Best Of JMJ | TalkBass.com

Best Of JMJ

Discussion in 'Ask Justin Meldal-Johnsen' started by JimmyM, Jun 28, 2008.

  1. Jun 28, 2008 #1
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Say someone wanted to put together a collection of what you consider your finest moments as a bassist. What do you consider your finest work? I know you're probably too busy to list 14-15 tunes, so I will leave this open to your fanbase as well. "Sexx Laws" and "Paper Tiger" are the obvious choices, but you've got such a discography now and to be quite honest, I'm not familiar with a lot of it, so what do you and your fans consider the standout moments?
     
  2. Jun 28, 2008 #2
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    Wow, jeez, I dunno:

    Beck:

    Sexx Laws
    Nicotine & Gravy
    Hollywood Freaks

    Paper Tiger
    Oh Maria
    Lazy Flies
    Dead Melodies
    Mixed Bizness
    Broken Train
    Milk & Honey
    End of the Day
    etc

    Ima Robot:
    Song #1
    Dynomite
    12 = 3
    Black Jettas
    Dirty Life
    Ages of Ruin
    Here Come The Bombs
    etc

    Some Macy Gray, Tori Amos, Ocean's 13, Air "10,000 Hz Legend, stuff off the new Dido record, stuff off the new Ladytron record, Marianne Faithful "Sex With Strangers". Probably a bunch of film stuff, but I can't specify off the top of my head.

    Best,
    JMJ
     
  3. Jun 28, 2008 #3
    jk3

    jk3 Guest

    Jul 25, 2007
    Chicago
    "go it alone" is a sweet, sweet bassy tune.

    but, i heard that is jack white on bass, which is ironic, however, i prefer it not to be true...

    jmj - is that you on bass?
     
  4. Jun 28, 2008 #4
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Nice of you to do that, Justin. Love that sliding distorto riff that starts out Song #1, BTW. "Here's one for the kids!" LOL!

    EDIT: Dummy me! That's "Dynomite," not "Song 1." You guys did that on purpose, didn't you? ;)

    jk3, I know Jack White isn't the most beloved musician on TB because of his lack of bass with the White Stripes, his use of Meg on drums, and his penchant for leaving giant glaring mistakes on his albums, but I think he's a genius and a much better musician than people realize. And he's not too bad a bassist when he wants to be. Wouldn't be my first choice as a bassist, but he's competent and musical when he does it. I always suggest to people to check out the Raconteurs if you want to hear him in a more traditional setting where he's not trying to be as quirky.
     
  5. Jun 29, 2008 #5
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    JK3 - "go it alone" is Jack White killing it. Evidence of his genius, right there, look no further. He's a sick bassist, y'all! Trust me. Great musician and instinct, for sure. And a sweet, sweet guy. Brought my band Ima Robot on a US tour, gave us a real boost during our first record.

    Interesting, there's some songs where people think it's me, but it's not, and I get quite jealous because in fact there are many occasions in which other musicians can and will, due to who knows what random factors, come up with something so identifiable. Sometimes, I'm sure you'd agree, my lines aren't actually all that exciting; they can be quite supportive and good, but definitely transparent and light on the real personality.

    Then there's other times when I beat my chest and think about how memorable a certain line or approach seems to be, because it just felt so right for the occasion and it feels like such a statement in some regard.

    I'm sure most bass players would agree that they all go through these two extremes to some extent. I wouldn't call it insecurity, I would just say we can't all be Paul McCartney or James Jamerson all the time...or Peter Hook or Paul Simonon or Jack White, for that matter!!

    Living, learning, growing and enjoying the ride,

    JMJ
     
  6. Jun 29, 2008 #6
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Sweet guy, maybe, but after seeing pics of the guy he beat the crap out of a few years ago, I sure wouldn't want to piss him off!

    Justin, you have no reason to be jealous or feel like you take a backseat to anyone out there at any time. Yeah, sometimes I'm sure you feel like you're not making your sonic imprint when you have to play footballs on the one in a session, but when you make a statement, you MAKE A STATEMENT! Quite honestly, you've got the career that I always wanted for myself but never thought I could hang until I got too old for people to care. Any time you feel like you're being stifled, you have an open invitation from me to come up and play "Blue Moon" with Bowzer. That'll give you some perspective...a little too much f-ing perspective, as the guys in Spinal Tap say ;)
     
  7. Jun 29, 2008 #7
    jk3

    jk3 Guest

    Jul 25, 2007
    Chicago
    JMJ,
    Very cool insight...thank you.
    also, good to hear jack white is a decent guy.

    Jimmy, i dig most of his stuff, raconteurs and white stripes. been trying to get my bandmates to cover "Rich Kid Blues" by Terry Reid (my favorite song) - guess who beat me to it...now it'd be a raconteurs cover.:rolleyes: they did a nice job of covering i think

    back to the JMJ list:
    Scarecrow, is a sick sick bassy tune on guero (such a great album, btw).
     
  8. Jun 29, 2008 #8
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Lucky for you, the Raconteurs get no airplay that I know of, so you're still probably safe ;)
     
  9. Jun 29, 2008 #9
    mortar

    mortar

    Mar 18, 2008
    I know I said this in another thread but the Oceans 13 soundtrack has some of the coolest bass grooves period. I 'm going to have to pick that up for show.