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Gimme the Jimmys
The Jimmys
Brown Cow Productions
www.thejimmys.net
11 tracks/48:47
This one gets off to a rockin' start as our favorite band from Monroe, WI delivers a high octane performance on "HaDaya HaDaya" that illustrates everything that makes this band special - tight musical interplay, a blazing hot horn section and Jimmy Voegeli's spirited vocals and keyboard work. Drummer Mauro Magellan was an original member of the Georgia Satellites - his fellow band member, Dan Baird, adds his guitar to the track along with Warner Hodges of Jason & the Scorchers fame, who lays down a brief but incendiary guitar solo.
Voegeli wrote all of the songs for this project. He recorded two of the songs during his lengthy stint as a member of the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band. The latest version of "Girl All Woman" emphasizes the New Orleans R&B elements of the song, with the tenor sax solo from Bryan Husk driving home the point. Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick contributes some cowbell to the track. "Love Will Find a Way" has a driving rhythm from Magellan and bassist Johnny Wartenweiler. Voegeli plays some rollicking piano lines and Ken "Birddog" Olufs gets a chance to showcase his skill on the harmonica. The horns bring an extra layer of liveliness to the track.
The pace slows on "Baby's So Fine" with Voegeli's compassionate vocal one of the disc's highlights, surrounded by the majestic sounds of his Hammond organ and a sympathetic alto sax solo from Peterson Ross. Baird's slide guitar on "She Don't Love Me" has the band sounding like the classic version of Little Feat. The instrumental "Jimmys Groove" establishes a blue-funk feel with the band's guitarist, Dave Potter, playing some of his always tasteful licks. Voegeli stars again on the organ as the horn section blasts away in the background and Carlos sits in on drums. "JiMo Boogie" features Magellan as the sole support for Voegeli's extended piano solo that again highlights the influence of the New Orleans piano tradition on his style along with a few hints of ragtime piano. Voegeli switches to the Rhodes electric piano on "All I Ask" and Potter gets a another chance to shine.
There are two songs that show the group's versatility as well as proving that they aren't afraid to move beyond more traditional material. The soulful "Hell or Heaven" has a main-stream rock sound with soaring vocals, a dynamic horn chart and a mini-guitar army comprised of Baird, Hodges and Billy Flynn. Baird plays a succinct solo at the mid-point before Flynn brings you home with some exquisite playing that captures the B.B. King sound. There is a second, shorter version of this track at the end of the disc, intended for radio play. "The Tree" is a distinct departure from the rest of the disc. Voegeli and his wife, Laura, often visit her mother. There is a small cemetery nearby that the couple often strolls through. They always pass by a grave that sits under a Yew tree. The song is Voegeli's imagining a possible storyline that ties together the departed soul and the tree. His dark, gloomy vision tells the tale of a father's love and sacrifice for his daughter, that later brings additional tragic consequences. The string section comprised of Chris Wagoner on violin & viola and Mary Gaines on cello and parlor bass help establish the haunting mood. The Amateur Horn Stars - Husk, Ross and Chad Whittinghill on trumpet & flugelhorn - also make key contributions.
If you have caught one of The Jimmys live shows, you know what to expect from this disc and you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of the band's upbeat, good-time music that they are famous for. Some might be slightly disappointed at the number of high-profile, special guests. But they all make solid contributions without impacting what the Jimmys are all about. And every band needs to find an edge that helps with their marketing. When you have a collection of musicians this talented, and a frontman with the charisma of Jimmy Voegeli, you are guaranteed plenty of musical fireworks. This is a fine first effort and has me already anxiously awaiting the next Jimmys recording.
Reviewed by Mark Thompson
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The Jimmys-Gimme the Jimmys
One look at the eight smiling faces on the cover of "Gimme the Jimmys" and a smile crept onto my own face.
Maybe it's economics, but I haven't seen many new releases from larger bands
lately. The cover credits Jimmy Voegeli with vocals, backing vocals, piano,
Hammond organ, Rhodes piano and wine supplier. Maybe that's why the other seven
members are smiling; not from the wine, but from playing with such a
multi-talented leader.
"Gimme the Jimmys" is well produced. The horn arrangements are excellent and the playing tight. Sometimes the "Amateur Horn Stars" sound like a full orchestra, not just three guys blowing their hearts out. The guitar and harmonica playing stand out, but never overpower the songs. Blend ...em together with Jimmy's vocals and keys and you've got eleven originals recorded in a unique and pleasing style.
