Bilbo

A simple part but beautiful to play. The simply beautiful 'Oblivion' by Astor Piazolla. If I wrote something like this, I would die a happy man. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/oblivion-astor-piazolla/

Just did a jazz gig in Norwich on 16th, Pete, but have put the word out that I am looking for work. I can't do double bass gigs at the moment as my bass is broken (bridge, tailpiece, no strings etc) so a lot of Jazz players won't be using me but I am up for electric gigs.

I just wanted to say I have been working on reading guitar parts recently and am making progress. I bought five books of reading studies in January and read through all of them in about three weeks (600+ pages inc. Sor, Guiliani, the Leavitt Advanced Reading book etc). The skill of reading is a massive enhancement to your capacity to learn. It's not about reading gigs, it's about opening doors.

It's an interesting song. Great writing. I hadn't heard Gov't Mule before these two songs but I like what they do.

There you go, Pete. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/beautifully-broken-stefan-lessard/

Another Andy West part, 'Leprechaun Promenade' from the 1979 Dixie Dregs album, 'Night Of The Living Dregs'. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/leprechaun-promenade-dixie-dregs/

I worked with the guy who wrote Walk Like An Egyptian. He was tall.

Will have a look, Pete.

You are welcome. It's helpful for me to be prompted to try stuff I wouldn't have come across otherwise. Stops it getting too stale.

That was interesting! Allen Woody's bass part to 'Thorazine Shuffle' from the 1998 Gov't Mule album, 'Dose'. This one's for Ebenezer. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/thorazine-shuffle-govt-mule/

https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/thorazine-shuffle-govt-mule/

Had a listen. Sounds simple enough. Two bars of four followed by a two/four bar followed by three bars of four/four. Nice riff. Should be able to get that one up tonight. I have heard of Allen Woody but never heard GM.

I will have a look at it tonight.

A really easy read; Kuma Harada's bass part from the tune 'Fool No More' from the 1979 Peter Green album, 'In The Skies'. I did it in 3:4 but it's probably more accurate to record it in 6:8 but that makes it harder to read to my mind so I went with the 3:4. Slow as a really slow thing up to it's knees in mud. Carrying a horse. Drawn carriage. Full of people. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/fool-no-more-peter-green/

A fun little thing - head only but played beautifully on bass on the attached video by a Brazilian guy I know nothing about, Eduardo Machado. The chart is essentially an etude and can be played as a stand-alone exercise. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/choro-bagual-alegre-correa/

Took me far too long to get to this one.... https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/aint-no-love-in-the-heart-of-the-city-whitesnake/

A great and challenging part from the Brazilian bass player Ronaldo Saggiorato and features his complete performance of the tune 'Pescador' from the 1995 Alegre Correa Sextett album, 'Negro Caocao'. I don't know how he actually does some of it (retuned bass or over dubs? - not sure). Give this one a listen even if you don't know the band and look up some of their recordings - 'Terra Magica' (1997) is especially good. You really are missing out if you don't. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/pecador-alegre-correa-sextett/

Matches my teeth, Paul.

I just couldn't wait - the complete Eddie Gomez performance on 'The One Step' from the 1978 'Friends' album. Great part, the written bits and the blowing. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/the-one-step-chick-corea/

Another simple chart, Eddie Gomez's part for the Chick Corea tune 'Children's Song No. 5' from the 1978 'Friends' album. I had forgotten about this album and came across it. Some great and more substantive tunes on there that I am going to work on soon. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/childrens-song-no-5-chick-corea/

Another gorgeous Kermit Driscoll bass part, this is his complete performance on Bob Dylan's 'Just Like A Woman' from the 1992 Bill Frisell album, 'Have A Little Faith'. Absolute perfection. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/just-like-a-woman-bill-frisell/

Another Jackson/Camilo chart - 'Piece Of Cake' from the 2001 album, 'Triangulo'. There are a couple of iffy bars in there (explanation on the website) but much Latin fun to be had - tempo is more reasonable - I love Horacio Hernandez's cowbell played with his foot. Christopher Walken would wet himself. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/piece-of-cake-michel-camilo/

Been thinking about this for a while and then this appears on eBay 28 miles away. Landed it for £599. Sounds HUGE!! I was using an AI Clarus and Ten2ex cab but it wasn't working for me so I added a Phil Jones cab but it still wasn't strong enough for the electric gigs I was doing. Now I am ready for Wembley!!

Saw him on the Jon Anderson Song of Seven tour. I loved him with Brand X and thought his tunes were generally more grounded than Percy Jones's. Great sound, great groove. Sorely missed. I only just learned of his passing and the circumstances. Tragic loss.

I only just learned John had passed away in 2023. Desperately sad.