johnny gimble recommendations

[sam brigs]

Hi-
I'm doing some research into Johnny Gimble and was wondering which of his recordings cafe members might recommend. Is it true that he played only one Bob Wills album? the last one? Are there particular solos you think are essesntial to listen to?
Thanks very much,
Sam

[farmerjones]

Funny you should ask:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yN_1bf5q4w

Last week, i had a wild hair to learn Fiddlin Around. I heard it the first time on Mark O'Connor's CD, Heros. I nearly hired a teacher. :)

In this video, Mr. Gimble remarks he only played for, Bob Wills for two years.
Johnny Gimble is/was Nashville's A list studio rat #1 for 50 years. Stuart Duncan has kind of stepped in now. J. G. still plays at Guero's Taco's in Austin about every week.
I knew of Vasser Clement and Steph Grapelli & Django but only recently, able to grasp their work. Too cool for words.

I've got Bob Wills' box set, but i don't think it swings like Glenn Miller, or Benny Goodman.
Just my opinion. Look up Kansas City Kitty too.

[doc holiday]

Anything & Everything by Johhny Gimble is recommended
He is one great fiddler & mando player !!!

[EdSherry]

I'd recommend his "Texas Fiddle Collection" on CMH:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hjfexqq5ld0e

And his "Still Swingin" (also on CMH):

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gjfexqq5ld0e



(NFI.) I've never had the chance to hear his first ("Fiddlin Around") LP. He's all over others' records as a sideman (see under "Credits" in his entry on AllMusic).

He also played on Merle Haggard's tribute album to Bob Wills, which is where I first heard him many years ago:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:djfqxqq5ldae

And he's on the Proper Records Bob Wills "Take Me Back To Tulsa" box set (a fabulous deal):

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dnfixqu0ldae

[AlanN]

Be sure to find the ACL show 1981 floating around on DVD, trio with Jethro and Tiny Moore. Fantabulous.

[Pete Martin]

Anything & Everything by Johhny Gimble is recommended
He is one great fiddler & mando player !!!

I second this motion!

[EarlG]

Being from Waco, Texas, I have been able to hear Johnny Gimble at local events occassionally. He's probably the best fiddler around. Funny, because I did not even realize he played mandolin until I started playing mandolin.

I always remember the "Million Dollar Band" on Hee Haw too. That was amazing.

He's pretty much a hero type person in this area.

[sam brigs]

Thanks guys-
Those are good recommendations. That Merle Haggard is so good. I love hearing Tiny Moore.

[mandopops]

All the Gimble stuff is great.
I've asked this before, on the Bob Wills "For the Last Time" album Gimble is listed on both Fiddle & Elec. Mandolin.
I know he tunes his mandolin low in Mandola tuning & is strung w/ single strings, so I'm not sure if it's his Mandolin or a Guitar. Does anyone know which trax feature Gimble mandolin solos? I think Miss Molly is one. Any others?

[Pete Martin]

I used to listen to "For the Last Time" a ton, but haven't for a while, so my memory is foggy. I seem to remember the only guitar solo being on Twin Guitar Special and all others being mandolin solos.

It is pretty easy to tell the tone of the mando from the guitar. Listen to the "string length" sound on the notes. The longer the string, the more sustain. The shorter the string, the more percusion when the pick strikes the string. When you listen for that, the mando is obvious.

My favorite Gimble recording is his original Fiddlin Around record done on Capital in the 70s, LONG out of print.

[Flattpicker]

On the "For the Last Time" recording there's a great solo on "Stay All Night" at the 1:12 point. It sure sounds like mandolin to me (the guitarist, Eldon Shamblin, wasn't known for soloing anyway, just for being an unbelievable rhythm guitarist)

[Duc Vu]

Today's WSJ: Nimble Gimble Hums Along.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704543804575065263393970980.html?m od=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_4

[Caleb]

Funny Gimble memory...

I was in Waco to see Tommy Emmanuel at that nice little outdoor college theater (GREAT place to see a show!). Johnny and his clan open up the show and play an amazing set. Later on they all end up jamming with Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy's doing all his slaps and off-the-wall stuff he does. It comes time for Johnny to take a solo on his mandolin. Johnny sort of looks around at the others on stage sheepishly, then looks out at the audience. He lifts up his mandolin and thumps on it a few times, playfully mocking Tommy's style. The whole place erupted in laughter. My face was sore from smiling when I left that show. A glorious night of great music. Johnny is the real deal!

[John Rosett]

I always remember the "Million Dollar Band" on Hee Haw too. That was amazing.

Johnny played on the "Nashville String Band" LP's with Chet Atkins, Homer & Jethroand some of the other great studio musicians from the 60's. They probably released 5 or 6 albums. I have one where Johnny is credited with mandola.
They would be a great bunch of albums to reissue on CD.