Jim James: Producer

[aMillionDreams]

Apparently Jim is producing Ben Sollee's newest project.  I'm not sure what the name of it is now.  I don't really have any info except Jim James is the producer.

I just got back from seeing the Sparrow Quartet with Ben Sollee, Bela Fleck, Abigal Washburn, and a great fiddle player (don't know his name). Great show!

For those not familiar with Ben Sollee I highly recommend you pick up (by which I mean download from itunes) his newest EP or at least the song "Only a Song" which features Jim.  If you like what you hear check out "Learning to Bend".

EDIT:
I'm pretty sure this will be Jim's first producing credit outside of MMJ recordings.

[xmascriminal]

I thought Jim produced The Tennessee Fire and At Dawn too. No? The only other producer credit I know of for him was a couple songs on "Post War" by M. Ward.

[songdiver]

Jim has produced every MMJ album.  Although I believe the last 2 had co-producers as well.

[st. john]

someone pls explain what  producers do and why they merit so much money. i'm guessing that they act on sound as editors act on word. is that wrong?

[xmascriminal]

someone pls explain what  producers do and why they merit so much money. i'm guessing that they act on sound as editors act on word. is that wrong?

I work in a recording studio over the summer, and I can therefore say for certain that it's not just editing, though that is a really time-consuming aspect of what they do. Producers play a huge part in the sound of an album. That's part of why Z and Evil Urges sound so different. If you listen to an album produced by Steve Lillywhite, Tchad Blake, Phil Spector, Daniel Lanois or Dr. Dre (for example) they all are very distinctive and all create unique soundscapes that are very recognizable if you train your ear to them (which doesn't really require any effort beyond listening semi-critically to a couple things a particular producer has done).

[aMillionDreams]

Jim has produced every MMJ album.  Although I believe the last 2 had co-producers as well.

You're right.  Don't know what I was thinking, I edited my post.

[goose]

He is producing a new genre of music then?  Is it ok to say that?  I'm guessing Ben Sollee is a little different than the Jacket (although maybe close to M. Ward)?

[lasvegas]

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Jim+James

good site, with solid info.

[Ghosts_on_TV]

I think the next MMJ album should be produced by Jim and Mike Mogis.