Dad3353

Good morning, Pauly, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

[color=#800080][b]The Return Of [/b][/color][color=#800080][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]The Return Of The Return Of 'Play Of The Day'..![/b][/font][/color] [b][color=#800080]'Carousel', from Bilbo ...[/color][/b] A waltz, in soft 'tzigane' format, with a gentle 'pump' of rhythmic chords, a staid, respectful double bass and a lovely melody picked out on guitar. This is doubled discreetly by a very Parisian accordion (yes, I know it's a melodica, but the sonic effect is of an accordion at Montmartre...). The base chords are very repetitive, but the variations spun out by the melody instruments fulfil their role admirably; indeed, they require the constance of this backdrop to waft away and back with grace and elegance. The contract is entirely respected, the picture expertly sketched out. Moving stuff; well done, lad. [color=#800080][b]'Steam Fair', from xgsjx ...[/b][/color] A full-on steam organ comes in with authority, only to step back and leave the centre stage to a double-stopped bass, doubled by an organ-synth, with a distant arpeggio giving pace to the background. We change again; the melody is now picked out with a rather 'poppy' bass; a more subdued 'standard' bass takes back its usual role of underpinning. Once again, we ring the changes with a driving drum kit pushing an organ to the front for the melody. The volume reduces, but not the intensity; we are hustled from semi-disco to pop-rock, always with the leitmotiv, chased from pillar to post. It's the doubled bass that finishes the sequence off, with the very last gasp coming from the 'steam puff' that's been doggedly providing a backbeat throughout. Very much 'steam', very much 'funfair', an interesting cross-culture interpretation. Well performed; Good Stuff. [color=#800080][b]'The Bone Rattler {DEMO)', from Indy ...[/b][/color] An unsettling ambiance is established, as if the band were tuning up, orchestra fashion. A mono-chordal pounding bass riff and we're off. I'll have to 'fess up here, and suggest that, in order to really give credit to the lyrics, I need them to be either very, very clearly sung, or have them printed out on the record sleeve. That's one of the many penalties of old age; one misses out on so much. :-( Never mind, the general gist is there. The mood and overall sound brings to mind Steppenwolf (take that as a great complement, please...), and the vocal effects merging with the keys give a very authentic colour to the piece. Very well played on all instruments, subtly arranged and mixed; it's very rich without overstepping to become cloying. Perfectly suited to the declared impressions taken from the picture, so successful from every point of view. Well done. [color=#800080][b]'Caravan Of Fun !', from fingers211 ...[/b][/color] Ha..! A wonderfully cynical view of the characters one could meet at these places..! Happy days..? Not always, it would seem. The introductory phrases reek with promise of a good time to be had, Wurlitzer style, but we're very quickly disenchanted when all turns sour, with echoes of The Who's 'Quadrophenia' in there somewhere. The tone is set; it's not going to be all jolly, after all. Mid-piece, the hullabaloo dies down; we're left in the lurch, deflated, just like the burst balloon Eeyore gets as a birthday present from Piglet. An all-to-familiar personal experience brought to life in fine fashion; similar childhood memories awoken (for better or for worse..?). Excellent, top-notch. Does it fit the picture..? Yes, in spades.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1505910258' post='3375134'] I've never needed my house insurance but I'm still going to buy it. [/quote] But you only know if it works if you, or someone you trust, has successfully used it. That's what the original question was. It's no use paying for 'peace of mind' if, when push comes to shove, the 'insurers' wriggle out of the claim and you're left hung out to dry. Yes, insurance is worthwhile, as long as it does actually insure. How many folks have paid for insured shipping, only to have claims turned down for whatever reason..? The proof would be if someone could show that it did, in fact, work for them. That's what was asked.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1505918466' post='3375224'] 'The Rite of Spring' is a ballet. If you can dance to that...... [/quote] These folks manage to, and quite well, too... [media]http://youtu.be/NOTjyCM3Ou4[/media]

Good morning, Dagada, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share (... but you knew that already..!).

