Marillionred

I am using an old MacBook (sorry - no use if you want a PC based laptop) along with Tracktion 7 and a Behringer UMC1820 interface and a decent pair of headphones. Tracktion 7 is also available for PC, and I've found it straightforward to learn how to use so far. Part way through recording one cover and one original before Covid-19 grounded us. One thing I would suggest in order to get all the parts timed together is for everyone to work to a click track and agree the Beats Per Minute - this will really help when lining up parts recorded at separate locations by different band members. The other thing I found really helpful was reading old Sound on Sound articles online re mic positioning , how to record bass, etc. Update 30th March 2020 - Tracktion 7 appears to have been replaced with Tracktion Waveform, which comes in two flavours: A free cut down edition that will do for many users, and a full-fat paid for version. There is also an OEM version. https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform-free https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform-pro https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform-daw-oem

I see the drummer is already self-isolating...…………..

Used to have a GK 1 x 15 and a GK 4 x 10. Now rock a Barefaced BB2 3rdGen. My back is happy with that. I don't gig often enough or play venues big enough to justify anything bigger.

Word from the Facebook "Marillion and fans" page is that there are quite a lot of lapsed fans reinvestigating the band again and plenty of newcomers, judging by the variety of posts. Many seem to love the "with friends from the orchestra" format, naturally not all do. But more seem to like it than don't. I can't see them repeating the format too often for future tours. Maybe for fan club conventions and the occasional "special" gig. Next year they are working on the next studio album, so in 2021 they are likely to be touring again, but this time with an emphasis on the new release. Personally I'm loving that the band is getting the wider recognition they deserve. But I do understand they are musical marmite and not to everyone's taste. In the meantime Fish has started to announce 2020 tour dates. Looking forward to seeing him again, and watching Steve Vantsis's bass playing.

The "white gloves thing" was a passing phase - the tips of the gloves had midi switches which were used to trigger samples from Mark Kellys keyboard rig., but there were reliability issues ocassionally. In more recent years, and for one of the encore songs at the Nottingham gig on this tour, h uses a repurposed cricket bat with the midi switches inset into the meat of the bat for the same purpose. Clearly visible in this video from a fan convention gig in Holland a few years ago, midi triggering at 8:30: Lovely bass playing by Pete Trewavas on this video - the Cort bass I believe.

This. Have a great time - prepare to be mesmerized...….

These days they generally save the "Fish" era songs for festival slots and fan club shows. As this tour is billed as "With friends from the orchestra", none of the gigs on this tour so far have featured a Fish era song so far as I know, though they have pulled out some exceptional deep catalogue tracks. Glasgow may be the exception, but I doubt it. Hope you enjoy it 🙂

A real pity you didn't enjoy it. I was at the Nottingham gig earlier in the tour. Might be because I was only two seats away from the mixing desk, but the sound was spot on. Loud and clear but not deafening. And those Warwick basses sounded awesome. Other fans of the band have suggested your venue can be hard to get a good sound in - maybe just bad luck. I agree the setlists on this tour have been uncompromising and somewhat of a challenge to those new to band (or who haven't kept up with the "h" era. But also great they haven't turned into a cabaret band stuck in the 80s and are still making fresh music. I loved every minute, but then again I would 🙂

He he.....normally Nick is pretty busy, but Roxette does give him a break - he was setting up the patches for the next song. First time live for that particular keyboard and he's still getting used to it 🙂 It would be nice to play a few more beer festivals, but no we didn't play that particular one KevB.

Sorry - don't even know who's phone it was - hijacked from Faceachebook lol

3 to say how Barefaced lightbulbs shine so much brighter.....

40 minute set at The Star, Beeston, Nottingham as part of Oxjam. First full-band gig for a year, but surprisingly tight! Great responsive audience. Played through the house backline, a lovely small Mark Bass combo and got a great punchy tone from it. Short clip from someone's phone video - thank you whoever you are 🙂

A few weeks ago I was given the privilege to interview by phone one of my all-time bass heroes, Pete Trewavas from Marillion, for the Lyric Lounge Review web site. If you have a moment to spare, please feel free to have a look 🙂 This is my first ever interview for a web site, and I make no claims to be a great journalist or writer, but Pete was generous with his time and depth of answers, and came up with a few great anecdotes. Thanks for looking 🙂 https://tinyurl.com/y2l89c3e🎸🎸🎸

Have a look at these - they won't be cheap but they do sound awesome and are very compact: https://barefacedbass.com/product-range/FR800.htm You will still need some form of simple mixer to use them with. They will cope with kickdrum, as they are derived from a bass cabinet, but do full range.

He He that was (mildly) amusing. No 8 Metal - I don't recall the Warwick Corvette being particularly pointy? Methinks he doth confuse it with the Warwick Vampyre perhaps 🙂

Blue Flashing Light

I bought my Warwick Thumb BO5 with the frets well worn out and the neck very slightly twisted. The luthier I use was able to de-fret the neck, remove the fingerboard, reshape to remove the twist, then re-fix the neck and fit new Warwick frets. Looking at it now you just can't tell the fingerboard has been off. With patience and skill almost anything is possible. Best of wishes for whatever solution you end up going for. Probably not the most helpful picture but its the only one I have handy.

Looking at the Warwick current price list, looks like Warwick will still make you a Buzzard. Won't be cheap though. Prices in US $ Buzzard Bass Signature 1454070010GVZEBWWW Buzzard Signature 4 str., zebrano, oil finish Act / Act Wenge Neck 4 $11,999.99 1454070110GVZEBWWW Buzzard Signature 4 str., zebrano, transparent or solid satin Act / Act Wenge Neck 4 $12,899.99 1454071110GVZEBWWW Buzzard Signature 4 str., zebrano, transparent or solid high polish Act / Act Wenge Neck 4 $13,399.99 1454075110GVZEBWWW Buzzard Signature 4 str., zebrano, burst transparent high polish Act / Act Wenge Neck 4 $13,699.99 And that's before all the optional bells & whistles

Cliff Richard: "I'm not ready to retire just yet"

In his dream lol

I think I'm already on the list, but Alan (Cytania) has now confirmed. We're in! Raffle prize sorted.

Me too. The more the merrier.

This sounds like a "weekend warriors" format type thing. I signed up in Nottingham over 10 years ago. Total strangers. The band we formed, The Terminal Five Experience, is still going strong 10 years and two changes of drummers down the line. The band are now some of my closest friends. The first gig we played was at The Boat Club - imagine playing your first public gig on a stage once graced by the likes of Free, Deep Purple, The Who etc. I was terrified, but one song it all was good and we didn't look back. You have nothing to lose. Enjoy the whole experience.

Missed last year, great to be able to come this time, but nothing new to bring. 1. jebroad 2. Len_Derby 3. Jabba_the_gut 4. Spondonbassed - Hohner B2A 5. Andyjr1515 6. Jimothey 7. Mojo 8. Owen 9. Teebs 10. Josie 11. Aidan63 12. Frank Blank 13. petecarlton (newbie) 14. Bassman Sam. I'll bring my NR Custom built Thunderbird, Ashdown 2x10 combo and a MM P-bass. 15. ChrisLovatt (bassbash virgin) 16. Stub Mandrel - Fender Performer 17. Richard R. (newbie too). I'll bring along my Brawley Artemis, if anyone is interested. 18. Marillionred - John Letts fretless 5, Warwick Dolphin SN 5, Michael Kelly Dragonfly acoustic 5 (this one is for sale 🙂 )

I listen to a lot of Prog Rock, but I have neither the skill, nor the patience, to get my playing chops up to the standard of my heroes! Weekend Warrior, me.