Dad3353

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1459770557' post='3019351'] Sadly archived here for future webarchaeologists, bassists and historians [url="https://web.archive.org/web/20111013031030/http://basschat.co.uk/topic/145908-to-go-unwanted-mars-bar/"]HERE[/url] [/quote] Fixed.

My 'pro' career, drumming, started off in a serious way when I moved to France, back in '76. At that time, a large part of the 'live' music industry was dance bands, playing every week-end in most towns and villages, all over France, especially during the longer summer months. The set list was variety, from Top 20 hits to polka, soft rock classics and waltzes. Anything, in fact, that folks (young and not-so-young...) would dance to. And dance they did, non-stop (for the band...) from 21h00 till 02h00, or longer for special dates such as New Year's Eve or the National Fête etc. The only band member that couldn't 'slide off' for a drink and/or a smoke was the drummer..! No worries; I took a bottle of diluted orange and had a swig between 'slows', but the gigs were 5 hours solid, 3 times a week in season, occasionally more. OK, you'll say, that's drumming, the 'soft spot'. Perhaps. Our bassist could be replaced for a few minutes by the guitarist, but essentially the music had to keep going, to keep the folks jiving so they'd get thirsty, to keep the bar active, to keep the organisers happy, to get booked back again. It worked well until the discos opened up; that 's when the variety bands folded, year after year. No, I couldn't do it now, but at the time, long variety gigs were the staple of French musicians. Happy daze, though.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459723468' post='3019053'] At the end of the day I'm a bass guitar player in s bar band. How serious do you want to take me? I'm not an expert on any of this. My post are my opinions just like everyone else here. If you detect rudeness it's cultural in my opinion. Blue [/quote] I rather think that you're missing the point, or being deliberately provocative; probably the former. Yes, you're entitled to your opinion. Yes, you are entitled to express those views here. You will, however, reap the consequences of, not your opinion, but an official reaction if those opinions, expressed as is your wont, come across, even unintentionally, as disrespectful or insulting. While I remain rather open to the idea that this is not, indeed, your intention, I wonder how many folks have to say it to you before you'll take notice and either post in a more congenial manner or desist from posting altogether..? It's not so much the content (yes, I too can come across with well-used opinions on certain subjects here...). That, in itself, is not the issue; free speech and all that. Just accept that the plain, down-to-earth, flat statement of 'fact' that,in your opinion, bedroom noodlers have no worthwhile aspirations (just an example; there are too many to list, anyway...) and that outside of playing for wages there is no salvation is taken as offensive by very many folk here who are equally deserving of respect as yourself, whatever your pleasures, income, hobbies or life-style. Is it so difficult to comprehend..? I shan't go about proving anything; just take it as said that, whatever your intentions, many of your statements are badly taken here. Please do something about that, for your own sake in this community, or put up with the consequences.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459712563' post='3018900']...Are there really bands that deliberately just rehearse and are quite happy never to gig?... [/quote] Yes, indeed, and many more than one would think, I reckon. Almost by definition, these folks are not well known outside of their immediate circle (and sometimes not even there..! I've come across lots of people, of all ages, playing music, of many different genres, purely at home. I worked for several years in a music shop as a technician; most of our trade, for sales and repairs, were from amateurs. Many (but not all..!) were highly skilled and knowledgeable. They were, on the whole, far nicer customers than many of the 'pros'..! [quote name='blue' timestamp='1459713952' post='3018926']... Nobody is going convince me they set out to be a bedroom noodler ... [/quote] Blue... I'll address this directly; it's almost beyond a joke now. How does one have to explain that disparaging comments of this sort, whilst being, apparently, your firmly held opinion (and you're welcome to it...) are not well received on this, and I doubt any other, forum..? I'll restrain myself from returning the compliment and giving vent to my full opinion concerning these 'opinions' of yours, but would heartily suggest a session of 'neck pulling-in' as starters, and a serious period of reflection before putting fingertip to keyboard in the future. I don't believe this to be a cultural, trans-Atlantic issue; rudeness is rudeness. Stay up there in your ivory tower if you wish, enjoy the heady view and unspoilt atmosphere, but please carefully consider the disagreeable nature of these, and other of your, affirmations to a great many fellow BC members. Thanks in advance. No need to 'Report' this post; I'll do that myself. Good day to you. Douglas

