JAMMING: Jamming simply meant to plug in and play together in a spontaneous/improvisational fashion.
Countless songs from those early Minds albums were initiated in that fashion. We were good at it, everyone totally present, ready for inspiration to arrive as one musician would initially take the lead with a new idea, then circling round it endlessly while trying to find out where it could go next. The others would then at some point come chiming in one by one, offering real time ideas.
Usually delicate at first (almost shyly) but soon forcefully. Essentially all were in the process of fleshing out the original idea. Complementing the mood with different layers of sounds and rhythms was always a crucial initiative. And as the evolving piece continued to take shape, it would become obvious to all in the room that a new song idea was being born right there at that moment.
But not always of course. Many times "a jam" would go round and round, leading to...nowhere exciting. But even at that, the jamming was a positive thing as the sheer exercise of doing so meant that the musicians could break sweat, and flex their playing muscles, while also working on their improvisational skills.
Technology changed much of this, and I could not tell you the last time I heard any musician referring to jamming. Just does not happen in the circles I am in.
Reason being is that almost all musicians have their own little recording studios. A laptop! On this, they usually programme up pretty solid, if not complete song ideas. Therefore no need to spend hours jamming, circling round and round like Whirling Dervishes..perhaps risking ending up nowhere! A pity really. Jamming, or at least great jamming, needed some very sharp skills. Patience and resolve being one. I think those skills have been lost on many as a result.
As for "jamming" presently?
Walking in to the studio yesterday, we were delighted to see the gift that was waiting on us.(pic)
A different kind of jamming indeed.
Straight from the allotment - and one that no doubt required skills to grow and nourish - just as indeed it does with cultivating ideas for songwriting.
Charlie's Chilli and Jim's Jam?
Now there's an idea worth thinking about.
We cannot thank you both enough.
Simply Delicious!
Glastonbury: Did you watch on TV? Any faves?
I enjoyed so much of what I have seen so far on BBC. Radiohead were out of this world good. Elbow, their performance of "Lippy Kids" made my eyes mist up.
Lorde more than delivered.
One of my all time faves failed to appear as scheduled.Toots And The Maytal's. What happened?
Chic's performance made me feel full of joy.
Everybody loves the music of Nile Rodgers. (pic)
The singers and musicians that he is working with currently are truly breathtaking.
The real stars? Has to be those who work on organising this overwhelmingly great music event, and of course the BBC for making it available for us to see and hear.
I was at my first Glastonbury. On my own with a crap tent. And let me tell you, it is a hard slog and nowhere near as easy as it looks on the TV. I got to see some excellent stuff but missed the whole of Sunday as I'd completely run out of energy ( zero sleep does that to you). Highlights for me we're Foo Fighters and Royal Blood who both really rocked. I left Radiohead half way through ( with thousands of others )as it was such a slow start and unless you were anywhere near the front you couldn't see anything as they had used the big screens for graphics. Surprise for me was Tom Chaplin in the acoustic tent who was out of this world.
The Pretenders,Future islands, goldfrapp, Radiohead, the killers, Elbow, Chic, Liam Gallagher so many performances were great , i particularly enjoyed XX went down really well , I think I'm gonna put XX on my one to catch live list , actually went to see Future Islands the night before they played their set at Glastonbury they were amazingly good , but how could I not support our very own local lads Sleaford Mods
Just want to thank Jim and the band for posting as a Fan makes you feel more connect and Far more personnel please keep it up. Hey surprise us and invite some of your fans on a one on one maybe on your next tour you dont know how much it feels as i have been a fan for 40 years.
First time I've missed Glasto in 15 years and after last years weather doom it was always going to be a fab year haha just my luck. Chic and The XX and Barry Gibb where amazing. I don't know if I'm just getting old but Glastonbury Sundays are just exceptional festival days. I hope one day to see Simple Minds there been a long time since 1995 🙂
Radiohead were mind blowing. Saw them in Dublin a couple of nights previously and they were the same. The line 'bring down the government, they don't speak for us' seemed to really resonate with the Glastonbury crowd.
