SteveK

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1360581515' post='1972533'] There seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding here. No one can argue that the Beatles were the biggest and most important band ever (in terms of social & cultural significance). There will never be another Beatles! No matter how big U2 were a few years ago and even if you thought that their music was the best ever recorded, they still will not be looked back in retrospect as being as important as the Fab 4. However, it is perfectly reasonable to question if the MUSIC lives up to this hype? To use my example above,[b] is Yesterday the greatest song to emerge from the rock and roll era[/b], or is it merely a bog standard Tin Pan Alley type tune! Does the use of both major and minor tonality in A Day In The Life evidence of genius at work, or is it a reasonable imaginative 60s pop song? We're they really better songwriters than the Beach Boys? All these questions are valid and should not answered by cries of 'but they were the Beatles, the biggest pop group of all time'! [/quote] No! and whoever said that is clearly an idiot. Beach Boys were great too... just not [i]quite[/i] as great .

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1360578383' post='1972457'] I like The Beatles, but I've never quite understood the fuss over the Abbey Road record. It has some genius moments but some absolutely stinking ones too---"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" demonstrates perfectly why the Beatles were doomed. [/quote] For me, Maxwell's Silver Hammer comes second to Octopus's Garden. IMO the mark of a 'great' album is the number of 'great' tracks, and Abbey Road does have quite a few 'great' tracks. Oddly, the White Album has a lesser percentage of 'great' tracks, yet it is probably my favourite.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1360577392' post='1972434'] Yep, that people have very little to do these days. Really? Take reverential photos of a house? Gracelands i can understand as it is a completely mental house, [b]but not some nondescript terrace in Liverpool with a blue plaque on the wall. Crazy....[/b] [/quote]May be it's the 'non descript' nature of the house that is its attraction - from 'humble beginings' 'n all that. Another couple of Fab factoids: The Beatles have sold 177,000,000 albums in the USA alone. The Beatles/Lennon & McCartney have won 8 Grammy awards and 15 Ivor Novellos (judged by their peers).

I'm sorry bramleyapple if you felt my post was unhelpful - it was intended to be helpful. I certainly don't have an 'issue' with your post. My mistake is probably assuming that you haven't played too many gigs - again I apologise! [quote] As for the foh guy spending more time on the main act that's rubbish we are there to do a job just like the next bloke I've done many gigs as a support act and a sound check is a must just because he felt he was running late [b]we got the poo end of the stick!![/b] [/quote] If things are running late it will [i]inevitably[/i] be the support act that gets 'the poo end of the stick'. That has always [i]been[/i] the case and always [i]will[/i] be. As far as monitor levels goes, my advice was perfectly good - particularly if the guy in control of your monitors can't monitor what you are hearing.

Unfortunately, these days the industry doesn't really allow for the nurturing of talent. An artist is dropped unless they can shift the required number of units on their first release. Music is suffering as a result. Many of the bands that were successful in the past didn't achieve their success until maybe their third or fourth albums.

First off: If the FOH guy is working for you and the main act, it's quite reasonable for him to be 'worrying more about the main act' - perfectly normal and understandable. Secondly: I would never have 'signalled to the sound guy to [b]pump it up[/b]'. Just signal for a [i]tad more[/i], and then a [i]tad more[/i] etc. 'Pump it up' implies, well, what you got. Thirdly: Why didn't you just ask for it to be turned down?

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1360506052' post='1971328'] Who's to say that One Direction, once they've finished with their cr*ppy little songs for 9 year old girls, won't become the next innovators in music? After all, they've had huge success and are known all over the world... [/quote]I know nothing of One Direction other than they sold their souls to Simon Cowell and are very successful. Are they song writers? .

