Jim Mullen: legendary jazz guitar player talks and plays
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- Glaswegian jazz star in conversation
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A pioneer of 1970s jazz-fusion, Glaswegian guitarist Jim Mullen remains a formidable player with a uniquely expressive, self-taught style. With a new album in the pipeline, Jim tells us about an eventful life in jazz and shares some of his tastiest jazz-blues licks with us.
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"The technique must always be the servant, and not the master"
I'm so in debt to this guy. I went to a jazz clinic Jim was running in Newcastle-Under-Lyne about 30 years ago before a Morrisey-Mullen gig (with John Taylor on piano - it was amazing). I was in my early 20s, a blues-rock kid struggling to try to play jazz. The room was full of guitar players, but I was the only one who'd brought a guitar, so Jim sat me down at his side and we jammed for about 90 minutes...with plenty of tactful, zen-like comments and suggestions from him as we ent along. Then he took me to lunch and told me a load of hilarious, sometimes scurrilous, stories about various legends he'd met and played with over the years. He totally inspired me, refused to let me say anything self-denigrating about my playing, and instantly turned me into a better guitarist. He took my address and later posted me some photocopies of his favourite chord shapes - with no labels, so I had to learn a lesson by figuring out how and where to use them. Such class; lovely man and a great player. I adore him.
+slowjammerukdog - nice story , makes a real change from the ' who's the best ' and swearing competition comments - great he made you feel at home and inspired ...
Could you possibly spell out the first four chords of Jim's intro to I Can't Get Started .It's so lovely and I just can't hear it .THANKS !
B13sus4(b9) [or AminM7/B] B7(#5b9) | Bb13sus4 Bb13 | A7sus4(b9) A7(#5b9) | Ab13sus4 Ab13 | G13sus4(b9) G7(#5b9) ....
wow, great story. Wish I had a similar experience with jazz guitar. I practice a lot but struggle to get better with jazz.
slowjammerukdog
I live constantly in the past hence the pic ( '81 lol).
l have a photo of Jim and Dick Morrisey at a gig in Amsterdam around '83. Jim on a high stool with his blonde 50s Telecaster. Man he cooked! I love his playing so very much and that gentle spirit.
What a decent giving genius if ever I have seen. He shares his brilliant old school self taught secrets so unselfishly. Bless you Jim Mullen.
i got all teary when he started playing the song at the end after he said: "this was my wife's favorite folk song" :')
What a monster talent! His phrasing, his chords, and the timing, oh the timing. I am in awe.
Love the fact he is happy to play an affordable
Aria. I remember seeing him in the 70's when he played an old telecaster but making it sound like a wide bodied Gibson. Great player and beautiful phrasing.
Wow! Never heard of Jim, but how great is this?! The 40 people who gave a thumbs down ... why? The guy comes across as humble and unassuming as can be. And he shares his knowledge freely. I would love to hang out with this guy as much as I would want to take lessons from him! Thanks Jim. I'm a fan!
Jim...the legend who, during a bob dylan session which dylan was failing to sing all day while the session musicians could play the song backwards in their sleep, replied in answer to dylan's manager that his voice was all shot and they'd have to continue tomorrow, "what voice?", and was politely informed that he wouldn't need to come back tomorrow (management mustn't ever let any criticism leak through the bubble to the star)
I love it....
That piece at the end. Wow.
Mike Oldfield adapted it as "Women of Ireland" (it's the song title)
That hit me hard in the feels
Really nice bloke. I had quite a chat with him once before he went on. I'm just a dumb bass player but he was glad of someone to talk to. No one at this jazz club would go near him... awestruck. So there he was stuck in the corner all on his ownsome.
Travels to London gigs on the tube, guitar in hand, everything else in a back pack. Real down to earth guy.
I love his ‘mistakes’ they sound so good. He has a great sense of harmonic progression and he’s a real humble gentleman. What’s not to like ?
I'm a metal guy but LOVE guitar in all its different stylistic guises. This is my first introduction to Mr. Mullen and, WOW, what a fine player and pleasant gentleman. Simply wonderful.
He's such a wonderful natural player. I love the fact that his style transcends 'correct' techniques . He plays from his heart and soul and lets the music speak. Truly, one of my all time favourite guitarists.
LOVE JIm Mullen - this is brilliant, there's not enough of Jim's genius on the internet. Thanks GW!
