Pete Academy

[quote name='grahamd' post='652001' date='Nov 11 2009, 09:17 PM']Love this thread, not much more to add except to agree most of their best featured Jeff Baxter. My favourite Dan track changes, but Gaucho slays me every time. Do ND play it Pete?[/quote] We have played Gaucho quite a few times. Fantastic piece of music. Over the years we've covered almost 70 SD and Fagen tracks. The newer tracks last a couple of months. Most people want the classic stuff. Not sure I agree with the sound being bad at gigs, but I remember the '96 tour, where I saw them in Brum. Everything was crystal except the bass, which was just a mush.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='652094' date='Nov 11 2009, 10:57 PM']Well I think we're still arguing at cross purposes here. Never mind.[/quote] You just don't get Victor, do you? There are good musicians, great musicians, amazing musicians. Then there are people like Victor. Another universe. We mortals can only imagine what it's like there.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='651976' date='Nov 11 2009, 08:42 PM']Pointless response #72squillion.[/quote] Pointless response? Maybe so, but seriously stop pointing out his manic slap stuff and dig a bit deeper.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='651195' date='Nov 10 2009, 11:33 PM']But then I've heard Vic Wooten himself say that music's nothing unless you've got something to say, and then bombard people with a barrage of double-thumbing noise that sounds like a hyperactive toddler with a pair of spoons and a metal bucket for 3 minutes straight. What was he trying to say? "I can play bass THIS fast"?[/quote] For Heaven's sake, can you guys look past Victor's chops and see the great musician that he is? Good job he isn't on this forum.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='651195' date='Nov 10 2009, 11:33 PM']But then I've heard Vic Wooten himself say that music's nothing unless you've got something to say, and then bombard people with a barrage of double-thumbing noise that sounds like a hyperactive toddler with a pair of spoons and a metal bucket for 3 minutes straight. What was he trying to say? "I can play bass THIS fast"?[/quote] Victor bashing part 31.

So, I get the feeling there are no session players on here?

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='651936' date='Nov 11 2009, 08:17 PM']That Two Against Nature dvd was what got me into them a couple of years ago. Saw it, loved it, bought it, and several cds since. And I'm a jazz nazi. The interviews are a joke. Lighten up![/quote] OMIGOD...I actually agree with you!!!

I haven't done much studio/session work in my time, but a couple of years ago I played on a track where they wanted an electro-acoustic bass. The bass part was extremely simple. They had me play a couple of bars of the verse and the same for the change and chorus. That was it. They said they would sample the parts and repeat them throughout. I asked if I could play one or two again, as I thought there was a slight timing issue. They said they could fix that easily enough. Ten minutes work and a good pay cheque. In the world of digital recording, where I know most stuff is altered and autotuned, is this now the norm for session players? Does anyone actually play the song in its entirety anymore?

[quote name='Doddy' post='651642' date='Nov 11 2009, 02:25 PM']Oh God. That's bad [/quote] I'll always work with material like that.

If Hadrien played Wal basses, it could called Hadrien's Wal.

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='651394' date='Nov 11 2009, 10:22 AM']Back to the Dan - I love the music and the basslines just think they're a bit up their own arts. Don't fancy seeing them live; they always look miserable![/quote] Come and see us...we're not miserable at all!

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='650734' date='Nov 10 2009, 03:23 PM']Doesn't it? Tosh is tosh. Give it whatever label you like - you can't polish a turd Lighten up, guys!. I don't like Motown. Its not a crime.[/quote] I reckon you could polish a turd. Freeze it until it's solid, apply a coat of lacquer, then give it a good buffing. Hey presto!

