JamesBass

Snarky Puppy's Family Dinner Vol 1 is really a sublime record, and though Something ft Lalah Hathaway got them their grammy and is arguably their most well known song from the album, all the other tracks on the album are just as good! A particular personal favourite is this song featuring Magda Giannikou https://youtu.be/KPHB6hm2wV8

Male voice - Dallas Green, I was hugely influenced by his acoustic project, City and Colour, and his band Alexisonfire, as a kid. His voice still blows me away each and every time I hear it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8HPk26gdW0 Female voice - It's a tie between Shayna Steele and Lalah Hathaway currently. Both are EXCEPTIONAL! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsGHkUeTc_w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SJIgTLe0hc

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1459934114' post='3020916'] That's good. I have to say i know some Publicans that are quite wealthy too but put their earnings and old age provision over and above that of their employees. At least this in some way starts to level the playing field even if £7.20 is in no way a living wage. [/quote] A fairer society is a better one. It's when things become unfair or fail to address the unfairness already there that there becomes problems. As you say £7.20 is not even close to a living wage! Tax avoidance should be the key issue we bash the government about for me. But this is going wildly off topic! As far as my previously talked about unfulfillment goes, I have just been booked to do a reading gig in May and though it's somewhat foreign to me, I'm extremely excited for it!

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1459931705' post='3020871'] The new National Living Wage is a complete con. In the UK, if you worked for 16hrs or less a week (at the old minimum wage £6.70ph) you are entitled to certain tax breaks due to your low income. Your annual income will be less than the national taxable wage. Now that the wage is higher (£7.20ph), this puts you over the non-taxable limit which means you will now need to pay tax on your income. Which makes your net income less than it was before the new Living Wage was introduced! It's a con and a shambles. You could argue that this only negatively affects those on the lowest income. But aren't they the ones that deserve our help the most? I know many people that work exactly 16hrs a week because they have care responsibilies (kids, sick, elderly etc) and now they're being pinched even harder. Anyway, back on topic; I've discussed with the band the possibility of trying to work out some original numbers. Promising! [/quote] 16 hrs a week? That's less than I do and I still earn about £4k a year UNDER my tax code which is the base tax code, think it's something like 1066L or about £10.5K a year. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459932388' post='3020879'] Don't want to digress, but won't tax be payable only on income above that limit? [/quote] Correct.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459899532' post='3020761'] Hey, thanks James. Sounds a little like what were trying to do over here. Well, at least the super progressive liberals like me. We want a mandatory $15.00 an hour law. There will be some collateral damage to some businesses and people , but overall it's a good thing. Thing is businesses like Wal Mart would close stores before they would start people as $15.00 an hour. Blue [/quote] No worries Blue! It is time for better wages, for work done, but it will damage certain industries for sure, and as you say, some businesses are petty and want to bend as many rules as possible. We just have to hope they can be brought to heel. [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1459899698' post='3020762'] I sense you aren't pro living wage / pension but please correct me if i am wrong. [/quote] You are indeed wrong, I'm very much pro living wage and pension, I just can see both sides. Unfortunately for struggling industries like pubs and live music, this adds another worry for them and how they will survive. Yet in more steady industries, this could not be more welcomed. I work part-time as a bass player and part-time in a supermarket, and the supermarket are more than able to increase pay and narrow pay scales for managers and non-mangement. The pension thing is most welcomed for me, I pay in via my supermarket job and can move the pension around should I ever need to, and at a lower cost of the private options I looked at.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459894748' post='3020727'] Tell me about this national living wage for those over 25? Yeah, I think your pubs are zoned in residential districts. Our bars are zoned in business districts, there are no residents to disturb. Blue [/quote] By law everyone in the UK over 25 earns £7.20, a large jump of 50p per hour, and now is auto-enrolled in to a workplace pension, yet more added cost to the bar/venue as they pay in and match what the employee pays in. So in the past year or so running even a small pub has become more complicated, in just an in house sense. Add to that the residential bother many venues find themselves in and you don't get a terribly healthy outlook. It is workable, the current model just needs to change/be adapted. You are correct Blue, pubs are a fixture of the community in the UK and there once was a time in Portsmouth, where I live that we had a pub on every single street corner. That's LONG gone, and just yesterday two pubs were forced to close down due to costs and unworkable regulations. Even our clubs in city centres away from residential areas are still lumbered with strict noise level regs etc.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459881687' post='3020586'] We never get to play all the songs in our set lists. 4 hours is not enough time. In Milwaukee there are 3 originals clubs, Garbaldis, Frank's Power Plant and Linnemans. Plant It's generally a four hour show featuring 3-4 originals bands. There is a $5.00 cover and the bands are responsible for paying a house sound guy. Blue [/quote] That shows the vast difference in playing in America vs the UK. Generally Pubs shut no later than 1am, with noise abatement laws shutting the music off by 11.30pm so for bands to be playing 4 hours you'd be starting before the pub was even 1/4 full. The culture of going out in the UK is vastly different to the States it seems. Similar show lengths for originals, but different procedures. Sound guys that are in house are paid by the house who also cover bar and door staff. Costs are higher, especially now with our new national living wage for over 25's.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1459875413' post='3020502'] Yep, been there too...it can be a leap of faith, can't it ? [/quote] Sometimes I'd rather take a leap out a plane!

