To be honest, I’m not really that crazy about the strings on here, but then again, I’m not a huge fan of bands using a string section to begin with. That said, the band themselves bring it on here, particularly Ponty. If you’re hoping for his magic touch on the electric violin on here, you’ll get it for sure. And of course, the remaining members, including leader John McLaughlin, hold their own as well. I can’t say it would be a good starting place for newcomers to either Mahavishnu Orchestra or Ponty, but for fans it’s worth a spin or two.
It is September 21st, which means a Happy 88th birthday to the man, the myth, the legend, the Nutty Professor of the Mothers Of Invention himself, Mr. Don Preston. Pioneer in synthesizers, one of the first in rock to make regular use of them in his rig, avant garde composer, jammed with people like Elvin Jones and Herbie Mann in his army days, gigged with Nat King Cole, played on one of the Residents’ most celebrated albums, and of course, he’s the Mother with the vile foamy liquids who played “Louie Louie” on the Royal Philharmonic organ, recounted the Mud Shark story, and believed in progress. Happy birthday to Mr. Dom DeWilde.
Yeah, I'm with you on the strings, and the whole album has an overproduced quality to it, but the compositions and performances are top notch.
I didn't know about this thread! Cool! Agree with you on "Apocalypse". I like bits of it but as a whole it's not my favorite by Mahavishnu. If we are to consider Ponty only I like "Visions of The Emrald Beyond" much more.
Indeed. And I hope we get to see more of you here (if you’re worried about being behind, don’t sweat it. Anything already covered is up for grabs. And I’m clearly not going to start the eighties tomorrow. )
Thanks! I will stick around and will get through all the 203 pages I missed (whew!). I'm very interested in what you are doing right now, some of the albums on that list are excellent and I'm curious about others.
I want to wish a happy birthday to the too-often overlooked Billy Mundi, who would have turned 78 today. Though not as covered as either Jimmy Carl Black or his successor Art Tripp, to say nothing of the countless drumming talents that Zappa worked with in subsequent years, Billy was nonetheless an important part of the Mothers during his tenure. It’s thanks in large part to him that Absolutely Free, We’re Only In It For The Money, and key tracks off Uncle Meat, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, and Weasels Ripped My Flesh have the propulsive swing and power that they possess. In addition, he was the first drummer that Frank had who could read music*, thanks to his background as a timpanist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Even beyond his time with the Mothers, you have Tim Buckley, Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Skip Battin of Byrds fame, Fred Neil, Linda Ronstadt and her original group The Stone Poneys, Pearls Before Swine, The Band, CCR co-founder Tom Fogerty, and various members of Iron Butterfly and Electric Flag in Rhinoceros. Needless to say, he had a pretty nifty career and life. Unlike guys like Jimmy, Don Preston, or Bunk Gardner, there isn’t a whole lot with Billy or about him, so it’s not as easy to get a sense of who he was. From what I’ve gathered, he seemed like a geniunely good, solid guy. Unassuming and dependable, never calling attention to himself, much like his drumming. Here’s to a happy birthday to Billy, may he Rest In Peace.
Flora Purim, Stories To Tell: Stories To Tell is the fourth solo album by Flora Purim, released in 1974 on Milestone Records. Produced by Orrin Keepnews, Purim is backed here by our very own George Duke on keyboards and synthesizer, Airto Moreira on drums and percussion, Earl Klugh playing guitar on every track except “Silver Sword”, King Errison on congas, the great Ron Carter playing bass on three tracks (“Search For Peace”, “Casa Forte”, “Vera Cruz”), and original Weather Report bassist Miroslav Vitious playing bass* and synthesizers** on select tracks (the title track***, “Silver Sword”**, “O Cantador”/“I Just Want To Be Here”*). Making guest contributions are Carlos Santana (guitar on “Silver Sword”), Oscar Neves (guitar on “Insensatez”, acoustic guitar on “Mountain Train”), Hadley Caliman (flute and alto flute on “Casa Forte” and “Vera Cruz”), George Bohanon (trombone on “Casa Forte” and “Vera Cruz”), Raul de Souza (trombone solos on “Casa Forte” and “Vera Cruz”), Oscar Brashear (flugelhorn on “Casa Forte” and “Vera Cruz”), Larry Dunlap (piano on “Mountain Train”), and Ernie Hood (zither and vocals on “Mountain Train”). Another Flora Purim record, and we once again explore the Latin jazz direction she’s known for. And once again, it’s executed quite nicely. Needless to say, George is great as you’d expect, making some very tasty embellishments on keyboards throughout the album. Flora is in very strong voice, delivering some genuinely beautiful vocals as you’d expect. My favorite track would definitely be “Silver Sword” with Santana, who delivers some scorching guitar on the track. That said, it’s still a very enjoyable record that any fan of Flora’s will dig.
