JPS

I Was Made To Love Her, For Once In My Life or What's Going On...then again come to think ot it!

Real shame, very influential and played on some great tunes. Sounds like his son being murdered was the beginning of the end for him. R.I.P.

I'm obviously easily pleased but really like the original Gloria Jones version and don't mind the Imelda May version either. Then again I've willingly played Everything by Michael Buble in public so am clearly not entitled to an opinion.

To be fair in every audition for a covers band I've had the band have largely chosen the songs, with maybe a bit of compromise on a couple I already knew.

The singer in my old function band was pretty clued up and would comment on different basses, new amps etc. However, in over 20 years of playing I could probably count the number of times band members (or anyone else for that matter) has commented on my sound. Then again, I'm not over keen on actually being heard and having my limitations exposed, so that may partly explain it.

I've found that a big mortgage, 2 kids, a lousy job and a total lack of ambition have taken the sting out of my GAS very effectively!

Sly & The Family Stone - the essential collection.

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1330695949' post='1561753'] I thought I'd posted here already but here's a new project anyhow: Mandrill - get it all Quincy Jones - Mr Tibbs Ebo Taylor - Heaven Jingo - fever Matata - I feel funky oneness of juju - african rhythms Move on up - curtis mayfield If you want me to stay - Sly Stone And the beat goes on - The Whispers The Detroit Spinners - It's a Shame Shaft in Africa The Bottle - Gil Scott-Heron Be Thankful for what you got - William DeVaughn What's going On - Marvin Gaye Thinking of You - Sister Sledge The Loser - Derrick Harriot Gary Bartz - Celestial Blues Curtis Mayfield - Move on up Baby Huey - A change is gonna come The Meters - Just kissed my baby The Houseguests - What so never the dance Parliament - Tear the roof offa that sucka James Brown - errr can't remember! Not one of the obvious ones anyway! Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten up. + Originals [/quote] Blimey! Now that is a cracking setlist. Fair play Chaypup.

Been listening to some New Orleans soul/funk compilations - lots of Meters, Allen Toussaint, Eddie Bo, Betty Harris etc. Fantastic feel and rhythms, different feel from most 60s soul and of course most of the basslines are played by George Porter which is always a bonus.

Couldn't agree more. Great basic sounds, solidly built, good value and really playable. And not too many knobs or controls for a technophobe like me.

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1334848314' post='1622315'] Bear in mind the £1800 fee doesn't mean that the musos are being well paid. What you discribe sounds like a band of deps almost certainly on less than 150 whilst the leader &/or agent take the bulk. ...of course they could be a rubbish band, but at that price point the majority are ran by one person. [/quote] Good point, haven't thought of that, although from the look of their website they were a permanent outfit.

Fascinating debate. I have no idea what the going rate should be and what constitutes a fair rate, however, at a family wedding last year I witnessed a "premier function band" (all professional musicians, gradutaes from music colleges etc) stumble unconvincingly through the bride and groom's first dance, take ludicrously extended breaks between sets, fail to pack the dance floor for 90 per cent of the evening, not interact with the crowd, or each other, and play their chosen set functionally well at best. The price for this was £1,800 pounds for two hours music. Nice work if you get it. On the otherhand there are people round here (and in every town I'd imagine) who claim to make their living from music when in reality they play local pub gigs for peanuts (their rate is probably unchanged in 20 years, as is their setlist) as a means for topping up their dole cheques.

I never really know what to make of Weller's stuff these days. I used to class myself as a pretty big fan, have got all the Jam's albums, several Style Council and the majority of his solo albums. However, despite largely positive reviews I haven't bothered with either of his last 2 albums. Is it possible, no matter how much you fundamentally respect an artists, to have simply heard enough of them? Later kind of reinforced this, both tracks were Ok but neither really interested or suprised me and therefore enticed to buy the album.

I enjoyed the Paul Buchanan track, Mid Air I believe it was called.

Having a bit of a Stax fix at the moment. Can't Turn You Loose by Otis Redding, Who's Makin Love by Johnny Taylor and What A Man by Linda Lydell.

The Northern Soul Story Vol 1: The Twisted Wheel. Great CD with some real classics e.g. Lee Dorsey - Ride Your Pony, James & Bobby Purify - Shake a Tail Feather, The Bandwagon - Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache and loads of others.

There are without doubt lots of socially dysfunctional people trying to run/organise bands, can be very frustrating. Having said that I get equally frustrated when I place an ad for bass player available, list the sort of stuff I'm looking to play e.g. soul, blues, funk, ska etc, no function bands, no classic rock - and then get replies from people looking for a bass player for their classic rock covers band or wedding band.

Reading some of these repiles has got me wondering whether I'm genuinely that passionate about getting back in a gigging band. Perhaps I'm kidding myself and almost putting obstacles in my way to avoid facing the fact that I can't really be arsed with it all right now. If the ideal opportunity came along I'd probably be fired up but in my heart of hearts I know it's very unlikely to happen - especially in the current climate and living in a small, seaside town. Oh well, there's worse things to do than simply play the bass at home when you feel like it and be able to learn/play exactly what you want I suppose. Still beats vegging in front of mindless Saturday night TV.

Thanks for all the replies. You've raised some really interesting points. If I'm being honest Ideally I want to play music I like (and can play well enough), with people I get on with (who can play well enough), in venues that are half-decent (i.e. not completely empty, nor full of brain-dead morons spoiling for trouble). Not that arsed about making money but can't afford to be out of pocket either. Question is which of these criteria can I compromise on and have I got the patience/courage of my convictions to wait until a band that really interests me comes along? As Chris B mentioned, however, it's hard to keep match-fit playing in your bedroom and networking skills (not something I'm good at as I never go to jam nights etc) can open lots of doors.

on the music that you play in bands? I've been looking for a new band on and off for about a year now having taken a break from serious playing and gigging. Prior to that I spent 5 years playing in a function band playing Angels to drunken bridesmaids etc. The trouble is I'm struggling to find a band I really honestly want to play with. Ideally I would love to play soul, funk, blues, ska etc - classic stuff from Stax, Motown, Chess, 2-Tone, Trojan etc. Just can't seem to find the desire to "come out of retirement" to play classic rock covers, cheesy function band/pub covers etc (not knocking any of these incidently, just not for me/or already done it). Can't decide whether I should stick to my guns, or whether I'm being unrealsitic and should just get and play and enjoy it for what it is. Just curious as to what other people do i.e. how many of you are truly playing the music you love.

Don't forget if you're going to play blues you will probably need a waistcoat as well. It's not as simple as choosing a hat.

I think a lot of people, no matter how experienced would struggle with that sort of scenario, fair play to you for enjoying it. In my experience that's not that unusual for originals bands, especially guitarists who bizzarely often seem to struggle to identify chords confidently.

For the first time in years I don't play in any bands (covers, originals, serious or otherwise) and almost never play bass or practice. I also find myself playing the guitar a lot more than the bass (oh the shame!). Can't seem to find a band that is right for me (or me right for them depending on which way you look at it). Nevermind I'm sure the inspiration will strike again at some point. Of course it's also a bit of a vicious circle - the less I play the worse I get and therefore the less inspired I am to keep playing.

Despite joking about the local live music scene without gigs to look forward I find it almost impossible to maintain interest and motivation in playing beyond the odd twenty minutes here and there. Sad but true. Total admiration for anyone who can keep practising and stay focused without a band to channel their energies towards.

Thanet, in East Kent. I'm sure it's not that bad, although ...