casapete

I met him briefly after a gig at Nottingham some 20 years ago. Also found him softly spoken but polite, and tall!! Had a chat with him, then watched him get into the rented Merc parked outside and drive off quite quickly. Only problem being it was onto an apparently empty 2 or 3 lane ring road, but in the wrong direction! The traffic lights changed and lots of vehicles started heading towards the Merc. Quick as a flash Chuck did a smoking 180 degree turn and sped off ahead. For a few seconds I actually thought I was going to witness the demise of one of rock's most influential figures....

He has certainly had a large chip on his shoulder for a long time. This is very evident in the 1987 movie 'Hail Hail Rock n Roll'. If you have n't seen it, it shows Keith Richards attempting to put together a top notch band to back Chuck for a concert to celebrate his 60th birthday. Lots of rehearsal footage (with some strained moments) to get the band sorted. And then the gig? Chuck just does his usual winging it routine, even playing some stuff in different keys, much to Keith's annoyance! Great film nevertheless. I've seen Chuck in concert many times, some great and some just okay. Always entertaining although playing to his contracted time to the minute! No encores, just pick up the case with the cash in it, guitar and coat and straight into the Mercedes which he rents in Europe and often drives himself. His rider below is certainly interesting! http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/chuck-berry

Just bought a couple of flip top bottles of Grolsch for £1.60 each at Morrisons - job done. And the lager is rather good too.............

We also do Copperhead Road, ( although we are primarily a country band). Also do Guitar Town by Steve Earle, both songs always get the audience dancing. As a member also of an ELO tribute band, it is always 'Living Thing' that makes even static audiences get animated.

Most common for me is how much slower the originals often are. There's always a tendency to play tunes a bit 'brighter' live (especially for dancing purposes), and often losing the groove in the process. For instance, have you listened to 'Sweet Home Alabama' lately? Steady as hell....

Backing band were Rocking Horse from the UK, with bassist Billy Kinsley on Gibson Thunderbird.

Used the original Dunlop plastic strap locking washers for years and never had one problem. Not tried the newer ones mind..... And also never had a Grolsch washer fail either, although have n't yet tried the Fender ones. Must add that I'm not a fan of Straplocks - too much faffing around with the instrument and their respective straps for my liking.

I use a powered JBL Eon 10 inch monitor for playing in pubs and functions. Its main role is for hearing vocals and acoustic guitar. Don't think putting anthing more bass heavy in it would be wise TBH. Whilst the Yamaha is probably a better speaker than my old JBL, I still think you'll struggle using it for full drumkit / bass stuff at any appreciable gig volume. For that I think you'll need something that's got more handling capacity and not having a plastic construction.

Great stuff. Both Ronnie Lane and Mac sorely missed. Any Faces reunion now would be pushing it I feel.

+1 . I'd go for the feel over perfection every time.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1462094627' post='3040152'] When I first bought 'Every Picture tells A Story', I remember being flabbergasted at how loose and shambolic the whole feel of the album was. I thought to myself. 'they all sound like they're drunk'. I was so shocked and disappointed (especially by the bass playing on Maggie May), I didn't play the album again for a year. A year later I thought I'd give the album another chance and this time I was charmed by the ragged, looseness of the playing. And by the way, according to interviews Rod has made over the years, my first impression was spot on, they were all totally pished when they made the album. Edit: and looking at the musicians who played on that track, it was Ronnie Wood playing bass. Which explains a lot. [/quote] Ronnie Wood had played bass on a couple of albums with Jeff Beck and toured with him prior to forming The Faces with Rod. Just sayin'....

I've always loved the bass part, which I believe was played by Ronnie Wood. It has that loose meandering feel which fits in perfectly. That and the drumming make the song IMO. Apparently the drummer (Micky Waller) turned up at the session having forgotten his cymbals, and as they had expensive studio time booked he played the song without them, overdubbing them at a later date.

I always thought exactly the opposite. To me an Ampeg SVT rig is a thing of beauty. Marshalls look okay, but Sound City?......

Rod Stewart / Bowie IIRC?

Always played Precisions and Stingrays for years as my main instruments. However, due to an ongoing left hand problem I've found that a less chunky neck is easier for me, especially on long gigs. My Precision Lytes are ideal as have an overall slimness to them, and shallow too. The funny thing is, on a six string guitar I'm pretty much the opposite, loving the chunky profile on my 59 Junior and the Fender 'V' shape on my Strat and Tele.

Late 70's Fender precision in sunburst. Bought it in Leeds for around £220 IIRC. Thought it was great until I tried another one. It was then I realised what a dreadful thing it was - heavy, not that well made and so 'dead' generally. Would probably have been better off with a good cheaper P-bass, although this was before the good Tokai / Squier stuff was around so options were a tad more limited. Anyway, sold it for what I paid for it, and rather glad I did...

Just bought a pickup from Chris. All good, exactly as described and an easy transaction. Many thanks Chris. A classic good basschat person.

[quote name='KingPrawn' timestamp='1460925070' post='3029895'] How long have you been with the band. I think I saw you in Bromsgrove in 2014? [/quote] I've been with the band for 5 years now, so would have been me then. ( Actually played Bromsgrove again last Saturday too. ) Last night we were in Worcester, whilst Jeff's ELO were only 20 miles or so away in Brum!! Quite a few of our band went to see him in Manchester recently and were blown away how good it was.

LOL.

D'Addarios gone now, cheers.

One twin pack of D'addarios gone. Cheers.

Got some used strings if anybody wants 'em? D'Addario EXL170TP nickel wound - 2 x twin packs (i.e. 2 sets in each box). Used but not knackered. Cut for Fender Precision Lyte so should fit any 34" scale Fender style basses. Fender Acoustic bass phosphor bronze 8060 (45 to 100) - 2 used sets, cut for Washburn AB20 bass, 2-a-side headstock, again 34" scale. These deaden quickly after initial use, then seem to stay the same for ages! Yours for the postage. Cheers, Pete.