Jim Barber

THE ABOVE SIX TRACKS ARE ALL NEWLY MASTERED...
HELLO EVERYONE!!! I HAVE BEEN SO OVERWHELMED BY YOUR RESPONSE TO MY MUSIC... I DO NOT WANT TO COME ACROSS AS IF I AM NAME-DROPPING - THIS REALLY IS MY CAREER. TO BE HONEST, I HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO VAI OR SATRIANI, I ONLY PUT THEM ON MY FRIENDS LIST AS MANY PEOPLE COMPARE ME TO THEM... I DO HOWEVER LISTEN TO BECK AND GILMOUR AND McLAUGHLIN. ITS FUNNY REALLY, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT IN A NAME... I MEAN, MOST AMERICAN GUITARISTS HAVE EXOTIC NAMES LIKE 'SATRIANI' OR 'VAI' OR NUNO' OR 'ZAKK' OR 'RANDY' OR 'VINNIE' OR 'MICHAEL-ANGELO' (that's Original!!! and 'it' HAS to be a Wig! Come out!! in fact... I'm going to test my theory if I ever meet the twat and pull it off! he he) ...OR BITS IN BETWEEN LIKE 'VAN' OR 'RAY' (I wonder how many of these guys Careers would have amounted to anything were they to have had a monka like 'SID VON WIMBLESTEIN'? WHEREAS ENGLISH GUITARISTS TEND TO BE 'BERT', 'PETE', OR 'JEFF' OR JOHN' OR 'PAUL' OR 'ERIC' OR 'DAVE' OR 'BRIAN' OR 'GEORGE'... I AM OK WITH 'JIM', AFTER ALL, THERE IS 'JIMI' AND 'JIMMY'!!! I DON'T HAVE AN EXOTIC NAME. JUST JUDGE THE MUSIC... AND WHAT IS ALL THIS WITH SHAVING THEIR HEADS? (at the first sign of Baldness!), GROWING A GOATEE? COVERING THEMSELVES IN TATTOOS? AND PRETENDING THEY'RE HELLS ANGELS? WHEN I DOUBT IF THEY COULD RIDE A PUSH-BIKE!!! AND THEY ALL END UP LOOKING AND SOUNDING THE SAME... OH WELL, THANKS. I AM REALLY MOVED BY YOUR COMMENTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, AFTER MANY YEARS IN THIS BUISNESS IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO ME. Jim Barber xxx
Hi Folks... I was born in Camden Town, London... well, I suppose I'd describe myself as a fairly un-typical Man really... I have never worn a suit, I left school aged 15 without any qualifications, I never studied Music, I cannot read a note of Music and am self-taught on the Guitar. I started playing Guitar in late 1969, after hearing Hendrix on the Radio... My Mother was a wonderful Woman, very Artistic and very Loving. She died when I was 13, and unfortunately, she never knew I had taken up Music, as she had been in hospital a long time, slowly dying of Cancer in The Spring of 1970. I remember sitting on a beach in the Summer of that same year, listening to "Alright Now" and fumbling with the chords on my acoustic... then exactly 21 years later, I found myself using Paul Kossoff's actual Les Paul (that 'Alright Now' was recorded on-) and then I ended up playing this Classic, Rock Anthem, with Paul Rodgers at The Milton Keynes Bowl on my own 1959 Sunburst, Les Paul Standard! I took up the Bass in my Father's Trad Jazz Band "The Li Barber Trio", back in 1971 (when I was 14). He was a great, self-taught, Jazz Pianist. He was a Cockney, through and through, and he never minced his words! (I am also a Cockney, although 'Bow Bells' stopped ringing 2 years before I was born...). He was a 'Getaway Driver' - who got away with it! - in his youth, and his uncle was Billy Hill, the notorious London Gangster, and I was named after Jimmy Corbett, grandson of 'Gentleman Jim Corbett' the Bare-Fist Fighter. I remember hearing Dad say once - after taking him to see Def Leppard at Wembley - "So which one is Def?" Ha! another time, I'd taken him to see me rehearse with Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Doug Wimbish and Omar Hakim, he pulled out an Autograph book and went up to Jeff and Omar and asked for their Autographs... I saw Mick waiting patiently nearby, then Mick said to my Father (in his 'Cockney' voice!) "Don't ya want mine?" to which he replied "Nah! 