Music to Your Ears: Jim Fielder
You might not know Jim Fielder’s name, but it’s very likely you’ve heard him play. A key fixture of popular music beginning in the late 1960s, he lent his expert, expressive bass and guitar work to recordings and live performances by important artists both underground and popular. As a member of unclassifiable art-pop artist Tim Buckley’s band, he played on Buckley’s self-titled 1966 debut alongside Van Dyke Parks and famed arranger Jack Nitzsche. On Buckley’s second LP, Goodbye and Hello, he was joined by Jerry Yester and Jim Gordon. Jim was all of 19 or 20 when this was happening.
An early lineup of Buffalo Springfield. Jim Fielder second from right.
Around the same time, Fielder was a member of The Mothers (of Invention) with Frank Zappa, playing live as well as on a couple of studio tracks around (but not included on) their second LP, 1967’s Absolutely Free. He left to join Buffalo Springfield, playing on “Everydays” before turning his attention back to Buckley’s music.
That same year, he would be a founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears, appearing at their Village Theater debut and playing on their first four albums (in other words, the era of all the band’s hits). Fielder would go on to work with George Benson, Neil Sedaka and others. Today, he’s retired and lives in Asheville, NC, where he’s a regular fixture of musical jam sessions at Asheville Guitar Bar and other venues.
As one might imagine, I have a lot of questions for him. And you might, too. Next Wednesday, August 3, we’ll have the opportunity to chat with Jim Fielder, hear some stores and listen to some classic tracks. It’s all part of the latest installment of my monthly discussion series, Music to Your Ears. Held the first Wednesday of each month at the Asheville Guitar Bar (and co-sponsored by AshevilleFM), Music to your Ears is a lively evening of music, discussion and fellowship. Come on out!
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: A conversation with Jim Fielder
WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday, August 3, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
FOR MORE INFO: visit www.musoscribe.com/talks
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.