meterman

It's funny, I was going to mention this album - "Walking In Space" - I'm a big fan of Ray Brown generally but side one of that album has some sublime bass playing on it, upright and Fender. Another favourite would be Wilton Felder's playing on "Root Down (And Get It)" by Jimmy Smith. That was a live jazz club recording and the bass is freestyling a lot of it. The off the cuff fills and spur of the moment melodic runs and changes are brilliant 👍

Looks like a Custom Shop reliced version of Ocean Turquoise Metallic, although they did do some that were described as "7-Up Green Metallic" but I'm blowed if I can remember which players those particular ones were for. Gorgeous colour, whatever it is 👍

You checked out any of the early albums by French double bassist Henri Texier? Some of what he was doing had bass as lead, rhythm and percussion instruments. Tracks like "L'éléphant" or "Les La Bas" are good examples of what could be taken at face value as primarily bass solos but are actually pushing the songs forward. He played what he was feeling, and it worked for the songs. Albums like "Amir" or especially "Varech" are great 👍

I had an early 70's Fender Twin nicked from the boot of my band mates car during a 9am load in to a studio back in the 1990s. Yes, I was super annoyed but also amazed that anyone could break into the back of a locked estate car and carry off an amp that to (younger and skinnier) me, weighed a flipping ton. I was only away from the car for 4 or 5 minutes at most. This was in Teesside though. Different rules apply in Port Clarence 😂

Thanks for the help Dad, you know I never learned much edumacation at skool. Its' a wonder I know how to speak any Engerlish let alone any French 👍

I just used to shove my guitar in it’s gigbag under the mattress and leave it there while I was out, whether in the UK or not. Same with laptops or anything of value. Looking back it was possibly a daft strategy but I never had anything nicked.

I quit gigging at the end of 2019 but still kept two basses for recording projects, and I'm glad I did. We're all different though, and we all have different needs and wants. I hope you're alright in your decision and are feeling okay with it. Best wishes 👍

No way, that's crazy talk! Never mix cross-ply and radial, that's what the old 1970s tv ad said and I still stand by it. I might only have two basses but they're both sporting La Bella Deep Talking Flats. And I have D'Addario Chromes flats on all my electric guitars, always same gauge. And my acoustic has Hofner flats on it. (No, I haven't moved on since 1968) 😂

If anyone hasn't got his album "Walking In Space" (A&M, 1969) then it's time to head to your record shop or streaming platform of choice and get stuck in. Ray Brown on upright and Fender bass, plus Grady Tate and Bernard Purdie alternating on drums... it's brilliant stuff and side one of the original album is especially good. Grady Tate in particular is a revelation, and I was a fan of his before I heard this. His playing is fantastic. Probably my favourite Quincy Jones record 👍

Definitely true, networking is essential, although sometimes (as I was) you'll be out of your league and it won't matter who you're playing for or with - sometimes you will never see those people again, except on TV on the Graham Norton show, or SNL, or with Robbie Williams on the main stage at Glastonbury or something. I wish I'd been a better networker. And a better musician. But it's okay. I've done the best I could whilst hogging the slow lane 👍

Fella's surname might possibly rhyme with "Sherry" ; ) Also, the rehearsals were boring AF.

I bought a rosewood one off eBay for my Telecaster. The original neck was maple and had seen about 25 years of hard gigging. It was very good for the price - under £100 - but I eventually found a bargain used Fender rosewood replacement. I wasn't let down by the Chinese one though, it was decent quality. 👍

I'd want paying for that. Once, one of my mates got a gig playing drums with what you'd nowadays call a 'heritage' act. Big in the 1970's / 80's / 90's and pretty much a household name. Amazingly for me, he managed to wangle me in on percussion duties. We did two days of very weird-vibe rehearsals, minus the lead vocalist, and everyone was talking in hushed whispers to the guitarist who appeared to be MD'ing the rehearsals and shows. At the end of the second day, me and the drummer were taken to one side by the guitarist who thanked us profusely for our time, but said that they were reverting to their usual drums and percussion team for the shows. Basically, we were there under false pretences, thinking "Yay! Two well paid high profile gigs in decent venues!" but in reality we were just placeholders for the two musicians that couldn't make the first two rehearsals. Invoice after invoice to the artists management seemed to 'go missing' and in the end I gave up chasing it. It happens at all levels. And it stinks. It's your choice obviously, but I'd want some form of reimbursement for my time, and so should you. 👍

Top tip - Use an SM57, you'll save a few quid on the event. Plus it'll still be working afterwards 👍

Super bargain at that price! Having said that, I’ll be selling mine in the new year due to it being surplus to requirements.

Well, I worked as a diplomat in Argentina for 20 years. Things would occasionally get a bit stabby or shooty but the corned beef was to die for. Viva Fray Bentos!

Kick his head in and give him a pair of bongos to play. No microphone either. And if he doesn't like it, shoot him. It's the only way forward.

⬆️ This. Percussion and drums have been my main instrument since my pre-teen years and I'm in my mid 50's now, and IMHO you should be able to gauge what's acceptable volume-wise in just about any situation. Theatres, bars, clubs, cafes, museums, rock festivals, pub gigs... There's not a 'one-style-one volume fits-all' type of playing, I learned that pretty early on. Your drummer should be able, and willing, to rein it in a bit ( or be prepared to use a smaller sized kit, or use electronic sample triggers on a mesh headed kit ) or something. Personally I wouldn't tolerate what you're having to do, just to accommodate one loud player who either can't or won't pull it in a bit. I wish you the best of luck! 👍

I still have a slightly battered original Talkin' Loud sticker on the back of one of my synths. Would love an original Acid Jazz one to go with it 😎 I just know someone one here will be hoarding them! Come on, own up!

Me during my 'Mexican drug runner that also does cheap pornos as a side hustle' phase... My wife really, really hated the 'tache 😂

Oh no, I didn't know that about Mark, far too young for him to go Rest In Peace. Oddly enough I have Mark to thank for a session gig that lasted 12 years because when he quit Shawn Lee's band, I took his place. I think Shawn had just left Talkin' Loud, but we often would have Ernie on bass, and Spry from Galliano sometimes too. Mark was a great guitar player, streets ahead of me and I didn't mind admitting it to Shawn's band. But they put up with my caveman guitar and Hammond playing for ages. But Mark was on another level. Huge respect for him 👍 Makes sense about the bass / guitar swap now too, thank you man. Actually, you must have played with Shawn at some point, no? Loads of the Acid Jazzers and a lot of folks with a Gilles / Talkin' Loud connection did stints with him and he did a ton of sessions for the same crowd. Possible?

Re: Galliano, I saw recent footage from Ernie at a comeback gig and he was playing guitar and they had a different bassist. Not sure why, or if Ernie plans to switch back to bass with them but I thought it was a bit weird that he wasn't on bass duties? It's not like he can't play!

I still buy things occasionally on ebay but I'd never sell on there again. Too hit and miss with flaky buyers.

Colin Moulding from XTC used one in the video for "The Mayor Of Simpleton" And yes, I'd have one if I could find one 😎 Tat is my bag, baby!