xilddx

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1378125215' post='2195959'] We have this discussion every year when the X-Factor lumbers (slithers?) onto our television screens... Thing is, it's just a Saturday night 'talent' show. Nothing more. There have been shows of this kind on our screens for decades. Fair enough it's ok to grumble about it. I'd say it's almost a tradition But it's a bit like reading Heat Magazine and then bemoaning its lack of coverage of bluegrass or avant-garde jazz. Quite simply, it's not a show aimed at discerning musicians. It's goal is to shovel populist karaoke down the lug'oles of people who enjoy singing along to daytime radio - and who enjoy the 'drama' of the process. It's nothing more than that. It certainly doesn't threaten good quality music. If anything, it shines a light on the throwaway, battery-farmed nature of the commercial music machine (which has operated in pretty much the exact same fashion since The Monkees and long before, albeit without the public audience in tow). Let 'em get on with it, I say. And in the immortal words of Why Don't You: "Just switch off your TV set and do something less boring instead". [/quote] Totally, utterly sensical. I can't understand the indignation either, and blaming the current state of the music industry on Simon Cowell is just ignorance.

It's ok for the most part, but it's a bit meh, and there are some weird volume balance jumps. Eq is odd, very deep, not bad though. It lacks the sparkle and the auditry psychology tricks that someone with 51m0n's knowledge and experience can bring too it.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1378117847' post='2195843'] I used to live near Braintree.... delightful place I'm not sure this is Braintree though, the landscape looks about right but the gentleman sat in the middle would be wearing some sort of tracksuit and be accompanied by an angry dog... Rob [/quote]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1378104763' post='2195715'] Nice picture of South London there... I'm in, I'll get cracking tonight! Rob [/quote] I thought it was Braintree

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1377971722' post='2194284'] You could have said the same to Leo Fender when he came up for the design for the Jazz Bass...! [/quote] No, the jazz is stable on most stands. This will slip.

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1377968153' post='2194229'] I think they were talking about their PA rig, but the last line creased me up..... . [/quote] Agreed. And

I wish these buggers who designed it would think about how it's going to sit on a stand. This thing's got no chance. The Hohner Jack and the B2A don't even need a stand, they stand on the strap buttons if you lean it against something. This W&T thing will be slipslidin around on a stand. Spose you could use a wall hanger.

Really lovely playing, very nice composition that reminds me of both Michael Hedges in terms of execution and phrasing, and Eric Johnson in terms of chords and structure, Forty Mile Town especially. He's really got sensitivity and musicality. He chose a gorgeous Lowden too. Tell him to sort his hair out

It's all in the arrangements. There are 'musicians' who play for kudos, and there are musicians who serve music. That latter are who you need to sift out from the glory hunters. They are out there, but I'd advertise carefully to get a response from people who actually want to to make good music. You could also go to lots of gigs and see if you can find them in other bands. I know that's a bit poachy, but it will be their decision in the end. It's how we found ours, he was in another band on the same bill and we were very impressed, and he's an absolute diamond.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1377947508' post='2193920'] This sounds a bit like an heavy exchange from your side. I do like a lot of things, and I praise them as and when praise is due. I could suggest you ignore my posts, for your well being and quite life, I am sure there is a button to ignore a person here, but do watch your language, no matter what my comments are on a thread, you are out of order by answering like that to me. I never gave you that friendliness to allow you such exhanges. [/quote] I'm not mincing my words either mate. You talk it up and defend your right to do so, I presume I'm allowed to as well. If you want to reduce a nice thread to mudslinging and call Sting an utter _________ at least explain why.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1377946636' post='2193902'] What's it to you? [/quote] Just wondered why you felt the need to vent such boring old sh*t on such a nice thread about such a great band. You seem to hate everything except cameras, Grolsch rubber and Sheldon Dingwall. Try spreading some love once in a while mate, you might cheer the f*** up a bit.

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1377946375' post='2193892'] Fab vid, a playing bass whilst singing masterclass, as always with Sting. [/quote] His voice sounds fantastic too. I know there were rumours that there was some autotune on Certifiable, but who cares, you can't knock the sheer quality of his vocal sound. Lovely bass tone and playing, I found it thoroughly inspirational. Wasn't Wrapped Around Your Finger sublime!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1377866232' post='2192965'] Bumping the Dublin Castle gig tonight [/quote] So sorry I couldn't be there mate, how did it go?

