blue

Paul Revere ( that was his birth name ) passed away Saturday. A true Rock & Roll Pioneer. He was 76 years young. Blue

I don't do open mics. First of all I don't perform without compensation. The reason I don't do them is because around here they're not really open. They are very clicking and mostly hosted by a band and if your not a guitarist or harp player and most of all not a friend of the band, you don't play. When I was young we had jam sessions and they were truly open to anyone, anyone could sit in. These jam sessions were great and we would play for hours and it was a great networking tool. This was 45 years ago. I was not as guarded back then as I am now. Blue

My arsenal includes a couple of old Telecaster basses. If I ever go in the J & P direction , I would consider Lakeland. blue

At 61, I want to stay a little more on top of what younger players are doing. I had never heard of Eric Gales. I won't ramble on with my opinion. I only have one. I like him! I glad to see that he will be in Milwaukee next week at my favorite small Club Shank Hall. By the way, I think Matt is also doing what I like. Playing solos that make sense. [b]Little Wing ( 35 mins )[/b] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amtLZwS441M [b]Gales[/b] [b]Eric Gales[/b] (aka [b]Raw Dawg[/b]) (born October 29, 1974, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Tennessee"]Memphis, Tennessee[/url]) is an American [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues-rock"]blues-rock[/url] guitarist, originally hailed as a [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_prodigy"]child prodigy[/url]. As of 2011 Gales has [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_recording_and_reproduction"]recorded[/url] ten albums on major record labels, and has done [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_musician"]session[/url] and tribute work. Gales picked up the guitar at age four. His older siblings, Eugene and Manuel ([url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Jimmy_King"]Little Jimmy King[/url]), took to teaching him many songs and licks at a young age, in the style of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix"]Jimi Hendrix[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_King"]Albert King[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.B._King"]B.B. King[/url] and others. In 1985, the young Gales began to play at blues competitions with his brother Eugene backing him on [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar"]bass[/url]. Although Gales plays a right-handed guitar "upside-down" (with the E-bass string on the bottom), he is not naturally left-handed; he was taught by his brother who is left-handed and never second-guessed the untraditional technique. Blue

Just a few more comments; "[i]If your not working with a competent drummer that understands the significance of the support your both suppose to be providing together your screwed".[/i] [i]"The foundation is even more crucial for you guys that are in blues-rock trios."[/i] I'm going out on a limb here, but with this topic I have a lot more respect and appreciation for what Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick does. Playing those 12 string basses is not a gimmick at all. It's his technique for giving the band a really full sound. Some will say he's actually still playing a 4 string, and I would agree. [b]Tom's Basses[/b] ( rig rundown ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qQcYLDoEcY [b]Application[/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGTTle80un0 Blue

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1412249133' post='2567097'] I've just heard Joe Satriani playing a guitar solo. While there's nothing being played outside the box, I was quite impressed by the bass playing on this track. In my opinion, and I'd be happy to hear other/contrary opinions, the bass player on this does a very good job at providing a solid backing to Satriani's solo, while still putting enough variation, fills, and interest into the bassline to make it interesting in itself (particularly near the end of the track) without distracting from the lead guitar which is of course the focus of a Satriani track. IMHO the mellow bass tone does help with this, which is not going to be an accident. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo6LXD7uzn4"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Yo6LXD7uzn4[/url] Any opinions on this? [/quote] I think and and work on this issue all the time. I am always thinking; "What kind of foundation am I and my drummer providing?" My opinion is, it's not about putting enough variation, fills, and interest into the bass line to make it interesting. It's about being right, playing right, giving the right foundation/groove and support for that solo. Lately I have been using overdrive and chorus to give a thicker tone to support guitar solos. Let's just hope these guitarist understand that's what we are trying to do. Blue

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1411629232' post='2561233'] Blue go back a few pics and you will find this old codger Technically I'm not quite one of your 60+ brothers, though post gig I think I feel like one of the 70+ brothers. [/quote] Cool pics, The dark hair threw me. Me, 1953 February 3rd. " You know you have hit 60 when you can't figure out why 25 year old women can't see you anymore. " We become invisible to them the moment we hit 60 years of age. Blue

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1411624771' post='2561202'] Great attitude - "we only pass this way but once" as the saying goes. I do think there is a bit of a cultural issue here too, insofar as I have friends in NYC and NJ who are professional musicians, and I've been at social functions where it's clear when this comes out, that the person they are talking to (usually a banker, real estate agent, lawyer etc.) sees this as being shall we say, less than worthy - as if it's not a real job and they have in some way let the side down by not buying into the 'American Dream' of making as much money as possible, and whoever dies with the most wins. And this is in a country where what you do and what you earn is a significant signifier and arbiter of your social standing, far more so I think than in the UK. Also, those who are doing well financially are very happy to let people know about it in the USA, sometimes openly talking about how much they earn - which in the UK is still regarding as very non U : the discussion of money remaining a slightly vulgar subject. I remember tagging along to a fund raiser one of my friends was playing, in a bar in Manhattan, for a Republican candidate in one of the local elections. It was after office hours, and the place quickly filled up with very intense and earnest fresh faced and well scrubbed young men and women of all ethnicities. I actually found it profoundly sad, as the desperate, clawing career climbing vibe coming off them was palpable, and I had several conversations where as soon as it was clear I was not someone who could do anything for them, they were off like a shot to talk to someone else. Also - the musicians were actually dealt with as if they were performing monkeys - back to that point about respect driven by profession etc. Clearly it's not universal, one of my friends best buddies is a dentist, who is a great keys player and a thoroughly lovely guy - who just happens to make a lot of many as a dentist, but doesn't let that define him. [/quote] Yeah, I'm a Jersey Boy. Montclair, about 10 minutes outside of Manhattan , so I get it. I been gigging for so long, I'm used to and accept that I'm merely[i] "the help" [/i]to most. I'm cool with that. it doesn't bother or put me off. I dig being defined and defining myself as a "Rock Musician". Anyone would have a hard time convincing me they dig being a fund raiser and defining themselves, their self worth as a fund raiser. I have a brother who is a well known MD (some sort of specialist) when I've been at parties at his home, his guest assume I'm an MD too. When I tell them I play Bass Guitar and sing in a Rock Band, they split. I say; [i]"Cool, next..."[/i] Blue

