Pete Academy

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1326490569' post='1498099'] Unless of course, you don't want to watch and listen to something that sounds like a cross between a Percussionist and a frustrated Flamenco Guitarist. Then, there's probably more to be said........ [/quote] Absolute bollocks.

OK, so you're all sick of the Victor Wooten debate. But I happened upon this clip, and I really think this sums up his skills. A great melody, amazing technique, and no mad slapping. Please take your time to study this, as it's truly inspiring. This is Victor as a great musician. http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/01/11/victor-wooten-live-solo-bass-at-2011-namm-show/

http://www.ritter-instruments.com/available.php

[quote name='Ben Jamin' timestamp='1326138810' post='1492871'] I think you get that in all fields really. I happened to be walking by a railway crossing on way home once at the same time as a steam train went past and there were about 50 odd people with cameras and packed lunches who'd evidently waited a very long time to see it. I guess everyone has their obsessions, justified in our eyes or not - each to their own Anyway, Wooten's a fantastic musician. I probably learnt more about music from his Groove Workshop DVD than all of my music A-level classes/formal piano lessons combined Great philosophy on music right here: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMe_KUwgBUE[/media] [/quote] I strongly recommend this DVD.

I've just come in on this thread and I can't believe the blinkered attitude to a blatantly poorly filmed clip. Yet again one of the greatest and most innovative bassists/musicians of our time gets slagged off because of a blinkered minority that don't bother to check out the albums he's recorded, and focus only on these badly-recorded YouTube clips. Please get real. Listen to what else he has to say. You'll learn something from a true master. This Victor bashing is getting tedious. Trust me, you'll think differently when you dig deeper.

I've been listening to and playing funk for 40 years, but there are some tracks here that have blown my mind. The Angela Johnson and Maxwell tracks, not to mention the Pleasure ones. Bubinga is the Funkmeister!

A sublime track from a later Chic album. Bernard's bassline is absolutely steaming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=036Tfy5f1VQ

Nearly Dan are playing at the Jazz Cafe in Camden on Sunday 22 January.

Forgot to mention we are playing the Robin 2 in Bilston tonight.

Just thought I'd thank everyone who's kept this thread going. I thought I'd heard everything funky, but I've discovered some great new grooves.

Just read Nile Rodger's book. It was Bernard that showed him the sixteenths rhythm style that is Nile's trademark. A truly outstanding player, and a great loss to the bass world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQaWN5ODdVY&feature=related The bass playing on this track is just awesome.

This band is unbelievably good. This take on the song is amazing, and the bassist is just superb...probably the best new player I've seen for a long time. He deserves much wider recognition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjVGJ3YFDc8

I have to say this online magazine is a fantastic idea, and great value at £11.99 for a subscription. Great interview this issue with Marcus. Look forward to issue 3.

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1324936824' post='1478654'] Good going pete.... Has the line up changed much over that time? [/quote] Bass, keyboards, lead guitar and lead vocals have never been depped. Over the years we have (as I can recall) used 8 drummers, 8 backing vocals, and at least 30 brass players. The line-up is pretty stable now. We have 2 regular drummers, who share the gigs. We've been fortunate to have some great brass and woodwind players, including the guy that now plays with Level 42, and James Knight, a great London-based session player. We thought the band might last a few years, but never envisaged 15. All credit to our keyboard player, who runs the band.

2012 is our fifteenth anniversary. If anyone fancies coming to a gig, the one's in the first part of the year can be found at www.nearlydan.co.uk

I happened to see the Take That live gig last night on TV. Probably the best show I've ever seen.

When we were Sound Control I had a gig in Hartlepool. Got the train and arrived at the venue five minutes before we were due on. Not conducive to a good night's performance.

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1324054555' post='1470414'] When I used to work for The Academy of Sound in Leicester quite a few years ago nearly everyone that worked there was a gigging muso including both the manager and assistant manager. As such we all covered for each other if someone had an epic journey for a gig or a really early get in and kept it fair for everyone. As most of my gigs were in Leicester I was always happy to cover for the other guys. It's different now working for a computer games company. We don't work Saturdays normally so that problems gone and if I'm gigging mid week as long as I do my core hours that day I can leave anytime after 4. that normally means getting in earlier and working through lunch. If I need to leave any earlier I take a half day holiday. However if we are in full production of a game my hours go into 'crunch' which normally means 12 hour days and very rarely any chance of taking a half day. When this happens I dep out mid week gigs and keep the weekend gigs. It's difficult juggling both sometimes. [b]I'm surprised by Pete's situation working in a music shop, I would have thought they would be a bit more understanding.[/b] [/quote] Exactly.

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1324053903' post='1470390'] Gigs only for me so not a problem. Seriously Pete if you ever need a dep I know the pad, and I definitely wouldn't be trying to hustle the gig off you, similarly Neil Fairclough (who Bryan knows well) would be able to step in. I know you probably wouldn't want it to come to that but you have butter your bread dude... [/quote] I have thought about that, Jake, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I've been doing this band for almost 15 years and never missed a gig. I intend to keep it that way. Thanks for the offer though, mate...I would always have you or Neil in mind if it came to that.

I've been in music retail for a very long time. Years ago, our company was taken over by Sound Control. Our band plays around 2 gigs a month, always out of the Stoke area, where i live. Inevitably, these gigs sometimes fall on Saturdays. My then manager would only let me leave at 4.45 at the earliest. This meant getting alternative transport to gigs and was quite stressful. These days I work for an independent store. On a Saturday we employ seven staff, more than enough to cope. If a gig falls on this day, I generally have to leave around 4pm, or slightly earlier, as our gigs are now mainly theatres, which are early start times. At times I may need the entire day off. When I accepted the job, the owner and manager assured me that getting time off to get to gigs would be no problem, as the store was now independent. However, almost four years on, I'm now getting flack for wanting to leave early. The other staff members assure me it's not a problem. This year I gave up the last week of my holidays, so that I could make up the hours, and so it would be more than fair on the other staff members. Like a fool I should have had the initial agreement in writing instead of just verbally. Bear in mind, this is a major music store, and I am the only musician working there that gigs on a regular basis. Shouldn't this be a plus for the store? I have again offered to make up the time for 2012 by forfeiting days off and holidays, but the manager insists he needs me in on Saturdays. Any thoughts?

Before I go into any detail regarding my own situation, do any of you gig quite regularly and have to travel some distance? Is your company/boss sympathetic? Are you able to make up the hours? Does your boss make it difficult for you?

Fantastic as ever, Mike. Great groove, beautiful soloing.

Love the tracks. Please keep this thread going, folks.

I don't like the Strat-style knobs on my '79 Jazz. Any recommendations for replacements?