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1377945457' post='2193877'] Oh what a disappointment, as I clicked on the link hoping to see some decent Police-Camera-Action videos of car chases across the american highways, police being run over and cars being smashed, instead all I got was an ageing Gordon Sumner obviously run out of money, and bored from saving the rainforest. Sting was and still is a total and utter __________ fill blank with what you like. [/quote] Is this you being an adult, speaking your mind, and not mincing your words?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1377945099' post='2193870'] Mine actively LOOKS for it. [/quote] If you put sour cream and grated jack cheese on the top it can look quite convincing.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1377944841' post='2193863'] Don't have a dog.So that would be worrying. [/quote] Ah, but your OH can find dog sh*t without owning a dog init

You know what, apart from the silly number of strings, the protruding tuners (as you rightly pointed out) and the f***ing vile sickonyourkitchenfloor look of tortoiseshell on black, I like it!

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1377932486' post='2193667'] Just listened to the first track and it sounds brilliant to me. Going to listen to the rest when I have a spare hour. [/quote] You are in for a treat mate!

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1377942916' post='2193815'] No it isn't. [/quote] I'm sorry you don't have a garden. I should have been more inclusive. It's like finding a dog sh*t in your shower head init. Is that more like it?

Bubinga, thank you, that was absolutely glorious! x

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1377876625' post='2193162'] Speaking as someone who is close to that pinnacle myself.... Seriously, the concept of there being a line of improved development from Monk Montgomery through Jaco to these gunslingers is anathema to the concept of Music as Art. Atheletes get faster, higher, further etc, not artists. Having looked for great players all my life, I have learned that there is always some other cat just around the corner. Great bassists canplay crap music, crap musicians can play great music. Technique is not just about faster but also about expression. It is all very complicated. Interestingly, guitarists seem to have stopped trying to speed up as the shredding has proven to be a dead end. Same with horns really. Its about the ideas now, not the process. [/quote] Bang on, Rob.

The file management system on here is crap, it appends .ipb on loads of file types for some reason. Don't you have a soundcloud account of something?

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1377864871' post='2192928'] i was referring to others peoples posts to be honest Nige. my point was i dont like the thought of every bassist holding down a root or something so daring as a fifth, or a double stop. blimey lets not even think of modes. [/quote] Who does mate. But the general problem is that I don't think people, even most bassists, appreciate bass. They see gratuitous displays of technique and think that's progress, like that other thread about the supposed pinnacle of bass playing. We need to dig much deeper than that and appreciate that even very simple bass can be very difficult to write and play, the role of the bass is subtle and beautiful, and to really exploit that the player needs to think about harmony and structure. I think some of this crazy sh*t like in the OP holds bass development back because I reckon a lot of people think that's what they need to learn to get noticed. They all want to solo, they want to get session fees, they want to impress, they want to be the first call bassist. It's sad really. They think Marcus Miller is the sum total of what they see and hear, they think that if they can emulate him then they must be as good as him and they will get work. But they forget about all the other stuff, the musical intelligence, the personal qualities, that make people like him so good at what they do. I realise I sound like an arrogant bitch saying all this, but really, people need to develop their imaginations before they start learning all this crap they don't know how to use musically. Why do you think almost all bassists sound the same? Because they usually aspire to be someone else instead of discovering their own musical personalities, then they go to the London Bass Guitar Show and showcase their physical abilities on the Fodera stand. Most of em probably don't even realise that's everyone else does as well. Then the f***in klaxon goes off to shut them the f*** up

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1377861881' post='2192869'] i couldnt bear the thought of bass playing being constricted in any way, like it or not. Music is about evolution. we wouldnt have some of the greats if musicians didnt push a boundary or two.. cant get my head around such old fashion views, that some seem to have [/quote] These chaps aren't pushing any boundaries, they're having an end of day (rehearsed) jam which was set up for entertainment purposes for the people who were there, a fitting close to the day, getting all these eminent fellas on a stage together, shame they were all blokes, but never mind. The fact that it sounded rank is somewhat beside the point I suppose, but that shouldn't stop anyone saying they felt it sounded rank. Pattitucci did some nice things, some of them clearly had some trouble. It's nothing connected to old fashioned views. And no music should be restricted, but taste will usually prevail.

It's Donald Fagen mate.