I was blown away by Elbow! I'd only ever heard One Day Like This before but I just loved Mirrorball and The Bones of You. Beautiful. Radiohead were as brilliant as I expected. And Ed Sheeran didn't quite do it for me. I thought he did a great job but just didn't have the oomph to be a headliner.
well overdue for a Simple Minds return. Acoustic Tent would have been perfect for you this year as final gig of the tour. if not 2019, how about 2020 for Glasto's 50th anniversary after your '95/25th anniversary set?
I live so far from England. So, of course I didn't see or hear nothing. By the way, I agree with you about Nile Rodgers huge talent. I like him too much. And you are a very talented musician too. Simple Minds and Chic for ever!
We can't access Glastonbury BBC here 😩. The Foo fighters got great reviews and I found their version of 'Under Pressure' from this festival on YouTube. Epic stadium rock, it has to be said. Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl switched roles for that song. This would be equivalent to you and Mel Gaynor switching roles for, maybe, 'Alive and Kicking' ......now that would be compulsory viewing, Jim.....but I wouldn't seriously suggest it.😀😀
I've got my Glastonbury(= local Werchter) planned in a few days. Last time I went there was just 1 stage. Nice and easy. This time round I've made myself a little schedule making the most of the experience. I'll just drag my fellow company along😊
Nile Rodgers (Chic) easily the best show, followed by The Pretenders.... proof, it any were needed that class acts mature well....... 😉
I loved the Foo Fighters. They certainly know how to rock out ! Radiohead were sublime. When are the mighty SImple Minds going to play Glastonbury? 😁 xx
Watched way to much and still watching the sets I missed on iplayer but Radiohead, National and Mark Lannegan were my top 3 if you take out the Foo Fighters who were just superb
Missed The Killers but Radiohead were great. British Sea Power played a stonking set on the Other stage and fell asleep to Ed Sheeran! Laura Marling fantastic as ever too!
I caught none of it in the end. I just never turn the telly on these days. I almost did on the Sunday...erm, but watched "something else" instead *looks around sheepishly* But I'll make the most of iPlayer - I have to catch Lord Buckethead with Sleaford Mods, if nothing else!
Some good moments this year .. highlights for me were Chic.Staying Alive when the security all joined in . Barry Gibb , classic songs . Foo's rocked it . Have to say though Elbow were brilliant , Guy Garvey and the boys know how to work the crowd . Royal Blood were solid and Dua Lipa gave a great set . Not very often "pop" stars prove themselves but she was good .
Still going through the recordings & sets on iplayer 🙂 loved the pretenders - so much so I've bought a ticket for an upcoming gig. Chic -,elbow, Barry gibb ,& my all time fave future islands awesome
Loved watching Chic on Sunday after seeing them at Kelvin Grove just a couple weeks back but checked out Barry Gibb on I Player last night , just wonderful songs and performance. As with Chic great band to deliver legendary sings.
My surprise 'find' watching Glasto on the red button & skipping between sets was ATA KAK!!.....he was a-flippin'-mazing!! I googled him & his back story & how a producer travelled the world to track him down is amazing!.....funky, scatting ragga/afro beats styley....check it out! My 22 yr old son said " I didn't understand a word, but I LOVED it; that old man can move & rap!" Aside from the mega names already mentioned here, I also Loved Rae/Ray (spelling?) singing accoustically for Nick Grimshaw & the Annie Mac DJ set with the "House Gospel Choir", along with all the many guests Jools Holland had on, espceially Chris Difford doing "Cool for Cats".....thank God for the Red Button; very educational! xx
Foo foo fighters stole the show for me, Radiohead good but a bit too wierd, Ed Sheerin didn't do it for me but on his own in front of 80,000 it must be hard going. Missed the killers though!!
