Jim Prime has been Deacon Blue’s keyboard player for decades, and that alone is a great reason to spend some serious time with him. Add in his other playing credits with other artists (John Martyn, Johnny Hallyday), his sense of humour and some of the best anecdotes we’ve heard, and you’ve got an interview for the ages.

To listen / watch:

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Jim in recent action and a tour of his keyboard rig

Deacon Blue in full flight live

Jim’s musical upbringing

Park Lane Studios Glasgow

Altered Images – Don’t Talk To Me About Love

Taking two Oberheim OB-X synths on tour

Learning how a show works thanks to community theatre

Working with John Martyn

Fear, alcohol and drugs: leaving the music industry

Meeting Ricky Ross and formation of Deacon Blue

Dealing with fear and imposter syndrome

Deacon Blue – Dignity

The power of collaboration to defeat procrastination

Getting back to basics and being inspired by traditional Scottish music

Margaret Urlich – Number One

Working with ‘France’s Elvis’, Johnny Hallyday

Jim playing live with, and being introduced by Johnny Hallyday

Working on The Big Picnic (watch it here)

Teaching at the University of the West of Scotland

Reminiscence bump

Tag a Keyboard Player: Chuck Leavell, Dave Stewart

Desert Island Discs: Aja – Steely Dan, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1 – Earth Wind & Fire, Second Helping – Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue – Joni Mitchell, The Last Record Album – Little Feat.

Key links:

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