Paul Gilbertson
Encyclopedia
Paul Gilbertson was the first guitarist
of the British
band James
. He formed the original band and began its chaotic songwriting method of jamming
. He advocated improvisation
during live performances and during group recording sessions. Gilbertson was replaced in the band by Larry Gott
. Paul Gilbertson is currently working as a taxi driver in South Manchester and has had no contact with the band for fifteen years.
, who had no real interest in music at the time. Gilbertson convinced Glennie to buy a bass guitar
and help him form a band. Two weeks later, having never played any instruments before, Gilbertson announced they were to play their first gig. This fearless attitude had a strong influence on James. Gilbertson insisted on doing improvisations onstage as well as off. Gilbertson was also adamant in the beginning that he and Glennie should not take guitar or bass lessons. Gilbertson also believed that most bands sound worse playing live than they do on recordings. Gilbertson decided that the band should always keep things raw and not use any studio trickery that gave them a non-existent sound. The band did not record separately in booths on different days, but rather worked as a group for recordings.
Gilbertson opposed discussing what the band was doing and advocated going head-on into a noisy jam. He believed this kept the music special and exciting, because no one was consciously controlling the direction of the music. The music was forming organically, as opposed to being "written".
Gilbertson and Glennie remained close friends throughout the band's early years. Gavan Whelan and Tim Booth
later joined the band. This first line up went on to perform regularly, including playing at the Hacienda Club
in Manchester
.
and was a completely changed man. All of his enthusiasm seemed to have evaporated during his time away, and the band found themselves having difficulty with him during practices and live performances. The band found themselves trying to cover up the mistakes he was making and apparently not caring about. Glennie and Gilbertson had come to know Larry Gott, firstly as their guitar
tutor and later as someone who was constantly involved with the band in terms of getting them gigs and recording demos.
When Gilbertson turned up late for a performance, he was told he was no longer in James and had been replaced by Gott. The decision to sack him was difficult, and Glennie was upset for some time about losing both a musical companion and a childhood friend.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band James
James (band)
James are a British rock band from Manchester, England. They formed in 1982 and were active throughout the 1980s, but most successful during the 1990s. Their hit singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", and "She's a Star" as well as their American College Radio hit "Laid"...
. He formed the original band and began its chaotic songwriting method of jamming
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
. He advocated improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
during live performances and during group recording sessions. Gilbertson was replaced in the band by Larry Gott
Larry Gott
Larry Gott is an English musician, primarily of the Mancunian band, James. He is also a designer.-Music:...
. Paul Gilbertson is currently working as a taxi driver in South Manchester and has had no contact with the band for fifteen years.
Improvisation
Gilbertson was childhood friends with Jim GlennieJim Glennie
Jim Glennie is the bassist for and namesake of English rock band, James. Glennie is the band's longest-serving member, having been there from the first line-up, through to the present....
, who had no real interest in music at the time. Gilbertson convinced Glennie to buy a bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and help him form a band. Two weeks later, having never played any instruments before, Gilbertson announced they were to play their first gig. This fearless attitude had a strong influence on James. Gilbertson insisted on doing improvisations onstage as well as off. Gilbertson was also adamant in the beginning that he and Glennie should not take guitar or bass lessons. Gilbertson also believed that most bands sound worse playing live than they do on recordings. Gilbertson decided that the band should always keep things raw and not use any studio trickery that gave them a non-existent sound. The band did not record separately in booths on different days, but rather worked as a group for recordings.
Gilbertson opposed discussing what the band was doing and advocated going head-on into a noisy jam. He believed this kept the music special and exciting, because no one was consciously controlling the direction of the music. The music was forming organically, as opposed to being "written".
Gilbertson and Glennie remained close friends throughout the band's early years. Gavan Whelan and Tim Booth
Tim Booth
Timothy John Booth is an English singer, dancer, and actor best known as the lead singer from the band James.-1980s:Booth was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England and attended Shrewsbury School...
later joined the band. This first line up went on to perform regularly, including playing at the Hacienda Club
The Haçienda
Fac 51 Haçienda was a nightclub and music venue in Manchester, England. It became most famous during the "Madchester" years of the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the 1990s it was labelled the most famous club in the world by Newsweek magazine...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
.
Leaving the band
Gilbertson came back from a holidayHoliday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
and was a completely changed man. All of his enthusiasm seemed to have evaporated during his time away, and the band found themselves having difficulty with him during practices and live performances. The band found themselves trying to cover up the mistakes he was making and apparently not caring about. Glennie and Gilbertson had come to know Larry Gott, firstly as their guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
tutor and later as someone who was constantly involved with the band in terms of getting them gigs and recording demos.
When Gilbertson turned up late for a performance, he was told he was no longer in James and had been replaced by Gott. The decision to sack him was difficult, and Glennie was upset for some time about losing both a musical companion and a childhood friend.