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1459869311' post='3020414'] It's good - you're a good way to creating more interesting music starting with a wider span of influences [/quote] It sometimes is, I've had it before where I've turned up and have played through things yet struggle to hear the influences, or even feel them as far as rhythm goes. Some bands are then shocked when I ask where the influences are that they listed as what we just played fit firmly in one genre!

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1459867950' post='3020395'] I can imagine "an alternative/pop/folk/punk band" quite easily, in fact the folksy band I play with could fit that bill. The second one....well, it's a broad net, but adverts can be tough to write - [b]I think they've summarised their own influences instead of written a person specification[/b] [/quote] This is what I find happens with a lot of bands advertising. They all chuck their influences together and list out something hoping to draw from as many as possible rather than just being too the point.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459803724' post='3019909'] In the summer we can have 3 four hour gigs in one weekend. Last summer we had 2 four hour gigs on the same day. A 2-6 and a 9-1. It's fun. Blue [/quote] There's no way a band could play two 4 hour sets over here on the same day. We have strict noise abatement laws that would see to that. And where everything is much smaller and closer together the clientele cross over wouldn't appreciate it and you'd be hung out to dry by your fellow musicians. It's just not the format for gigs in the UK. And as I said the band's themselves would struggle mostly as most have barely 50 songs in their repertoire. There's certainly some culture differences with how bands operate. Out of interest Blue, how does the average original gig in a small venue work? Over here you typically have a 3 hour gig with 4 bands on with a ticket price ranging between free and £12. Average price of £4 in my area. Edit - small venue defined as <200 cap

[quote name='Bassnut62' timestamp='1459775008' post='3019436'] Snarky bass player is a good player, no doubt; but his gurning iritates me. I've seen the Puppies live a couple of times and both were great gigs; but ML just comes across as an arrogant know-it-all, who's just a bit too pleased with himself. He's worked hard to get there and I take my hat off to him for that and his playing;.....but please, lose the attitude! [/quote] Really? Did you meet him? I've seen them a few times and for me he's a real down to earth guy, had a beer with him post show once and we were chatting like old friends, he's got lots of time for music lovers and musicians! Cory Henry came across as the more aloof guy, still lovely, just certainly has a shortish attention span, or at least did when I met them!

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1459772814' post='3019396'] stuart zender played on the Stoned Again mix (original version) with the slap style chorus, where as the album version has a different feel and different bassline creadited to a Mr. X [/quote] Cheers Mike! Wonder who Mr. X is?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459770038' post='3019336'] I do a bit of both... if I'm not rehearsing or gigging I'm learning new songs at home... the rest of the band do the same. We're of the opinion that rehearsal is a time to try out songs for the first time as a band, tweak the arrangements and such. It's not a time to be learning material from scratch. To save time I've been learning new material from existing band recordings and playing them for the first time at gigs, which can be entertaining to say the least... however, the band don't deviate (much) from the recordings, so that makes it easier... [/quote] I'm in the same boat. I play in a few bands, some are original bands some are covers, others are a mixture of both! So for me learning songs at home in my bedroom benefit me on gigs, and in the pit as I like to think of my playing as puzzles, where sometimes I am missing pieces so I improvise using things I have in my 'Bag of tricks' that bag of tricks comes from intense studying of a VAST array of songs and genres and other players playing! Sometimes Jazz licks get used over pop ballads, other times root notes come out in jazz fusion. It all comes from having bedroom time though. Rehearsals with bands are time to tighten things up, and plan for upcoming gigs.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1459733639' post='3019090'] I have heard my favourite bass players like Meshell, Randy Taylor, Mr Miller, but I've got to be honest i adore this persons bass playing. its so musical and dynamic. Of course i don't know who the f*** he or she is but, damn they lay down some fantastic bass. I love Zender's playing but this person is in a different league imo.. Wonderful wandering playing I've only seen in Willie Weeks .[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9DHDTu0jT0[/media] Whats your favourite ever playing on a record.? [/quote] All Music has the credits listing Zender as the only bass player on the album? As for my personal favourite bass line, that's a sodding tough one, and I'll have to have a think! Are we choosing one song, or one entire album? We have had the Spotify playlist where users were adding songs to it all the time, [url="http://open.spotify.com/user/onlinedood/playlist/6UkfcLnRafb95u7EnciaAU"]Best Bass Lines Evaaaaar![/url] That MIGHT work, if not then let me know and I'll try to add it another way!