The tone for the album is set by the first cut, HaDaya HaDaya, a swingin' rocker. My favorite song is "She Don't Love Me", whose loping beat keeps me grinnin', even if the topic doesn't. The feeling of fun pervades "Gimme the Jimmys" overall. I'll bet it took no coaxing to bring out the smiles on the cover photo. Pick up your copy of "Gimme the Jimmys" and you'll be smiling too! www.thejimmys.net
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If Triple M's favorite rock and roll farmer plays his new CD for the cows out in the barn in New Glarus, they're chewin' their cud a bit faster..and dancing in their stalls.
If you're a follower of local music, you've probably heard that Jimmy Voegeli brought in some heavy hitters to help out on "Gimme the Jimmys." Yeah, he's got Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick on one track, and Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites playing the guitar solos on several songs, but while that looks great on press releases, the proof is in the listening.
So often a local band will sound great live, but when they try to make a record of original material it leaves you asking "Why did I buy this?"
Luckily, that's not the case with Gimme the Jimmys. It starts off really strong with " HaDaYa"..a great jumping boogie woogie number that you just want to turn up loud. And even though all the songs aren't traditional blues..they all fit and have a great flow. A couple of my favorites: "Hell or Heaven," and "JiMo Boogie," with the liner notes listing the musicians as Jimmy plus drummer Mauro Magellan, and a bottle of Jack. Gotta give credit where credit is due. I also can't get enough of Dan Baird's slide guitar on "She Don't Love Me."
Jimmy's a great keyboard player, fine tuning his chops as a member of the Westside Andy Mel Ford Band over the years. But he's not a show-off on this record..it's got great guitar solos..and the horn section (The Amateur Horn All Stars) is fantastic.
You have a few chances to see the Jimmys live this month and pick up a copy of the CD. They're at the harmony Bar Saturday October 8th for their official Madison CD release party. Bur they've also got upcoming gigs at the Club Tavern and Knuckledown Saloon.
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The Jimmys: Gimme the Jimmys
(Brown Cow Productions)
Andy Moore on Thursday 09/22/2011
Things come crashing right out of the barn on the first cut of Jimmy Voegeli's jam-packed new record. "Hadaya" punches hard with everything the Monticello madman has. Soaring horns. Guitar solos that jolt through you like you're in an electric chair. Jimmy's shout-out lead vocals.
Then there's Voegeli's beefy piano chops. Patient and endearing on "Hell or Heaven." High on jive in "Love Will Find a Way." Chubby Checker comes alive in "Baby's So Fine." Voegeli's Hammond organ turns "Jimmy's Groove" into a flipped-out skate around the rink.
Voegeli has spiced this project heavily with guest players. The featured guitarists alone are a band unto themselves. Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos sits in, as does Madison's first couple of music, Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines.
It's a crime not to mention the whole band by name, so I'm going to close my eyes and point.
Mauro Magellan's drumming never lets up. Like a thief, Ken "Birddog" Olufs slides his harmonica in and out of Voegeli's piano lines. Bryan Husk's tenor and baritone sax work threatens to hijack the whole thing.
Voegeli knows exactly what he's doing, but like at his live shows, you'll be too busy having fun to notice. If there's a more musical, more fun-loving, harder-swinging keyboardist/bandleader out there, his name is Terry Adams of the late, great NRBQ.
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The new cd is out!!!!!! Ya, listen and buy individual songs here, go www.thejimmys.net to buy the album and other great swag!!!
GIMME THE JIMMYS....................go get it
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Thank you to all in Regards to the 2011 WAMIS (Wisconsin Area Music Industry), The Jimmys were nominated for a WAMI, as well as our bass player, Johnny Wartenweiler!
I, Jimmy, was nominated, and won "Keyboardist of the Year" A real rush indeed!!
Last year I had the honor of winning a MAMA(Madison Area Music Awards) for "Keyboardist of the Year" Nifty eh?
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Alley Cat (False Dog Records) marks the overdue return of the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band, a Madison, Wisconsin-based combo that deserves wider recognition. Featuring a rock-solid rhythm section and the triple-threat vocal frontline of Ford (guitar), harmonica wizard Andy Linderman, and key-board ace Jimmy Voegeli, this varied set hits on all cylinders. The swinging "Around the Next Corner" includes a killer chromatic harp workout and a great chorus on organ, while "That Girl's All Woman" cannily updates the classic "Double-Eyed Whammy/San-Ho-Zay" groove. The band takes on Gulf Coast roots-rock in "Party Girl," soul-blues in the sweet confection "Back Roads," and blistering, Albert Collins-inspired organ blues in "Can't Be True." Highly recommended.
