Barking Spiders

[quote name='Spaced' timestamp='1508878666' post='3395140'] Would you like it if everyone judged your music by the first 30-60 seconds? Sure, that's what the public will most likely do, but as musicians I thought we'd have a bit more appreciation as to the amount of effort that goes into any song that gets onto Jools, even if it's crap. Be the change you want to see [/quote] As the vast majority of pop music (in the general sense) is repetitive, by the end of the first minute you'll usually have heard a couple of verses and the chorus already. Sure, prog and some electronica don't tend to follow the verse-chorus pattern but then Later hardly ever shows these types of music.

As of late I've been listening to a lot of 80s stuff where the the bass is played with a plectrum. Some stand-out tracks where the bass just drives the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4SYf9wocNk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMTsqAaUngQ

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1508868561' post='3395022'] When people ask what instrument(s) I play and when I tell them "bass", I often just get a blank look in return (I usually just say guitars now, it saves a lot of having to explain) - so I wouldn't say it was too commonplace since most people don't even know what it is and how a bass guitar differs from other guitars. [/quote] Come to think of it that's very true. Even with many people I know who love rock when they ask about my guitars (which are on display) I have to explain which ones are the basses and which are the (lead) guitars and what they're used for in a band.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1508851188' post='3394848'] No, they were that bad. How Liam gets air time and promotion via the BBC beats me. He has been on everything lately. If he had an ounce of talent I could understand but he has nothing to offer, other than being famous for being in his brothers band. [/quote] First saw his first effort on Later then he appeared again on Graham Norton. The nose he and his band was was derivative and nondescript. The man's 46 and still a kn*b who gets a rise out of winding people up.. Plus he just cannot sing. Sure, neither can many others but in most cases at least their voices have some character or they can write songs and or play an instrument well. Like his Manc compatriots Ian Brown and Morrissey he's managed to carve out a career of sorts from having been in a successful band where others had the talent.

and that you're thinking of focusing on something more unusual like the tuba or hammered dulcimer? I've been looking into getting a hammered dulcimer after seeing busker playing one to a high standard. Sounded great.

+2 here viz tone Yes, too much treble and it's pretty irritating..Louis Johnson's tone was the mutts nuts for me but I can see why Level 42 Mark King's could grate. I can play machine gun style but it lacks the swing needed for deep down and dirty funk

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1508752941' post='3394114'] The thing is, if you have never heard of an act before how do you know they may not be your next favorite thing, unless you give them a listen? [/quote] I always go on iPlayer and give everything 30-60 seconds. That's enough to tell me if I want to persist. There are just several genres I won't touch with several bargepoles attached to end and unfortunately for me they're very popular with the producers of Later

I quite liked it but can see why slap is the Marmite of bass playing. Yeah and I'm also perplexed why anyone in the online world is surprised that women can be as good as men on bass, drums, electric guitar whatever. After all no one is surprised to see female virtuosos on piano, violin, cello etc

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1508701812' post='3393927'] Said it in one , mate. If you don't like it don't watch it. It seems people only comment on things they don't like rather then commenting on something they do like. If you don't rate a certain act then fair enough,Its subjective, but to slate a whole program because you don't like the music? JH does not play my genre of music himself but he is a good musician and he is fronting a show that puts on a diverse selection of music. Stop whining or watch old re runs of TOTP. [/quote] No one's 'whining' . I used to watch it quite regularly and still occasionally check to see what's playing just in case there's owt of interest. Be nice to see a more diverse range of music on offer rather than the usual fare of UK indie, Americana and septegenarian 'legends'.

