mike f

Going back to the OP, I think Macca’s fame eclipsed any of the skills he had, be it as a songwriter or bassist so they tend to be forgotten about or not dwelled upon. He was “just” a Beatle.

In a similar way Prince was never rated as a guitarist or bassist, he was just Prince. There must be more out there, anybody think of anyone else?

Sting? Eric Clapton?

@Woodinblack that’s the UK sales, The top 5 positions were in the US Billboard top 100 (where they had the top two for that year).

To have the top 5 Billboard chart positions at the same time was a remarkable feat.

3 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Indeed - only equalled by 50 cent and drake.

Generally I would put that at a sign of a very poor year with not much around.  Same as a few years ago when ed sheeran had 12 songs in the top 20. And recently Taylor Swift had 5 songs in the top 20, and that album wasn't as good as the previous one!

So it took a while for the feat to be repeated then?
And there must’ve been other poor years between 64 and when either Drake or 50 Cent matched the record? Oh come on, it’s a bit like saying a team only wins the league when the other teams are rubbish. You’ve still got to beat everyone! 😁

And as Happy Jack alluded, this was at a time when people had to get off their bottoms, go to a record store, and purchase 7” of lovely vinyl! 

Ah yes but..., it was the top 5 at the same time (April 1964), during a run of 4 number ones, with a week off when Louis Armstrong was the toppermost, and then another number one.

The flukey gits!

and oh yeah (yeah, yeah), Macca is fab.

Gary Byrd & The GB Experience- The Crown

Nine Inch Nails - Hurt

The Beatles - Happiness Is A Warm Gum

John Lennon - Gimme the Tooth 

Frank Zappa - Montana

@Doddy that’s the one. Yes, a good read. Shame it’s not still up.

I recommend the book, Zappa: Electric Don Quixote by Neil Steven and of course The Real Frank Zappa book by the good man himself.

3 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

With the notable exception of some of the brass section. If it had just been a straight ahead rock band line-up, that nonsense wouldn't have happened.

Mike Kineally wrote about all somewhere on the internet. Because I’m a big fan on Tom I’d like to believe it wasn’t Walt and/or Bruce Fowler complaining but I fear I may be wrong! It’s been awhile.

A Zappa highlight for me was at the Albert Hall seeing Dweezil duetting with a video of his dad from the 80 tour. Grown men in tears. Met Dweezil a few years later at the Roundhouse and told him, “thank you”. 

On 12/03/2021 at 09:47, Gareth Hughes said:

Yes - love that record. To the point that, talking to anyone named Barry, I can’t help but say ‘the way I see it Barry’. And it has various versions of my favourite Zappa tune, ‘Oh No’.

“Oh No” is a beautiful tune, and lyrically a nice dig at The Beatles. Did I imagine Ruth “on Ruth!” Underwood playing it on piano?

I watched the film and could’ve watched another few hours of it. I really enjoyed it, particularly the Zappa family home movies. His swift decline in health was sad to see.

There are numerous entry points into Frank’s music. For me it was via Channel 4 putting on “Does Humor Belong in Music” late one night in the latter half of the 80s. Instant Scott Thunes fan. And Scott was liked by Zappa, I think some of the other band members complaints about him have been retracted over the years.

Anyway, I digress..., particular favourites include -

We’re Only In It For the Money

Uncle Meat

The Grand Wazoo

Apostrophe 

Roxy & Elsewhere 

Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch

You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore (vols 1 to 6)

I’ve over 40 of his albums and there are favourites I’ll have missed in the above list. Never saw him live, thank goodness for Dweezil and Zappa Plays Zappa. Arf.

ABBA - Knowing Me Knowing You

bassline is sublime 

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

They’ve decided to call it a day, and this news has inspired me to once again listen to what has become one of my favourite albums.

I was in the mosh pit in Fishbone’s Fight the Youth video recorded at the London Astoria in 1991. It was absolutely frantic in there and I’ve yet to see myself in the video but there was a Fishbone flag (seen in the video) over part of the crowd and, when I wasn’t crowd surfing, I was under that.

@Cat Burrito you mentioned The Cure. I wore out my VHS of The Cure In Orange. 

1 minute ago, MB1 said:

It’s not gone unnoticed nobody’s mentioned this.....

“I, have been in you, and you, have been in me....”

@MB1 ah yes. The CD version of course!

Baby Snakes (live), Zappa in New York, Does Humor Belong in Music...?

Arf!

Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention - Roxy & Elsewhere 

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live at Winterland

AC/DC - If You Want Blood...

Billy Joel’s guitarist’s from the 2007 tour, and Billy’s set list.

And a glow in the dark whistle thingy from one of the original members of P-Funk (about 1991).

1 hour ago, yorks5stringer said:

Never expected to see the phrases 'shorty' and 'strap-on' on Basschat....

And don’t forget that once you’ve got the strap on there’s nothing left to do but plug it in.

Love it. 

Randy Crawford - You Might Need Somebody.

Absolutely wonderful 

The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping 

Guys I can’t thank you enough for the responses. Quality stuff.

I think my Jazz bass is beyond another fret dress, perhaps I should’ve said this earlier, so I think I’m gonna go for the refret. And whilst I may have one eye on its value I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. I appreciate the comments regarding these two points.

I just wish I’d never had the Floyd Rose trem fitted..., I’m joking, I’m joking 😁

Great responses. Thank you

bassbiscuits I’m in Cheshire. Thinking of taking it to Jon Shuker