Jimmy Carl Black - 'The Indian Of The Group'
About Jimmy Carl Black
Jimmy was born Feb. 1st 1938 as James Inkanish Jr. in El Paso Texas. When he was 1 year old, his mother married Carl Black, and they moved 20 miles north of El Paso, to the little town of Anthony, Texas, New Mexico, where he spent the next 19 years. A wonderful childhood. He started playing the piano at age 6, but didn't like it much. When he was twelve, he started to play the trumpet. He was solo first chair in the high school band.
He joined the U.S.A.F. in 1958 and started to playthe drums because there weren't any trumpets in rock'n roll. So began a 41 year stint behind the tubs. (He 's still there.) He cut his first single in 1962 with a band called "The Keys" in Wichita, Kansas. He moved to California in 1964 and there he met Roy Estrada and Ray Collins and started the band called "The Soul Giants". When their guitar player got drafted into the Army, Ray said he knew a guitar player named Frank Zappa, so they auditioned him and hired him. One month later, Frank took over as leader of the rockin' combo and the band was called "The Mothers".
The band played a lot of GO-GO clubs and in '65 met Herb Cohen, who became their manager. With new management, they started playing places like The Action Club, The Whisky A-GO-GO, and The Trip on the Sunset Strip. They had added guitarist Henry Vestine of "Canned Heat" fame (who deceased, God bless him) and while at the Whisky. The famous producer Tom Wilson heard the band playing "Trouble Coming Every Day" and we had a record deal with MGM records.The day the contract was signed, Henry quit the band. Frank has just written "Who Are The Brain Police" and that was too much for Henry. Anyway, when they got to the studio to start "Freak Out", Tom Wilson, who thought he had signed a blues band, was completely shocked, when they recorded the first song.
It was "Who Are The Brain Police". Immediately he was onthe phone to MGM saying that they had not signed a blues band, but some kind of weird band.
He certainly was right about that. The band made a lot of albums in the sixties and in late '69 the band disbanded. Unfortunately, it was the end of one of best bands ever.
We had the great pleasure to play with some of the greatest musicians of that era; Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, The Greatful Dead, The Jefferson Airplane, Cream, The Doors, Joe Cocker, Arthur Brown, Chicago, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Albert King, Otis Rush, John Mayhal, The Turtles, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, The Howlin' Wolf, Capt. Beafheart, Ten Years Later, The Moody Blues, etc. He is proud to have met and jammed with those people. The real legends of rock 'n roll.
In 1970 Jimmy formed the band Geronimo Black (named after his youngest son) with Bunk Gardner and some very fine musicians. They played around LA for a couple of years before getting a record deal with MCA records. In the meantime in 1971 Jimmy went to England to make a movie called 200 Motels with Frank Zappa while making the movie he got a chance to meet and work with one of his favorite all time drummers Ringo Starr.
He also worked with Flo and Eddy (The Turtles) Keith Moon and a group of very nice people it was a very enjoyable experience since it was his first acting job. In 1972 the record Geronimo Black came out to very nice reviews but the promotion wasn't what it should have been. So in '73 Jimmy moved back to his home town of Anthony and made donuts For Winebel's Donuts. It wasn't a very good experience for a drummer that had been sort of a cult star. So he formed a band called "The Valley Loboys" and cut out a single (a very rare little biscuit). A couple of years later he changed the band to Big Sonny and The Loboys which put out one LP called ln Heat (it will be available on CD in 2000).
In l980 Jimmy moved to Albq. New Mexico where he put out a very rare 50's LP called Clearly Classic This was a clear plastic bloobed shaped LP of which only 500 copies were made Also that year he put out another album of previously unreleased material from Geronimo Black called "Welcome Back Geronimo Black" (available soon). That same year The Grandmothers formed and put out one LP on Rhino records called A Mother Of An Anthology.
Don Preston, Bunk Gardner and Jimmy were the main guys in the band and they toured Europe for two years. One more record came out in 1982 onRhino called "Looking up Grannies Dress" Unfortunately the band split up and Jimmy moved to Austin Texas. He was having trouble making a living as a musician so he hooked up with an old friend of his from the '60's days; Arthur Brown (The crazy World of) and they started a painting company called "The Gentlemen of Color".
Meanwhile he had formed a blues band called Jimmy Carl Black and The Mannish Boys. They recorded a LP with a company called Amazing Records. While making that record, Jimmy and Arthur went in to the studio and made a classic 60's R&B record called Brown, Black and Blue which came out in 1989 on Blue Wave Records (since released on CD with Voiceprint Records, England). In 1988 Jimmy reformed the Austin Grandmothers. He was the only original Grandmother in the band, but that would change a few years later.