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1360486998' post='1970982'] For that reason. It s perfectly possible to 'know' about The Fab Four and their ubiquitousness without knowing every tune. I know about Dickens and Shakespeare but have only read 2 works by each of them. [b]There is an argument that ALL superstars are overrated.[/b] [/quote] I guess that would be the kind of argument that academics might have to argue [i]black is white[/i] or that[i] water is not wet[/i]. First of all, of course we would have to define 'superstars' and 'overrated' - that would occupy at least 12 pages on BC. Just a little factoid for the younger BCers regarding the Fabs: In 1964 The Beatles held the top 5 positions in the Billbord 100 chart, [b]and[/b] they had 7 other records in that same chart.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1360436308' post='1970510'] I completely agree! Some of their stuff was great but much of it was anything but. However even the cr*p has somehow been elevated to greatness because…. well, it was by the Beatles! The Beatles were more a cultural phenomenon rather than a musical one – they were in the right place at the right time and [b]happened[/b] to come to symbolise the 60s and the emerging pop / counter cultures, the massive post war economic growth, the teenage years of the baby boomers, etc. If it wasn’t them it would have been someone else and their case was helped by them [b]happening[/b] to have a world class personality in John Lennon, who somehow personified a period of great social change and growth…. [/quote]And I guess they just [i]'happened'[/i] to write all those great songs. [quote] [b]they were in the right place at the right time[/b] and happened to come to symbolise the 60s and the emerging pop / counter cultures, [/quote] What about The Dave Clarke 5, The Kinks, The Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Freddy and the Dreamers, Manfred Mann etc? They were all around at the same time.They never quite reached the same dizzy heights as The Beatles... don't suppose it had something to do with the quality of their songs(?) My guess is that those that claim that The Fabs were over-rated and not that influential were firmly in The Stones camp. You had to like one or the other... apparently, it was illegal to like both.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1360435208' post='1970471'] Give me The Rubettes any day [/quote] Oooooh... you cut me to the quick!

Whether you like The Beatles or not, the simple fact is that Lennon & McCartney wrote songs covered by more artists than any other writers. Songs that have been covered by artists in: Jazz, Rock, Folk, Classical, Pop, Country, Reggae... in fact, you name the genre, and you can bet a 'superstar' of that genre will have done a Beatles song. There's no law that says that you have to like The Beatles, but... [size=5]over-rated?... my ar*e![/size]

[quote name='2pods' timestamp='1360362791' post='1969534'] [b]I thought SteveK played with MM's Earthband[/b]....or was this previously ? [/quote] You're correct - Started with MMEB in '85. From '87-'91 Manfred locked himself in the studio, and for those 4 years I found myself with The Rubettes. The Earth Band resumed in '91 and continues to this day.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1360356874' post='1969414'] So reading between the lines SteveK was in The Rubettes? Respect!! with no piss taking. I seem to remember they were all proper session musos and the harmonies were the Poodles Privates. [/quote]From about '87-'91 so not an original.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1360354089' post='1969317'] What band? You've lost me. [/quote]Reread my post...[size=2]cough cough![/size] [b][size=2]the quoted text in bold[/size][/b] [size=2]cough cough![/size] I'm not going to spell it out any clearer... I'm too embarrassed

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1360353053' post='1969287'] The problem with practising in your head , although very worthwhile in certain ways , is that it only improves the parts of your playing that are in your head . To get your basslines out to the general public you need to translate any improvements in your understanding into your hands and onto your bass . Being able to recognise and visualise what you hear being played is a big step , but you have to practise with a bass in your hands to turn it into real improvement in your own playing . [/quote] I think it goes without saying that it's not an alternative to actually picking up your instrument and practising in a proper fashion.

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1360350274' post='1969219'] Am I weird or should I consult a doctor? [/quote]Not weird and asolutely no need for a doctor. I assume that what you see in your head is correct. It goes with being adept at interval recognition.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1360343082' post='1969064'] Why on earth would anyone be embarrassed to say they like a band? What a strange old [s]world[/s] [b]country[/b] we live in. [/quote] Corrected - It seems to be an attitude fairly unique to this country. It's as if bands here have a 'Use by' date. [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1360343767' post='1969076'] I think it all depends on how you are actually going to cause embarrassment to yourself. If you are embarrassed by just by sitting in your bedroom listening to [b]The Rubettes[/b] then that's a problem but probably not as much as causing embarrassment to yourself by walking into your local pub and shouting out that you love The Nolans. [/quote]Not sure what you mean, but you should try being in the band. Absolutely not embarrassed to admit that I love The Carpenters, and Karen's voice in particular. Would you believe that I consider myself a bit of a rocker(?)

Was in Vienna a few years ago with a day off, Bon Jovi happened to be in town - got taken along to the show. Unfortunately for Jon Bon Jovi the guests on that bill were a Swiss rock band called 'Gotthard', who happen to have a very strong singer - JBJ sounded like a weak choir-boy in comparison. Had a great time... but hated Bon Jovi.

