ezbass

First up, thanks for your kind words, I had so much fun recording it and then making the video (at least my bits), it’s something I treasure. We followed it up with Don’t Give Up, but lockdown was lifted, everyone went back to normal and we never made a video. Yes, there are 4 ladies on the track. I’ve worked with 3 of them and know the other through the making of this track. All brilliant in their own right, but one of them makes my hair stand on end when she sings certain notes, so pure and the loveliest person, so easy to work with too. Funnily enough she’s the only one who isn’t a full time pro musician. Peter Gabriel is my favourite artist, So and Us being my faves, but it’s not all gold for sure (the last album release; meh).

Where Have All The Cowboys Gone - Paula Cole

Of course, although opinions may differ on guitar/keyboard/drum/brass forums.

I alternate between finger and pick dependant on the song in my current band. However, in my old band, for some reason, I decided to play the odd set all pick. It was a revelation and a nice change. A friend of mine who, before he retired, owned a sound reinforcement company (and is the best FoH engineer I have ever heard) and also plays guitar and records with numerous folks, said that he loves the sound of a pick on bass, as it focusses the sound and can make it fit the mix better. Certainly something to break out every now and again to ring the changes. I can do that. This was recorded during lockdown... Probably the thing I'm most proud of in my playing career (doesn't hurt that it's my favourite tune of all time).

Agreed.

Fly By Night - Rush

Actually, it’s not been asked before. The VT is for grit (and DI if required), the SPB2 is for boosting bass and treble (scooping the mids I guess) with my fretless (MM p/up) and if I’m favouring the back p/up on the pictured J type (both basses are passive).

Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon

Wow! I have no idea if that pricing is high, low or spot on.

Not a last night, an afternoon, multi band event. House FOH and backline. On stage volume absolutely, way too loud, painful at times. I wore the same hearing protection as last week, which was fine then, but felt like it was doing nothing today 😖. Couldn’t go anywhere near my mic, because of the monitor volume coming back and the guitarist’s amp behind me (he turned it down twice, but was battling with the monitors). I hid adjacent to the guitar amp, just in front of the bass rig, which I had already turned down, but sadly right I. The firing line for the snare and crash cymbal. Lots of compliments from other bands, which was really nice. Best thing was I only needed my bass and pedalboard.

Smooth - Santana

See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets

Been there. Some bands ago we found a drummer, who seemed OK. One rehearsal there was a very racist comment; we let him go not too much later.

Stick It Out - Rush

Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey

To go with the previous porn star names from the ‘60s, Englebert Pumperdink

The Winner Takes It All - ABBA

Porn star name if ever there was one, as is… Lusty Springfield

Diamonds & Rust - Joan Baez

Carrier on my Wayward Son - Kansas

Review of the 3 here: https://www.bassgearmag.com/sterling-by-music-man-joe-dart-iii-artist-series-bass-guitar/

Bad Case of Loving You - Robert Palmer

It really won’t be, central London has changed immeasurably due to development. The parts that haven’t changed are mainly in The City, which wouldn’t really have featured in photos from the ‘60s. As to it ever swinging, well, I grew up in London in the ‘60s, it was fairly meh. That said, living and working there until recently, every decade was meh from a fashion and cultural perspective, just same old, same old with less flared trousers. After 30 years of working and commuting to central London from South London, I can understand that. We moved 500+ miles north in 2020, to a rural location and when we went back down to visit friends, I couldn’t wait to get back to my new home. I never had me down as a country mouse, but that’s what I am. Another thing about London and the Home Counties is that, at least from my experience, it’s rubbish for live music at the pub/club level. Getting gigs is ridiculously hard and the monetary rewards piffling. Things are much better away from that conurbation (I wonder if it’s the same for Manchester, Birmingham and the like?).