Artist description The Almand adventure started for me at the Ullapool Guitar Festival October 2001 a wonderful event which annually fills the west Highland fishing village with a colourfull tapestry of music and people from all around the world. Ann and I had had taken up our normal residence at the festival club at The Ferry Boat Inn, we had been treated to a bewildering array of talent. It was Sunday afternoon the last session and we were nearing guitar overload and songwriter melt down. The gun slingers were in town and all but the bravest and the most accomplished stood back and kept their axes holstered, joining us mere mortals in amazement. Clive Carroll and Paul Buckley had just taken us (Western) swinging down to Texas and the picking was hotter than the Chisholm Trail, just when we were all saying what could follow that and who would want to? Up stepped the tall dark stranger, from Santa Fe. I had seen him come in, who could have missed him, dressed all in black and buckskinned, from the top of his wide brimmed trilby to the pointed toe of his cowboy boots, he exuded "Dude" (or was it Dud we were about to find out) The guitar necks were still smoking and the crowed were still coming to terms with what they had just witness, Jim launched into Louisiana, complete with instant authentic Cajun whoops. Jim was just in off the street, not part of the Festival at all, he and his lady the beautiful chanteuse Sara K www.sarak.com were on a spiritual journey to the Highlands of Scotland. A spirit which had the day before stood witness to their wedding, in front of a congregation consisting of revelers at an Inverness hostelry who were the day before treated to what we were now all enthralled by. I can only conclude the spirit of romance and love was strong and particularly charged with synchronicity, in guiding them to their honeymoon cottage, which Jim booked over the internet with our good friend, organic food grower Alasdair Wright. Who as chance would have it, and unknown to Jim and Sara, is a producer, keyboard player and fellow member off MAAD (Musicians Assistance And Development). MAAD were meeting that day for an open mike session. Alistair had brought them down and the rest was became stuff of legends (Well a good story at any rate) That first meeting Jim did one other song, one of his own ballady ones, which I can't remember now, but I can remember the warmth of the reception. He and Sara came to the open mike session and performed together, as well as with the locals, who by now were in full flow and ready to strut their own stuff, both the guys were glowing with love and encouragement and exuding music and warmth. We knew without even saying so (though we were happy too) we had met new friends and our paths were bound to converge and converged to bind Jim had booked a short string of UK gigs by himself over the internet to co-incide with their wedding plans, which they were about to undertake. Sara was then off to Germany to record her new album, Jim was booked for a extended run in Copenhagen and I pledged to help with the next tour and to do radio press and publicity.

Music Style Country tinged Memphis Blues

Artist History JIM ALMAND Born in Memphis Tennessee. First studied music and guitar (two years) under Hector Garcia (voted by Guitar Player Magazine as one of the top ten classical guitar teachers in the world). Spent two years touring and playing Jazz and R&B in trio/septet/ten piece bands. Spent the next twelve years playing bass in C&W bands. And have spent the last six years living, playing, writing and recording in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Play out solo with acoustic guitar, vocal, and harmonica, and as a trio with the "Rue Barbs". To date have three C.D.s out 1) "Between The Lines, 2) "Going Home" 3) "Power Of The Spoken Word", all of which can be heard at, jimalmand.com. Also working on three more C.D.s at the present time. Have played with or opened for; Etta James, Richie Cole, Leo Kottke, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush, Rambling Jack Elliot, Guy Clark, John Sabastien, Guess Who, Steppen Wolfe, Hermans Hermits, Vince Gill, Asleep At The Wheel, Radney Foster, Sweet Hearts Of the Rodeo, Dwight Yokum, etc., etc., etc. Past bands have included former members of John Lee Hooker, Bo Didley, Charlie Musslewhite, Willie Dixon, Country Joe and the Fish, Dan Hicks, Jefferson Starship, Hot Chocolate, Dixie Chicks, Jimmy Buffet, etc., etc., etc. Set list consist of about 200 tunes. 100 originals, and the rest covers. Covers include Beatles, Dylan, Stones, Springsteen, Sting, U2, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Bessie Smith, Ko Ko Taylor, Tony Bennet, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Lee Hooker, Lightening Hopkins, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cook, Ray Charles, Jimmy Reed, Neville Brothers, Clapton, Hendrix, Van Morrison, John Hiatt, John Prine, James Taylor, C.S.N.&Y, Hank Williams, etc., etc., etc. Reviews and comments** "Killer vocalist", Richie Cole, jazz legend.** "Great songwriter, I'll do a show with him anytime", Tom Rush, folk legend.** "My favorite tracks are "Uh-Huh", "Between the Lines", and "Dream". Of course that's coming from a purely creative prespective." Lucinda Williams, singer/songwriter, on reviewing the C.D. "Between The Lines".**"The same singer who shake down a New Orleans honky tonk song like "Sweet Summer Rain" can also croon like a Johnny Hartman over altered piano chords.", Pasa Tiempo.** "Perhaps this versatility is the result of Almand's focus on the particular needs of each song". Woody Thompson, music critic.**"full of sophisticated, sensitive performances that hint at his country and R&B roots, but are greatly influenced by the flavor of jazz and the great pop songwriters of the 30's and 40's", the New Mexican.**"...a rare gem of an album. Clean, understated, personal, and heart on the sleeve songs. Jim's versatility and obvious soul are a beautiful thing", Rob Ellen, 'The Medicine Show', Lochbroom FM, Scotland, on reviewing "Power Of The Spoken Word". Contact info; Jim Almand, jimbo@cybermesa.com.

Location Santa Fe,, New Mexico - USA

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