'He' played with Miles Davis!" (pointing towards Omar) and walked off, leaving Mick shocked! My Grandmother was a Concert Pianist in her youth. My Great-Great-Great Uncle, William Blazeby, was a Captain in the Infantry at The Battle of The Alamo in Texas, in 1836. My Grandfather, Albert Thomas who was in The Royal Flying Corp, one of his sisters, Rose, was a Suffragette with Emmeline Pankhurst they had Four Brothers killed in The First World War, but Spielberg never made a Film about them... I guess "Saving Private Thomas" doesn't have the same 'ring' about it? Another Anncestor was with Scott of The Antarctic. I swam The English Channel when I was 13, Boxed for St. Pancras (London) and have done many Sports, including Kendo, Running & Weight-Lifting, I am also a trained Lifeguard. I was born in London, and have lived in Paris and New York. I now live in West Wales, near the Sea in my beautiful converted Barn, with my cats, Jaz & Jinx. I like to drive my BMW 840CSi very fast... maybe too fast! I like to work in my Garden, and go for walks in the Countryside around where I live. I Love Art, and I like to draw and paint and make things... I Love to sit outside in my quiet, peaceful garden, playing my old acoustic guitar, and working on new material. I am lucky to live in a Beautiful place...I don't drink - I gave up 15 years ago, although I am technically an Alcoholic, I have never taken Drugs, nor have I ever smoked, and I am a Vegitarian. Early Musical influences were Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Stones, The Who and The Kinks... Gary Moore's Album recorded when he was only 18, also inspired me, and especially John Martyn, whose use of Rhythms & Delays made me get into effects... I later got into Guitarists like Kossoff, Gilmour, Mclaughlin, Winter and Townsend... I played in various Bands, met a lot of 'name' Guys, like Steve Howe (a great influence), Peter Green, and Albert Lee... I guess I was weened on fast players like Alvin Lee and Harvey Mandel, Al Dimeola and of coarse, Mclaughlin... I was in numerous Bands at this time, and supported the likes of Kossoff - with Crawler, UFO, Kilburn & The HighRoads, Ace, Mick Ronson... etc. All of these guys had a great influence on my playing and I soaked up as much as I could! I had my own Record deal in 1980, with my Band "The Innocents" with Jo Buchan (Vox) and Rolo Macginty (Bass - later The Woodentops). Our Single "One Way Love" was said by some geek at The NME to be "The Worst Record of The Year!" - of coarse, I realise now that that was actually a compliment coming from those Wankers, but at the time, as a 23 year old, it killed me... but, I remember Jeff Beck once telling me about a similar incident with a track of Tina Turner's that he'd played on... evidently he marched into The 'Enemys' Orifice with a guitar, threw it at the hack who wrote the article, snatched the pen out of his hand and said "You Play the Fucking thing, and 'I'll' write about it!!!"... Great stuff! And the moral of the story? The 'hack' who wrote about me, is no doubt laying in a gutter somewhere with a bottle of El Collapsso, Bald - he was then! - Fat and Farting, not remembering who he was - or wanting to - whilst I have gone on to have a great Career... Why is it the Press in the UK Diss so many in this buisness? Oh well... We had the same Management as Thin Lizzy (which had a 'later' relevance!)... after that (he says moving swiftly on), in various Bands, including 'Tot & The Girls in Room 419" (later of 'Advertising'), I then got into Session work, including 3 Albums with Tot Taylor (including the Cult Album "Playtime"). I also got into 'Roadying' around this time (1980), accidently!!! I ended up driving Thin Lizzy's Roadcrew around Ireland (when Midge Ure was (ru-) in (ing) the Band, along with Snowy White.. I then replaced the Bass Roadie, and ended up Teching for the Great Man 'himself', Phillip Lynott - The best Damn Frontman ever!!! (a cheer I hear?)... I also played some of the Encores with Lizzy in America which was fantastic! (I own the Original Thin Lizzy sign, which is on my wall!) After a year, I then Teched for The Rolling Stones, replacing my Good Friend, Alan Rogan. I worked for Keith mainly, including working on the Stones 'Undercover' Album in 1982/3 in Paris (and NYC & Bahamas - it's a hard Life !), several drinks later.... I recorded several tracks with the Boys, both Bass and Guitar, but only one, "Too Much Blood" made it to the Album... I got my first Multi-Platinum Album award for that. I then Teched (briefly) for Bob Dylan, Nazareth (well, someone had to!), then Duran Duran, Tackhead and finally Lou Reed - who became a Good friend. I had offers to work for U2 (The Edge), Prince (!) and others, but, told them "No!". I gave up Teching in 1987, and concentrated on my Session work... I Recorded Albums with Mick Jagger (Primitive Cool) alongside