In 1991 Jimmy went to Europe to play with Eugene Chadbourne at the famous Moers New Music Jazz Festival. It was a twelve piece experimental band with Don Preston also in the band. That was the beginning of Jimmy's dream to move to Europe. In 1992 Jimmy moved to Vicenza, Italy with his wife, who was a school teacher with the military. While there Jimmy contacted Muffin Records in Stuttgart, Germany and made a deal to release the Grandmothers new CD called Dreams on Long Play which was recorded in Austin just before he moved to Europe.
At that time Eugene had contacted Jimmy to start touring in Europe as a duo. So began the more than 100 shows; over a two year period of time of the Jack and Jim Show. They recorded two CD's the first one on Fundamental Records called Locked in a Dutch Coffee shop The second one on Firefly Records is a tribute to Capt Beefheart called Pachuco Cadaver
The Grandmothers new Cd was released in 1993 and the first European tour, with newly acquired Don Preston and Bunk Gardner, started a series of tours to commence.
The second tour the Grannnies changed guitar players and hired a very talented Sandro Oliva from Rome, Italy. In l994 the Grannies released another CD with the new lineup called Who Could Imagine on Munich Records.After a much disputed law suite, I won't mention names, the band disbanded.
In l995 Jimmy started a blues band called "The Farrell & Black Band" and theyhave been playing together for almost five years and have two CD's the first one released in 1996 is called Cateract Jump on Fritz Records. The new CD, being released the 15th of Sept, is called Black Limousine on Stormy Monday Records.
In 1995 Jimmy also started playing with a great band from Liverpool, England called the Muffin Men. He has done six tours with this band as a lead singer. He's bun on three CD's of the Muffin's the first is called Say Cheese and Thank You; the second is called Frankincence and the third called MufFinZ and they are all on Muffin Records Productions. Those records are over a four year period of time. There is a new one coming out in November 1999.
Jimmy released a CD of old unreleased material in 1996 called When do we Get Paid on Cargo records. I am in the process of finishing a new R. & B. CD with a great band from Salzburg, Austria. This should be available in the first part of the year 2000.
He also has plans to record a CD of American Indian music that he has been wanting to do for a long time. Two dear friends of his are helping with the music. Essra Mohawk is writing the music to a song called "For the Little People" and Dawayne Bailey is writing the music to a song called "Chief Old Fox". He is providing the lyrics. The Grandmothers have a new CD coming out soon. A live recording from the Astoria Theater in London recorded on the 1998 tour with Bunk Gardner (our first tour since the trouble). lt is a good one (see discography for more info) Jimmy hopes to record in the year 2000 a CD that has been his dream from a long time. If he can find the financing, he will record with his three sons a CD of mostly his youngest son Geronimo's music. He plays guitar, Darrell plays drums and Gary plays bongos, conga's, thimbles and trumpet. It will be an interesting project. Jimmy hopes that you enjoy his homepage and will send comments through the e-mail or anyway you choose to keep in contact with him. So until the next update he's signing off.
Thanks
The new century was really great for Jimmy as he got more into the computer. He was learning about music production and the dream of forming his own record company for release of rare material he´s been toting around for many years. The year 2000 was the year Jimmy did the most touring he has ever done in his career. He did over 150 dates in Europe and the United States. In the states the Grandmothers played 58 show´s in 66 days and travelled 17,200 miles and were in 42 states. They were promoting the new CD; "Eating The Astoria". He did two tours with The Muffin Men and two tours with The Farrell/Black Band.
The year 2001 was also a busy time in Jimmy´s career as he released several CD´s in CD-Rom form on his new label, Inkanish Records. He did quite a bit of touring, but not as heavy as the year before, as he was told by his doctor in October that he had a weak case of Leukima. He did get together with Eugene Chadbourne again and The Jack and Jim Show was in business again. Two CD´s resulted in the two small tours they did. "2001: A Spaced Odysessy" and "Reflections and Experiences of Jimi Hendrix" are the CD´s that resulted in those tours. Also a new CD from The Muffin Men called "More Songs From The Campfire". In Oct. he joined forces with his new pardner Robert O´Haire and the official beginning of Inkanish Records was solidified.
In March of this year the first two releases from Inkanish Records is happening. Jimmy Carl Black and the X-tra Combo released the new CD "Mercedes Benz" and The Grandmothers new CD "The Eternal Question". There is going to be two more releases before the end of the year but as of now, uncertain which ones it will be. It looks like an interesting year touring wise for Jimmy coming up. April-May-June will be with The Muffins in Europe, England, Scotland, and Ireland. In Sept.-Oct. there is a tour with The e.u. Grandmothers featuring Candy Zappa on vocals that is going to be great and then the winter tour with The Muffins again. I promice to keep this bio more up to date. Thank you all for the interest in this website.
