Jimmy Baudelaire

Self-styled Zen blues-monk, truth seeker and proponent of the creed of Blues Discipline (fans of the band will know that he has this stencilled on his guitar case), Jimmy works hard to prevent mission-drift diverting the Baudelaires from their destiny. He knows that the temptations are many, and that other members are vulnerable - Long Don's possession by the spirit of Jim Morrison being only one example. But his inner strength has always empowered him to steady the good ship Baudelaire, even through the stormiest of waters, and has earned him the blues-Zen master rank of MacNamara and the respect of all connected to the band.

Jimmy currently plays a Gretsch Archtop Synchromatic, together with a Fender mandolin. There were no Faustian deals at the Crossroads for him - he has worked his way through bands such as Entrails, the Rabid Cats and the short-lived but legendary Blue Rimbaud to reach his current level of proficiency. His influences are eclectic - from the obvious fore-runners such as Robert Johnson and Son House, through folk (Richard Thompson) and rock (Jack Bruce) to Vaughan Williams and Debussy. His favourite singer is Roger Chapman, although he says his vocal style is more influenced by Jack Bruce. Contemporary idols also include Catfish Keith, David Gray and Alvin Youngblood Hart.

Jimmy's songwriting melds universal concerns with local landscapes: witness the shadowy borderland imagery of Shrewsbury Road Blues and the quirkiness of the controversial Fax from Johnny Otis. Sharing with Long Don a passion for football, he has even featured former Tranmere Rovers enigma George Santos in the final verse of Shrewsbury Road Blues. Some commentators have found Jungian echoes of creative frustration in Knockin' on the Iron Door - the artist pounds on the door of perception only to find that it cannot be opened. There is now a developing genre: the Birkenhead Blues.

Jimmy's favourite breakfast cereal: Shreddies

~ Baudelaire Bo Diddley Beau Brummel ~

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