It should be born in mind that BC has a very long memory. Some topics have been going for a considerable time, and, despite little current activity, may resurge at any moment. Examples could be ... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/145908-to-go-unwanted-mars-bar/"]TO GO ...[/url] ... and its sister thread ... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/181883-my-old-topic-has-vanished-off-this-site/"]My old Topic ...[/url] Future archaeologists will marvel at the resilience of these postings, and wonder why they were so recurrent; after all, there's not really that much of fundamental value in most of their content, taken individually. The whole is greater than the sum of its components, perhaps..?

Hmm... Meg White is listed, but not Spencer Dryden..? Hmm...

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1459706941' post='3018807']... This uploading malarkey is so slow and tedious. Don't know what's doing it to be honest... [/quote] It may not be relevant, but it may be worth pointing out that ADSL connections (our common 'broadband'...) has differing performance for up- and down-load. The upload speed is typically less than 10% of the download speed. It's not a problem, that's quite simply normal, and part of how it works. The same file taking 5 minutes to download could easily take an hour to upload. There are other technologies that have symmetrical up-and down-load speeds, but they're not typically found domestically. Just sayin'.

Here you are, then, in two parts. Here's the full video... http://youtu.be/vT8Dn-zsvBk ... and, to simplify things for the voting list, here's the Souncloud BO (so without the pictures, of course... ) [url="http://soundcloud.com/dad3353/schu-jono-schu"]Schuss, Jono, Schuss ...[/url]

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1459539076' post='3017590'] Mega pedant alert: peanuts are not nuts. [runs for cover] [/quote] ... which is why the packets have the warning, if they could, indeed, contain nuts as [i]well [/i]as peanuts..? Sounds very sensible to me.

I think Ped has got the wrong end of the mallet with this 'ere polo malarkey...

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1459510868' post='3017242']... I'll let Mornats and Mr Smalls organise a prize ceremony of their own choosing. Polo Shirts are being arranged for fingers211 and Bleat. [/quote]

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1459506136' post='3017170'] I don't know how to embed the Facebook vid without getting into html, but the theme of this month is crazy dogs (my sadly departed ex-mutt, Jono), snow (some in the lane above my house 3 years ago this week!), and crazy French girls, also in the snow... I can envisage "woohoo" Blur type stuff, sad songs about the death of a dog, free jazz epics celebrating the randomness of snow drifts, struttin' disco grooves about "having a good time, all the time" (copyright Spinal Tap!), or acoustic ballads about being scared stupid! [/quote] Darn it..! And there was I, hoping there'd be a place for a 'John Williams'-style epic mini-symphony..! Oh well, next month, perhaps...

Can I assume that there'll be an appropriate hand-over ceremony, with speeches, ribbon cutting and light refreshments, for the Official Prize-Giving..? Not sure I'll be available to attend, though; [s]busy social calendar, doncha know..?[/s] can't get further than a few yards at the moment. On the same subject, has anyone dared to tell Ped yet that there was a tie for silver..? I'm sure he won't want one of those great polos cut in half (yes, they are great; I really am wearing mine right now..!); I hope his pockets are deep enough to cover the extravagance..!

[quote name='Bleat' timestamp='1459499620' post='3017080']...so who actually came 2nd and 3rd place, seeing as I have only looked this morning and it seems someone voted after midnight? All I see is a joint winner and me 2nd..? [/quote] Indeed, you were joint second, with fingers211, with xgsjx for bronze. I came in last, puffing and panting from the exertion.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1459495249' post='3017043']... I'd like to thank my public, and my ma and pa, and ([i]d[/i][i]rones on emotionally for 4 hours)...[/i] [/quote] Shut up and send Skol a picture..!

OK, so come on; who was it that voted after the gong, eh..?

