lowdown

I've just seen this Wiki page breakdown of the tune. If you read through, someone has gone into some very fine detail about the track. It looks like there were a couple of VSTi's for the Bass. Don't Start Now - Wikipedia

My oldest boy was recently listening to some old Barrington with Sly & Robbie in the Rhythm section (Youtube), and this popped up. I didn't realise Sly Dunbar's first ever recording was on 'Double Barrel'. He was only 18 at the time.

I did quite a few, a long time back though. P&O ships, a couple of American lines, Greek ships and all pretty varied in destinations as well. Ships Orchestras, Theatre bands, Jazz gigs...It was all sight reading for the shows and cabarets and solid busking for the Jazz sessions. The Jazz was usually on deck or in the small bars. You needed to know plenty of tunes. I didn't do any of the party bands For me, backing the production shows wasn't really that boring. Over two week cruises there would be probably eight to ten shows. Sometimes twice a night though, because of split dinner sittings. I'm glad I did the work because I made plenty of contacts and long term friendships, which led to theatre tours and cabaret shows (both home and abroad), along with some West End stuff. Contract lengths varied - The ones are liked most were the P&O cruises. They were usually two weeks depping (out of Southampton), but I did some three and six month contracts before I got married as well. I quite enjoyed it mostly and visited plenty of decent places.

Yeah, the song form is odd at times, but to my ears, it's a bit more structured than it possibly sounds. The into is a pickup bar of three quavers into one bar of 6/4 - one bar of 4/4 - one bar of 6/4. The verses are in 6/4 until the last two bars of the verses (the sus to major chord bit), those are both in 4/4, apart from when there are drum fills later on, then they become 4/4 & 6/4. The chorus' are just seven bars of 4/4.

That 'Bass Guitar' line is programmed. It's a Kontak VSTi by Native Instruments and it's called 'Scarbee MM-Bass'. I have it and to me. it does sound like the OP sound.

Je t'aime is one of those recordings/sessions when things seem blurred with musicians who were active on the scene back then (and quite often the case with those historic sessions...). I've just found the three page 'TalkBass' thread where Dave Richmond pops up and explains a few things. Serge Gainsbourg - that Je t'aime bass sound (Again) | TalkBass.com

Yeah, indeed, a sad loss. Only 51 as well... I did mention his passing in the 'Off Topic' forum.

Latvian Bassist Whatever.

Yes, sorry maybe on Je t'aime. And now you mention it, I think he popped up on TalkBass two or three years ago and said it was him. It's defiantly Russ on the other two. EDIT: Mind you, I seem to remember getting the info from you about Je t'aime. I think we are all getting too old for this stat stuff.

Yes, a good instrumental with the unmistakable style and sound of Russ Stableford on Bass Guitar. (Je t'aime and Everlasting Love are other Bass credits of his as well). A bit of trivia...Zack Laurence arranged the track and played Piano on it...replacing Elton John's Piano.

Hopefully, Transport for London will start some immediate, mass strikes.

Anything but a Blues in G minor. The OP started with that and it hasn't gone down well with the natives. So whatever you do, make sure you sing them something they know..!!

Now we've got that sorted...it's all down to 'The Tickled Trout' and the beers are on you.!!

Agreed...and, It may be a longer journey, but it might be worth the OP looking for a like minded band/bunch of musicians who feel equally frustrated and like to open up their playing with something more challenging.

Some pretty cool Blues from the WDR Big Band....😎

Sorry, I was just generalising. It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. 👍

I suppose the obvious reason for turning any fretless players down would be tuning. Unless you are looking for a specific sound, of course (twangy plectrum with lots of attack etc...). When a Bassist turns up and whips out his 34 incher with no staples on the fretboard and starts playing, is it possible, the band members (one of them, some of them, all of them) are hearing something in the intonation that don't like? It's the same as with any instrument (or vocalist). If there are intonation problems going on, it's not a nice musical experience and usually ends with a polite no-no or eventually, a P45.

Ronnie Verrell....great drummer..! ** 😁

It seems people are starting to get to grips with the App. Have a quick listen to the second track (We've Only Just begun).) 'We've Only Just Begun'

Over at VI Control there is a thread with tips and stuff (now currently at page 83.....) Synthesizer V - Vocaloid haters might want to check this | Page 1 Someone on post #1,647 has a few videos using Reaper. Reaper and Synthesizer V

Although, Errol Gardner did a great cover of a Siouxsie and the Banshees tune called 'Green Fingers'. 😁

Anyone who can sight read notes can transcribe a piece quickly that they have written themselves...because obviously, they know the piece well. However, can you transcribe and then write a piece down quickly that someone else has written? That requires good ear chops as well as knowledge of the note names, rests and rhythms. If so, you are getting into the world of arranging and orchestrating. Which of course, is another skill set.

Indeed...no more to be said on the matter.

Over the years I've played concert versions of WSS on Cruise ships and in Europe and yes, certainly a bit of a work out.!! This is an impressive performance of 'Symphonic Dances'. They certainly gave it a good go at nailing the Bernstein spirit and vibe !!