casapete

Fair enough, but some people are probably still doing it primarily to earn a living rather than trying to find a 9 to 5 job? I guess this depends on how you define ‘ the nostalgia thing’? I would say that playing stuff from over 30 years ago now falls within the category. It seems that the 80’s era is particularly popular at the moment, which must be mainly down to the demographic where people who remember that time are wanting to relive it. Butlins are rammed with people when they put on 80’s weekends!

A friend of mine who had a local music shop was a friend of Paul McNab. I went to Paul’s workshop in Huddersfield a couple of times to deliver / collect guitars for him. Paul was not only a builder but also did refinishes on instruments, to a very high standard. My friend had a 50’s style 2 tone P-bass that Paul made for him, and it was an excellent bass ( albeit a touch heavy IIRC). Paul did a great job on my 63 P-bass. When I acquired it the finish was literally peeling off it, having been stored for a couple of years in a loft. Paul did a nice natural refin on it, which has lasted over 30 years.

I’m 65 and still gigging, doing around 140 a year - a combination of UK theatres with the ELO Experience, and local stuff with my acoustic duo. Been doing it for a long time so almost second nature, although I must admit the travelling doesn’t get any easier. Am considering semi-retirement soon, though won’t be abandoning the duo stuff. It’s been my job for 30 years, and compared to other work it’s still a relatively manageable way of life for me. My voice ( backing vox) seems to be holding up, although have noticed a bit of arthritis in my fingers lately - nothing like Keith Richard’s fortunately!

I can never understand why some bands won’t work NYE. One of the few days you can make a reasonable amount, kinda makes up for all the other ‘cheap’ gigs you inevitably end up doing during the rest of the year. Find a gig that suits your band and make a good job of it, and they’ll hopefully want you back every time. I’ve done hotel gigs in Scarborough with the same people for years and we’ve always had good comments from the management ( who’ve had feedback from their customers.) I think I’ve had maybe one NYE at home in the last 30 or 40 years, and that was when I took some time off when my daughter was born.

Today (Sunday) on Sky Arts they are showing the 2019 film ‘ Hitsville: The Making of Motown’ It starts at 5pm.

Thanks for this- I’ve often wondered what these may be like. A quick google shows them available on eBay or Amazon for £34.99 a set, so am tempted to try them. Does the quite heavy gauge (58/110) feel hard to play? I’m used to 45/100 bronzewounds on my Washburn AB20, and was hoping they wouldn’t feel stiffer than these.

Perhaps an obvious choice, but surely one of the most hook worthy bass lines ever ( as well as being near perfection IMO) This extract from Wiki sums it up really - The opening bass notes are recognized around the world. As Smokey Robinson says, "I can be in a foreign country where people don't speak English and the audience will start cheering before I even start singing "My Girl." They know what's coming as soon as they hear the opening bass line. [He sings the famous line created by bassist James Jamerson:] 'Bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum.'"

I’ve listened to it a lot this week and think it’s great, a real classic Stones album.

Just posted a track featuring Paul McCartney on bass from the album in 'What are you listening to now' topic. Interesting story about it here - https://www.guitarworld.com/news/paul-mccartney-rolling-stones-andrew-hatt-hofner-gift?utm_term=9116CB7C-8B54-4DCC-9C6A-B6120F003BE7&lrh=2651b88090b05482d74aac9be138c96810faeadbde92f4e7d095d74ef75abca9&utm_campaign=81B8FE53-0558-425C-A5DF-6AED422268A4&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BE1B25C3-051F-43C8-8206-BCD47EF4996B&utm_source=SmartBrief

From the album 'Hackney Diamonds', and featuring Paul McCartney on bass.

Grrr…. We were playing a couple of weeks ago in Epsom, then the following night in Cannock! Sorry Gary, hope you get sorted.

Just a reminder that in some areas Sky Arts on Freeview has recently moved from channel 11 to channel 36, so maybe worth a check and possibly retuning your TV. ( Channel 11 is now Sky Mix.)

From what I remember, the trend of using ‘classic’ tunes was popularised by Levi Strauss in the 1980’s for the promotion of their ‘classic’ 501 jeans. First few songs were Marvin Gaye’s ‘I heard it through the grapevine’, Sam Cooke’s ‘Wonderful world’ and Percy Sledge’s ‘When a man loves a woman’. Am sure they later used ’Should I stay or should I go’ by The Clash and ‘ The Joker’ by Steve Miller too. Other tunes from ads that spring to mind - ‘Young at heart’ - The Bluebells ( a car advert?) ‘I just wanna make love to you’ - Etta James ( Diet Coke) ’I’d like to teach the world to sing’ - New Seekers (Coca Cola) - not sure if that was written for the advert though!