[size=4][color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"]And the winner is... Leonard Smalls..! Well done, sir..! [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167486] Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ...[/font][/color][/size] [attachment=215890:BC_Chal_Cert_2016_03.pdf] [size=4][color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"]... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)... [/font][/color][/size] [font=Arial, sans-serif]Looking forward to the next Challenge, albeit with some trepidation.[/font]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1459447829' post='3016751'] I've been on Bass Chat long enough to be honest. Regarding being in multiple bands. I contend that these guys that say they're in like 4-5 bands. There are only 3 weekends in a month. If your in that many bands they can't be bands with many gigs. There would be to many schedule conflicts to deal with. Blue [/quote] This is what happens when one permits folks to accept 'math' as being correct instead of 'maths'.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1459412750' post='3016216'] Many thanks Douglas , it's a bit like you were in my head with that synopsis !! [/quote] [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1459418576' post='3016291'] Haha, brilliant! Cheers Dad. I'm guessing your record collection doesn't start with A for Aphex Twin, does it? ... [/quote] [quote name='RalphDWilson' timestamp='1459419769' post='3016306'] Thanks Dad! Even though I voted early, I kept coming back here to read your comments. [/quote] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167485]

[color=#000000][font=Arial][/font][/color] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Good day, all...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281744-march-composition-challenge-voting-and-prizes/"][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"]March Composition Challenge - VOTING![/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"][u][url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/aunty-cyclone"][color="#000080"]'Aunty Cyclone', from lurksalot ...[/color][/url][/u][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Meager soft-rock drums open, with an almost funky 'wah' guitar riff setting the tempo and mood, then, with a flourish, the bass and vocals are triggered, these last doubled to great effect. The lyrics seem to take a personal view of the these extreme weather events by imposing a human charactisation on them. Humour, but dark humour. A second verse and chorus are followed by an instrumental, punctuated by chorus whisperings, and even allowing a timid bass solo, until the final sung chorus and out with another touch of zest from the drums.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Sober, restrained, tactful; there is little exhuberence displayed, but is that a requirement..? Not in this case; the understated atmosphere works well, keeping the attention on the essentials: the vocals. Not to say that the backing is lacking (well, just a spot of 'sparkle', maybe...); it does the job with honour and discretion. If I was to be harsh, I'd liken the bass tone to that of Bill Wyman in his early days, and I'd have maybe boosted the cymbals a little (but that could be my duff ears, too..!). A decent job on the vocals, both the lead and the doubling/backing voices are well mixed; maybe a tad low for the lead..? No, that would be nit-picking. The composition is excellent, and is well suited to the low-key arrangement and production. Yet another slanted view on the photo, perfectly aligned, so full marks there. Good stuff; an enjoyable listen.[/font][/color][/size] [color=#000000][font=Arial]Here endeth my ramblings for this month; more next time, I hope.[/font][/color] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial] [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Good day, all...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281744-march-composition-challenge-voting-and-prizes/"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial]March Composition Challenge - VOTING![/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][u][url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/tornado"][color=#000080]'Tornado', from Mornats ...[/color][/url][/u][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]A faint start, with distant whistling wind stirring a soft wind chime. The atmosphere is thickened with a pounding drum beat and rolls of thunder, strident strings feed the pressure, aided by low brass announcing a rush of air which... dissolves into a clear, open echoeing space, almost disappearing. The growling horns attempt a warning, but the full fury is unleashed with wild attacks from full guitar chords, powerful jungle drums and insistent violins, the tension layered with assault from all directions, mounting to an effervescent climax and final crack of doom.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Difficult to listen to this without feeling one's pulse accelerate; it's a vivid reconstruction in sonic terms of the scene portrayed, wound up to a fury after a cunningly deceptive lull. The photo is captured in 3D, with numerous effects and sounds crafted into an entirely credible canvas; the brush strokes are invisible. Top marks from a technical point of view; there's lots going on, but nothing superfluous; I'd even go as far as to pronounce this a Masterpiece. Full marks, on all counts.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial][i]Drizzle of applause from idle onlookers, now drenched, thanks to the imaginary deluge[/i]...). [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]My next post in this topic will feature...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/aunty-cyclone"][color=#000080][font=Arial]'Aunty Cyclone', from lurksalot ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]

