leschirons

Yes it was a hell of a trip. Thing is, you get tempted by great pay for doing something you love but when you realise you've only played for 10% of the time you're away and get back shattered after playing to an audience that are already exhausted before you even start your set (some of them had been on the go since 5 am with all the arrangements) So, we've certainly agreed not to do this sort of distance anymore and probably cut out the wedding gigs.

Wedding gig last night. Great venue and lovely hosts, but a 900km round trip so also had to rent an Air BnB for the band. Probably going to knock these gigs on the head as we've got back home 32 hours after starting out. Great money but just too tiring. Luckily for me and our singer, we don't have day jobs to worry about but the guitarist and drummer do and I imagine they'll be shattered tomorrow at work.

Last year, I bought a second hand Bassix Jazza EUB (40" inch+ scale) to dip a toe into upright bass. Great bit of kit, easier than I thought to get started but still a stretch. Sounds great, not authentic DB but close enough through an EBS session and sat well in a few jazzy standards however, a few months ago, I picked up an old Dean Pace 5 on here that was up for sale at a very affordable price (although I got seriously punished by Ryanair getting it back to France) Due to it being a 34" scale it's basically, a fretless that you play on end. I sort of bought it as a bit of fun but, it's so playable and since, I have not taken my fretless BG to any gigs. I use the Dean. It sounds great. Again, not a real DB sound but certainly useable and really fun to play. Gets quite a few comments too. The included dedicated ball and socket stand is an absolute dream. Just walk up to it and play. It's neither one thing or the other but it's sufficiently different from a fretless bass to be be very interesting and fun. I'm still learning on the full scale Bassix and it doesn't seem to be a problem switching between the two.

Thanks guys, most helpful. This looks ideal. Tbh, I have a hankering to add Relax to our set list and just need the looped one note bassline so I can play keys on the number live. May even do the loop from the keyboard as it'll sound more authentic. Looks like the one to be with for the price. Thanks again.

Need a looper for bass for one number so don't want to spend loads. Anyone with any experience of a reasonably priced looper? Suggestions would be welcome. Ta.

I remember the good old days, these two were the first Brit winners I think. I know he's dead, but I'll try and trace her and see if she's busy next May.

That's one of the most bizarre performances I've ever seen, topped only by the audience's attempt to clap in time😳 Didn't see the show so off to weed out Madge's performance on YouTube. B L O O D Y H E L L just heard it. She needs to lay off the Capstan full strength. Where's Cliff and Lulu when you need them?

When the drummer counts it as one and two and three and etc, like this one did, it would start on 4. His "and" being of a lower volume with sticks. You really don't know what I'm up against here. 😆 I'll try and let it all wash over me. It's good pay, they have loads of work somehow and I'd like to be asked back. It's quite a fun set for me. Just need to ignore their "country ways"

Yup, that's it. I did think of telling him to count in like that to make it easier but the prospect of then explaining to the other two what was happening was not attractive. No-one likes to be pulled up, especially by the hired hand. They're French innit. They can turn funny 😆

I'm depping with a band soon and got sent the set list. It includes "All my loving" I asked for one short rehearsal as I'd played 80% of the list before. "Okay with All my loving? Yup, away you go then (looking at the drummer) Him 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 (on sticks) So the singer starts on beat 1 of the next bar. Now, maybe it's me being picky but this just feels weird as the vocal should come in on 4 and the band in on the following beat 1 to be in keeping with the feel of the song. I mentioned this and apparently, it's how they've always done it. Ah well, the trials of being someone's bass b i t c h for the night I guess.😂

Considering the guy that presents it, Paul Martin, was a session drummer who'd worked with the Average white band and Dogs D'amour, and still plays apparently , you'd think he'd be a little more savvy on vintage instrument prices. Fair enough, he's a drummer, but you'd imagine he'd at least suggest a valuation from someone in the know so to speak.

Great news Blue. All happening again for you. Nice one. Regarding stage / house levels, yes, our guitarist uses wireless so always sound checks on stage, then front of house and always does another check out front a couple of numbers into the first set when there's a few bodies in the audience. Have a great summer.

David Sanborn at Ronnie's. Just got in from the late show. Killer rhythm section care of Ben William's and Billy Kilson. Sanborn has still got what it takes at 74. Great trombone from Mike Deese. All in all, a fantastic gig.

Still going here. This gig was two weeks ago.

Update. Did our first gig last night with our man just 6 days out of plaster. Have to say, he was a hero. Played really well considering some discomfort, mainly from lack of use. Personally, I was pushing to postpone his first gig but, he wanted to get back into it. Luckily, I had a new Dunlop wrist support in the car which I gave him. Seemed to help a lot and by the end of the gig, he was absolutely fine. Just hoping this won't set him back though. We've another tonight and he's playing with his other band tomorrow. He's certainly no snowflake.😂

Nuff said.

Yeah, I thought that too.

Blimey, this all starting to sound quite serious judging by your experiences. Lucky it wasn't me eh?😆

Nope, he does own a bass though and is actually quite good😏

Lead solos? Probably only on about 25% of numbers and then nothing long. We're (instrument wise) a 3 piece so he spends most of his time playing chords be they strummed or arpeggio as he's filling our sound out. I'd say his job is more similar to the Edge or Andy Summers rather than a lead guitarist. I'll speak to him tonight and find out how bad the actual injury is.

Really hope that's not the case Pete. We have about 30 booked this summer and quite a few are private functions that the singer's other band really won't suit.

Our man fell off his bike it seems and now in plaster for three weeks + physio. Season just about starting here so bit of a blow really. Luckily for clients and venues, singer's other band can cover the next 5 or 6 gigs although their setlist is a lot less "party" than ours. Can't really get a dep in either as no time for them to get to grips with our set and although I hate to admit it, he's also pretty irreplaceable😆 Ah well, at least i'll be able to get some serious upright practice in.

Dave Sanborn on May 10th up at Ronnie's. His acoustic band.

These bassists playing with mid cut smiley face EQ, just out of curiosity, did they all have short fair hair, red braces and a Status/Alembic /Jaydee bass?

Never heard of it so, inkeeping with my quest for knowledge and experience, I have just Googled an image of the film poster. That was all I needed to review this film. It's s h I t