TrevorR

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1485803696' post='3226862'] We always just tell them, "We'll do it at the end". It keeps them there all night and we then just apologise and say the Landlord says we have to finish. [/quote] Our singer used to say, "We'll learn that one for next time..." which at a wedding gig is a funny thing to say. No one ever spotted the irony. Speaking of irony, I was always astounded at the number of times we got asked for Easy by th e Commodores as a first dance considering the lyrics are (paraphrase) "I've grown to hate your guts and I can't stand you. Still, one more shag and by the time you wake up tomorrow I'll have cleared the house out and you'll never see me again, you witch."

Band line up... drums, bass, sax, acoustic/electric guitar. All male. First set covering Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Fratellis, David Gray, Kinks, Oasis, Beatles etc... "Do you do anything by the Human League."

In the wedding band Brown Eyed Girl always seemed to do the trick and get folks up and dancing.

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1485631788' post='3225506'] I'm glad that I seem to be in good company when it comes to being bemused by reviews that only consist of slap playing. When I was looking for a pedal to do a particular distorted sound it was impossible to use YouTube reviews - not just from people recording reviews at home but even the manufactures themselves seemed to be think the only way to play a bass is to slap it. Thankfully Darkglass eventually posted a review of the B3K that started with a brief intro played with a pick. I knew it was the sound I'd been looking for, although the rest of the review descended into sub-RHCP slapping that just sounded awful through a distortion pedal ... [/quote] Had a similar but different problem when I was looking for my Tech 21VTDI. I wanted it as an preamp/amp/speaker-sim DI for classic mostly clean sounds when going amp free. Pretty much all the demos... "This is the VTDI, it emulates a classic SVT or Flip Top direct into the desk. So let's see what it does... [turns all knobs to 11 and plays 2 mins of CRRRZZZZZ-CCHHHNNNNN-GGGGGRRRRRRRGGGGG-KKKLLLAAANNNNGGGG]". Sigh... Thankfully now that I'm thinking about a Bass Soul Foor a good proportion of the videos out there do seem to cover mild overdrive too... Phew.

Was reading the PRS Kestrel thread over on the BG forum and decided to check it out on the PRS website. There are some demo videos which, for me exemplify what folks should be aiming for in instrument demos... each only 1 1/2 mins or so but tells you all you need... A short intro to the features on the bass... http://youtu.be/yUXhAN_mQAU http://youtu.be/6cRxTNvl3Bc A short trio demo showing a few different playing styles with accompanying info on the bass settings... http://youtu.be/yuVUxXsKJF4 http://youtu.be/YzFHpo44RPk

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1485511614' post='3224443'] [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11964995"]A great story, but entirely made up as a publicity stunt, which obviously worked extremely well as people are still believing it[/url] And even if it had been true, any sensible court would never have upheld the claim, as 4' 33" is not a silent piece. Admittedly no music is performed by the musicians for the duration of the piece, but it's actually all about the ambient sounds in the venue when there is no music playing on stage. Mike Batt's "One Minute Silence" is a track on a CD and therefore it will be complete silence. [/quote] Aaaaah, but as a fan of Mark Ellen's late lamented HORA (Hoary Old Rock Anecdote) on the original version of the Word magazine podcast I'm rarely one to let common sense and facts get in the way of a cracking rock 'n' roll yarn!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1485618867' post='3225366'] i don't think its good to dismiss a technique. Not all bass players use there ego when there playing slap. "Slap doesn't tell you anything about the sound of the bass, other than how it sounds when it's slapped" isn't that the point.? [/quote] To be fair, the OP was describing the all too common demos that go... "Hey there, today I'm going to demo the Blender Guatemalan Standard Jazcision Deluxe bass. I'll put it through its paces and show you a few of the things it's capable of... Here we go... [cue three solid minutes of thwakketa-splakketa-whakketa-splang] Well , there you go. I think that shows just what a great sounding and versatile bass the new Jazcision is..." [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1485618888' post='3225368'] ...however the only people I've come across who don't like slap are bass players (many of whom haven't even bothered to learn to play it) and guitarists who object to a bass being anything but a low pitched background rumble... [/quote] There is a bit of chicken and egg thing going on here though, isn't there. I can slap to only the most rudimentary of standards and, as it is a style that I've never aspired to play, it's a technique I've never prioritised learning. The players I listen to most either don't slap or use it only as a very rare texture. So while I admire MK's skill, L42 is one of those "I'll get the Greatest Hits album" bands and I've never been called upon to play one of their songs in a band context. I like funk and funky playing but have gravitated more to listening finger style players (much as I enjoy Bootsy, Larry Graham and others). Has this left a gaping hole in my skill set? Absolutely. Am I motivated to close that gap at the expense of other playing? Nope.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1485539449' post='3224823'] But there's a lot of truth in that comparison - you both demonstrate the gear comprehensively, not yourselves. Curious as to what the complaints are about... [/quote] I'll bet that the complaints are about lack of shred, which of course just demonstrates the complete lack of understanding in the complainants of what demoing a bass is all about. Dan's reviews give me what I want to know about a bass. I was just watching his SB1000 reissue demo earlier on.* It's like when I try out a bass in a shop. You'd be amazed the odd looks I get as I slowly and deliberately try out each and every note on the fretboard listening for chokes, buzzes and dead spots and then play a short bass line snippet with different tone and pickup settings (most likely Dancing in the Moonlight, a couple from the folk band I played in in the 1990's and, bizarrely The Theme from Deep Space Nine - which are just ones that happen to fall nicely under my fingers). I may not have shown off my mad skillz but I do know how the bass sounds, if it has Sony issues and if it's for me. * Plus he just comes across as such a nice guy in them!