Sometimes time away from gigging and just focusing on playing in ones bedroom, really can add enjoyment to it all again, and make you a vastly better player. It's all down to situations and personal aspirations. As for set times, yeah there's no way a lot of the bands I know could cope doing a 4 hour set. A 4 hour set would easily include 80-100 songs, most bands I've worked with don't even have 50 in their entire roster, let alone their set list!

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1459715706' post='3018961'] Wow! Some great introductions to artists/players for me in this thread that I've never really dug out before - Snarky Puppy/Michael League and Fela Kuti. I'm finding my way a bit with Snarky Puppy (some of the random live bits on YouTube are drawing me in more than the studio stuff at the minute) but Fela Kuti is just great. I had in my mind something completely different previously but the stuff referenced on this thread is lovely. Still keep watching the original video, mind..! I can hear little bits of mid-period Talking Heads in there as well.. Great stuff.. [/quote] Fela is THE guy to go to when trying to venture towards African music. His sound is so relatable and easy to understand! For more similar stuff, check out Toumani Diabte, Sidiki Diabte, Ali Farka Toure, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Issa Bagayogo, Orchestra Baobab, Salif Keita (Recently worked with Snarky Puppy on Family Dinner Vol 2) and Youssou N'Dour.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459713471' post='3018924'] I happen to be in a band 10 years standing that happens to play a genre I like and I'm. well versed in. No bands last forever, if I ever find myself on the market I'm not going to restrict by genre or what I don't like. I will restrict by my abilities and professionalism. Even genres I don't like can be done well and professional. If a band is established and has solid book of continuous business I'll play polka. Would I join a metal band, no. But only because I am not a match for it and don't have that sort if ability. Blue [/quote] Nice one! But what's that got to do with anything Blue? Not everything has to be about getting paid and playing music. Even us guys who play for a living can have other interests and hobbies, sometimes it's fun to talk about them! Not sure what half your post is about mind, the stuff about being professional, being well versed etc. means nothing to me. You work over the other side of the pond to me, so whatever. Or are you trying to instigate a discussion over being dedicated to a single genre, vs ability to wing it in a multitude of genres? Cause I can assure you there are literally tonnes of us on here that can play many genres very well. I'm sensing a lot of one-upmanship in your tone Blue, and I'd advise you to just reconsider such a tone.

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1459708538' post='3018836'] Lol this guy [/quote] Some say ignorance is bliss... That's why I chose it after seeing that post!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459701910' post='3018737'] You missed my point. The musicians in the clip are not limited and seem very flexible. You might want read over my post again. I was talking about bass players that stay in the bedroom because they refuse to plays anything unless it's what they like. For example the guy that will only play death metal. Blue [/quote] I more took issue with the perceived tone or your post Blue, it was derisory. I'm a bass player that gigs, teaches, records, tours, writes, reads for a living. When I'm not working I play what I love, in my bedroom, on my own. I also hands down refuse to play stuff I'm not good at, or don't like. I can afford to do that, because I'm in charge of what I do. I run my own bands and choose my own musicians. There's no way you'll find me playing straight ahead rock cause it's dead boring for me. Pumping out 8ths is a load of rubbish in my mind, I want to create melodies using rhythm and harmony! I'll do those gigs every now and then, but not more than 1 a month.