A great band no less and Budgie is one of my top 10 drummists, me also first and foremost being a drummer. He was way more accomplished than most of his contemporaries. Juju and Kiss in the Dreamhouse are the two best albums with Tinderbox ad close third. McGeogh was a very inventive player and a nice contrast to most other around at the time who were just bashing out major chords and widdly solos. Severin's lines did the job just fine though he needs to be remembered more as a principal songwriter and Siouxsie created a look and sound which has been ripped off endlessly but never bettered

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1508408790' post='3391964'] Jools was on the news this morning announcing a collaboration and tour with José Feliciano. He was saying that they hit it off after Jose appeared on [i]Later.[/i] The small bit of playing that I heard was dominated by piano. I don't think I'll be pursuing that one despite Jose's excellent reputation. [url="https://www.list.co.uk/article/95670-jools-holland-teams-up-with-jose-feliciano-for-new-lp/"]https://www.list.co....ano-for-new-lp/[/url] [/quote] I've heard it all the way through. You're right not to pursue it any more. It's ok as background music in Mediterranean beach bars but that's about it.

Ah 5 plus string basses. Really dont like them. Can't get my bushbaby hands around the neck and they're just not great for slapping. Really cant see the point of 6 plus stringers unless you're into prog

liking it muchly. will check out further stuff pronto

Another thumbs down for Ricky 4000s and P basses. I love funk and slap but obviously Rickys dont cut the mustard there and I dislike the clangy tones, the sort you hear on Yes albums (not that I like that band one iota). P basses are just too chunky and heavy for my delicate hands though I love the Jazz. Initially I found it quite hard to get on with the Stingray, mainly cos it's a big, heavy b@stard and the strings felt like suspension cables after playing my Peavey Cirrus BXP. However, determined to get that Louis Johnson sound I persisted for several weeks and now love it.

Skipped through all four shows in the current series in half an hour. 30 -60 seconds of each act is all I needed to avoid wasting anymore of my life. LWJH has rmanaged the near impossible, reaching new depths of dull.

If I dont play bass for a while it's usually cos I've temporarily lost interest in music, preferring to do other things. I can go for several weeks without music. Right now bass has taken a back seat to my newish Epiphone Sheraton. Anyway , dont think it;s all over and get rid. I've done that, much to my regret

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1507888119' post='3388532'] Every Jazz Guitarist ever. I always struggle with the underrated thing because it is inevitably subjective but there are a million Jazz guitarists who can outplay the more populist players yet remain obscure even amongst musicians. I am not going to list them as there are far too many. [/quote] to which you could add all the country / Nashville session players, bluegrass , steel string fingerstyle / folk and flamenco players all labouring in semi-obscurity.

Slap bass has had it's day for sure, as has proper funk. What passes for funk these days ,like that Mark Ronson effort, is just watered down pastiches. As I said in an earlier post I love slap n' pop meself but can see that to others it might sound a bit dated, especially if they can't abide Level 42, Freez and other 80s pop-funk merchants

These days I'm happy enough going to open mic nights and just jamming. No expectations no hassles

I'm surprised at the lack of love for slap. Not only do I love it but many of my fave players are well known exponents, Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, Louis Johnson, MK,..As with pick playing and fretless it can sound sh*t when overused

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1506975528' post='3382494'] Bonehead from Oasis. Those barr chords - major AND minor! A veritable colossus of the guitar world. Bonehead is a legend for sure but still a distant second to Dave Hill from Slade [/quote]

pretty much all acoustic virtuosos the mainstream continues to ignore especiaolly Tommy Emmanuel, Pete Huttlinger (RIP), Leo Kottke, Dan Crary, Beppe Gambetta, Antonio Forcione, Peter Lang.. Viz the electric Danny Gatton (RIP) and the Hellecaster lads could have wiped the floor with many so-called 'guitar heroes'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snS4u6K5NbY

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1506437258' post='3378725'] There's a lot more to being a good musician and band member than playing your instrument better than the next guy. [/quote] sure but the thread's about being the worst or best PLAYER in a band not necessarily the best or wort band member. Often I've found myself in bands where the best player was often the worst band member as they were usually self-indulgent and not team players.

Not sure how you can learn from better band members unless they play the same instrument as you. The main thing is everyone knows how to play in the right keys, how to count and is familiar with basic music theory. I've known guitar players who can whiz up and down the fretboard but ask them to play something in the key of whatever and they look at you blankly.

Teach Yourself Instant Greek. One day I plan to retire to Kefalonia or some such and no amount for economic horror stories will put me off. The missus still needs persuading though