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Unheralded Sideman

There's a story from the first US tour of the original Jeff Beck Group that after a performance in Central Park's Wollman Skating Ring a PR type from the record label ran up to the group's vocalist, Rod Stewart, and said, "Great show Jeff, and your band has a really good guitarist too!" So much for the intelligence of PR reps, but there are occasions where I think the sidemen musicians are at least as interesting, if not more interesting, than the star performers. Some of my favorite sidemen are:

James Jamerson - bass, Motown house band
Jack Ashford - tambourine, Motown house band
Charlie Watts - drums, Rolling Stones
Jack Cassady - bass, Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna
Bruce Thomas - bass, EC & the Attraction

Anybody eles have their favorite sidemen?
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Showing 2 responses by garfish

garfish
1,840 posts
 
Zaikesman really nailed this one-- good post. Others that come to mind for me are Jim Keltner on Drums, and Ry Cooder on guitar-- especially slide guitar. I don't know if they're "sidemen" in the conventional sense as both have become somewhat musically famous in their own right. Cheers. Craig
garfish
1,840 posts
 
I think it's fair to say that Margo Timmins is the "out front" star and voice of the Cowboy Junkies band. I don't know if he's considered a sideman or not, but her brother Michael Timmins is their lead guitar player and I think he's great-- some strange and wonderful chops. He also writes and produces much of their music.

The rest of band is excellent too-- so well integrated, but I especially like the guy that tours with them and plays five different instruments (he's not a Timmins) including mandolin and harp-- don't remember his name, but could probably find it in liner notes if needed. Cheers. Craig
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