Dad3353

I cheated, and listened through my (reasonably decent, but hardly studio monitor...) speakers, and not the headphones suggested. I'll admit to being much more 'auditorily challenged' than in past decades, too. To me, the bloke showed some excellent little licks, consistently played, with hardly a jot of difference in tone between 'em. They all sounded equally as good as each other, with nothing remarkedly apparent to differentiate. If it's that much more evident through 'phones, then I'd say that it's so little as to not be worth fussing over in anything more than a solo bass recording, and that, in a band or orchestra situation, there's no discernable difference whatsoever. I'm a drummer, though, so what would I know..?

This bloke's a Good Egg. I did a small 3D-printing job for him, specifically mentioning all the while that there was no expense to speak of, and that a big smile was payment enough. He's seen fit to send me a remittance just the same, for which I thank him. An easy fellow to deal with, and honest as a pin. Definitely a Good Egg. Douglas

Again, I'm a drummer, so I maybe react differently. If something's too fast for me, click or no click, I'll play what I can, either dropping 'hits' or half-timing it. I'm now old, and my hi-hat has less stamina than in the past, so I'll do this more and more often. I may well start the song off correctly, but discreetly give my wrists a rest when I can, if it's not going to train-wreck the song. The important thing, for me, is to keep things flowing musically (on drums, but on bass or guitar, too...), and not sweat it if I'm no longer 'up to scratch'. The years spent practising and playing help with this, of course, but I'd say that anyone striving to attain any technical 'gold standard' should be aware that it is an ephemeral achievement at best, even when it's obtainable, so be prepared mentally for the deception when the feat is no longer possible. Play to one's own strengths, and leave the arms race to others, I say.

I'd advance that it's equally important, and maybe even more difficult, to play evenly and musically to very slow tempi. It's certainly true in drumming, and often neglected as a quality. Not just slow movements, but also holding off during long rests, only to come back in at the appropriate place. Not everything is metronomic, either, so accelerating the rhythm, or slowing it down, when the piece calls for it, are equally precious skills. Having decently-experienced colleagues helps, if all are to 'ritardando' in sync. If fast playing is needed, one may 'fudge' it with a half-tempo version. If slow is called for, it cannot be replaced by doubling up. The ability to play slowly is a great asset for any musician. Just sayin'.

Good morning, Al, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

How come The Beatles are rarely ever played on the radio..? It's true, it's been a while. Maybe it's because of Green concerns about pesticides..? 30/11/2009 The Archers Joe's dropping big hints about what he'd like for Christmas. Ed reminds him that times are lean. Joe's heard there's a possible job going at Lower Loxley, organising the decoration-making in the Cruck Barn. Joe reckons it's a real business opportunity. Adam's impressed with Will's plans for putting beetle banks on the Estate, and will do what he can. Adam's pleased that diverting the footpath has finally been agreed, so he can get on with the polytunnel extension. Joe and Helen laugh at the embarrassing pictures of Mike that have appeared all over the place. Joe remarks that Vicky's good fun. Will praises Helen on her babysitting skills, but Helen's not keen to hear that the kids can't wait for her to do it again. Joe mentions to Will that Caroline was impressed with the pheasant casserole Ed and Emma cooked. Assuming Ed must have poached them, Will angrily storms off to confront him. As soon as he's got proof he's going straight to the police. Leon cooks a candle-lit meal for Helen. She tentatively suggests introducing him to her parents. Leon's really not keen. They'll have to arrange a time when he's less busy.

Nor the radio. It's shameful..!

Good evening, Madein1962, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Good evening, OS, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Good afternoon, NT , and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Huh, now you're just being silly..!

Less is more.

These same places will be re-visited by a future generation with as much nostalgia and sentiment of deception, as they will have again evolved. Maybe to heights even more giddy, maybe sunken to dens of depravity; time will tell. It's only places of great-enough 'historical mass' that resist, and even those are subject to the Laws of Change (Stonehenge, anyone..?). One day the Pyramids themselves will return to the sands from which they came. It's just a question of time, and a function of getting old that we reminisce in this way.

Well, without the tassels, just the same. One has one's pride.

I've had Vespas and BSA's (and a Sunbeam...), so I lay claim to both camps..!

Puppies - J Bigga

Nah, hippy generosity (and naivety ...)

Use an italic 'i' when it's a person's name (but not for swearing, naturally...).

No, that's Surf. ... (and not my style of drumming, either..! )

Even in my heyday, no-one would have classed me as a 'thrash' drummer; these days the wheel-chair would be most appropriate, though. Maybe that was what was lacking..? ...

... and rightly so.

We tried to add this to our repertoire, and rehearsed it a few times. It didn't end well..!

I will never understand why Casady is not more listened to. Superb stuff from the Master (there's plenty more out there...). The others aren't bad, either..! Best listened to as complete albums, of course, even with the 'strange' stuff. Naturally, the segue between tracks is interrupted by the separation into files, but still.