my hero, Jeff Beck... (- which to me was like having a 'Master-Class' from THE MASTER!!! and met my good friend, Doug Wimbish...), Ruby Turner, Carol Decker, Living In a Box, Kevin Kennedy (!), The Paul Collins Beat, Yukio Young, Stevie Moore (Scotty Moore's Son...). I toured with various Bands throughout Europe and The UK. I also worked on Film Soundtracks & Jingles, and have recorded close to 200 Albums altogether, in Studios all over The World...alongside guitarists such as Brian May, Dave Gilmour, Chris Rea, Brian Adams, Dave Stewart, Vernon Reid, Keith, Ronnie, Pappa George and Jeff Beck, and on tracks with David Sanborn, Sly & Robbie, Simon Phillips, Paddy Moloney and Nicky Hopkins... I have worked with some Great 'Real' Producers and Engineers (not these modern Wankers with a 'Mouse'...), including Chris Kimsey, Keith Diamond, Dave Stewart, Tom Lord-Alge, Dan Hartman, Loris Holland, Jolyon Skinner, Chris Potter, Greg Walsh, Steve Lipson, Neil Dorfsman, Ronald Prent, Erwin Musper and many others. I also worked on Richard Chapman's 1991 (D&K) Book, "The Complete Guitarist', which was a great experience...and several others. I also Built Guitars for Ronnie & Mick & Keith... I also worked on Guitars for Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith & Ronnie, Doug Wimbish and my Good Friend (dearly missed...) Steve Clarke. My Brother Stephen is one of the World's greatest Luthiers ( www.lutesandguitars.co.uk ), and I learnt a lot off him which I applied to my own repair-work & making (I have usually worked on my own Guitars). I was also the main Guitar-Demonstrator for TC Electonic, and worked at most of the Music Fairs, including Frankfurt... Whilst in Holland with Mick, I met the Guys in Def Leppard (hence my Album Credits) and we became mates... especially Steve and Phil. I then got to work with my favourite Singer of all time (sorry Mick!)... Paul Rodgers! wow! I ended up working with my Favourite Guitarist, then my Favourite Singer!!! how lucky is that??? Our Band 'The Law' with Kenney Jones ( - the worst, most over-rated drummer I have ever had the misfortune to play with...) and Pino Palladino, didn't last long, but Paul & I had talked about re-forming 'Free' with Andy & Simon, but... then Freddie died.......!!! Oh well! That's Rock 'n' Roll!!! As well as my Music, I have been planning several Books that I've been wanting to write for a long time... (although I am Dyslexic) One is about (of coarse!) a comic look at life in a Rock Band, entitled "Are You Ready Hammersmit!!!" which will feature many of the Arsists (!) I have worked with over the years... including many actual events -and characters ( - you will recognise yourselves!!!), another is a childrens book about a Magical Cat, a third is wry look at what Life would be like on Earth without Men...entitled "Men are from Mars, Women are from Uranus" (only joking Girls!!! Slap...!), and lastly, a Piss-take on all those Wanky, Overpaid, Ugly 'Chefs' called "Cunt In The Kitchen" based loosely on all the Gordon/Oliver/Fat Bastard/Spikey-Haired Gits that there are... and guys... "Cooking, is NOT the 'New Rock'n'Roll'... it's Fucking COOKING!!!" that is all it is, so get over it! Having said that, and admiting somewhat to a lack of ability in the kitchen myself, if anyone can cook anything more than my own cre(m)ations, then I'm usually impressed! ...... I am a very Spiritual person and I believe my Guitar-Playing and Writing is often 'Channeled' by other Musicians, who have passed on. I sat on a Circle of Mediums for 3 years, whilst living in London. I am also a Healer, though I do not make money out of my Gift (- unlike others...) beware of Fakes, Frauds and Fools... I live in a very Magical part of the Country, where much of The Welsh Chronicles are set. If anyone wants to know about 'The Warriors of The Light', check the Internet... I am also a Wand-Maker (and 'No!', I am not a Warlock, or a Black Magician or a Nutter!). Angels do not have Wings, they are Mesengers from God... I have helped people on 'myspace'...). I always work in 'The Light' and I try to bring this out in my Music. If I had any advice for Young Musicians, it would be to 'stay grounded'... I have had so many friends die in this buisness... it takes a terrible toll on those in it...
