Big Jim's Back - Big Jim Sullivan

Vinyl L.P - Retreat Records - RTA 4001.

1974 - U.K.

Cover design, photography (A. Powell): HIPGNOSIS.

Lettering: George Hardie NTA.

Back cover

Inner gatefold

Labels

Big Jim Sullivan

      About the artist and the album:

Big Jim Sullivan (1941–2012), born James George Tomkins, was one of the most prolific and influential session guitarists in British music history. He is estimated to have played on over 1,000 chart-topping recordings, including at least 54 UK number one singles.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he was the most sought-after studio guitarist in London, recording with artists such as David Bowie, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, George Harrison, and Frank Zappa.

Sullivan was a neighbor and mentor to Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), giving him his first guitar lessons. He also notably influenced Jimmy Page, who was known as "Little Jim" to distinguish him from the already established "Big Jim" in recording studios.

He pioneered the use of effects such as the fuzzbox, talkbox, and wah-wah pedal in the UK. Furthermore, along with Blackmore and Pete Townshend, he convinced Jim Marshall to develop more powerful and affordable amplifiers, giving rise to the iconic Marshall Amplifiers.

He was one of the first British rock musicians to take up the sitar after studying with Nazir Jairazbhoy, even collaborating with George Harrison in his learning of the instrument.

Big Jim's Back is his solo studio album, released in 1974. It marked Sullivan's debut as a vocalist; on his previous solo efforts, he was primarily an instrumentalist. Featuring musicians Chas Hodges (piano, fiddle, guitar, vocals), Dave Peacock (bass, banjo, vocals) and Ian Wallace (drums, vocals).

The album is categorized as Rock and Progressive Rock. It was released through Retreat Records, a label Sullivan co-founded with producer Derek Lawrence.