Old Man Riva

Completely agree re. Rhett Davies. Uncannily over the weekend I listened to Discipline and Wild Planet. Stylistically and sonically both completely different albums, but both produced perfectly by Rhett Davies. He tends to get overlooked when lists of ‘influential’ producers pop up (imho)…

… and in so many ways!

Is that the hidden track on the Music For Airports reissue that no one can ever seem to find?!

On the Roxy theme, I found the version of Remote Control I’d been looking for. It was from a Peel session rather than ‘Fluff’! Absolutely love this…

I often wondered that if David Beckham were to get dumped by Victoria in the early days there’d be ‘In Every Dream Homme a Heartache’ on some front page…

Such a good album cover. A good bass (playing) album too. On the subject of Phil Manzanera side projects, I remember hearing a cracking version of Remote Control on Alan Freeman’s Radio 1 Saturday afternoon show that I think was part of a session he did. Manzanera’s playing is superb. Always hoped it would turn up somewhere on a reissue of something, but it sadly never has…

Side 1 of the first album is probably one of the finest sides of an LP I’ve heard. There’s a fine reworking of Re-Make/Re-Model that Bryan Ferry does on his Let’s Stick Together album that features a fabulous slinky and groovy bass performance by John Gustafson. You’ve probably heard it, but well worth checking out if not…

That’s the one, Frank! The very one!

I’m a fan of most of their output, but think the first two albums are special. The debut album was a proper game changer, and so influential. Also has the great inner gatefold where you’ve got Bryan Ferry looking like a suave alien, Andy Mackay like a futuristic teddy boy, Phil Manzanera a glam hippy, Paul Thompson a teenybopper pin up, Eno like, well, Eno, and Graham Simpson looking like a geography teacher. Guess which one played bass?!

Was listening to Manifesto today trying to work out the intro parts. Such great playing.

My pleasure! Pleased it’s done the trick!

Gorgeous bass. Have fun with it, sir!

I’d agree with what Clarky has said. I’ve experienced similar with silks sitting over the saddle and never been able to hear anything negative with sound (though that could be my dodgy ears). May be a daft question but have you removed the bridge at all to see whether there are other holes drilled closer to the back of the bass? Probably a long shot, but might be worth a look?

I found this sorting through some bits and bobs at the yesterday. Fairly certain it came off a 70s Precision (though doesn’t have the extended intonation screw on the G so probably mid/late 70s). It needs a bit of a clean up (it’s rusty) but if it’s the sort of thing you’re after then drop me a line and I’ll get it over to you…

Haven’t there been contradictory messages from the writers with regards to Sweet Home Alabama - Ronnie Van Zant saying the song didn’t support the governor, and Ed King saying it did. Not sure whether Gary Rossington ever made any reference to it? I’ve never looked at the lyrics to Does Your Mother Know before. It’s hardly a ringing endorsement of child care in the 70s! Round our way back then one protagonist would have had a clip around the ear and sent home for their flirty inappropriate behaviour (less of this “slow down” nonsense) and the other a visit from an irate dad the next morning wanting to know why some bloke reckons his 15 yo daughter is hot! Points deducted from the two ABBA chaps for not getting that into the song! For me, being a lily-livered old liberal, it’s about personal choice. If you want to play a song then play it, and if you don’t then don’t. Both options are there for all. Respect both choices and crack on with it… That’s my one ‘political’ post of the year out of the way! I shall now get back to salivating over vintage Fenders and offering thoughts on the merits of 70s music…

Never (knowingly) heard anything by Cardiacs before. Thanks for sharing; really dig that bass line…

Forgot this. A fine three note riff by Big Dan…

Pino uses one on his P bass for the opening of Djurkel (from 13’ 28”). The capo is on the D and G strings only - from the riff he’s playing it sounds like it’s at the 11th fret (though I could be wrong!). Mr Creative getting creative …

You could also include Hallogallo by Neu!, but, for me, this sounds like Simple Minds before Simple Minds …

None more disco…

Son Of A Preacher Man is one of my favourite lines - everything about it is quality. In terms of bass lines that hide away unnoticed in songs we’ve heard a thousand times, have a listen to the verse parts in Layla next time it’s on the radio …

It’s been reduced already?! Now ‘only’ (cough) £13,500 …

I think that’s it, he looked a little ‘lost’ in the interview - comfortable and uncomfortable sums it up well. He doesn’t seem too sure what to play or what to say. It probably seemed a nice idea at the time, being approached for an interview, then when in the hot seat he looks distinctly uneasy … Probably doesn’t help having seven strings, no frets, no side markers, with a hawk chasing a rabbit as your only reference point!

I actually felt a bit sorry for the guy, but if you asked me why I wouldn’t be able to tell you?!