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1459698580' post='3018702'] Really like that a lot. Can't stop watching it. Is it at all similar to Snarky Puppy? And (even if it's not similar) where would one start as an introduction to Snarky Puppy? [/quote] Anywhere, I was introduced to them via the song "Thing Of Gold" if I were you I'd look at Family Dinners Vol 1, We Like it Here, and Sylva. Then go from there! Those three albums show a vast variety of what the band are about!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1459635142' post='3018325'] Please enlighten me bud..my ears are starving as always. [/quote] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwXUU0aj64 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQBC5URoF0s

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459636611' post='3018343'] Yeah, it's a groove and it's really cool. Not hard to do when your ; 1. With very talented musicians 2. Your not completely driven and restricted to only the genre you personally like. I think many forget how important flexibility is in this business. If your not flexible, I say enjoy that bedroom. Because that's probably going to be where your most comfortable. Blue [/quote] Wow. That's unbelievable! These musicians are by no means limited in flexibility. Having that level of ability means you have studied and worked across a LOT of genres to have that many fills, and feels to utilise in this "virtuoso bedroom piece" Michael League alone plays on more tracks, and genres than you ever will, and have done. The guy is among the busiest in the business.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1459290763' post='3015275'] Hello all, Does anyone else ever feel a little depressed sometimes about not playing the sort of music you'd really like to be playing/creating? My problem is, is that my tastes change from week to week. Sometimes I want to be a vocalist for a death metal band and then the next week I want to start an acoustic duo playing Elbow covers. I've got a band which I'm really happy with but I find it really hard to focus when my mind wanders and starts thinking of other projects I could start. I've had a couple of jams with some friends playing different stuff to my main band which was great fun but I'm bored of it already and totally ready to try something else. Anyway, it just gets me down sometimes when there's so much great music out there and, as a musician, I feel like I'm not contributing enough or I'm not playing stuff that really means something to me. Does everyone else sort of swallow this feeling and get on with it? I'm amazed by people that can play the same songs over and over for years. I've been playing covers for a while now and even though I've always made an effort to try to stay away from the usual suspects I still feel totally unfulfilled. At the same time, I really enjoy being in my band and, aside from the music, it's good for me to have a regular creative outlet to distract me from work and stuff. Sometimes I feel like it'd be a good idea to ditch covers and work on original stuff but I dunno I just worry that my ideas would get lost in translation once other people get involved so I don't bother trying to make anything of it. Anyone else ever feel very very small against the sum of human musical endeavour? I certainly do! [/quote] I totally understand you, I'm much the same to be honest, I'm currently working with just the one band, and that started as a singer songwriter adding a rhythm section to her songs, and since we've been playing together we've jammed a few ideas/covers out and now we are looking to do two iterations of the band - a cover band and an originals band. Yet I'm still not fulfilled as this band is just rock and there's little room for really expressing ones self. However I do write on my own and have reams of paper and ideas here there and everywhere, I have tried to get my stuff arranged and played with bands in the past yet so far I struggle to get the right people involved, a lot of what I'm writing is genre-less as it takes a lot from what I'm feeling ok the day, I guess the best way to describe straight off the cuff is jazz funk fusion, trying to find a singer to sing well in that genre is impossible as many of my songs feature complex arrangements and need very certain notes to be hit. However I'll never give up, doing my own stuff, I know how good it could be if it featured the right musicians, so for me it's a patience game and being clever, sometimes months of unfulfillment is a necessary evil to drive you on with other things!

[quote name='tobiewharton' timestamp='1459002033' post='3012739'] Hi Owen, The only specific congregations that I know outside of Manchester are New Testament Church of God (NTCG) churches. NTCG Handsworth (240-244 Lozells Road) is a large church, NTCG Harvest Temple, Wolverhampton (173 Wednesfield Road) and Dudley (Holly Hall Road) are smaller. NTCG Willesden (179 High Road) and NTCG St Judes, Elephant and Castle (Bickels Yard, 151-153 Bermondsey Street) are two in London, but there are many more. There's a list here: [url="http://www.2chaseprojects.co.uk/2C176/about-us/find-a-church/"]http://www.2chasepro.../find-a-church/[/url] Hope they're useful, Tobie [/quote] That is a great source! Cheers Tobie! And thanks again to everyone else who has posted in this topic, it's been a great help! Are there any Gospel based books for learning theory/changes/arrangements etc from? Cheers all!