Baxlin

Do you know, I could never get ‘into’ his music. Apart from Space Oddity and possibly (ok, definitely) Starman, I don’t think I can recall any of his songs, certainly not to pass the whistle test (ditto U2). But then he never sang any of mine, either........

It was just the gravitation to racism in general that I felt was unpleasant, not any one member’s postings, and not what I started the thread for.. Malcolm.

If it helps calm things down, I’ll apologise for starting the thread, although I did say ‘maybe better if we didn’t mention comments about his racism’, naively expecting comments about his music. I’m happy if the thread is closed/locked, to prevent (further) unpleasantness. Malcolm

I was interested to read comments by Phoebe Bridgers about Clapton, (maybe less said the better about her accusations of his racism) that he produced extremely mediocre music - and also calling ‘tears from heaven’ the dead baby song, apparently. Music is very much a matter of choice and opinion, and there’s some of his music that I can take or leave, but it’s always well performed, and professionally presented/arranged, surely? Certainly not mediocre, with the likes of Nathan East and Andy Fairweather Lowe featuring at times in his live band? And, tbh, is Phoebe Bridgers someone I should have heard of, because I have to admit, I haven’t. Edit: having googled her name, I see she’s (been?) involved with someone called Conor - same spelling.......

I’ve recently discovered The Petersens, primarily a bluegrass band, but they stray into mainstream, I suppose via country. If you rely on their lineup before listening to them, it’s a bit ‘cheesy’ - 3 sisters, one brother, one friend, and Mom on double bass! But they are seriously good vocalists and musicians, with one of the best Dobro players I’ve ever heard. Give them a try!

Bass player playing piano? Its more likely he/she’ll be playing fortissimo......

Long-ish anecdote post, sorry. I auditioned as a drummer in the mid 60s, and the band couldn’t decide between me and another bloke. The band was aiming towards being a ‘showband’ (the lineup already included sax and Hammond), and we both had similar ‘Red Silk’ kits, but he was left handed, and set his kit up accordingly. This visual symmetry appealed to the band, so we were both offered, and accepted, the job. Anyway, the next day I phoned the other lad to arrange a time to get together to work out who did what when, but his Dad answered, saying that his lad wasn’t going to be one of two, he was going to contact the BL to insist his lad got the seat. Nice. So I phoned the BL immediately, and he asked if I was happy being one of two. Yes, says I, as that’s what I had agreed to. Ok was the response, you’ve got the job, I don’t want or need that sort of hassle, I want someone we can get on with....

Aren’t many of us Bedroom Bassists currently? Try Stealers Wheel’s ‘Stuck in the Middle’ - Including a bit of Noel Redding’s ‘Hey Joe’ riff. And I’ve recently found some ‘bass backing tracks’ on YouTube, things like Sunny, Georgia on my Mind, and Fly me to the Moon. Enjoy!

I sympathise with LeftyP: I have a long scale Epiphone EB3, and an old Marlin sidewinder (amongst others), the latter being heavier, but both having the same overall length. However, the Marlin has a longer/bigger body, so the weight is distributed differently, and obviously the strap button is on the top horn, resulting in no neck dive, and being more comfortable to play, even with an unpadded strap. Trouble is I prefer the Epi! Edit: re Dad’s comment, as an experiment I did move the strap button on the EB3 a couple of inches, actually onto the neck, didn’t really help, and presented the strap at a funny angle, so it was moved back....

I’ve failed here, as I can’t remember the first song I learned /played on the bass, but Peggy Sue was the first I learned on guitar. I’d been given a guitar, and I ‘acquired’ a Buddy Holly songbook and a book of 750 chord shapes. It would be 1962-ish, in my early teens.

I wish I had the choice, osteoarthritis in my ring finger means I can’t bend it enough to be reliable enough to use. Playing six-string is interesting, most root position chords and playing much more than half a song are but a memory....

Any chance of a link?

Would it be unkind to say that with all those apparent scratches on the body, he could have replaced that as well, and completed Trigger’s broom?

Thanks, but I wish I hadn’t asked now....

Can you post a link please, I can’t find it and I REALLY need to see it to believe...... Thanks

Must get my ears checked, I always thought the words were “it’s the wrong way to tickle Mary”

Nice resurrected thread... +1. For Linda Ronstadt Also Barbara Dickson (bass the late Pete Zorn)

Yes, I just googled ‘bass backing tracks’, particularly enjoyed Sunny and Fly me to the Moon.

No, it’s just ballast to stop neck dive.....

Oops, I thought music could be my ‘specialist’ quiz round, but I have to say I don’t recognise any of these tracks, and apart from Medicine Head, none of the artists either! But half the time nowadays, when seeing an artist and a song title, I don’t know which is which... I describe myself in various profiles as ‘an old rocker’, which probably explains a lot (accent on the old).

Georgie Fame’s version of Sunny. Various Stax offerings from the 60s Rene and Renata ‘Save your love’ but maybe there’s a very good reason for its lack of airtime, (and it’s outside the remit of this thread - as it shouldn’t be played!)

And it’s a welcome from me too - I’ve recently discovered bass-less backing tracks on YouTube, lots of different music styles to explore and enjoy.

Thanks, I’ll explore!

Forgive my cynicism, Dave, and I apologise if he’s squeaky clean, but you have to wonder how many students paid in cash......

Is the bridge end of the body I bit wider than the Hofner?