第四ポッドキャスト

ポッドキャストはここです！

ジミー・ヘリング

『ライフボート』

「フュージョン」と言えば１９７０年代の大臣、マイルズ、マハヴィシュヌ・オーケストラ、リターン・トゥ・フォーエヴァー、ヘッド・ハンターズなど、だな。１９８０年代にいつの間にかにスムーズ・ジャズになったけれども、自分のなかではいつまでもフュージョン＝１９７０年代のサウンド。トライバル・テックが２０００年ぐらいに解散して、本物のフュージョンが眠ってしまった。

ジミー・ヘリングの初ソロアルバム『ライフボート』で、１９７０年代のサウンドが帰ってくれた。ジミー・ヘリングは色んなジャム・バンドとやってきた。ザ・デッド、ザ・オールマン・ブラザーズ・バンド、ワイドスプレッド・パニックなどのギタリストで活動している。ジャム・バンドでも、フュージョンの味がした。このアルバムはその味ばっかり。

Jimmy Herring

Lifeboat

'Fusion' is a much-maligned and oft-misunderstood genre. Although it is now synonymous with the soothing sounds of the Weather Channel and the dentist's surgery, there was a time in the late '60s/early '70s when this music was the very epitome of cutting edge. Miles Davis, the many bands formed by his former employees, such as John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band & Head Hunters, Chick Corea's Return to Forever and, in turn, their many followers, could be relied on to perform challenging music that combined the ferocity of rock with the sophistication of jazz. Indian, Latin, soul, R&B and gospel and western classical influences also heavily informed the music.

'Lifeboat' is a fine album in the '70s tradition. That it should come from a guitarist more closely associated with jam bands, such as Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Dead and Phil Lesh & Friends and currently, Widespread Panic, may come as a surprise. If you've never heard Jimmy Herring. Never afraid to throw sophisticated ideas into the simplest jams, his first album as leader allows him to give his fusion jones a thorough workout. Obviously inspired by the pioneering heavyweights mentioned above, as well as fellow Southerner and key influence, Steve Morse and the Dixie Dregs, the album trades in the tricky time signatures, majestic chord progressions and extended, virtuosic solos that defined the genre back in its prime.

He has also made sure to surround himself with wonderful players, including long-time friends, the Burbridge brothers, Kofi & Oteil (of the Derek Trucks Band & the Allmans respectively), past-and-future Tribal Tech keyboard maestro, Scott Kinsey and drummer extraordinaire, Jeff Sipe.

For more about Jimmy Herring, go to http://jimmyherring.net/