Uncle Jimmy´s Little Online Record Store
1. "How Blue Can You Get?" The Jimmy Carl Black Band
This is the newest release from Jimmy Carl. It features Mick Pini on guitar and vocals; Roddie Gilliard on bass and vocals; Jimmy Carl Black on drums and vocals. This CD was recorded in Febuary, 2006 in Ulm, Germany and it was a lot of fun recording it. This CD is also a rockin´blues/ 1960´s rock music recording. We hope you will enjoy the material we chose to put on it. Some very classic Dylan stuff, a BAND classic and a Lou Reed classic plus much more for your listen pleasure. THANKS!!!!!
2. "Hearing is Believing" The Jack and Jim Show featuring Pat
Thomas This is the NEW studio CD from Jack and Jim and Pat and was recorded
Last year in Freiburg, Germany in Schroders studio. There are some really classic
tunes on this jewel. "Chenny´s Huntin´Ducks" is a Chadbourne classic about the V.
P. of the U.S.A.There´s a drinking song called "It´s 5:00 O´clock somewhere".
There is some classic Beatle´s and a Hendrix song on there. If you like TJ&JS
Then this one is right up your alley. It will be officially released in the states
In March next year on the Box Holder Label. You can get a limited edition now.
3. "Hamburger Midnight" B.E.P.is the newest release from INKANISH RECORDS and features the original rhythm section from the Lengendary Mothers of Invention; Jimmy Carl Black and Roy Estrada after not playing or recording together for 32 years. They team up with the Legendary guitar player, Mick Pini for a rockin´ blues oriented CD of a mix of originals and some classic songs.
This is a great CD. Offical release is 1 Nov., 2002 Order Now!!!!
4. "Mercedes Benz" Jimmy Carl Black and the X-tra Combowas released in April, 2002 and is a very good R&B horn band from Salzburg, Austria that Jimmy sings with. This band can really groove. There a bunch of classic´s on this one such as "Mercedes Benz" with a Bo Diddly beat; a couple Zappa classic´s "Big Leg Emma" and "Road Ladies"; Lowell George´s "I´m Willin´ and some original songs by Jimmy like the classic "Low Ridin´ Man" and "Lady Queen Bee". All in all, this one SMOKES.
5. Jimmy Carl Black´s "Where´s The %§& Beer?"was released late last year and is A 30 Year Anthology of Jimmy singing. There are some songs from Geronimo Black, The Muffin Men, and some from the Austin Grandmothers. There are four songs that have never been released in this format such as Lady Queen Bee, Waiting,and The Great White Buffalo (first recording) and Thank You, Come Again (never heard before). This is a CD that I have been wanting to pit out for a long time and it was worth the wait. It BURNS!!!
6. Jimmy Carl Black is "Drummin´ The Blues".This was also released late last year and is a collection of blues songs that Jimmy recorded over the last 23 years with 5 different Blues and R&B bands which include the Legendary Arthur Brown, J.C.B. and the Mannish Boy´s, Holzhaus,Black,and Teresas Band, The Farrell/Black Band, and Big Sonny and the LoBoy´s
There 17 songs of Jimmy just playing the drums including songs like "Fever", Summertime Blues Medley", "Stand By Me", "C.C. Rider", "Hound Dog", "I Feel Good" and many more like that. If you like Rockin´ Texas Blues is is the TICKET!!!!
7. "Singin´The Blues" This one was released this year andfeatures Jimmy Carl singin´19 songs from his legendarycareer with some of the bands he has played with over the years. If you like the way Jimmy sings you will love this CD. On most songs he is just singing but on some of them he is also playing the drums as well. I hope you will enjoy this little collection of great songs. THANKS MUCHO for being a fan.
THE GRANDMOTHERS RELEASES
1. "Eating The Astoria"released 2000
2. "The Eternal Question" released in April, 2002.
3. "20 Year Anthologyof" Volume 1 released 2001
4. "20 Year Anthology of" Volume 2released 2002
5."Who Could Imagine" released 1994
6."Dreams On Long Play" released 1993
For Further Info on these releases please contact Jimmy at Inkanish Records.E-mail and Mailing info at the bottom of this.