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1411646507' post='2561478'] I have to ask - what's with all the seemingly random pictures? [/quote] People will have a visual of who they're interacting with. Is it weird? Blue

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1411602710' post='2561173'] Indeed - and that's the thing really. We can't judge the validity of other people's lives based on our own life choices. The best we can do is not to live a life full of regrets. [/quote] I have been out running every weekend either gigging or checking out other bands for the last 50 years and have no regrets. I am going to run the tires off of my life and I'll have a lot of great memories. Blue Blue

[quote name='CHW' timestamp='1411596949' post='2561148'] Again though- you cannot judge. From that info they could well have been massively committed to going to see live bands for the first 25 years of life, then families intervene and all of a sudden you are looking after 3 kids. It doesn't mean that you love live music any less than you did 15 years ago, you are now 40 with wistful memories of your gig going past? [/quote] Valid point, Did I waste the last 50 years of my life gigging and going to see other bands on a weekly basis? Blue

You guys seem so young, well most of the pics are of young guys.Where are the pics of my 60 plus brothers?

Not good, I'm a big fan. What he did always made me feel good. Blue

[quote name='CHW' timestamp='1411595763' post='2561120'] It's a difficult thing to respond when anyone says I'm into "x, y or z." You have no idea just how into that thing they might be? even if its the same thing as you, you cannot really guarantee a great meeting of minds. [/quote] True, how about this one for example; [i]"Your in a band, what's the name of your band? I really love live music."[/i] Really, cool, what was the last band you saw? [i]" I saw Billy Joel at The Bradley Center about 15 years ago."[/i] In this case, they're into live music to the degree of seeing a live act at least once every 15 years. Blue

I don't think any of us would call my Sting Bass cheap or inexpensive. It's cool, I love the look. I keep the white pick guard on. I'm not sure how close it is to the original production. It's a MIJ Fender which I think have a good reputation. I don't gig with it much, the single coil PU seems to get weird with my pedals. Blue

Pictured, Lake Placid Blue, Squire P Bass. If I were to go second tier this bass would be for me. I've always loved the Tele style head stock. Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1411588146' post='2561011'] Ah ha! The more we hear, the more we learn. I can see how that might grate. Next time you might try: [i]"Oh yeah, were playing at Moe's Irish Pup Saturday night. I'll swing by and pick you up about 7:30. Our drummer's single and he really wants to meet you".[/i] That should force the issue - one way or the other [/quote] If she wasn't married, that wouldn't be a bad idea. blue

[quote name='mingsta' timestamp='1411550396' post='2560510'] To be honest, I don't really see what the gripe is about. Those kids might be the center of their universe...[/quote] My thought exactly, so why would this person continually ask for dates and venues for the past 3 years. You would think she would catch on that I know she can't go or do much of anything with several young children. I guess she's just making conversation. I won't call her out on it. I'll stick to the; [i]"Oh yeah, were playing at Moe's Irish Pup Saturday night from 9-1a."[/i] Blue

[quote name='jonsmith' timestamp='1411499265' post='2560143'] Most of my basses are sort of mid-price to relatively expensive and I've grown quite attached to them. . [/quote] Yeah, this Gibson ES-335 is my newest bass haven't gigged a lot with it yet. I paid a little over 2K. For me that's expensive. Blue

I use to gig occasionally with a Dan Electro about $150.00. Great sounding thing, cool looking and getting rid of it was probably a mistake. Not that any of you will even notice the bass. Blue

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1411511501' post='2560340'] One thing I've noticed is how many people in bands aren't particularly musical anoraks. A lot of them 'like what they like' and aren't open to new ideas or looking beyond a very fixed and often quite limited musical genre.[/quote] And a lot of us are full of ourselves. At the end of the day this whole bass player in a gigging rock band is work. Just like a carpenter or a plumber, moving one thing from here to there and only a limited amount of time to do it in. Blue

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1411502842' post='2560226'] You didn't say anything about any of this in your original post. [/quote] Really? I should have. Blue

Wow! And didn't think this topic would draw any interest. Blue

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1411502355' post='2560218'] Is it also possible for someone to say that they are in to music because they gig for 4 hours, but it be argued that they aren't that in to music because they don't sit and study advanced harmony and things for 6 hours a day? [/quote] Yes, it's possible and good point. Blue

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1411502089' post='2560213'] I guess I patronise my wife everyday when she moans about her day at work. I have no idea what she is talking about,but she had been on her feet for longer than 4 hours. I imagine 99% of us would be happy being on our feet for 4 hours doing something we loved.if you aren't happy being on your feet,why do it. Having never been in a band, I would imagine it would be nice to have played to a crowd,and have an appreciative punter wanting to have a quick chat,as long as they aren't being a pain. [/quote] That appreciative punter at a gig is fine and I feel it's part of my job to have that chat and as I said in my original post, I'm surprised and thankful. But the guy at Star Bucks I am not sure about him. Blue