[size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"] [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Good day, all...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281744-march-composition-challenge-voting-and-prizes/"][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"]March Composition Challenge - VOTING![/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"][u][url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/deconstruction"][color="#000080"]'De(Con)struction', from Skol303 ...[/color][/url][/u][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Whispering throbs, creaking groans and an electro didgeridoo start to build up, then flob out, then come back in with a slow hip-hop beat. Lethargic keys are attacked from all sides by a disturbing array of various effects and synth sounds. A pregnant calm is reached, without resolution, in repeated vibrated key chords.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Struggling, really struggling here. Whatever the style, genre, period or vein the music, if there's one element that I like to cling on to, it's a sense of 'sense'. Here, I'm at a loss. If chaos is a system, we're not far short. If random is reason, then this is finely structured. It comes across, to me, as a heteroclite assembly of unconnected tones, glitches and effects, sewn together with thin, frayed lace. I can't find much in the way of saving grace so, sorry, I'll leave it there. All I'll say to finish is that I now feel older; much older. [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]My next post in this topic will feature...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/tornado"][color="#000080"][font="Arial"]'Tornado', from Mornats ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial] [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Good day, all...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281744-march-composition-challenge-voting-and-prizes/"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial]March Composition Challenge - VOTING![/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][u][url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/hurricane"][color=#000080]'Hurricane', from Bilbo ...[/color][/url][/u][/font][/color][/size] [font="Arial"][color="#000000"]With no more preamble than a cymbal splash, we're straight in, no messing about; a quite furious riff on keys, with a unison bass line over a solid, but staid, drum beat. The 'head' established, the keys go their own way as the bass maintains the frenetic pace. Back through the head once more, but the keys give way to a melodic fretless bass line, hopping nimbly over the continuing original bass riff and the drums. Not for long, as the keys are back with another variant on the riff, then back to the head and out.[/color][/font] [font="Arial"][color="#000000"]A fine exercise in style and virtuosity, sparse but full, with little clutter or wasted time and space. Nicely recorded, a well-balanced mix and just enough effects on the keys to keep them interesting. Disappointing drums; they are really just a 'drum machine' keeping the beat, but not participating in the festival out front. A pity. Not much direct influence from the picture, either, except the title, although the relatively short work does crack along at a hurricane pace. Good playing, and an edifying fretless solo as a high spot. Nice, but no ecstasy.[/color][/font] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]My next post in this topic will feature...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/deconstruction"][color=#000080][font=Arial]'De(Con)struction', from Skol303 ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]

[size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"] [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Good day, all...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281744-march-composition-challenge-voting-and-prizes/"][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"]March Composition Challenge - VOTING![/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"][u][url="http://soundcloud.com/organicpulseensemble/storm-chasers-lament"][color="#000080"]'Storm Chasers Lament', from Bastav ...[/color][/url][/u][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]We are greeted into a primitive soundscape of windchimes, odd pulses from a hand drum, (almost...) tuneless whistling of pipes and odd percussions, until a string bass steps forward to bring some semblance of order to the chaos. This provokes a reaction from a gently-strummed, slightly anachronic jazz guitar, joined shortly by flutes, saxes and further percussions, each adding soft touches. All this while the hand drum maintains a hesitant but hypnotic rhythm, over which the bass strikes out on a brave solo, reaching a climax just as the piece ends.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]The title gives the clue to the liaison with the picture, evoking as it does Amer-Indians and their rain dance. I'm not sure that the tornado in the photo is what was intended as a consequence, but I suppose one can't always choose when Mother Nature is in the equation. An original slant, with a very peaceful entrance which gradually picks up pace, and could easily have stretched much further without vexing the listener. Impeccable recording quality, with an unusual, but perfectly adapted, arrangement, executed with sobriety by all players. Excellent; full marks for originality.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]My next post in this topic will feature...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/hurricane"][color="#000080"][font="Arial"]'Hurricane', from Bilbo ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]