Hello All,
Welcome to elocrian's blog!
I have many opinions and insights to share, some tame - some controversial... we will start with tame...
I will devote this first post to my greatest passion - music! I love many kinds of music, and I chased the Dead around in the 80's and 90's. I have played guitar for over 20 years now - and my musical tastes have broadened greatly.
At the top of any list would be all of the music created by my personal Holy Trinity of Guitarists: Jimmy Herring, Jerry Garcia and John McLaughlin.... To these ears, they can do no wrong.
Now, it's a shame that Jimmy Herring needs any sort of introduction, but not everyone is aware of this phenomenal musician. I have been worshiping at the altar of Jimmy Herring's searing, face-melting guitar playing since I was a teenager. Though I am not - Mr. Herring (a/k/a Big Red) is a local boy, born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina where he attended Terry Sanford Senior High School. He went on to attend Berklee College of Music and the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood.
When I first discovered Jimmy Herring, he was playing in one of the greatest bands of all time: Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit! This line up included Oteil Burbridge on bass (now with the Allman Brothers) and Jeff Sipe on drums - both incredible musicians in their own right.
Jimmy Herring is, hands down, the most amazing player I have ever had good fortune to see. He certainly seems very humble and makes it look so effortless. Jimmy has has also played with the Allman Brothers Band, Jazz Is Dead, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, Justice League, and Project Z, and is currently the lead guitarist in the band Widespread Panic.
Jimmy just released his first solo album entitled Lifeboat. Much of it is straight-ahead jazz/jazz fusion - all of it is amazing. The album and subsequent tour reunites Jimmy with ARU band-mates Jeff Sipe and Oteil Burbridge. The recent show here at the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh, was one of the best musical performances I have ever experienced. Their cover of the MahaVishnu Orchestra song "Dawn" is currently playing as the audio clip on my profile.
Anyone who is into guitar, or just great music, should be sure to check out all things Jimmy Herring at http://jimmyherring.net
I also really want to thank Atlanta photographer, Michael Saba, for letting me feature the powerfully majestic picture of Jimmy above. You should check out Michael's website where there is an unbelievable number of amazing photos of too many people to name!
Check it out -> http://musicphotog.com/
If you really want to get a feel for the depth and breadth of Jimmy's talent, check out this podcast at Honest Tunes Radio: http://dgold.info/radio/webcast2006/music213
Jimmy Herring's star is rising on the guitar horizon. He is one of the freshest new voices I've heard in many a year. He has successfully integrated his many fold influences while at the same time has found his own voice. No mean achievement! His future in music is assured. - John McLaughlin
No comments:
Post a Comment