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I've got Stuff happening right now, so I'll get this posted in here whilst I can. Here, then, is...[/font][/color] [color=#800080][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]The Return Of The Return Of 'Play Of The Day'..![/b][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]In order of appearance...[/font][/color] [color=#800080][b]'Doom Di Doom Di Doom', from Dad3353 ...[/b][/color] A steady 'chug', but it's a lure, a sort of count-in to an up-tempo blast-beat, rocking straight into an almost country-picking guitar lick, a firm bass riff and hard-rock drums. There's a definite sensation of déja-vu, a feelng of familiarity . Now where has this been heard before..? A short solo sax, slightly distanced, takes over, but is immediately pushed aside by the urgent guitar/bass/drums. Follows a few bars of chundering and drum break; the steady 'chug' makes its presence felt before the riff is back with a vengeance, the guitar now doubled. The pattern continues, with solo sax variants, contrasting with the raw tone of the overdriven bass, and extra guitar layers joining in successively, interspersed with ever more sophisticated drum breaks, each time with a reminder of 'Old Faithful' chugging away, oblivious of the pace that was so innocently set at the start. There's a leitmotif established right from the start, with the traction engine ticking over with constance, and echoes of a distant funfair evoked by the sax melodies; the theme of the picture is respected without resort to too much cliché. You never know; it just might work. [color=#800080][b]'Carouhell', from Mornats ...[/b][/color] Ominous, foreboding, menace. Nonchalant chattering in the background seems heedless of the impending pounding building up. A stomping pace is established, along with a disturbing jangle, like muffled alarm bells. Virtual 'stabs' of brass cut through; the girlish shrieks in the vicinity are provoked by what, exactly..? The disquietening ringing fades away, replaced with equally unsettling murmurings and sound effects, which break into a rather mocking cross between a cheezy Farfisa organ and a hurdy-gurdy, playing a strnge mixture of half-jazz, half-circus, half-theatre interlude music. The stomping has mutated into a more classic, but just as enthusiastically pummelling drum set, adding to the incongruety. Diabolical mocking laughter rings out, doing nothing to allay our troubled state, the organ continues unabated with a brash melody, then relapdes into its vamped travesty of euphony before desisting behind one last derisive cackle. The crowd continue their chatter; perhaps the worst has been averted..? There is ample expression of the theme here, with the pounding pace and rhythm well match the locomotive; the carnaval is represented through the crowd 'noises off'. There's a certain lack of cohesion in the evolution of the piece, but the global effect aimed for is attained. [color=#800080][b]'All the fun...', from lurksalot ...[/b][/color] Ah..! A funfair..! A nice waltz-time carousel theme..! Oh, that was just the intro; we're into the 'real' compo now. A bit of a 'stomping' beat, an enthusiastic crowd and a lilting organ stabs out the melody. Now it's joined by an orchestra, filling out more and more, the audience ever more appreciative. Every sort of variation is thrown in, all retaining an authentic link to the theme, as if in the imagination of a listener, extrapolating the basic sounds, adding progreessively to the complexity of the already rich harmony. The dream comes to an end; reality pierces the bubble and the piece ends with a flourish, rightly applauded by the assistance. Does it fit the picture..? Not 'alf it does, eh..? Where's me toffee apple, me ol' china..? [color=#800080][b]'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster!', from Leonard Smalls ...[/b][/color] It's not so much a problem (well, it is, but ignoring that...) as a philosphical challenge. From the start, one is inclined... (well, I say 'one'; I really mean me, of course...) I was saying, one is inclined to 'fast forward', or even to end the session as abruptly as the 'music'. I have, however, for my pains, a conscience, which disallows such behaviour. I said I'd review the works; revue them I shall. Still, I can't really write what I think of it [Tommy Cooper] "Just like that..!", I need to at least try to find something, anything, that's not too defametory. Hmm... I'll have to listen again; there's no other way. What was that..? A crafty shift there... Was that a spoken phrase..? Hey, it's been sped up, but the voice has sped down..! That's almost a neat trick..! The drumming not half bad, either; better than the too-often abused disco big beats. That's a positive remark, isn't it..? Yes, the more one listens, the more one hears good bits, carefully hidden away, tiny nuggets that require intensive sifting amongst the silt clogging it up. But that's the point, isn't it..? This stuff needs listening to, again and again. Forget the initial pain, the bleeding ears soon heal and a grainy image forms in the mind, twisted and distorted, somewhat elusive; as soon as I think I've caught a glimpse it's swept away from earshot, to be followed by another, equally disturbing flash of insight. I do so wish Lenny would get his bass repaired, though. [color=#800080][b]'Acid at the carnival', from christofloffer ...[/b][/color] Giggles, almost hysterical, as a pipe organ churns out it's 3/4. Sturdy basses resonate boldly, a carillon peeps out timidly from behind the lay of the air. The melody chiming out in the background seems disjointed, although its rippling cascades are pleasant enough. The chortling continues unabated as the chimes edge forward; the organ and its basses slink away, leaving the peals of ringing and the peals of laughter have share the front of stage. The tittering is twisted towards the end; this is a strange, but fair, interpretation of an 'amusement park'. Jolly Good (but I'd recommend reducing the dose, just the same...). I'll try to post others as and when they drift in; my apologies in advance if I can't do 'em all. To be continued, hopefully...

Good evening, Pedro, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. Yet another Portuguese resident, eh..? There's quite a few here...

If it's a mistake, you offer it back; if it's deliberate you say 'Thank you'.

Good evening, DS, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Good evening, Quevlar, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

At least you weren't swindled out of your gig money. It can happen if you're playing with Pros and Cons. ...

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1504942243' post='3368407'] In what situation does a drummer need to hear vocals? Is he on backing vox duty? [/quote] I'm a drummer... 1 - On odd occasions, I think it helps the show if I know just where we are in the song, or repertoire. The singers vocals help with that, sometimes. 2 - Our singer is rather good. I [i]like [/i]to hear him sing 3 - Someone has to listen for the cock-ups and fluffs, to deflate his ego afterwards 4 - I need to be able to hear when someone's shouting 'shut the f... up..!' at me. 5 - It makes me feel as if I'm part of the group (I'm easily fooled...). 6 - Folks think I'm good because I'm wearing 'phones; little do they know... Enough..?

[quote name='itsmedunc' timestamp='1504918701' post='3368357']... Any input would be greatly appreciated! [/quote] My only suggestion would be to look at 'sports' ones, that clip around the ear and stay in place, like these... [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDR-AS210-Sports-Splashproof-Headphones-Black/dp/B01LDKH2PG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504919643&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+earphones+sport"]Sony MDR-AS210 Sports In-Ear Splashproof Headphones ...[/url] Drumming can be quite physical (depending on character and repertoire...), so he'd want 'em to stay in place. I can't think of anything special, otherwise. He sounds like a bit of a cheapskate, really, unless he's simply skint, of course. Hope this helps.

Good afternoon, Chris, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1504795008' post='3367382'] This guy impresses me... [/quote] Amazing..! A bass player with (at least...) seven tee-shirts and polos..! Wow..! I wonder where he got the TAB for that from..? ... No, seriously; that's seriously Good Stuff.

Good evening, Nelson, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. There are many Continental forum members here (several from Portugal...), so you're far from alone.