Tedious, tosh, formulaic...reminds me of a lot of 'smooth' jazz.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='650162' date='Nov 9 2009, 10:01 PM']My Girl - Temptations Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes Heat Wave - Martha & The Vandellas This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers Where Did Our Love Go (U) - Diana/Supremes My Guy - Mary Wells Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes Mickey's Monkey (U) - The Miracles Cloud Nine - Temptations My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops I'm Ready For Love The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes Shop Around - The Miracles Take Me In Your Arms (And Rock Me A Little While) - Brenda Holloway My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Diana/Supremes Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye I Second That Emotion - The Miracles Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes Jmmy Mack - Martha & The Vandellas Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 4 Tops I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations Get Ready - Temptations Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas Seven Rooms Of Gloom - 4 Tops Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye (I Know) I'm Losing You - Temptations Two Lovers - Mary Wells I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes If I Were your Woman Gladys Knight & The Pips My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder Reflections - Diana/Supremes What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin Quicksand... - Martha & The Vandellas Reach Out...I'll Be There - 4 Tops You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells The Bells - The Originals All in the Game - Four Tops My Baby - Temptations This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin It Takes Two - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & the Pips It's Growing - The Temptations I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes Mostly bubblegum and dross. Some great lines on paper but not great songs by my standards. You are allowed to disagree (how big of me) but that's what I think.[/quote] What????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quote name='jakesbass' post='650030' date='Nov 9 2009, 08:12 PM']+1 also blues beach is a lovely line and quirkily uses the 4th of the scale but in totally palatable and very funky fashion. The fourth is one of the less consonant notes and in bass lines if used as a principal note rather than in passing can sound very unfinished (not least because it offers the notion of a suspension) but in that line Becker fits it in beautifully. As Pete says the notes are quite straightforward to cop but the feels are very important so the songs are lifeless without the right feel.[/quote] Wow, you've lost me on that, mate. I just play 'em.

[quote name='beerdragon' post='650008' date='Nov 9 2009, 07:54 PM']I agree with most of the stuff you post on here Bilbo. but that's got me scratching my head. could you give me an example of the lousy material?[/quote] What's Goin On, Bilbo?

Earlier Kool and the Gang before they went all pop with Joanna and Celebration. Earlier Cameo pre-Word Up (seriously overrated track). Slave, featuring Mark Adams - one of the finest funk bessists ever, and a killer sound. The Headhunters.

[quote name='51m0n' post='649491' date='Nov 9 2009, 10:54 AM']Nard is on Grooveshark Love grooveshark soooo much![/quote] Wow, I'll check it out!

[quote name='beerdragon' post='650008' date='Nov 9 2009, 07:54 PM']I agree with most of the stuff you post on here Bilbo. but that's got me scratching my head. could you give me an example of the lousy material?[/quote] Yes Bilbo, please explain.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='650012' date='Nov 9 2009, 07:56 PM']Didn't Rainey say he could never play it the same again himself?[/quote] Rainey has admitted this was probably his finest ever line. Unbelievable bass part.

[quote name='YouMa' post='650009' date='Nov 9 2009, 07:54 PM']Can anyone show me how to play charlemagne right then?[/quote] There's a couple of good examples on YouTube.

Any competent player can copy the SD bass parts. Granted, there are some tricky ones - Charlemagne, Bodhisattva, Gaslighting Abbie - but it's just a matter of letting the chord changes sink in. Aja, Deacon Blues and Babylon Sisters have a lot of changes. However, I'm convinced the hard part is getting the feel right. If you listen to Kid Charlemagne, there's a magical feel between the bass and drums, a funk/reggae groove. I think I have to agree with Jake. The earlier stuff is easier to play, but they were constantly pushing the envelope as the albums went on. Glamour Profession is a masterpiece. The latest albums with Becker show him to be a great bassist. Jack Of Speed is incredible.

If you want to hear a truly great funk album, try to get a copy of 'Nard' by Bernard Wright. I think he was discovered by Marcus when Wright was a 15-year-old piano-playing prodigy. Marcus plays on a fair few tracks, and the rest of them have equally amazing playing. Might be a bit hard to find these days but trust me, you won't be disappointed.

[quote name='Rasta' post='592668' date='Sep 8 2009, 08:02 AM']+1...anything by Parliament, Bootsy , Funkadelic and the various P-funk offshoots...Brides of Funkenstein, Fred Wesley & the Horny horns etc etc. Also Sly Stone, Graham Central station, Louis Johnson/Brothers Johnson, The J.B.'s Spasm enhancing Bootsy vid in tha pocket on the one:- [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmNegOg6dOM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmNegOg6dOM[/url] Good raw tone on this: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmEwTrpZs0I"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmEwTrpZs0I[/url] Anything good & funky that tickles my funk gland that makes me go into a spasm is good for me-i don't get off that much on these super bassers doing funk like Miller & Wooten really...they're amazing guys but Groove is most definitely in the heart baba.....raw & filthy funk the type of groove you can chew on. One nation under a groove....fun......key [/quote] This comes up all the time. Miller and Wooten groove as well if not better than anyone.