Well, I am now finally recording my own Albums (what a cliche!)... and the first is due to be released in May, 2007, with the working title "Warriors of The Light". I have put various tracks on 'myspace', but these are only rough-mixes, as I am still mixing and Mastering tracks, and trying to decide what to put on the first Album! I have recorded 30 Tracks so far, and will probably release 2 CD's as everyone is telling me "Don't bin any!"... I wrote and recorded some of the tracks with my dear friend Paul Foss, at his London Studio and others at my Studio in West Wales... Although most have been Recorded on a Radar system, as well as Apple & PC systems (using MOTU 896's), the tracks are being mixed onto Studer half-inch, then Digitaly Mastered. "Long Way To The Top" (dedicated to Pink Floyd) was recorded in 2006, over a period of 3 days, by contrast, "Golden Eye" was recorded by me in 1993, and it took a total of 3 hours, including programing and 1 take on the guitar & mixing, Whereas "In The Light of Ra" was recorded last year, as a dedication to Led Zeppelin. With "Ra", I recorded the main Guitar in one pass, with my eyes shut, playing it for the first time (I didn't have anything worked out for it, I just 'felt' what I played was right). The Strings and Bass on "Ra" were played on my Guitar-Synth, as they were on other tracks too. All the Drums and Percussion on all the Tracks are Programmed. I have put a lot of influences into it, including people that I only realised later, effected me as a young player... I guess it is a dedication to all those Plank-Spankers who have made me the Player I am today... True, I realise parallels will be drawn and I accept that, but I have honestly tried to be as true as possible to the Original Spirit of why I started Playing the Guitar in the first place - because I Fucking Love it!!! I have purposely avoided over-dubbing and layering, so that I can recreate everything Live... If I had to describe my style of playing, I would say 'Wild' (!)... I don't know any scales, I don't sit there endlessly trying to work parts out, but I play form my Heart, Soul & Gut. I do use a Floyd-Rose Vibrola a fair bit (I was one of the first Guitarists in the UK to get one in 1982, before they were 'locking'... I am also Recording an Acoustic-Guitar Album as well with 10 Songs so far recorded, entitled "Out of Darkness, Into The Light"... I am using a mixture of Nylon and Steel string Guitars, and the tracks cover a wide range of styles, again which are influenced by the numerous Guitarists that have inspired me over the years, including Paco De Lucia, Segovia, John Williams, Al Dimeola, and John Mclaughlin. The first Guitar I ever had was an Old Ramirez, which I learnt to play on - and I still use and cherish... I have Recorded, Gigged and Worked with some Great Musicians, of which I am very lucky. I have Played, Taught, Tuned, Built, Repaired, Wrote about, Advised and generally bored the pants off people with Guitars! I have passed some of my knowledge on, which I think is important. I Love Playing and it has been Good to me. My Band, The Barberians, will be gigging in 2008, we intend to make a lot of noise!!! I used to spell my name Jimi, then the 'real' Jimi went and died 6x months later... I had a 'Stage name' when I palyed with Paul Collins, "Champignon Barbier" after touring in France. I thought it apt, as a Mushroom is 'Fed Shit' and kept in 'The Dark'... a bit like playing in a Band really?!!! Oh! and one last thing... "No! I did not go out with Courtney Love... (Eeek!) that is 'another' Jim Barber (poor sod!), an American who I believe is a Producer or an A & R ('Um & Erh?') guy in the US - I would sooner go out with a Dustbin! And if you happen to know the photographer who broke the Wanker out of Jamiwhy's? nose... tell him I'll buy him a drink! Oh and for those who ask... The Rolling Stones 'are' a bunch of cunts, Bill Wyman has played on less than half their recordings and is the worst Bassist I've ever heard - and I've heard a few! (maybe he and Kenney Jones should form a Band? he he) and Jagger is the luckiest Wanker on the Planet. Keith is ok, if he knows what day it is... and Ronnie? actually, Ronnie is nice... funny and genuine (he showed me how to play Pedal-Steel guitar after being taught himself, by Buddy Emmons)... "Bitter? Jealous? No!" they owe me a lot of money, thats all... Please check out two gifted young Players who are destined for Greatness... Antonio Pontarelli (just turned 16), an amazing, Virtuoso (electric-Rock) Violinist/Singer and Desiree Bassett (barely 13!) who if Hendrix were still with us, he would be proud of! If you like 'Good' Blues Guitar Music, check out Saiichi Sugyama... he is excellent! Anyway, thanx for your time, your comments and your support. I have loads of pics of guitars and stuff, feel free to check them out! I hope you all like my Music, words and Honesty. If anyone wishes to contact me, please do. Jimmy x