Jim Campilongo is a [email protected]@s Tele player!

[dhdfoster]

I saw Jim’s Christmas show last night here in San Francisco and he never ceases to amaze me. While so many guitar heroes are cliche-rideen blooz rockers, self-indulgent wankers and jam banders, or shredders, Jim really creates art with his playing. He conjures up beauty, ugliness, warmth and spikiness all with his hands, a Tele and a Fender amp. He is a musician and artist, and not just a great guitar player. Oh yeah, and it was ton of fun!

And before any asks what was on his pedalbaord, he didn’t have one.

 

[Trandy]

Yep...he surely is.

 

[MikeNiteRail]

Princeton Reverb? I've heard some of his studio stuff with a Vibro Champ. It was totally dry and ultra-awesome. He plays some crazy, crazy stuff.

 

[kevin hart]

I saw him this past summer @ The Living Room in NYC and he just killed me. Lots of tones out of just a Tele and a Princeton Reverb.

 

[JamminJoe]

Does he still play in the band, the Little Willies? Would love to see them in NY but seeing as Norah Jones and the bass player have split up, does that mean this band is now defunct?

 

[therhodeo]

He does so many things that just make my head spin. So many of them aren't even technical marvels just amazingly creative ideas and lines.

 

[Gas-man]

It's sick isn't it? One Tele, one Princeton Reverb...

One great set of hands and one great set of ears.

I have "Heaven Is Creepy" in permanent rotation. So many flavors...so many emotions....

 

[clemduolian]

Jim C. is a national treasure and an aural pleasure. Every time out, he's inspiring. Masterful...repertoire, tones, ensemble playing. The shizznit.

 

[MBreinin]

What would be the best album to buy to get a feel for him?

Mike

 

[shark_bite]

The first time I heard Jim play it was like the first time I heard Jimi Hendrix play. I knew it was a guitar, but I just couldn't figure out what I was hearing (as in, how is he even making those sounds come out of it???). Considering I had only been playing maybe 5-10 years when I first gave Hendrix a serious listen and more like 15-20 years when I heard Jim Campilongo, that's really saying something. I thought I had it all figured out.

His CS Tele is coming out this year, by the way!

 

[Doug G]

I got into Jim Campilongo after reading about him here, and Heaven is Creepy is probably my favorite "new" album this year. I've actually been buying copies for friends as Christmas presents.

 

[shark_bite]

I highly highly highly recommend everyone who hasn't heard it yet to listen to some stuff by the Jim Campilongo Band - particularly Table for One. Live at Du Nord is great too, but after listening to American Hips, Loose, and Heaven is Creepy a ton, I was shocked to hear what I had been missing by not having heard Table for One yet.

 

[Gas-man]

I highly highly highly recommend everyone who hasn't heard it yet to listen to some stuff by the Jim Campilongo Band - particularly Table for One. Live at Du Nord is great too, but after listening to American Hips, Loose, and Heaven is Creepy a ton, I was shocked to hear what I had been missing by not having heard Table for One yet.

Ok. You sold me.

I'll be getting that one ASAP.

He's probably my fave player.

I envy the NY guys who can see him on a weekly basis.

 

[Guitar55]

Love Jim! Absolutely SICK player (in the best possible way)

 

[hank57]

I saw him before Thanksgiving at The Livingroom. He and Adam Levy played a show earlier in the day and Adam then filled in some time before the bass player arrived. Two guys with different Princeton amps, a brown and blackface. It was sweet.

I also the Christmas show this year he used a Carr Rambler and it sounded great. Must be a borrowed amp. Twanged just fine.

 

[itkindaworks]

He's incredible. His website has some cool info about him. Bio, guitars, etc.

 

[shark_bite]

Anyone who likes either Campilongo or Levy (or in most sane people's case, both) also NEEDS NEEDS NEEDS to sit down with this interview and read the whole thing. I don't care who you are, you will come away thinking "hmmm.... interesting" to some part of it - it's one of the most insightful bits of conversation I've happened upon in a long time regarding music and especially guitar and where it fits into all of that.

http://adamlevy.com/guitarviews/gv.campilongo.htm