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Musicals [Fame, Grease, what have you]


nobodysprefect
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So, I'm an inveterate musical prostitute.

That having been said, I LOVE the wacky, idiomatic ways broadway arrangers write basslines. I got a real education in the ditches of musical theatre. I mean, if I weren't broken by my parents, I'd have picked up all I needed for a career at bass before I was 20.

A decade and change later, I can listen to cuts of Fame and not want to cut meself. Who else loved musical theatre growing up a muso?

What are the most important lessons musical theatre can teach you that are hard to come by without doint it? I'd substitute time, time, time and humility.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDjeFT4F7Cg&[/media]

sh*t. My friends and I played that FAR better. Of course, the m*****f***ers went on to study at Sibelius Academy and whatnot. w***ers.

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[quote name='nobody's prefect' timestamp='1322876882' post='1457023']
What are the most important lessons musical theatre can teach you that are hard to come by without doint it?
[/quote]

1) That written bass lines are not easy to predict, because they've probably been written by someone who has no idea about bass.
2) Stupid time/key signatures WILL appear and you WILL sh!t yourself... expect it and when it happens, keep calm and carry on :)

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[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1322935483' post='1457539']
Hey Matt - any relation to Ken Potter ?

Garry
[/quote]

None at all, but I was lucky enough to have lessons with him whilst at college. In fact, he was my first bass tutor :)

How do you know him?

Edited by skej21
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[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1322935891' post='1457542']
How do you know him?
[/quote]

I would not say i know him - although i did meet him a few times.
I used to spend a lot of time [quite a while back] up in Newcastle.
Used to stay with a Guitarist called Paul Carr. So had many drink ups with a lot of the guys that were
at Newcastle collage at the time - usually in 'Rockshots' :) and the 'Broken Doll'


Garry

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[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1322936104' post='1457545']
I would not say i know him - although i did meet him a few times.
I used to spend a lot of time [quite a while back] up in Newcastle.
Used to stay with a Guitarist called Paul Carr. So had many drink ups with a lot of the guys that were
at Newcastle collage at the time - usually in 'Rockshots' :) and the 'Broken Doll'


Garry
[/quote]

Yeah, he was a good laugh was Ken. Had many a funny story to tell, so I imagine your pub trips were 'interesting' :)

Edited by skej21
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[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322939679' post='1457606']
Only musical I've played was Grease about twenty years ago and I really enjoyed it. It was harder work than I expected although I realise Grease is probably somewhat easier than say West Side Story (and most others).
[/quote]

Grease was the Toto/L.A guys and the level of musicianship that went into the soundtrack was superb (fairly certain it was David Hungate on bass for it and also Mike Porcaro), even though the musical itself really isn't my thing. Likewise, if you listen to the Wiz, Anthony Jackson is all over it like a rash. Amazing bass playing.

Not a fan of musicals in general, apart from one, which is West Side Story. It is a masterpiece, a triumph of 20th century music from one of the greatest musical minds of all time as far as I'm concerned!

Edited by risingson
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[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1322969192' post='1457849']
West Side Story. It is a masterpiece, a triumph of 20th century music from one of the greatest musical minds of all time as far as I'm concerned!
[/quote]

Have you listened to Dave Grusin's version/Album of West Side story ?
Top arranging and playing all round.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xonj84qRk4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xonj84qRk4[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GrTr6KHkdo&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GrTr6KHkdo&feature=related[/url]



Garry

Edited by lowdown
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Hey Garry wasn't there a West Side album released at around the same time? .... pauses to Google..... Cool, found it "Songs of West Side Story"
Worth checking out- maybe not a purist's cup of tea but some great moments.
Love the Grusin album. JP/DW swinging like the clappers.

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[quote name='Faithless' timestamp='1323001055' post='1458057']
WOw, thanks for the link, Garry, that Brecker solo is just out of control... And, is that Johnny P on bass?
Really cool eitherway...

Laimis
[/quote]

Hey Laimis.

Complete Musician breakdown here. [url="http://www.grusin.net/west_side_story.htm"]http://www.grusin.net/west_side_story.htm[/url]

If you can find 'America' from the same album on Youtube - give it a listen, stonking stuff.
John Patitucci swings great on this album. Well worth buying/Downloading.


Garry

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[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1322989970' post='1457895']
Have you listened to Dave Grusin's version/Album of West Side story ?
Top arranging and playing all round.

...

Garry
[/quote]

Yes, but not for a long while, thanks for posting it up again Garry! Great playing, fantastic stuff.

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