A lovely, modest man who recognises his flaws, but celebrates the creative quirks those flaws allow. Great interview and demonstration. Thank you.
Jim Mullen is simply one of the best jazz guitarists anywhere. He has a distinctive sound, strong melodic sense and great understanding of harmony and swings unerringly at any tempo. He knows all the jazz standards and classic jazz heads (and is noted for insinuating sly quotes from those into his solos), but has a much wider repertoire than most jazz players. Jim often includes one of the great soul classics or a Scofield or Brecker head on his gigs. He is a great accompanist for vocalists - check out his recordings with Claire Martin and others. As you can tell from this video, he breathes expression into a simple solo piece. I must have heard him live 50 or 60 times and he never fails to deliver.
I'm almost 61 yrs old and I discovered Jim Mullen just yesterday as I was browsing the vinyl in Grammar School Records, Rye, Kent. Jim's amazing music was being played in the shop and I felt compelled to ask who it was! Some of the jazz runs he played on the recording reminded me of the great Jan Akkerman of Focus fame. Wonderful stuff! Thanks Jim Mullen and thank you Grammar School Records!
I JUST TURNED 62 ON THE 26TH OF NOVEMBER, I JUST DISCOVERED JIM NOW; RIGHT NOW. BRILLIANT!
Such tasty playing and what a gentleman! Thank you for your art, Mr Mullen!
+juutuubisti tasty. Yes.
I had the privilege of playing a handful of gigs with Jim about 10 years ago. He's an incredible musician and a true gentleman. It was an experience I'll always treasure. In both an organ quartet and guitar trio, he was deeply soulful and incredibly melodic. A true master of jazz guitar. The hang after the gig was also a wonderful time. Thanks, Jim! You're always sounding great!
How can you not love him.
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful piece playing out at the end....
Great example of how to play from a selftaught and selfdiscovered ..mentality..Teaching ..being taught is one thing..but from that comes the search ..into using that information and walk that musical path of selfdiscovery...
Technique is not a goal in itself. Great contribution Jim ..great tone and melody...show the young the road they can walk to discover themselves..
many thx..inspiring!!!
I watch incredible guitar players on You Tube every day. It is so beautiful to find a player like Jim Mullen. He has got his own bag totally. Such a great player and obviously a great guy. Thank you Jim.
What a beautiful guy! I must confess I'd never heard of him before listening to him at the Splash Point Jazz club here in Seaford, E Sussex last night. So blessed to have had that experience while he's still playing.
Used to love going to watch Jim ( with Dick Morrisey) back in the day at the Cricketers in London at the Oval. aaah happy days ..anyone else remember their gigs?
I was listening to KPLU this morning and they played a live Gene Harris version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" that just had a fantastic guitar solo...great lines, incredible tone. Poked around, found the album online, and discovered Jim. In nearly 40 years of guitar playing I can't believe I'd never heard this guy. Pure beauty. Pure sound. Pure music.
Yes, He's played with spme world class jazzers!
I was a long time mate of Dick Morrissey and once recorded with him. ( Me on harmonica) i'm seeing Jim next week. Magical guys, just magic.
I love his playing! Such a nice and humble guy too!
Saw Jim a couple times in '4bars' in the 90s in Cardiff. Master jazz guitarist, but also so flipping funky! Legend
What can I say ? Jim is a master guitar player , a down to earth gentleman , and gave such a great lesson on Jazz guitar ! I am a Blues player , but I listened to every word and watched every finger movement ! Thank You Sir ! I enjoyed every second of the video !
A world class guitarist, and one of the most exciting players to hear live....I met him on two gigs, one in Deal in Kent with the late great Dick Morrissey and then in Reading.....lovely guy he is too...
Wonderful Jim....keep inspiring the .....people in your wake.....
Great player and he bought me a pint in Southend.
Really?!
Jim was the first guy I spoke with before I went to London.. He was a true gentleman. A true player..
On any given day you can hear and discover another great guitarist- today I discovered Jim!
The epitome of a true jazz player. I am glad I came across this video. Great talent and artist!
Never heard of this chap until now. He's awesome. Thanks guitarist mag!
So humble, and yet, such a master musician. His technique is just a bridge to where he wanted and wants to get musically--the key is that his ears and heart are totally hearing and feeling such great stuff. His phrasing and ghost notes are especially hip.
Shared a stage with this dude last night. Impeccable.
