kwmlondon

Hang on. Not this then? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_by_Gaslight_(film)

We were in the guitarists shed for a rehearsal last night. He’s quite eccentric and unpredictable as a musician but he’s so much fun I always enjoy playing with him. The drummer is also quite a character who is great fun, good chops but not experienced but we’re getting there. One more rehearsal then we have an open mic gig coming up early in June. Always a laugh!

I couldn't put it better (I mean, that, if I tried to say the same thing, it would not make sense), and I very much agree. It's also really resonant with the zeitgeist right now. Streaming services have upended the record industry, live music is in crisis with Ticketmaster in control of most of the big venues and events and medium venues closing down alarmingly, MTv just went off air, AI is scouring all creative material so it can reproduce our art... it feels like we're out of control so pehraps the whole Giacomo scandal is really giving vent to a lot of frusration and anger about a changing musical landscape.

I am thinking about recording a reaction video to all of these reactions to the reactions to the reactions to the original Danny Sapko video. What do you think?

When I went to the Yolanda Charles bass clinic a few weeks ago she played the pre-recorded vocal track that she and the live orchestra had to follow when she toured with Hans Zimmerman. it had variable tempo because the singer performed live to the movie - the click was just constantly varying and it was incredible to think how anyone could follow it. Yolanda and her guitarist demonstrated how they had to speed up and slow down from somewhere around 60 bpm to about 140 over just a couple of bars... in perfect sync with the orchestra and the pre-record. Honestly. It was one helluva feat of musicanship from those two and I grew another level of respect for pro musicians who do that kind of thing.

That was a really good take. Enjoyed that. Cheers for sharing. If you can stretch to a nearly 55 min video, Adam Neely's PhD thesis-level discussion of miming and authenticity is incredible. It also shows all the tricks of how you can knock up a faked video - it's an eye-opener. I knew about comping, that's been done since the first days of multi-track recording, but this is amazing:

Yeah this x100. Ripping off other people’s work and monetising it is what he’s been caught out for. If being a crap guitarist was a crime I’d be in prison with a double-sided criminal record.

I’m not a fan though. I didn’t like his music that much I just believe that in a venue where I’m close to the stage I would spot someone miming guitar where you can see so clearly what their hands are doing. I guess I think because in the past I’ve been able to spot a mined performance I’d have picked it up.. but I can’t be sure. It does bug me now though and I really want to know for sure! I don’t mind a mess up though, that’s half the fun of seeing a live show is when a good musician pulls a mistake into a save!

You’re must be right. I probably can’t tell a live musician from someone faking it when I’m standing in front of them. Nobody could.

Look. Maybe he was miming but I just don’t think it’s likely. Nobody has ever called him out as a fake for his work with his band and he’s been touring for years but…. I would love to hear his isolated playing from the desk. That would be fascinating. I think it’s more likely that he’s put a live set together of pieces that look flashy and sound impressive but are not that challenging and have runs and riffs that don’t show up flawed playing. That would be was easier than running the whole gig to a click and miming playing guitar. But I could be wrong. I often am.

Maybe. Maybe, but honestly can’t believe that any of them were. I think that in a live context but playing a very heavily rehearsed set they were a tight, and very competent band. I was more focused on tue bass player but he was outstanding as was the drummer. I was there with a friend who has been a session guitarist and works professionally as a gigging musician and neither of us thought anyone was miming. AND I had my glasses on! I really think that miming to that standard in front of a live audience would be harder than playing it live!

Yeah but I saw him with a full band. They were really good … the drummer did a helkuva solo. They were not miming.

Jeez. I saw Rick Beatto‘s response video wheee he said he’d done a video with Giacomo but his playing wasn’t good enough to be featured on the channel. Blimey. I honestly though he and his band were very tight, as did the mate in with who is a professional guitarist. I really don’t know…

Roof rack….