News from The Jimmys
Alligator Records founder, Bruce Iglauer, on The Jimmys
February 6,2012
Bruce Iglauer, the respected founder of independent blues record label Alligator Records, took time to review the new Jimmys album, "Gimme The Jimmys". He had terrific things to say. Here are some excerpts from the letter he sent us.
"A well produced and enjoyable album that shows a lot of different facets of their music...from New Orleans Funk, to Jump, to solid Organ Jazz styles. Fun and enjoyable songs, with good horn arrangements and plenty of energy, to say the least."
On behalf of all of us with The Jimmys, thank you so much, Bruce!
About Bruce Iglauer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Iglauer
"Gimme The Jimmys" Reviewed in Madison's "The Isthmus"
By Andy Moore
September 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.
Madison's Triple M 105.5 FM Reviewed "Gimme The Jimmys"
October 7, 2011
"New CD from the Jimmys is a blast and a half!"
Reviewed by 105.5 Triple M's, Kitty Dunn
Fan Likes The New CD, Suggests New Delivery Method
September 29, 2011
Online purchases of the new album have begun to reach our fans, and their feedback is beginning to arrive as well.
One satisfied supporter from the Milwaukee area emailed us...
"Just a quick note to say congratulations on the new CD. F***ing brilliant! The only thing that would have made it better would be hand-delivery by a stripper!"
Get yours now! Sorry, we can't promise the stripper! Maybe a cute FedEx delivery girl??
The New CD, "Gimme The Jimmys" Is HERE
September 17, 2011
The order of 2,000 CD's arrived yesterday at the Voegeli farm. Thank you to everyone who has ordered copies at our online store. We'll be fulfilling those orders this weekend and be getting your purchase to you as soon as we can.
Today is our official CD release party in Monroe, Wisconsin at the Minhas Brewery Oktoberfest. Music (and beer pouring) starts at 1:00 p.m. and we will be playing from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Jimmy Voegeli and members of the band will be there selling CD's and merchandise at 3:00 o'clock. Stop by and say hello!
Of course, the excitement for tonight's show is that Bun E. Carlos, the drummer from Cheap Trick, will be joining on stage our drummer, Mauro Magellan of The Georgia Satellites. This is going to be a terrific evening of fun and music! Hope to see you there!!
The New CD, "Gimme The Jimmys" Is In Press
September 9, 2011
For real, people, it's being pressed at this very moment! We've ordered 2,000 copies and will have them for sale at Minhas Brewery's Oktoberfest in Monroe, WI on Saturday, September 17, 2011! We'll also have a fresh batch of new t-shirts that we think you'll love...
On Sale Now!
The album features all original tunes performed by the band, along with a list of world renowned guest artists including Dan Baird of The Georgia Satellites, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, Kyle Henderson of The Producers, Warner Hodges of Jason & The Scorchers, Richard Wiegel of The Midwesterners, and 2010 Grammy-winning guitarist Billy Flynn.
New Orleans Blues Legend, Bryan Lee, Writes Introduction
September 2, 2011
The Jimmys headlined the Byron Crossroads Blues Festival this past weekend and happened to open for Bryan Lee. The legendary blues artist, nicknamed "Braille Blues Daddy", was originally born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but became a blues singer/guitarists a Bourbon Street fixture in New Orleans, Louisiana since the 1980's.
Bryan Lee was so moved by our performance that he generously offerred to write an introduction for our new album. While we didn't have enough space to include his entire text, but we are honored to be able to post his inspired introduction here in its entirety:
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
Are you ready for some new music? Yes, I know some of it is old music, but it is done up in a wonderful way. The horn section is killer. Many times when you hear a band with a good horn section, the rhythm section sucks. Not this rhythm section. This rhythm section has heart and soul. The heart comes from the drummer, who was born in Brazil. Mauro has the beat, no doubt about it.
The soul of the band is our man on the keys, Jimmy, who by the way, got an "F" in his high school band class. Perhaps that "F" was for "Funky". He does most of the singing and the arranging. This band is his dream. And guess what....it would be my dream, too. When you can get as many nice people and absolute great players together? That IS a dream.
The guitar and bass players, they lay it down, they got the grease. Where there is a swing, shuffle, funk, rock, mambo or ballad groove. This is a great rhythm section!
Then you take these three horn players, trumpet, alto sax, and tenor/baritone sax, and let me say, I have always been weary about trumpet players, weather or not they can hold up the high end on the section parts. Well, guess what... these three gentlemen play as one voice. Each one of them also has solo power. They way they play on the ballads is just beautiful.
Now, you would think that I am done, but I'm not. They got some magic spice. And that is the harmonica. And as I like to say baby, he's a "goodin!"
Groups like this come along and they want to be 'Tower of Power' or they want to be 'Chicago'.Well, guess what kids, they ain't 'Tower of Power',and they ain't 'Chicago'. They are just a GREAT band that plays blues and all kinds of other stuff, and you know I'm a stone soul bluesman. But I would take them into the studio and record with them anytime. So get ready for The Jimmy's!
CD Release Show - Monroe, WI
August 31, 2011
The wait is nearly over! We are excited to announce the release of their new CD, "Gimme The Jimmys", on Saturday, September 17th in Monroe, WI at the Minhas Brewery Oktoberfest. We are honored to also announce that special guest, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, will be joining the band to celebrate the album's release, on which he recorded two songs. Join us for the fun and get yourself one HOT new album!
New CD Update
July 26, 2011
Tracks for the new album are in Nashville, Tennessee getting final mix treatment before being sent for mastering and final disc pressing. We're getting closer! We wish we could have finished this project sooner, but we don't want to rush to the finishing touches. We're confident that the resulting album will be a favorite for everyone!
CD-New Music-Videos
March 11, 2011
We got a new bunch of songs coming out soon, stay posted for any updates!!!! Leave your email address on the "contacts" page, and I will add you to the fan newsletter!! Keep Music Alive!!
Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI)
March 11, 2011
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?
Blues Review Magazine-Alley Cat
March 15, 2009
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 keyboard 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 - January 2009
One of the Top Ten Madison Discs of 2006
January 6, 2007
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
Rich Albertoni - Isthmus/The Daily Page
MAMA's Album of the Year
December 19 2006
JIMMY VOEGELI
'F' Is For Blues
2006 Self-Release
www.jimmyvoegeli.com
Style: Blues/RockFor 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 father's 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 Broadjam's 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 album's design (splendidly done by Broadjam's 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 that's 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, Don't Know Why, an absolutely killer blues tune. However, the real surprise throughout F.. is Voegeli's 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."
Voegeli's talents on piano are featured on much of the album's second half, including two tunes with central Wisconsin's 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. "Papa's Waltz" breaks the mold completely. Voegeli's beautifully played piano is graced by Mary Gaines' cello and Chris Wagoner's accordion and violin. A tribute to his father, Voegeli performed this at his funeral. It's 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 Blues is institutionally Madison and belongs in every music lover's home.
Rick Tvedt - Co-founder, Madison Area Music Awards, Rick's Cafe Magazine founder