We have a strict policy with our acoustic duo of no TVs being on whilst we are, not even with the sound off. If people want to watch the footy then don’t come to see live music. ( Likewise I don’t expect to see footage of live bands if I ever went to the footy!)

Our acoustic duo played this evening at what is now approaching a residency at The Lookout , situated on West Pier in Scarborough. The recent storms fortunately subsided so a mild evening with plenty of people around the sea front. Usual requests led set list from the capacity audience, with plenty of variety to keep us on our toes. We also had a bloke in from the PRS, who needed to know which songs we were playing, and seemed amazed that we didn’t know until we got started! Highlights included ’This Masquerade’, ‘Fire and rain’, ‘Watermelon Sugar’ and ‘Wichita Lineman’ amongst many others. I absolutely love playing this venue, the audience are all there to listen as well as help with the song selection, and are very appreciative of our efforts. We’ve just been given another half a dozen or so gigs there for early 2024, along with a couple of Xmas parties too so pleased we’re part of their ongoing business. The pier is being developed soon to be focal point of the harbour area, with shops and bars/eateries planned. The Lookout is going to be extended which will mean more tables / covers , so should hopefully ensure that our gigs there will continue.

Agreed - just listened to it and sounds fine to me. Nothing to convert Stones haters, but a good return to form. The McCartney fuzz Hofner bass on 'Bite my head off' is great too!

Hee hee. As I'm sure you know, Memphis born Charles Hodges was the organist on the Al Green original. His brother guitarist Mabon Hodges co-wrote the song with Al Green. (Ain't Wikipedia a wonderful thing?...)

Here you go - the version used in the commercial.

Part of Mr Blue Sky heard playing under a British Gas advert at the moment.

Great tune, although it doesn’t sound like Al’s original recording to me?

I’ve not had a U bass but a Countryman Uke bass which is very similar, along with a Taylor GS Mini as well. If it’s an either or situation, I’d be looking at two factors - 1) what’s it going to be used for, and 2) what basses are you used to? Bass ukes are cracking little things for certain situations. I tried a few when they first appeared and found it hard to discern much difference between the Countryman and the U bass, apart from cost. They sound vaguely upright like, and in the right situation sit nicely with other instruments. They do need amplification, as even at home practice level they are quiet acoustically. The big rubbery nylon strings do take a lot of getting used to, as does the very short scale. Intonation can also be a bit of a compromise ( I’m not selling these am I?!). However, I’ve enjoyed using mine on gigs in an acoustic duo, and it always creates interest from the punters who can’t believe the massive bass sound is emanating from such a tiny instrument. There are plenty of bass ukes out there now, mine was less than half the price of a Kala when I bought it. The Taylor GS mini is another interesting bass. Sounds good and can be used for home practice unplugged, but for pretty much anything else you’ll need amplification. The special strings are based on a multi filament core with phosphor bronze outer, and so feel a bit odd at first. Like the uke bass, they ‘roll’ a bit until you learn to adjust your technique. Beware though that they cost a lot to replace, c.£40 and only D’Addario make them ( I believe). The 23.5 inch scale is easier to get used to than the uke, and I’d say overall it is a lot more versatile. There are some other makers doing a similar sized bass now, with the Guild mini jumbo being a good cheaper alternative. I have an Ibanez PNB14E which is the same scale as the Taylor, and is amazing value for c.£240 new, around a third of the price of the Taylor. I use it on all my duo gigs straight into the PA and it more than does the job. Hope some of this helps!

This is exactly how I feel about using IEMs. The rest of my band shifted over to them, so onstage it’s just me ( with my wedge monitor) who hears everything going on in the room. They tried setting up an ambient mike to feed into their IE’s but gave it up after a while. I can’t do with the ‘immediate’ sound either and dislike the way onstage communication has been reduced to lip reading! I appreciate it’s a bit of the ‘old dog new tricks’ thing, but I’ve lost count of the time we’ve spent at soundchecks when there have been IEM problems to sort ( interference, channels changing etc). My old db technologies active 350w wedge will probably see me out. 😆

Got an email from Ivor Mairants shop with some seemingly great reductions on Vintage brand basses. https://ivormairants.co.uk/collections/outlet-guitars?filter.p.product_type=Electric+Basses+-+ReIssued+Series

Played here a couple of months ago and had a great night, so looking forward to a repeat performance! Brilliant old venue in Beverley, proper music pub.