The Funk

"Where did you get it from, dear?" "A friend of mine from my bass forums made it in his spare time" (See, it's the half-truths which make it sound plausible)

I'd go further and say they created their own trademark sound as a rhythm section - and if anyone tries to do anything along those lines, their influence is clear for everyone to hear. They're one of the great rhythm sections because they gave us one of the classic rhythm section styles.

[quote name='William James Easton' post='426399' date='Mar 5 2009, 04:38 PM']would love one. the wife on the other hand.....[/quote] ... doesn't need to know the true cost. "Did it cost £200?" "Yes, dear." (and the rest!)

Like I said, I haven't heard it so I can't make a guess about how much was redone in the studio. I saw them at Twickers for the reunion shows - now that they're not coked up to the eyeballs, they seemed to keep time well.

Ah. Not sure what to recommend then. I was going to recommend the Barefaced cab as well. I have one and it sounds great!

I haven't heard it but my friend told me there's a clearly audible second guitar part on a few tracks. That doesn't mean the whole thing was redone in the studio - just that the mistakes were probably fixed. Apparently that's the norm for live albums/DVDs these days.

[quote name='craigjf1969' post='426144' date='Mar 5 2009, 01:39 PM']Anybody who thinks that they are "dire" live, should take a look at their Certifiable DVD,and then comment again....[/quote] *ahem[i]overdubbed[/i]ahem*

[quote name='MythSte' post='426103' date='Mar 5 2009, 01:00 PM']I heard theres a nice one in music ground in Bath.[/quote] Ooh, controversial

Hah, all the other advice was better than mine. Do what they said instead.

Sounds like a horror movie when the killer picks you off one by one. Just leave before there's nothing to leave. Or try and get the drummer/guitarist back.

[quote name='Eight' post='425814' date='Mar 5 2009, 09:35 AM']Wow. Spending money on something you never wanted seems a little crazy.[/quote] Exactly! I can understand the tribute band exception though. White Jap P bass with black scratchplate and a dash of blood should do the trick.

Not going to say that noone could find a use for it but I'm not going to bother. I totally get Dood's comments about not wanting to be outdone in the low notes by a keyboard though!

[quote name='Hector' post='425574' date='Mar 4 2009, 10:07 PM']So what do you guys think? Is it easier to get gigs as a bass player?[/quote] Yes. Sometimes they don't even need to hear me play. Seriously!

[quote name='ARGH' post='425677' date='Mar 5 2009, 12:42 AM']Scott is right about so much,pretty much all at that moment in time,its only in the last few years..say..4-5 that we really started shrugging the 'Failed guitarist' tag off...Bassists being common leaders rather than the few and far betweens..yes there are a few each decade from Sting,to Macca..or whoever...even Lemmy. Playing with the idea of what the instrument is capable of (ERBs..)...rather than what people,musicians or otherwise expect.[/quote] Did you read the same article as me? He doesn't seem pro-bass at all, only pro-music - and only music he likes! Don't take him as a pro-bass hero 'cos he clearly states in the interview that anyone who sees him that way is an idiot who doesn't know anything. I still agree with some of the things he says though (about the business and music education).

I like the responses so far! I'm going to say something which might be controversial: Sting's playing on some Police songs is extremely technically sophisticated (from a rhythmic point of view, if not harmonically or melodically). Some of the syncopation is stupendously good! That's why I think they are one of the great rhythm sections: they lock really well, complement each other perfectly and created their own unique sound. Sure, they could be sloppy as hell, loose, and speed up, but - controversial statement no.2 - there's more to being a great rhythm section than keeping good time (and like some critics have said, that seemed to be a problem live, not in the studio). And I agree completely with burno's point about Summers' rhythmic contribution. His tone/solos/memory may be crap but that unique guitar style complemented and locked totally with the other two. There's so much personality in their playing that Sting's session guys (who I think are really good players) just don't come close.

[i]When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around[/i]

How does the old saying go: a picture is worth a thousand words?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='425115' date='Mar 4 2009, 02:38 PM']He sounds to me like he's projecting his own self esteem issues on the rest of the world and has gone further than many in his reasoning. He sounds unfulfilled, bitter and a little cynical and loathing of the world. I think he's over-rationalised his experiences and lost his passion - music is about self expression and reaching out to people. That second part seems lost on him.[/quote] Your take on it seems about right and I agree with you 100% about music as an art form. The thing is I can't help agree with Thunes' observations on the glorification of musicians and with his disillusionment with the business of music.

Sheesh. He reminds me a lot of my old bass teacher who's played with everyone from Chuck Berry to Jeff Beck to Cypress Hill, recently given up music, moved back in with his mum in Georgia, USA and gone back to university to finish his degree in IT. Thunes makes a lot of sense!

[quote name='andrewrx7' post='422913' date='Mar 2 2009, 09:34 AM']I would guess that if the 80dB level behind the bar is actively enforced, then there will be a fair few places simply giving up live music.[/quote] Which seems to be what the Government wants for some reason!

[quote name='Buzz' post='423696' date='Mar 2 2009, 09:24 PM']Wait what? What happened to MOU?[/quote] Exact same thought. That sucks man. When bad things happen to good bands! "How do we become bigger than we currently are?" "By f***ing up our winning formula, that's how!"

Do the songs have massive breaks in there so that these folks can get their hands to their mouths? Sounds daft to me.

[quote name='Sibob' post='422728' date='Mar 1 2009, 10:13 PM']Any ideas?[/quote] Open the last project that worked properly, save it as something else, then delete all the audio. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. Haven't used Cubase in a while but when the I/O configuration of ProTools goes funny, sometimes that works.

Only just started listening to [i]Sunrise[/i] but I can already say I love this! EDIT: [i]Urban Skunk[/i] is wicked too!

Well, I think in the later stages of the funk movement a lot of musicians got lazy and decided it was enough to rely on a great bassline and not much else when it came to their tunes. I still love almost all of it but I think funk as a genre rarely reached its potential in terms of songwriting or arrangements. Two funk songs which I think set a pretty high standard (they both build slowly so give them a chance): Stevie Wonder's [i]Jesus Children Of America[/i] (don't let all the Jesus-ness put you off) Curtis Mayfield's [i]Right On For The Darkness[/i] [url="http://www.last.fm/music/Curtis+Mayfield/_/Right+on+for+the+Darkness"]http://www.last.fm/music/Curtis+Mayfield/_...or+the+Darkness[/url]