Bilbo

Hurrah!

I just think people who visit a bar where there is a singer with backing tapes should leave but, before doing so, tell the staff that that is why you are going. The deal will then be, do more people stay to watch or do more people go to find something better? Persoanlly, I woudl never watch anyone singing to backing tapes. I am better than that, even if they aren't. {ducks for cover]

Absolutely agree with everything you say, Mike.

I went through this phase..... What hindsight tells me is that a lot of this stuff suffered from a superficiality that meant it struggled to live up to the standards of great Jazz and often lacked the musical interaction that, for me, defined the greatest Jazz. Lots of fusion suffered from 'look at meeee' excesses in place of decent content. But there is undoubtedly some great stuff out there. Personal favourites include Nova's LP 'Vimana', Al DiMeola's 'Soaring Through A Dream', Chick Coea's 'Light As A Feather' LP, his first 'Elektric Band' LP, the first two Tribal Tech LPs ('Dr Hee' and 'Spears')... Yeahn, some great stuff and a great gateway to proper Jazz but there was a lot of 'fluff' in there too.

Am I the only one who can't wait for next month's picture?

Jerry Peek used one when he played with Steve Morse and I know John Patitucci had one on one of his Yamahas.

I am not sure that 'liking' it covers it, Skol (I wouldn't buy it, for instance) but I admire the creativity and production. Zs for the vocals, you need to recognise that being a 'good' singer isn't just about high notes and technique, it is also about expression and character your vocal on this is very fitting for the context/vibe you arae creating. Fit for purpose, I think the expression is.

Works for me, Garry.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1347952462' post='1806944'] ...and "Good Times"---throwaway? Wow. [/quote] Totally - give me a free copy today and I'd throw it away... Good times, these are the good times Leave your cares behind, these are the good times Good times, these are the good times Our new state of mind, these are the good times Happy days are here again The time is right for makin' friends Let's get together, how 'bout a quarter to ten Come tomorrow, let's all do it again Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys Girls will be girls, cute pony tails and curls Must put an end to this stress and strife I think I want to live the sporting life A rumor has it that it's getting late Time marches on, just can't wait The clock keeps turning, why hesitate You silly fool, you can't change your fate Let's cut the rug, a little jive and jitterbug We want the best, we won't settle for less Don't be a drag, participate Clams on the half shell and roller-skates, roller-skates It ain't 'Paradise Lost', is it?

I missed this first time round but, when you see it as it was supposed to be, it is wonderful.

Trouble is the limes in funk and reggae can have an appeal but the content can be seriously lame. Good Times is a great example; intersting line, a little challenging etc but the tune is throwaway nonsense so whyt bother Reggae can be very repetitive and samey etc. It's not all about the bass.

The whole CD is marvellous but my point is that the whole thing was composed and, if I recall correctly, recorded in a week. And I struggled to come up with anything in a month and what I came up with was pathetic compared to what Metheny did. Some of these guys are monsters!

I think that is the problem with all of us, especially if we have to do this on top of a load of other things. The thing is, in the film world, there is a lot of pressure to deliver very quickly. One of my favourite film soundtracks is Pat Metheny's 'Map Of The World'. The whole thing was written in a fortnight. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY2wJo3Q69c"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY2wJo3Q69c[/url]

The Invitation compilation is fine but it is missing some real highlights.

I just came across this on Spotify (I have it on a cassette somewhere) and I had forgotten how good it is. It is great bass playing but it is also great Jazz, great compositions, great arranging, great band. Liberty City is a nassive highlight for me (the swingingest electric bass ever), as is JP's duet with Toots Thielman on Sophisticated Lady. The greatest at the height of his powers with a decent band. It's as good as it gets. What is perfect for me is the way Jaco's bass is integrated into the band as opposed to being overbearing in the mix. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSOitft6fc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSOitft6fc[/url] The youtube clip is not as good as the album version so I recommend you go to Spotify to hear it.

I just heard Jeff Berlin's 'High Standards' CD, a collection of jazz standards. I gotta say, it's a shocker on every level

Sounds fine (mine was mixed through cans as well). Bit 'techno' for me but a good piece of work.

[quote name='Dread Bass' timestamp='1345401760' post='1777128'] Here is my bands first video [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsv2cApSGLA[/media] [/quote] Monster.....

Reminds me of It Bites but not..... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZwzBJ3Lx7Q&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZwzBJ3Lx7Q&feature=related[/url]

I never speak to any other bass players about gear so never feel any pressure to 'conform' to any stereotypes. Jazz musicians are also completely unaffected by gear-anoraks; its a known fact that the best players make bad gear sound better than great gear owned by the worst players. It is rarely discussed. I have heard Yamaha drums kits sounding awful and kits stuck together with sellotape sound marvellous. The best/most expensive guitars I have ever seen have been owned by amateurs not professionals. We all talk about the music rather than the gear so the gear becomes a peripheral issue.

I don't care

Jazzer so it tends to be black suit with black or white shirts for formal functions. Same with my function band. If its less formal, nice, smart/colourful shirt, jacket and clean trousers. I always think jeans look a bit naff, like you've just come off your allotment and t-shirts and hoodies make 50-year olds look a bit sad!

It's one of the issues with a five-string double bass; a massive percentage of your playing is in first/second position (you have alomst two octaves under your fingers without moving). This is not a problem intonation/execution wise but your arm is above your head almost all of the time which can wear you down a little on longer tunes!

Writing/Talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Suffice to say, it has its limitations!

Love the tympani sample. I have the kit to do this kind of thing but can't play keyboards so would have to programme it in. Too ambitious for me!!