The Admiral

I do remember your post about the fire and the insurance situation, and that was I am sure a massive shock to you, not only financially, but also emotionally. Have you talked to anybody about what happened? I ask, as that amount of loss, albeit to what some people might see as trivial 'things', can affect people in ways they sometimes are not aware of - a kind of PTSD if you like. Just a thought - it's very easy to have a mild depression triggered by this kind of thing I'm told (although I have no expertise), and that may go some way to explain your malaise. Might be worth discussing it with a professional counsellor - never hurts to talk these things out. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you come back to playing at some stage, when you are ready.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1410467274' post='2549831'] As far as I'm aware, artists can only give away (for promo use etc…) a finite number of units and still 'chart'. Giving it away to everybody should (hopefully) preclude them from massive airplay and chart success. [/quote] Interesting point. But surely it's Apple who have given the album away, and U2 have been paid a significant sum for the right to do so, so it's not a free promo copy and therefore will count? I'm afraid I deleted the link without listening - on the basis that it's MY iTunes folder and I'll decide what goes in it - not Apple. I thought I had all the privacy settings on, but it downloaded the link today when I downloaded an album I actually wanted, by a fantastic band who are far more worthy of a listen than U2 : Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=luBBeC8Acdg

Surfing about on YouTube and came across this video with a guy taking viewers through John Bonham's bass drum techniques. Fascinating insight into how he managed those remarkable performances with a basic kit : skill and innovation. The same guy does videos on paradiddle rolls - which when you hear, you'll go ....".......oh... that's what he was doing.." [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJTxc7Jq00E[/media]

It may be just me, but in my experience, £600 for a pub gig these days is very good money. I know plenty of landlords who would grumble at perhaps half to threeqaurters of that, but perhaps it's just my locale? I'm very interested in others experience.

Having a big clear out at home and put the iPod for background, and found myself listening to Whitesnake, the early years. What a fantastic band they were - before the mousse and legwarmers caught hold. That run from 1980 through to 1985 had some classic tracks, and it set me thinking about how bands change over time, and if there were one band one could have played in, or play in - who would it be, and when : Highway to Hell era AC/DC for example, Metallica circa the Black Album, or perhaps Lamb era Genesis?? And while I'm at it : Neil Murray - what a player - absolutely fantastic stuff on those Whitesnake early albums - Fool for your Loving is a superb example how a great player can make a song, without your average Joe knowing he's doing it. Really drives the track. Still happily knocking it out in the pit at We will rock you in London I understand.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1409889284' post='2544325'] Now, that's what I call a crowd. NICE! Blue [/quote] Good to see all the ladies looking at the singer, or were they just taking a moment to look away from ogling you and gather themselves??!!! Looks like a great night.

[quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1409749259' post='2542921'] Oh baby.., [/quote] This was more what I had in mind : pedal-ophile.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1409704111' post='2542534'] i think nostalgia is alive and well. [/quote] But it's not what it used to be. Some interesting stats in this article from the Telegraph, not least that physical sales are up, against a downward trend for digital downloads. If you can listen on Spotify, on demand, why buy a download : whereas an actual physical album on vinyl or CD - a different proposition :http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/10945228/HMV-the-high-street-and-physical-music-may-not-be-done-for-after-all.html The guy running it sounds like he knows his stuff, and the numbers look good.

Picked up the Hal Leonard and a really interesting theory book too - from which I've now learned the reason why 3 things I knew already are how they are if you see what I mean. Knew it, but couldn't have explained it in a meaningful way. Still in awe of anyone who can sight read I have to say!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1409656853' post='2541872'] You weren't the only one [/quote] Keep up everyone! I did actually wonder if I should qualify it, but decided not. Seems it made a few people double take!!

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1409511844' post='2540380'] Ah, no, I didn't know what one was, but I do now. I shall take more care to choose my self-derisive words more carefully in future. I am certainly *not* one of those! Ewwwww [/quote] I think you'll find it is acceptable on BC to be a pedalophile though.

I think this is from the Albert Hall - Fortunate Son : great, great track. Love the bass rig too - the very antithesis of lightweight gear : four 8x10s (or possibly 2x15s)! Rock & Roll baby!!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=plj82F4kY7o

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WWjacjYZLfQ

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1409447186' post='2539844'] Although Gene's love of the almighty dollar is well known, to suggest he is anything but passionate about his music is unfair. [/quote] Yes, you are right, I'll agree my words were chosen badly, but I think it's become less about the music and far more about the money over the years. I was actually looking up the Kiss Unplugged stuff on youtube, and he plays well in that - althought the most striking thing is how they have aged. But then, it was nearly 20 years ago - and it does make you realise how much 'work' Paul has had done on his face.

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1409310827' post='2538522'] You forgot: 2a. Do magazine interviews where you talk about how the stock instruments cost a handful of dollars to make, brag about how much you are raking it in with every one you sell, and suggest that your fans are mug punters. [/quote] I've missed that, but it doesn't surprise me at all. If you ever saw the reality programme - his office is a desk I n the middle of a vast space full of Kiss memorabilia and he clearly couldn't give a toss about the music - it's all about the money. I thought the basses in the video looked very average - the sort of thing you could source in the Far East for £50, and as for the fans paying $10k for an 'investment piece', part of the future value is linked to their rarity and if he's knocking them out every night - that as a growing pool, and a lower value for every one bought. Although Kiss fans are frequently so rabid, it will probably be a keeper and bought for the fan satisfaction and the wall at home, not as an investment. Can you link to the article about him slagging the basses? I'd love to read that!