Worked with Reg many times over the years - he always told a good story. I shall 'ave a nice cuppa tea in his memory.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1359748407' post='1959927'] Always thought it was a good place to watch a band. [b]What was the name of your group?[/b] I may have seen you there. [/quote] The pop/rock band played the Greyhound from about '73 to '77 and was called 'Factory', then about '78 we changed drummer, changed musical direction and changed name to 'Head On'. Factory were a 'nearly' band, we always seemed to be 'nearly' signing the big record deal, 'nearly' doing the big tour. Of course, it never quite happened. Great bunch of guys and great musicians. We were gigging 2 or 3 nights a week all over the UK and Europe. It invariably cost us more to do the gigs than we were paid, so always skint!.. but, I wouldn't change a thing. As I said, 'Good times'

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1359744956' post='1959853'] Absolutely. When they came down to London they played the [b]Greyhound, Fulham Palace Road[/b] (before they had a record deal) regularly and were so tight as a band. They were just so good i think we all knew we weren't going to see them in pubs for long. Fabulous band!!! [/quote]Ah... the Greyhound! Played there many times through the 70s, Mostly playing pop/rock... although, IIRC the last time I played there (about '78) we had changed direction and changed the band name - playing a kind of fusion, but probably better described as Prog. Good times.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1359577415' post='1957010'] I agree that most is going to come from the U.S. but there certainly were a few British Fusion classics of that era. Anything by Ian Carr's Nucleus, a couple of Gary Boyle LPs for example and there was plenty of musicians playing that kind of stuff around this period. I think that it just all got lumped into the jazz scene in the U.K. whereas the U.S. had it's own Fusion scene. There may not be many LPs that could be classed as British classics but there is a lot still out there that maybe should have been classics. [/quote] There was indeed a plethora of bands playing fusion. Maybe I took your post too literally. Some of those suggested for listening here I assumed would be a little too '[i]rocky or too tricksy/prog[/i]' for you. If not, then maybe check out some of the bands/artists that were around the Canterbury scene in the 70s (2 of which I mention in my earlier post).

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1359553678' post='1956490'] If you want to listen to some great jazzy/funky bass then have a listen to This Way Upp by UPP. This album weas produced by Jeff Beck who also plays on it. The bass player - the late Stephen Amazing - chose him name well. [/quote]I think I know the drummer that used to be with UPP... Oh yeah, he's in my band He did an album that featured Jeff Beck a couple of years ago. You can find a taster [url="http://jimmycopley.com/"]here[/url]. Won't be of any interest to the OP though... unless he digs the blues.

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1359548337' post='1956338'] Following on from a 1970/71 James Brown phase, I've been having a 70s jazz/fusion/funk phase for the last few months. I've picked up lots of LPs, mostly vinyl. Some of this stuff is really amazing. I particularly enjoy the stuff that keeps an element of the funk rhythm section about it, and if it has mini moogs (etc) on then its a bonus point Not really liking later 70s fusion that gets too rocky or too tricksy/prog, also when it gets too funk/disco I don't find it so interesting, and the same for stuff that goes too free and loses the rhythm. Would be interested to find out if there are any British jazz classics from this era? So here are some of my current top favourites. I'm still searching around in this jazz world so please post any recommendations or top tips: Nathan Davis - If George Duke - Faces In Reflection / Feel Miles Davis - Bitches Brew / Live Evil Eddie Henderson - Realization / Inside Out Herbie Hancock - Headhunters / Thrust / Sextant / Mwandishi / Crossings Norman Connors - Dance of Magic / Dark of Light / Slewfoot Larry Young's Fuel Lonnie Liston Smith - Visions Of A New World Johnny Hammond - Gambler's Life Harvey Mason - Marching In The Street [/quote]I'm not sure that what you're after actually exists. There were British artists such as Caravan and Soft Machine, but may well be a little too Proggy for your taste. Later in the 70s you had Bruford, Allan Holdsworth, Brand X etc but they may be a little too rocky for you. Seems what you're after comes mainly from the States, as your list of artists would suggest. Not sure there are any British Jazz Classics, of the kind you want, from that era.

It's a little known fact that Jermaine is the secret love-child of 60s [i]polo-neck sweater wearer/continental organ basher/beatnik[/i] [url="http://www.computerbox.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ManfredMann1960.jpg"]Manfred Mann[/url] (second left)