Tom Hyslop, Blues Review - Jan 2009
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An interview with Rich Albertoni. Go to my links page and click on Isthmus Article
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Mark Thompson Reviews
This recording certainly demonstrates the breadth of Jimmy Voegeli's talents.He wrote all thirteen tracks,co-produced the sessions and had a hand in writing the horn charts.There are ample demonstrations of Voegeli's skill on a variety of keyboards but doesn't hog the spotlight.His music is based in the Blues but easily incorporates plenty of other musical styles.Jimmy has put together a fine package that consistently delivers quality music and performances from start to finish.
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Rich Albertoni-Isthmus/The Daily Page
Jimmy Voegeli-"F"is for Blues
This recently released blues stunner from the keyboardist of the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band is sure to be one of the most talked about local discs in the months ahead
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JIMMY VOEGELI
F is For Blues
2006 Self-Release
www.jimmyvoegeli.com
Style: Blues/Rock
For a musician of his stature, Jimmy Voegeli has got to be one of the most unassuming and downright shy people in the business. The rare artist who is nearly ego-free is frequently consumed by self-criticism and insecurity, perhaps an unspoken reason that this album took nearly six years to make. There are other reasons listed in the credits, where Voegeli recounts the whole process as a template for how not to make an album, including cash shortages and three computer crashes that resulted in some or all of the songs being lost. A host of personal issues also slowed down production: a divorce, his fathers death, even 9/11 and the last two presidential elections. But if the results of F is For Blues is any indicator, this method is a template for how to make an album because it is one of the best to ever come out of the Mad City.
F is For Blues is permeated with class. From the first strains of the opening cut, Give it Up, which deftly blends the smooth, soulful feel of Little Feat with blues-rock era Rolling Stones, it is apparent that this is no ordinary musical exercise. Just look at the cast of players assembled here: The Crashers Mauro Magellan, Jon Wartenweiler and Gary Hendrickson; the Moon Gypsies/Stellanovas/Bob Westfall Bands Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines; the incomparable talents of Clyde Stubblefield and Billy Flynn; the world-renowned Jon Nicholson; percussion wizard Pauli Ryan; local legends Mel Ford and Tom McCarty and the list goes on. Co-produced by Voegeli and Broadjams Roy Elkins, the album is seamlessly exquisite despite the tribulations of its production and the use of multiple studio facilities over a long period of time. The albums design (splendidly done by Broadjams Donny Sellon with photos by Stephanie Essex Elkins) is noteworthy as well. The cover depicts the actual Monticello High School report card on which Voegeli received an F in band class from one Mr. Mike Korth. In a twist of fate, Voegeli has Korth play a trombone solo on So Go Love, which Voegeli promptly rearranged in editing. Now thats rolling with the punches.
Voegeli is probably best known for his keyboard work with the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band but has been a mainstay in the music scene here, thanks in large part to his supreme skills on Hammond organ, which figure prominently on several of the tracks, including Dont Know Why, an absolutely killer blues tune. However, the real surprise throughout F.. is Voegelis sensational lead and harmony vocals. His smooth delivery and expressive range are augmented by Mary Gaines and she matches him precisely in phrasing and inflection, making this one powerful vocal pairing. Jon Nicholson also turns in a fantastic vocal performance on the soulful Fool, which contains one of the best lines: I poured out my heart to you / And you drank it like cheap wine.
Voegelis talents on piano are featured on much of the albums second half, including two tunes with central Wisconsins blues trio Blue Shadows and a great boogie-blues track called Waiting for You. The latter is a duet with Derek Hendrickson on brushes, a song that sounds much larger than just piano and brushed drums.
He saves the best for last, too. Booga Brain is a smokin hot blues instrumental with the similarly smokin lineup of Stubblefield, McCarty, Ford, Flynn and Ryan. Papas Waltz breaks the mold completely. Voegelis beautifully played piano is graced by Mary Gaines cello and Chris Wagoners accordion and violin. A tribute to his father, Voegeli performed this at his funeral. Its heartbreakingly tender and, somehow, very Wisconsin.
Why the best art is born of suffering is an enigma for the ages and the foundation for the form we call the blues. Yet so much joy emanates from this recording it becomes a reflection of life itself, a triumph of the human spirit by any measure. F is For the Blues is institutionally Madison and belongs in every music lovers home.
Rick Tvedt
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