[quote name='Jazzjames' timestamp='1485542578' post='3224855'] My life with active basses at 10'45" [/quote] Hmmmm... from the man who plans a "show you all my basses video" and doesn't make sure all his basses have all the right number of strings on. I think that tells you a lot. Inherent design flaw/user error...? The debate continues...

I use the Tech 21 Sansamp VTDI to go amp free and in-ear. I'm using it as an amp/speaker emulator to get a clean but ampy tone and I really like it. However, as BassBod says, I suspect that most decent quality preamp/DI/emulator will do a decent job - even if they all have their own character.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1485378356' post='3223572'] This version of California Dreaming - the original is great, but always sounded sunny and happy, hiding the true melancholy of the lyrics. Here, Phillips age and fragility (he died before the album could be released) really shows through. Once those Mexican BV's kick in I'm gone! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDcaydHVliM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDcaydHVliM[/url] [/quote] Myke, guessing that you'll find this version moving in a rather different way... was in the studio audience when this was recorded. Still leaves me with a huge grin today! http://youtu.be/Kh9bGj09Ua0

Agree with most suggestions so far. A few more not yet mentioned... Sweet Caroline (end of evening drunken singalong) Rock Around The Clock Crazy Crazy little thing called love Lady Marmalade Angels/Hey Jude (end of evening drunken smooch and singalong) It Must Be Love Long train runnin'

I use the Air Turn Manos. Quite robust and clamps to the mic stand. Only complaint is that the x-axis swivel is a little less firm than it might be. Overall works well, though with my increasingly ancient and weighty iPad 4

I think that the USP is that it can not only tap line level signals but also speaker level signals. So, if you have a PA monitoring system that that doesn't use powered monitors but sends speaker level monitor signals from a power amp then you can take an in-ear signal from that. If you're only ever talking about line level signals and looking to blend in extra bass then a mini-mixer of some sort is the (easier and cheaper) way to go.

Interesting that they also offer one of ACG's models as a special offer. I guess its a new guitar industry business model that we may see more of in future, direct sourcing from the far East.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1485205462' post='3222149'] I can completely relate to this; my Wal custom was the best sounding bass that I have ever owned - but also one of the heaviest and uncomfortable to play. I would however love another one though ...just to confirm or negate my original findings [/quote] Oooooh, beware. Paul is making some beautiful Wals and choosing woods which are both resonant and featherlight. There was one at the Bass Bash - a 5 string which I accused him of making from balsa wood. Played and sounded great too. You have been warned!

[quote name='skb558' timestamp='1485195042' post='3221995'] I hope TrevorR doesn't see this [/quote] Don't worry, I'm not (too) traumatised! I'm more than aware that some folks won't love Wals as much as I do. I can even (sorta) understand that position. After all I have literally never played a Warwick neck that I could abide but unaccountably some other folks seem to like them! I'm just thinking of the chap who bought the bass for £350 in 2000 and something. When I bought my Mk 1 Custom in 1992 for £500 I was getting an absolute bargain. In the early 2000s the second hand price was starting to approach a grand. No, I'm not dismayed that w/w sold the Wal bass, I'm stunned that he sold it for a half of or a third of what he could have sold it for!!!! One day soon after the millennium some lucky bassist got themselves a PROPER bargain!!!

Oh yeah, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter from the Doobies (and Steely Dan), now a high powered consultant on avionics and missile technology for the US military/industrial complex, if I recall rightly. In between regular Doobies reunions.

John G Perry, bassist for Caravan, Gordon Giltrap, Quantum Jump and Aviator was the head of public relations for the UK's sports shooting federation before he retired a few years ago. Lovely bloke.

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1485119810' post='3221371'] Anything Donald Fagen really, most boring, lifeless tunes, bereft of any energy or joy. [/quote] Ooooh, fightin' talk!

