cetera

Rolling Stones at Hyde Park on Sunday night. Sound was very good, though sometimes the guitars jumped in volume back and forth too much (must be a nightmare dealing with the different output levels of so many vintage guitars being swapped every song! lol!) Excellent set list of hits, but it did drop off and get a little indulgent in the middle of the set with Midnight Rambler and 2 Keith songs. Jagger was fantastic (where DOES he get that energy at 79?!?), as were Darryl Jones, the keys players and backing singers. I thought the new drummer was a bit push/pull at time..... and Keith/Ronnie were suitably sloppy, but their 'attitude' made up for it Great fun all in all!

She's a beauty!!

Stones on Sunday.... then Duran Duran/Nile Rogers & Chic on the Sunday after. Both at Hyde Park.

He only ever played in A MInor anyway.... I'll get my coat.....

Or you could always organise your own one in Norfolk. Hire a village hall or school hall for the day, put the word out and make it happen

That's Abe Laboriel Jr, Son of legendary bassist Abe Laboriel Sr (funnily enough) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Laboriel

That's the fault of the visual production team. Nothing to do with the band.

That WOULD be amazing.... and I did seriously consider it.... but sadly I don't think my chops are up to Peter Cetera's standard on those early Chicago albums!

Tiran Porter with the Doobie Brothers 73 - 76. The music, the basslines, the band members and the fun on the road/in the studio that must have been had! Gene Simmons with KISS from 76 - 78. The music, the huge stages and over the top production, the gear (Spector custom, vintage SVTs and EV cabs), the money and the women.... Ricky Phillips with Styx now. The musicianship, the band members, the songs and the general high quality of the whole shebang....

European tour has been cancelled. Time to get your refunds

Attendees / Gear list 1. MacDaddy - Custom Shukers / Rob Allen Mouse / Peavey Vypyr VIP III 2. Binky Bass - Binky 10 string, USA Conklin 8 string, ACG 9 string, 3 x ACG 6 strings, Reiver 7 string (geeeetar), GR Bass Dual 1400 & GR Bass AT410+, Helix LT, Pinegrove straps, Richter straps etc. 3. Cetera - Spector (USA NS2 & NS2X, Euro Classic, Euro LX (w/Haz),Euro 'Rachel Bolan', Pulse II ) Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee', Fender FSR PJ with East pre, Hamer Impact, Pedulla Buzz 4 fretless and maybe Jackson TBird, GK400RB, GK Legacy 800 & Tech21 VT500 Heads, Genz Benz Neox212 cab.

Just had a weekend working backstage at Hyde Park BST Festival (Friday & Sunday). Elton John and The Eagles were both fantastic, as were the Wandering Hearts. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss were pretty good too and a new act called Juanita Euka had some great bass/drums grooves happening....

Go on then. You first....

A great theatre gig at Wimborne Tivoli on Friday night with our 'big' production (lasers, pyro, video screens etc). By all accounts the sound was excellent and visually we nailed it. We got a fantastic audience response and the European agents who had flown in to see the show were suitably impressed. Everything crossed for a Belgium, Holland & Germany tour at some point next year! Woo!

My Wife has no input into what I spend my money on. Job done.

Yeah, sorry about that.... it's an involuntary reflex I have Nothing personal! lol! 🤣

Ah yes, Wayne Ellis.... lovely bloke. I too always struggle with his use of a Stingray. As much because of the clicky hi-fi tone he gets from it as the way it looks in a Lizzy tribute. Speaking as someone who did a tribute for 25 years and paid 100% attention to detail that really bothered me. 'Tribute snob' that I am....

As with many purchases in life I've always found the middle ground build/pricing the most rewarding and best quality/value for money. I'd happily take a Jap Fender over a US one any day. Same with a mid level Epiphone over a Gibson. Some of the better Squiers are awesome too.... As much as I love my US Spectors (all bought used) I'm more than happy with my many Spector Euro builds as well.....

KISS at Download on Friday night. Backstage guest parking and a wander through to stand in front of the stage. I'll be turning up at 8.30 and leaving at 11pm. No standing in a field for hours with the great unwashed for me.

^^^ This....

THIS ^^^^^^^ Give me the musicality, creativity, melody and structural arrangements of the bass playing of Peter Cetera (Chicago), Tiran Porter (Doobie Bros), Rutger Gunnarsson (ABBA), Joe Puerta (Ambrosia), Dee Murray (Elton John), John Deacon (Queen), Dave Hope (Kansas), Martin Tiefensee (Lake), Paul Goddard (Atlanta Rhythm Section), Del Palmer (Kate Bush), David Paton (Pilot/Alan Parsons etc) and many others of that period.... over most stuff since.

Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter also wore them 'live' with the Doobie Brothers..... but then he also sat down on a stool.... lol!

Van Halen (DLR era) could have made one good double album out of all their material. Too many cover versions and average songs on overly short albums.