I just tripped over this video and I am wowed. That snippet of Can't Get Started was perfection and his folk song tribute to his wife actually choked me up.
Beautiful.
this man is something else, and I know.
He seems pure hearted .... Like-able as a person along with seemingly a true to self type guy .... His playing has a certain integrity to it , to me ....
I love this guy! What a swinging player and great lines and feel. Killer vibe too, a true saint of music! Never heard of him before but now I'm a big fan!
Its great that Jim is self taught as he does not sound like a clone of someone else. All the mistakes or wrong technique he has who cares as long as it sounds good! More power to him.
Beautiful music , True artist....!
Loved those Mullen/Morresey gigs back in the 70's!
They were rocking those pubs back then! RIP Dick.
And Jim is just beautiful! Great music.
Paul McGovern
me too. Jim's luxurious black beard....!
He explains the difference between jazz and blues in such an understandable way in regards to the extended harmonic content that we think of when it comes to the jazz sound. Back when I didn’t understand the difference years ago. This guy nailed it and from understanding the difference I could understand how to play jazz style guitar. Something I didn’t know how to do and always wanted to. Thanks Jim!
This interview is inspiring on so many levels I can't even ... what initially comes to mind is that with NO teachers, NO TH-cam, he truly has the right to say he is a self-taught player and one of the last at that like he says
What a great guy..down to earth honest and what a very nice tone ..he sounds just great as it should ..truly masterfull..one of the greats..thx mr. Mullen
Love his comment about harmony existing to make the melody sound great. I remember going to a course at Wavendon in the late 80s. Jim mullen and John etheridge were teaching.i remember playing the melody to they'll never find another you- with these 2 amazing players backing me. My playing has never sounded so good before or since!
This guy is great by the way, I've never heard of him but just this 10 minute video has amazed me
Only 10 minutes to short could listen to Jim talk and play for a lot longer, thanks for posting this anyway
I am coming regularly to listen to this video. Not only Jim Mullen is a gentleman but he is amongst the very best players nowadays, and many guitarists do not know it. He is just incredible. This video is very informative. Have you noticed though that the camera does not show Jim's fingers while he plays superb chords ? Is it a desire by Jim not to show too much ?
Love his playing, his time and his feeling for blues and groove is awesome as well as his conception of harmony
What a wonderfully talented, modest and thoroughly NICE person. Love everything about him!
I enjoyed every second of this - what a treasure jim is - that final piece was very moving too...brilliant
God bless this dude. Inspirational talent.
I find it IMPOSSIBLE to understand how anyone would give this a 'dislike" ..Presumably 26 people are just well..complete fucking idiots. Jim is an absolute master of the instrument, and is a wonderful communicator too....I was lucky enough to play some gigs with him when I had graduated from Music College, and it was the deepest education I could hope to have.. Thanks for this GREAT video and to Jim for the timeless music.
+Rufus P
IMPOSSIBLE is putting lightly...But look at the world today. The are way more complete fucking idiots than oherwise. You have to wonder why more people gave "dislikes".
Jim is simply put, a giant. A fucking giant..
Cheers,
Man, I couldn't agree more. He was brilliant. When he played us out with that song his wife loved, I got a tear in my eye. Just beautiful playing in every respect.
Just don't even take any notice of them-they are probably '12' and just enjoy disliking all videos they can-or just ignoramus types. It makes no difference as long as people who can benefit know this is here..pass it along.
"I find it IMPOSSIBLE to understand how anyone would give this a 'dislike" - I feel you there. I guess lots of people have issues. That's all I can think of.
Rufus Philpot this guy is good
so humble and excellent
I got to know him for the first time here: his music is very enjoyable and he's very humble person; the Aria FA-71 is the same one I play...I knew about the annoying feedback, but its sound is good
Thank you Jim. Awesome chord playing.
So interesting how he breathes between phrases like a horn player. What a lovely guy with a lovely sound.
Wonderful little conversation -- modest, yet so spot on. Jim will probably not remember the time he came back to Scotland (c. 1979) for a short tour terminating in an Edinburgh Festival concert at Calton Studios. I was in the band on piano with Bill Kyle (drums), George Lyle (bass), John Davies (trumpet) and Gordon Cruickshank (saxes). BBC Scotland recorded it and it was broadcast over two programs. It was a great gig. After the concert we all went to the bar and Jim bought a bottle of champagne to share with us. He raised a glass and said, "Thanks guys for making me sound great!" A lovely gesture from a truly nice guy.
