Feet on the Ground - John James - contemporary guitar

[minimayhen88]

John James is my uncle ... does he still do any gigs? Now I'm old enough I really appreciate his music x x

[daddystovepipe]

@minimayhen88

he sure does, check out his website and youtube site called skyinmypie

[phillipsderek]

Superb!

This song is on a compilation album of fingerstyle tunes I own.

It's one of my favourites on the album and you certainly do it justice here Carl.

[Thorsson64]

I saw JJ live several times in the early 70s and he was absolutely brilliant.

[JOJO3402]

Excellent rendition.I got John a lot of work when I was teaching in Manchester, and also some time ago in Llandudno.The consumate professional, and genuinely unassuming character, cosidering the superb talent at his fingertips !! As far as I

know he still live in Lampeter.

[operafan98]

Nicely played. I saw John play at the Three Tuns in Beckenham around '69. He was captivating. The songs I remember from those sets are Ragtime Millionare, Gonna Catch You With Your Britches Down. I saw him in the 70s at the Tiger's Head in Chiselhurst but he seemed to have trouble concentrating. I don't know where he is now but his hometown Lampeter, depicted in a song on the first album, might be worth a look.

His songs and instrumentals deserve a revival.

[raynobbley]

I think Happy Traum from Homespun Tapes in the States may be in touch with him as he did an instructional book and cds for him a few years ago

[daddystovepipe]

Last time I had contact with John was in July 2004; he was still living 'semi-retired' in Wales doing an occasional gig and teaching.

The Homespun book/cd's was originally published in the late 70ies (with cassette tapes) and appeared again a few years ago; they're well worth to have btw.

[raynobbley]

John James was also one of the reasons I started playing guitar after seeing him in the Hanging Lamp Club in Richmond, Middx in the early 70's. An unbelievable ragtime player. I think he lives in the states now.

[actionflyer]

I'm trying to track him down where does he live now? Is he still doing gigs?

[facemask93]

He played the dorking folk club 11 march 09 absolutley brilliant

[LexiconDevil360]

Love this tune and J.J. has to be the most underrated guitarist ever! I can't believe I've never heard more about him. I know it from "The Art of Fingerstyle Guitar" CD on Shanachie.

[stevegreeny]

@Wodostock

Thanks it is Open C! - but 'Open C' is actually CGCGCE

[Wodostock]

Wow this takes me back! John James was one of the main reasons I started really trying to learn to play. I still play one of his instrumentals "And the dog was sleeping in the corner". I'm a huge fan!

[stevegreeny]

Take me back as well - I remember "And the dog was sleeping in the corner" from the Contemporary Guitar Sampler Vol 2 which really got me interested in the acoustic guitar. Gordon Giltrap's Lucifer's cage was on it also. What was the tuning for ATDLSITC - Open G, D etc ?

[houndheadhenry]

Loved album this came from, I still play two of the tracks myself :-))

[jervtoto]

Yup - nicely played, and I have fond memories of John James' live set - particularly the essential facial expressions needed for successful session guitar, and use of harmonics to cover coque-ups.

[mojoelem]

I recall seeing John James, Wizz Jones, Pete Berryman,Gerry Lockran, Bert Jansch and Stefan Grosman way back around 1971/1972 at The Plough, Stockwell.(and all over S. London) Those chaps could drive most rock/blues players into the ground. Unbelievable technique they had. John James was just beyond explanation! Pete Berryman too. This is beautifully played and brings back happy memories for me.

[saffronboots]

Woah, what a find! I thought I was alone in KNOWING this tune, let alone playing it! Love the guitar. 5*****

[JN607]

You are my idol.

[mcob1]

yeah! I like thaqt concert size guitar.

[carlguage]

Fantastic As usual Daddy, That fingerpickin cant be beat... Nice ...............

[eduard1952]

Great playing, Carl. At last a YouTube search result for the fantastic John James. If John reads this: please go on the road again. You'll have at least one fan waiting for you..

[daddystovepipe]

make that two fans!