Overview of gear from the 2014 tour, and a fascinating insight into how Gene does business. The plan 1. Own the company that makes the basses 2. Have yours set up in a custom format, as opposed to stock 3. Play them once 4. Sell them online prior to the gig 5. Punter turns up, watches gig, comes backstage, meets Gene 6. Bass handed over - from that nights gig 7. Pictures taken and bass signed 8. Gene $10,000 richer. He does this almost every night apparently. People criticise his playing, but you can't fault his business savvy. Some great Les Paul porn in the initial part of the vid with Tommy Thayer too. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2fRBXhB6Q

Thanks for the input and some very good points made. I was actually listening to Sweet Home Chicago on my iPod - and I have at least 6 versions, with varying basslines, or none at all in the case of Robert Johnson. Interesting to hear the difference between Duck Dunn's playing on The. Blues Brothers soundtrack by comparison with Freddie King's version. Dunn is all over the place - riff, roots etc, whereas King's bass player is Mr Root Note and plodding all the way through. Both work in the context of the respective bands : Blues Brothers 'big band' with horn section, and King is basically a trio.

Evening all. I'd welcome some thoughts around a list of 'standards' to work on for a blues jam band I've been asked to sit in with. I'm not a blues expert, but I've got a pretty varied collection of stuff - Chicago, Texas, Delta, Detroit and Country styles, and I'm sure there must be a list of 'bankers' which will start us off well, before we get to investigating some of the more obscure stuff through the old "do you know..........?" routine. All input gratefully received. A

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1408463441' post='2530452'] Possibly be on a retainer as well. No idea what those gigs pay but I doubt it would be the salaries of yesteryear but probably still more than decent. More than currrent chart acts paying £150 a gig these days [/quote] £150 might be worth it if you got to stand behind Jesse J every night for 2 hours - and she's got some great songs too.

Next Wednesday, the late and much missed Phil Lynott would have turned 65. Whether or not you are a fan of his work, no-one can question his talents as a writer, player, singer or, most of all, frontman, and I'm sure many on this forum will have picked up a bass in no small part due to his influence. I'll be travelling back from Scotland that afternoon, but I'll be making a point of listening to the Thin Lizzy classic album, 'Live and Dangerous', which still sets the benchmark for live rock recordings in many peoples opinions (and let's not get into a tedious riff about how 'live' it actually is, as it matters not, it sounds fantastic). I'd like to think that we might look to make this a BC wide listening experience that day, in tribute to a great and influential player,and to send some good vibes to him and his loved ones. I'll also be raising a glass to one of Eire's favourite sons.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1408030245' post='2526431'] That's some lineup! If I [b]had[/b] to make a choice I'd go for the following: Bellowhead - big brash and loud. Great fun to watch. Seth Lakeman - Everyone knows this guy, I'd definitely go and see him. Lau - Really interesting Scottish group - fantastic musicians. Steve Knightley’s Wake the Union - Not seen Steve under this banner, but he always does a superb performance. The Full English - Really interesting project through the EFDS. Seth Lakeman, Fay Hield, Martin Simpson and Sam Sweeney (whose Mum is the practice nurse at my local surgery!). Got to see. Martin Simpson - Lovely guitarist. Karine Polwart - Definitely worth seeing. Steve Tilston Trio - Really nice songwriter - Fairport regularly nick his songs. Jim Moray - Another must see. Really interesting modern takes on traditional songs. Huw Williams & Maartin Allcock - Not familiar with Huw Williams but Maart is always worth seeing. Rex Preston & Miranda Sykes - Miranda and Rex have recorded some lovely stuff over the last few years. Blackbeard’s Tea Party - They appear to have far too much fun to be a real band. Check out their bass player - he's Timo on here. [/quote] Fantastic response - thanks. And the Blackbeard's Tea Party session is an audience 'dress up as a pirate' theme apparently - should be interesting!

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1408028277' post='2526405'] Drive carefully. [/quote] Very good! Actually, my Mrs doesn't drink and likes to drive, so I will be a passenger for the duration.

Not sure how much of a folky membership we have on BC, but Mrs A has bought some tickets for the Shrewsbury Festival as a birthday present and we are off shortly. We do Cambridge now and then, depending on who is on, but I believe SFF is a bit more hardcore folk and I'm not sure how the Mrs is going to take to the morris dancing and finger in your ear/ dead fisherman stuff, so I'd welcome any experience anyone can share. It looks quite compact and friendly, but its a 4 day ticket and ironically, the guy I'd really like to see (Jim Moray) is closing the festival on the Sunday, after we have to leave. All suggestions as to who to go and check out also welcome. Line up here : http://shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/line-up/ Cheers A

Wilko Johnson's latest album is now available for a fiver at Sainsburys. Paul Jones' 30th June BBC blues show was totally given over to Wilko's Shepherds Bush Empire show and some of the Albert Hall charity gig, and he also had an interview with Roger Daltrey, who guests on the album, and at the Albert a Hall concert. Daltrey said something along the lines of "On record you can tell he's good, but live it's just mesmerising... ". And he's not wrong - it's hugely impressive playing. I'm not a big Wilko/Feelgood fan, purely through not having heard much, but it was a great concert and a fine album. You can hear a 16 minute clip of the concert here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p021yz1v Norman Watt-Roy on bass by the way.

I've got the 300 watt version, and it's fine for an acoustic act, and fantastically well designed, but - I would, even with the 600w version, expect it to struggle in a rock band situation even just for vocals. As above, I would think something more obviously rock & roll would be more appropriate.