Did you play with the Average White Band back in the day?
'The purpose of harmony is to make the melody sound great.' Why did I never think of that?
Great to see such a great artist and humble gentleman at work! i will have to learn more about this man,sad to say i do not know his work!
Whilst Jim Mullen is widely known and respected as a jazz guitarist, my first and lasting exposure to his joyful guitar playing came from his appearance as the lead soloist (alongside Neil Hubbard on a Fender Telecaster) in a very under-rated 10 piece, British R&B/Soul/Funk band. I am speaking of KOKOMO, who I saw for the first (but not only) time live in Sheffield, as one of three bands performing in the 'Naughty Rhythms Tour' of the UK in 1975 or 76. I was 'knocked out' and so began my endless playing of their first album, 'Kokomo', on which Jim Mullen makes a notable contribution with an extended solo on 'I Can Understand It'. Talk about 'cooking on gas'! No surprises then, that he also appears on one of the Average White Band's best albums, 'Soul Searching'; released in 1976. You can easily identify Mullen's distinctive playing on one track in particular: 'Sunny Days'. A mid tempo ballad (if you like) which hits all the right spots that a soulful song should. If you are an admirer of Jim Mullen and his playing and have not felt his presence on these two albums, at least, I strongly recommend you check them out!
Jim you are a true artist.
Love this guy! His approach to the instrument, the technique and the genre are so refreshing. Thanks for this video!
So lovely just to hear him speak, am delighted to have had the pleasure of meeting him. Absolute gentleman xx
Great interview with the amazing guitarist, Jim Mullen….Thankyou Guitaristmag.
GREAT PLAYER AND A REALLY NICE HUMAN BEING!!!!!!
a lovely modest man but a great player and I don't say that lightly.ive seen him numerous times and he really can play great jazz guitar.the morrisey mullen band was a real swinging outfit.i just love the way he plays.many thanks.
you can even tell by the way he breathes when he plays, that his musicianship is completely on another level.
love this guy! technique must be the servant, not the master! how true! great playing!
Never seen him before! What a nice bloke and a wonderful tone. Throw away the rule book....just use your thumb!
Fabulous. Some of my contemporaries in the Scottish blues scene knew him way back in Perthshire.
Great to see you on TH-cam Jim. Not enough of you on here!
Lovely to hear you play as always! Thank you for the beautiful folk melody to go out on.
:-)
What a genuine and humble gentleman. Kudos friend. God bless you.
His guitar solo on Freedom Jazz Dance with Brian Auger is one of my favs.
"Technique must always be the servant not the master" ... often folks forget the foundational Jazz pioneers didn't have Jazz theory books to "learn" from. I first Mr. Mullen as a sideman with Gene Harris ... seamless horn like lines oozing of the fretboard. I was instantly hooked. For the record I do disagree about Mr. Mullings statements about his technique. His downstrokes hammer on (or pull-off) style is right on. From what (little) I have learned this is EXACTLY how many of the greats do it. Some more or less, but pretty much everybody uses a version of this technique. I think we all owe Mr. Mullens a debt of gratitude. A truly great thumb player who has his own voice!
Just LOVE that Samba.
So resonant relaxed and expressive. Guitar is ARIA F71 .
thanks Guitarist Magazine and Jim Mullen for this!!
amazing!!!
Seen Jim live a few times.He is the Business awesome and a brilliant guy 2.
Jim is a British Jazz Legend!
very very nice player ... I like jazz guitar played with this slighly more "vocal" expression ... well played with feeling ... thank you jim ... I just discovered you
Total class....and talent
Just superb ..what a great guy 😎
What a lovely player, I've always enjoyed his music.
Amazing how he taught him self, I think that's part of learning. If everyone learned the same exact way there wouldn't be any textures, it would all sound the same
Mná na h'Éireann Beautiful tune....beautifully played.👍🏽👍🏽
Finally someone who shares my odd left handed guitar style!
Beautiful song, your wife’s favorite... Always enjoy learning a bit about accomplished players journey, thanks for sharing ... 🎸👍🎸👍
brilliant sense of swing and sound,
Technique is the servant not the master...Brilliant
What a class act so original
Proper musician.
Such a beautiful tone with the thumb!
Musical abililty, Unique style, Art......hard work.....its all here !!
Great....nice to see guitarist magazine spotlighting a real guitar player,for a change.
Legend!