Like a Lightning Rod

This is a quote from an interview with Jim Dickinson that was used in the video at his memorial a few months ago.

“Memphis will get all over you If you’re sensitive it’s like you know certain people can walk into Memphis and it’s like a lightning rod…Bam!–hits ‘em. If you think about the history of Memphis music , it’s not people from Memphis it’s people who came to Memphis.”

and this video:

- Jake R.

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Read more | Comments (0) | December 3rd, 2009

Jim Dickinson

Jump Back Jake would never have happened without Jim Dickinson. This may seem like a strange statement considering we never worked together, but anyone who knew him can tell you that once you met him, he had a way of influencing you without even being around. We met in the summer of 2004 when I was conducting archival interviews with Memphis musicians for the Stax museum. I visited him at Zebra Ranch and within three hours, I believed so strongly in the mythology and power of Memphis music that it practically became my religion. I learned more about Rock and Roll from Jim Dickinson that day than I had ever learned in my life and it stayed with me. Over the last few years I would send him things I was working on and he was always totally honest, telling me “You’re singing into your head. Put the headphones away” or “The song is well crafted and it’s a real improvement, but you need some better instrumentation.” The last thing I sent him was the first JBJ ep, and he told me he liked it so much that he had to pull the car over. Few things have given me the strength to stay in this business like that statement. Jim Dickinson could produce a record just by being in the room, now he’ll have to do it from somewhere else, but rest assure his presence will be felt in the music of the city for a long time to come—I’ll certainly always feel it in mine. As Jim would say “Don’t let them get you. They’re everywhere.” “

Jump Back” Jake Rabinbach.
Memphis, TN August 17th 2009

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Read more | Comments (0) | August 17th, 2009