Of course you know that John Cage's people sued Mike Batt's people over copyright infringement of 4' 33"... From Wikileaks... [quote] John Cage dispute The track "A One Minute Silence" is entirely silent. The song is credited to Batt/Cage, a reference to John Cage's 4′33″ and the Cage estate sued over royalties, resulting in an out-of-court settlement,[6] although Batt has explained that, while he was inspired by Cage, he credited the track to himself and Clint Cage, a registered pseudonym of his.[7] The court case was later revealed to be a ruse by Batt to stir up a discussion about copyright. The subsequent debate involved a musical duel between The Planets and a clarinettist from Cage’s publishers, with simultaneous performances of the Batt and Cage silences. “Mine is a much better silent piece,” asserted Batt. “I have been able to say in one minute what Cage could only say in four minutes and 33 seconds." The story was brought to a close when Batt made a £1,000 donation to the John Cage Trust, which supports young artists. Batt proposed that it should be an undisclosed amount paid in a sealed envelope on the steps of the high court, giving the impression it was a settlement. Batt claims journalists were shouting out sums, and when they reached six figures, Riddle nodded, either out of mischief or nervousness. Thus a music industry myth was born.[8] [/quote]

Youth of today, they don't know they're born. When I wert lad we had to suffer for our music... etc etc etc etc Reading this thread has given me so much pleasure in so many ways! And it reminded me just how much the cultural context is necessary to understand the culture of even a few years ago. I don't know Bubinga5's age but I suspect not as old and decrepit as some of us. How can you possibly justify Timmy Mallet? Well, maybe not justify but explain... don't forget he was the host of one of the most popular kids shows of the time so he had a premade pre-teen customer base however good or rubbish the tune was. Then there is the tune itsef. A complete zeitgeist collection of summer tunes. Remember that in the 80s and 90s when you went to Spain or The Balearics the discos and clubs weren't playing Pete Tong or Fatboy Slim they were playing these buts of Europop trash. So the Mallett tune had a built in adult audience too. There was a culture of such novelty songs and they were hugely popular and made shed loads of cash. The Timmy Mallett tune is no different to a host of others whic made it to No 1 in the charts. And they weren't designed for any artistic merit. Nope they were just designed to make CASH. We don't really have novelty songs these days as far as I can see. Even Crazy Frog was over a decade ago. Different times! I'll leave youngsters with a couple of No odds to mull over and thank their lucky stars they dont live back then... http://youtu.be/hTA6I6hn-z4 http://youtu.be/5bGQ1-Gmoso

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1485077651' post='3220851'] One of the guys involved in Star Trekking is a bit of a legend round here, lovely bloke called Dave Tenney. Very clever musician and a great guitarist, been a pro most of his life. He wrote the song along with Tony Thorpe, ex Rubettes and himself a top player. Think they were both surprised at the success of the song. Watching an old TOTP recently, saw their band The Firm doing the follow up 'Arthur Daley he's alright'. Both dire hits IMO, but hope they made some money out of them..... [/quote] And they were never meant to be anything but a p@ss take, in a period where rubbish novelty hits was a norm - whether Jive Bunny and Stars On 45 or Captain Beaky. So in those teams they knew what they were doing and achieved it. They weren't meant to be art, they were meant to be daft... therefore I'd suggest they're not truly bad songs. This on the other hand was done in all seriousness by an established, credible artist... this is really really good compared to the album version! You'll see what I mean from 1:11 onwards... and remember the studio version is much, much, much worse/annoying! http://youtu.be/hl8BMR1VyLg And in the "completely serious, should've known better pile"... http://youtu.be/A0fuVoSa3dc

[quote name='el borracho' timestamp='1485036314' post='3220699'] My favourite Yes album is Drama !!! [/quote] Tempus Fugit... amazing riff, amazing song!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1485012785' post='3220410'] I never understood why Tales of Topographic Oceans was so vilified. [/quote] Because (and I say this as a huge Yes fan) it's one OK album's worth of material smeared thinly across four sides of vinyl... Even Mr Wakeman thinks so. It's a shame that when Steve Wilson was given the job or remixing and recutting TFTO he only did alternate mixes and an extended version using some outtakes. What I would LOVE to hear is Mr Wilson being given free reign to take all the 24/48 track master tapes and recut them into 45 minutes of stunning Yes music! Now that would be a very special "Special Edition"! [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1485015715' post='3220442'] Rush: Presto and Roll The Bones, vilified even by Rush fans, but I like them both - a lot. [/quote] I'm rather fond of those two albums having seen Rush for the third time on the Roll The Bones tour. I can even cope with the lame rap on the title track. There are a few tracks on Presto that drag abit (Dreamline and the Pass spring to mind) but I even like songs like Anagram. [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1485027294' post='3220587'] On the subject of Rush, I'll raise you Vapor Trails - seems to be universally despised by Rush fans but for me stands out as probably their best post-80s work. Genuinely challenging & inventive musically, and the best & most genuine lyrics of Pearts career, considering the very dark place from which they came. The production of the original release was dreadful (a theme with Rush, IMO) but not enough to overshadow the music, and the later remix fixed most of those issues. [/quote] Agreed, there are some cracking (if raw and almost disturbing) songs on VT but that original release was a nightmare to listen to. It's no surprise that it's one of the albums that always gets showcased when people write articles about the "Loudness Wars", over compression and digital clipping in post 90s rock music. I really found it so very tiring on the ears to listen to but because of the lack of dynamic range. As you say, the remixed and remastered version is a huge improvement and lets the songs breathe a little and the intensity of the writing and performance shine through on their own terms.