So true, they made a huge effort my biggest compliments for how they can deal with every year such a fantastic event and this year more than other years. I'm waiting to see the Pretenders' videos but I've read about a great performance of Chic & Nile Rodger of course! I'm sure that Blindfolded Moscow This is it Imagination and NGD would have enchanted and involved all the audience! 😀
😊 It is truely fascinating to watch performance's like that on TV and a great joy when reading it was so enjoyable bringing out all kinds of emotions during the tv experience, I would have loved to see that one. I really haven't been watching tv lately for a long time now I tape America's got talent and try to catch up on it and saw the girl that was burned in an airplane crash sing and instantly cryed causing me to be even more thankful for everything in life❤❤
Goldfrapp was superb, Killers secret set was awesome, especially up close, Alison Moyet's voice still awesome, Royal Blood rocked the place and Katy Perry was fab. Also loved Wild Beasts and Pretenders. Too much fabulousness happening all weekend but it was crazy (crush) busy for the headliners. Roll on 2019.
Yes thought Chic's performace was superb even Security were dancing. An SM appearance there would top the lot.
I caught the last 4 or 5 Ed Sheeran's songs - amongst which Nancy Mulligan, a much loved song in our household particularly by my 6-year old daughter 😊 he is hugely talented and very very strong vocally 🎶🎸🎹 🎻
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Promised You A Miracle Acoustic
Featuring KT Tunstall.
Taken from the new album SIMPLE MINDS ACOUSTIC.
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I've not tried any of them myself...(they're not that good. The advice on the label of "excessive consumption may cause a laxative effect" is a worry...)
You know, someone's beaten you to the idea...available in health food stores. Reduced sugar (sweet enough already, it seems!)
Just took in the "pleasantly preserved" on the label. Genius! Lol
How do most songs come together now, do you chill(i) with Charlie and he jams with Jim?
Surely, musicians getting together in a studio creates the most vibrant and exciting ideas. The creative energy flowing between everyone. The spontaneity. The old adage-the sum of the parts is greater than each individual contribution is no more evident than in a studio, making music. Even disagreements can finely tune a song....and you can open a pot of jam at the same time to sweeten someone up, if needed.
Nice jar of jam; fun to have it on your table for breakfast!
Best update ever. I love growing veges in my garden. Feeds my soul. Sure is the real deal! 🙂
Don't forget that we NEED new simplemindsmusic, just as Bread and Water, to survive! Thank you for this news 😉
There is nothing more important to start the day than a good jelly, with her ideas are clear! Happy day 😊
The Jamerican!! I know, it's early!!
Jamming Towards The Sun.
Chilli Burchill and Jam kerr 😃. ENJOY.
All The Things She Spread.
Who is going to make the rhubarb crumble????? 😁
How does Bob Marley like his doughnuts? With jammin 😉
Why is Charlie's Chili smaller than Jim's Jam? :-0
Alive and Pickling.....
jimjams 😊 made me smile
Go to market!
I'm back in a band (Luxury Stranger - we're good!) for the first time in years. At every rehearsal I've made a point of starting a jam. Just start playing a baseline and see what happens. So far, good things! Nobody has a monopoly on ideas - the best ones are usually ones where you collaborate.
Any musician worth there salt should err jam surely that's what playing is all about. You can so tell the bands that were brought up this way and those that aren't. Talking of which I so looking forward to seeing U2 and Coldplay both of who I bet are exceptional jammers too 😂🎶🎤🎉 great post as I can see you all jamming 🎶
Could you send over a few of those delicious jammy jar delights, Jim? Would complement my kitchen! Would love to see a studio jamming session video at some stage. And always enjoy a nice bit of reggae, too! Very relaxing after a hard day's work! 🙂
How about a freestyle jamming gig JK? Give it a Spinal Tap feel...see where the music takes the band. Us dedicated followers would love it...no computers or loops allowed.
Jk...Pearl Jam?!?! Eddie Vedder playing Sicily's captivating Teatro!!! If ever there was a reason to hot foot it over to your second home...???
Well take the jam to stick the accords together and use the chili to spice the music up, we will hopefully hear the result soon on a new smoothy album 😁😁😁👍
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