casapete

A great story, nice one. I was never into Jamiroquai, but loved Stuart’s playing with Mark Ronson. Saw him play with Mark’s band around 15 years ago, and was very impressed. Good to know he’s a top bloke too.

I think their cover of ‘Venus’ was a Stock Aitken & Waterman production, so maybe look for more of their stuff from the same era? They seemed to have a recognisable trademark sound with most of the artists they produced - Kylie, Rick Astley etc, but I’m no expert Stew so could more to it than that.

Naturally I save that for Sundays only....

We’ve had a few gigs with only one cellist due to illness Dave, but hoping to be back with them both very soon. It’s always better with two of them, even though they get in my way sonically! They’re both great players and lovely people too, so a pleasure to have in the band.

Two theatre gigs over the weekend, at Wellingborough and then Cannock. Both well attended, and so far the economic situation doesn't seem to be affecting ticket sales although the high energy bills haven't really kicked in yet. We had a new PA guy with us for October and he's doing a great job - managed to help resolve a mysterious booming on one of the gigs - why do bands always assume it's the bass player though? Of course it wasn't, and it got sorted just fine. Managed to remember to bring the right bass this time too. 😅

Excellent, congratulations! ( Even though it wasn’t your amp I’d not put a bottle of water on it though....😉)

I did something I've never done before - grab the wrong case as I was leaving home! Fortunately it contained my bitsa Jazz bass so not a million miles away from my usual P-Lyte , and not much heavier thank god. Used it for two gigs this weekend, and our sound guy said the difference through the PA was barely noticeable.

Played a couple of gigs this week with the ELO Experience. First was on Thursday at The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, which we’ve done many times. Great venue with helpful staff and a great view from the outside balcony at the rear of the stage. France looked so close, and a great sunset over Dungeness too! We had a couple of problems with the IEM’s but an enthusiastic near capacity audience were on good form, plenty of dancing which is always good. Then after the long drive north from Kent we were at Skegness Embassy Theatre last night. One of our favourite venues, with a good stage and again nice staff. It’s always a fine sounding room, and was a really enjoyable gig. Funny moment during the first set though - it was blowing a gale outside, lashing down with rain. During the song ‘Showdown’, the lyrics include ‘and it’s raining, all over the world...’ at which point I got a massive drop of water on my head whilst I was singing. Apparently the roof vents do leak sometimes, directly above me! Moved my gear and monitor during the interval, and the staff put down what we called a stage nappy to absorb the rain and prevent splashing me. Several of the capacity audience noticed my predicament and were very amused, (as were the rest of the band of course). (No pics except this one of Dungeness in the distance from the theatre balcony).

I think it’s around 64lbs IIRC. I can manage it okay, but to be fair this usually involves just lifting it out of it’s flight case. 😆 There are lighter 4x10’s - the Barefaced and Aguilar SL models are both around 49lbs but are significantly more dosh. I’ve had the GK for a few years and it’s never missed a beat, same as my GK amps.

Loving the Reverend basses Stew. Am going to have to investigate them soon.

Strangely enough the last gig I did with Terry was at Ilkley Kings Hall too! He's a top fella.

Great venue. Think a mate of mine was on keys for this gig, Terry?

It’s taken me years to realise that although I’m a mid scoop fan it doesn’t really translate to a live situation. I often don’t like my onstage tone ( amp set reasonably ‘flat’ or thereabouts) playing solo at soundchecks, but when joined by the rest of the band / on the gig it seems to work just fine. Never need to change my EQ on the gig, in fact rarely touch the amp at all.

Second of three gigs this year for our (very) occasional country band ‘The Fork Handles’. Venue was a British Legion club in a small town just outside Hull. Must admit I didn’t count on them selling all the tickets, so when I arrived at 7pm the place was already heaving. Tiny stage, house PA not ideally situated for us and a new drummer didn’t manage to put the mockers on the night, with plenty of smiling faces all around. Some dodgy moments here and there of course, but overall one of those small good time gigs that I will never tire of. Used my Dano Longhorn into a GK / Barefaced Compact set up, and had plenty of warm bottom end sound. (No pics I’m afraid, although if any surface from the punters I’ll add them later.)

I take no pleasure in including Rod Stewart in this thread. Been a fan of his since the early 70's, especially his stuff with The Faces. Saw him live then and he was truly remarkable - one of those singers who occasionally didn't hit the notes bang on but everything else he brought to the table far eclipsed this. The quality of his voice has been (IMO) slowly going downhill since the 80's, and was especially grim on his American Songbook stuff. These days it's almost shot, with seemingly no upper or lower range, just a weird middley warble. Combine that with a rather embarassing 'still got it' stage persona, and it's just a massive cringe fest. Sorry mate, but you've had a good run.

Think this must been down to when creativity / attitude / being younger were all major factors in how their music was made. Who would have thought that say the punk bands of the late 70’s would still be touring now, with them being so rebellious and dismissive of the older bands back then? It’s down to earning a living I guess, so long as there are punters who will pay to see them. Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be etc.... Bands like the Stones haven’t produced much of note for a long time but they still get massive audiences willing to cough up hundreds to stand half a mile from the stage, just to be there. When acts become ‘legends’ it guarantees them a good living till they peg it. Having a healthy and memorable back catalogue is the goose that laid the golden egg.

Beat me to it. Saw Sir Tom just before the pandemic hit in, and he was absolutely incredible. His voice was bang in tune throughout the two hour gig, never faltering once and so strong. One of the best gigs I’ve been to in years. Saw him sing live on ‘The Voice’ recently and still amazing too.

Who to blame though - The Doors, White Stripes, Yeah Yeahs? 😆 It’s been a thing for a while now, yet nothing to worry about I feel. I’ve been to a couple of gigs where the bass player is absent. Saw Jimmie Vaughan supporting Clapton at the Albert Hall, and after my initial surprise I didn’t really miss the bass guitar that much. Keyboard (Hammond) player had it well covered. Also saw Steve Winwood at The Leadmill in Sheffield with a (mostly) South American band, and Steve had it covered with bass pedals most of the time. Again, didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the gig, but probably would have preferred a bass guitar for more attack and better tone.

Slightly OT, I happened to see a Ned Callan bass for sale in Fair Deal in Birmingham at the weekend. Looked like a fretless, in good condition.

They can be a bit tricky if you’re not used to them I guess, but our steelie gets his set up on stage in around 20 mins. They don’t appear to go out of tune much, but strings on his get changed one at a time to minimise the whole thing going out. This is the second band I’ve been in with a pedal steel player, and love the textures they create, either on chordal stuff or soloing. Mind you, they do need to be played well - I’ve heard other bands where they’re so out of tune it’s painful. You need a great picking hand too, which has always ruled me out of having a try. (Seen some recent clips of Ronnie Wood playing steel with the Stones and it’s been, err....basic at best. He seemed okay back in the day too.) Apologies for the derail.

Got to love pedal steel - we have one in our country band and it’s great. Our guy is a superb player (coincidentally originally from Frome too), and he’s also a very nifty guitarist.

Sorry you don’t get on with the gear4music foam case, especially as it may have been me who recommended it! Must admit I never use the back straps on mine, and still reckon it’s the best protection before the hard case route. Hope you get sorted.

Strewth. Mind you, just been in M&S in Birmingham and seen a sausage roll for a fiver! Crazy times.

Duplicate post.

All of my favourites have been mentioned , but how about a shout out for these guys? All great players on some fantastic recordings. Herbie Flowers Mo Foster Russ Stableford Alan Spenner Klaus Voorman