Old Man Riva

Some of the What’s Going On deluxe reissues have a live gig from 1972 as part of the package. It has Jamerson as part of the band. I think Marvin Gaye was going through a tough phase at the time and there’s a version of Inner City Blues where he stops the song/band at two minutes as the performance/band isn’t “groovy” enough. He then coaxes the band through a wonderful version - offering a reassuring “that’s better” (?!) to the musicians. He revisits the song again later in the set - informing the band “don’t run with it” at one point as the groove begins to falter slightly. If it happened these days it’d be on YouTube recorded on a mobile phone titled ‘MARVYN GAYE SONG FAILURE!!!’, or some such...

It’s actually a really lovely bass.

That’s similar to my experiences when attempting to get a decent sound out of various percussion instruments I’ve tried! With tabla, it’s the little ghost notes and subtle ‘taps’ (for want of a better way of explaining it) that make it sound so good for me. An old friend of mine used to produce a number of tabla artists and he said that to get anywhere near being competent - let alone master the technique - would take years and years of discipline and practice.

They fascinate me! I love percussion and rhythm (especially repetitive) and the sound they make is something I’m really drawn to. When you tried them how did you get on?

I know the Top 40 is full of this stuff these days, but what the heck... here’s some more! Edit to say, not sure if it works or not, and I don’t understand how all this kind of internet/social media stuff works, but well worth seeking out if you can! Edit again... I’ve copied a link from YouTube, which will hopefully work better!

I had the pleasure of buying David's Lakland Joe Osborn bass - what a bass, what a seller! It was the most wonderful and straightforward experience. David was a joy to deal with throughout. The bass was couriered from Czech Republic on Monday and arrived safely in the UK via DPD today (Friday). So much care was taken to not only pack the bass in a reinforced and tightly packed and cushioned cardboard box, but also inside the case itself David had taken the time to carefully package/protect the tuning pegs, electronics and bridge with a ton of bubble wrap. Buy with supreme confidence from a lovely guy and a top, top seller!

Thanks again to NoirBass. Pretty much every day for nearly two months NoirBass has taken the time to share these videos... thank you so much!! They’ve now become part of my lockdown ritual! And whilst some of the actual music may not be to my taste, to be able to watch, listen to and learn from such a consummate and experienced musician as Lee Sklar is wonderful. It’s a good job he’s played on over 2000 albums!!

Off the back of these videos (thanks NoirBass!) I’ve been seeking out and having a listen to some of the other stuff he’s played on, much of it I wasn’t aware of. Over the years I had assumed (incorrectly) that Lee Sklar was pretty much a singer songwriters bass player, and until recently hadn’t heard of his early group, The Section. Blimey, what a talented bunch of players! This album is well worth checking out - his playing is phenomenal! https://open.spotify.com/album/6jietaVl69G4VQKbrCKIlH?si=MILJA9Y_QxeJ2VRhQ-8bJA

Thomann have some B-stock items listed - not sure what this means, but if it’s an odd nick or ding here and there it may be worth considering? For some reason I can’t post a link to the page?!

There were a few scheduled within a short time of each other; Darius Brubeck at a local Methodist hall in Loughton in April (cancelled and not rescheduled) Jeff Beck at the Albert Hall in May (put back a year to May 2021) Snarky Puppy at Ronnie Scotts in June (not heard anything about this yet but assume it will be cancelled) I was really looking forward to all of them!

Definitely! Fabulous on both bass and saxophone. A musician I always love listening to. Over the years I’d assumed he played a Precision, but whatever he used he made it sound wonderful. I’m a sucker for that late 60s/early 70s bass sound, or rather that should probably be a sucker for late 60s/early 70s bass players!

“Ponk”! I really like that! I’m a big fan of Wilton Felder and his newly-coined ‘sound of ponk’. His playing and sound on Joni’s ‘Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow’ and ‘Hissing of the Summer Lawns’ tracks from the album of the same name are perfect for me. Beautifully fluid bass lines, with a little woodiness of tone and a splash of ponk... what’s not to like!

There’s a well known Stones one where Bill messes up - can’t remember which one! As I’ve gotten older I quite like the looseness that I hear on various songs. When I first went into a recording studio in the early 80s it was the most daunting and unenjoyable experience. I was nervous as hell and didn’t enjoy it one bit. Some of the bass sounds in the 80s didn’t help either - very unforgiving. Skip to the late 80s and into the 90s and things got better. It’s only in recent years (thanks to things like YouTube) where I’ve heard some of the tracks that I’ve loved and been inspired by, and surprise surprise, they’re not all perfect but still sound great and inspiring! Maggie May is a great example...

Completely agree. It was incredibly moving and he was a genuine inspiration for all those at the school. Came across as a wonderful human being, and I hadn’t considered it in that way before, but you’re right, his emotional intelligence had a profound effect on his music.

There was an excellent documentary on BBC Four a few years back, Still Bill. As well as being a wonderful musician he came across as a thoroughly fine human being. It highlighted some of the work he did to help fellow stammerers - most of which the outside world knew nothing about.

With TV themes in mind, this always used to (and still does) cheer me up. Takes me back to a time as a kid when I convinced myself (quite understandably) that I would meet and marry Sharon McReadie. She’d be off fighting evil regimes in some far-off land and despite that she’d be more concerned with finding ways to get back home so we could be together. But only if she were a fan of Slade...

I’m really intrigued by these. Can you give someone who knows nothing about fan-fret basses a crash course in what they’re like?! The OW P-Bass version looks great, btw!

Not necessarily the best looking I’ve seen (that was a worn 1968 sunburst with pre TV logo and lollipop tuners) but I love this - it’s a Fender CS Masterbuilt currently at Peach Guitars (for an insane price).

Young Americans by Bowie is generally the track that can elevate me, whatever my mood. Mountains by Prince is another. Though the thing that is raising the spirits music-wise at the moment is watching the Leland Sklar Phil Collins videos. (The music isn’t really the sort of thing I’d normally listen to, but) Watching Mr Sklar do his thing in the way that he does - and the way he comes across as a person - lifts my spirits no end.

I stumbled across this just now and thought I’d share... Not seen it before - and I’m still not sure how on earth he came up with it - but it made me smile all the way through! I know it won’t be to everybody’s taste, but well worth a look as we find bass-related things to fill the time and get us through to the other side. Keep well and (hopefully!) enjoy... https://youtu.be/q9UCBsXI4LI

Ron Carter did play some fine electric bass on Gil Scott Heron’s The Revolution Will Not Be Televised just a few years later, mind!

Indeed. Some of the stories made for uncomfortable listening/viewing. I knew a little of his life previously, but the film was genuinely eye-opening and inspiring, certainly from a musical perspective. I hadn’t realised at all how he went about doing the (improvisational) soundtrack to Ascenseur pour l’echafaud and how it pretty much changed his approach thereafter - less charts and more improvisational; requiring the players to step up and deliver themselves. An excellent film...

Try the link on Ricky 4000 post... That’s what worked for me.

... and a mighty fine device it is too, sir! Lovely playing in the clip, and yes, reminiscent of Willie Weeks.

Colemine Records is definitely a label worth checking out. I really like the Neal Francis album, and the Ghost Funk Orchestra album A Song for Paul blew me away when I heard it (they’ve a new LP out in the near future that promises to be just as good). Yeah, a really interesting label...