The Jack and Jim Show
(Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black)
1. "Locked In A Dutch Coffeshop"released 1995
2. "Pachuco Cadaver"tribute to Capt.Beefheart released 1995
3. "Uncle Jimmy´s Master Plan"released 1997
4. "The Early Years"released Febuary 2000
5. "The Perfect C&W Duo´s"tribute to Jesse Helmsreleased 2000
6. "The Taste Of The Leftovers"released November 2000
7. "2001: A Spaced Odysessy"released October 2001
8. "Reflections and Experiences of Jimi Hendrix"
(A TRIBUTE TO HENDRIX) released 2002
9. "The Best of Jack and Jim Show Sampler" released 2002
10. "Live at the Ceder Cultural Center" Minneapolis
Minn. 8 May, 1995
11. "The 7th Street Entry "Nightshift" Live" Minneapolis
8 May, 1995
12. "We´ll Be Together Again" Live at the Kronenburg
Festival in Norway (2 CD set)
13. "Live at the Zappanalle #14 Live in Bad Doberan,
Germany
released 2002
For further info in this stuff contact Jimmy!!!
Jimmy´s Blues and Bar
1. "A Lil`Dab`l´Do YA"J.C.B. and the Mannish Boy´s
2. "Just Got In From Texas" Holzhaus,Black,and Teressas
3. "In Heat"Big Sonny and the LoBoy´s
4. "Black Limousine"Farrell/Black Band
5. "Cataract Jump"Farrell/Black Band
6. "Live All-Star´s"The Route66 All-Star´s
7. "More Live All-Star´s"The Route66 All-Star´s
8. "Live In Steinbach" Black,Pini,and Jesdinsky Power Trio
The Muffin Men with Jimmy Carl Black
1. Baker´s Dozen the muffin men
2. Live@ The Cavern Liverpool the muffin men
3. "More Songs Around The Campfire" the muffin men
4. "God Shave The Queen"the muffin men
5. "MufFinZ"the muffin men
6. "frankincence"the muffin men
7. "say cheese and thank you"the muffin men
Misc. Titlesa variety of different styles of music
"Brown,Black,and Blue"Arthur Brown and Jimmy Carl Black
2. "When Do We Get Paid?"Jimmy Carl Black
NEW MIX and NEW RELEASE
3. "Live on KUT Radio 1984"
Jr. Franklin and The Golden Echo´s
featuring Jimmy Carl Black-drums
4. "Cockroach Albert"J.C.B.and Behind the Mirror
5. "Secrets of Crater Six" J.C.B. and Behind the Mirror
6. "An Evening With J.C.B. and B.T.M." J.C.B. and B.T.M.
TWO CD SETS
1. "20 Year Anthology of" The Grandmothers Volume 1&2
2. "Live All-Star´s" The Route66 All-Star´s
3. "How Blue Can You Get?" and "Hamburger
Midnight" Jimmy Carl Black
4. "Geronimo Black" and Welcome Back Geronimo
Black" Geronimo Black
VERY RARE SINGLES Limited supply
1."Albuquerque Bound/Thank You,Mr. Bill"
Jimmy Carl Black
2."Love Me Two Times/Love Potion#9"
Big Sonny and the LoBoy´
PRICES:
All single CD´s are: $15 + $6 for shipping and handleing (U.S.A.)
All single CD´s are: €15 + €5 for shipping and handleing (E.U.) (Except when on SALE and then €10 + E5 for S. & H.)
All single CD´s are: §10 + §4 for shipping and handleing (U.K.)
All Two CD Sets are: $25 + $6 for shipping and handleing (U.S.A.)
All Two CD Sets are: €25 + €5 for shipping and handleing (E.U.)( Except when on SALE and then €20 + €5 S. & H.)
All Two CD Sets are: §17 + §4 for shipping and handleing (U.K.)
T-Shirts are the same price as the single CD´s + shipping,etc.
If interested in the Very Rare Singles, write me and we´ll strike a deal. I´m fairly open for discussing a deal.
In the Far East and Australia please contact me and we will work something out. The CD´s aren´t a problem. It´s either US dollars or Euro´s. It´s the shipping. Very EXPENSIVE unless you like boats. They are very slow going halfway around the world but, of course, I think the music is worth it.
You can send either a check or bank draft or if you want you can send cash. Just be sure you either print or type your Mailing address so I can read it and there is no mistake in getting the package to you.
HOW YOU CAN CONTACT ME:
Jimmy Carl Black or Inkanish Records
Hoepfling 4
83313 Siegsdorf
Germany
E-MAIL: JimmyCarlBlack@t-online.de
WEBSITE: www.jimmycarlblack.com
Latest News & releases http://www.myspace.com/inkanishrecords
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING FANS!!!