Billy was a good but limited drummer. He was excellent when it came to jazz: his swing on "King Kong" worked much better than Arthur Tripp's steady beat but he had a tendency to sped up during the songs. I think Artie was a better fit to be The Mothers' drummer but Billy certainly added a special flavour while he was in the band. I believe he played with The Grandmothers around 2002 or 2004. I don't have that Flora Plurim album but I will check it out: I like her music.
Let’s wish a Happy Birthday to Bob Harris #1, keyboardist on Fillmore East who would have turned 77 today. Though his time was short lived, he still showed himself to be a positive addition to the Flo and Eddie band. Through his soul-infused Rhodes piano, he proved the perfect keyboardist for that record and particularly “The Mud Shark”. So let’s give it up for Mr. Harris, may he Rest In Peace.
Let’s wish a good one for Jean-Luc Ponty, who turns 78 today. From a long line of classical musicians, he would take the violin and make it a viable instrument in jazz, become the rare Frenchman to break into America, create some of the earliest jazz fusion, provide a launching pad for fellow fusion legend George Duke, innovate on the electric violin, have a prolific and successful solo career, enrich the works of countless artists such as Zappa, Elton John, Gerald Wilson, and Chick Corea, and play in two of fusion’s most iconic bands in Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever. The man is a brilliant musician and artist and a true genius. With a golden touch on the violin and a forward thinking approach to its techniques and sonic pallet, Ponty has effortlessly bridged musical worlds throughout his career. He moves so gracefully with each note, swan like in its execution. So creative and imaginative, and even if I’m not necessarily into the music he’s making at a given moment, I am rarely able to say he missed the mark or that he didn’t care. Here’s to a one of a kind player and artist, may he continue blessing us with his talent.
Always had a soft spot for this Ponty album. The line-up, featuring Zappa alumni and future members of Genesis and Jethro Tull, is a progman's wet dream.
Cannonball Adderley, Love, Sex, And The Zodiac: Love, Sex, and The Zodiac is a studio album by Cannonball Adderley, released in 1974 on Fantasy Records. Produced by David Axlerod, the album was originally recorded in 1970. Backing Cannonball on here is our very own George Duke on electric piano/clavinet/ARP synthesizer, Nat on cornet, Hal Galper on Fender Rhodes, Jimmy Jones on piano, Walter Booker on guitar and upright bass, Roy McCurdy on drums, and Rick Holmes on narration. I’m not really that surprised this got held back, because it frankly isn’t that great an album. For one thing, the Rick Holmes narration is one thing I’m really just over at this point. Musically, the band is proficient if not particularly inspired on here with rare exceptions. Honestly, any non-completist can gloss over this record. It’s not horrible, just not particularly compelling.
@Zoot Marimba do you know this one? This cut here features a fair share of Zappa alumni: George Duke (as Dawilli Gonga), the Brecker Brothers, Ernie Watts and... Ruth Underwood!
Yes, good stuff. I chose not to cover that record since there’s only a Zappa connection on two songs. The general rule is that for a non-Zappa record to be covered in this thread, Frank or at least one Zappa alumnus (somebody who toured and recorded with Frank) must be involved in a significant capacity. Generally, at least half the album.
In honor of Eddie Van Halen, who was a family friends of the Zappas, here’s a clip of Dweezil talking about Eddie.
First off, I want to apologize for the delays with this thread. Now a late happy birthday for Jim Fielder, original bassist of Blood Sweat & Tears and onetime rhythm guitarist for Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, who turned 73 on the 4th. Though he’s typically flown under the radar, Jim has beared witness to and been apart of the making of music history and in shake ups in the status quo. Be it from helping Zappa and Tim Buckley early on in their careers, aiding Buffalo Springfield near their end, or helping pioneer jazz rock and fusion, Jim has been able to gained an enviable, almost fly-on-the-wall view of things. As a bassist, he always been able to play exactly what is needed and can anchor often ambitious music while retaining the rock feel. Indeed, any band is better off for having Jim around. It’s pretty amazing when you find somebody who was apart of so much history and yet remains so under the radar. Jim’s career embodies all of my country’s best qualities-the rich and diverse heritage, the innovation, the power of the underdog, the indomitable nature. Here’s to a great musician, May he continue blessing us with his talents.
