Pete Academy

A bump reminder for this event.

Glad you're enjoying it...sounds amazing! PS. Avoid the 'multi-bass jam' thread!

I personally don't mind multi-bass stuff if it's done as SMV did on their album, where everyone had their sonic place in the track. Stanley was one of the first players to use another bassist, due to his solo albums having the melody played on a tenor bass. Marcus used the keyboard player's synth bass live. Victor uses a 'backing' bassist. What's wrong with that? A good example of two basses used to maximum effect is the much underrated Meshell, with David Dyson as main groover. Check out some stuff on Youtube, especially the live version of 'Boyfriend'. Dyson is cooking, but when Meshell plays, it never gets in the way.

[quote name='silddx' post='999057' date='Oct 24 2010, 05:27 PM']Fack me, Stanley, Victor and Marcus, in a "bass battle"?. Shall I? Shan't I? Shall I? Shan't I? Shall I? Shan't I? Shall I? Shan't I? Shall I? Shan't I? Oh Bollocks! I pressed play. And was visited upon by a display of worthless, unmusical, miserable rubbish that does every bassist with a heart a disservice of biblical proportion. The utterly bovine yelps of appreciation from the audience makes me feel like the pursuit of a life in music to be a worthless endeavour. I feel angry about that video, something music rarely makes me feel. All that BULLSHIT these f***ers say in interviews about studying, learning to be a perfectionist, learning to connect with life and humanity to better communicate your art and emotions, distilled into a pathetic display of par-boiled Dan Brown mechanical excrement that surely must excite only the most supine of intellects. I'm appalled. Thanks for posting it ET, I have learned why I trust my ears, and why I ignore those who implore me to learn to sight read and learn theory.[/quote] Er...didn't you like that then, Nige?

Jammy bugger.

Nearly Dan play The Globe in Cardiff on Friday 29 October. www.theglobecardiff.com www.nearlydan.co.uk

I've had many a Steely Dan/Steeleye Span mix-up. I once told a woman I play Steely Dan's music and she said: 'Oh, do you play many folk festivals?'

In my early teens and early twenties I played original material. I was recording my own tracks on my four-track Portastudio. I got nowhere and decided to play covers because it kept me playing and I earned a few bob. What I'm saying -and I know there are a lot of people that will agree - is that you should try to fulfill your dream of making it with your own material and band, but if that doesn't work out, then why stop playing? Play some covers and enjoy yourselves. Get out there and earn some money. Why not?

[quote name='peteb' post='997487' date='Oct 22 2010, 08:15 PM']Of course they will….. When I was in my 20s I devoted all my time and energy to trying to put a successful originals band together, to the detriment of career and relationships. I was not alone in doing this, nor do I regret it and I would expect anyone of that age who is serious about a career as a musician in a band to do pretty much the same! As I got older and was obviously not going to be a superstar what was I supposed to do?? Not play anymore or carry on banging away playing to smaller and smaller (and younger) audiences? Like most musicians who found themselves with more day job & family commitments, I started playing in covers bands. Many of these have been quite successful on their own terms; I've played plenty of memorable gigs & had loads of fun playing with mates who are really good players! After all, when it comes down to it we're all glorified song & dance men who want to play to an audience who want to watch us……….[/quote] Great post.

There are some great stories about the Steely Dan recordings, especially the bass playing. When interviewed, Chuck Rainey complains of Donald Fagen taking credit for Rainey's bass parts, in order to impress a lady friend. The story of Rainey slapping the 'Peg' chorus with his back turned is legendary, as Becker and Fagen were totally against the then-overused slap bass style. Anthony Jackson asked to re-record entire parts, even though they were perfect. Listen to his playing on 'Glamour Profession'. To me, the best bass line is 'Kid Charlemagne', arguably Chuck Rainey's (he would probably agree) finest moment. Fagen's 'Nightfly' album contains probably the finest examples of the perfect bass parts for the song, and features the world's finest players. Saying that, I reckon Tom Barney's line on 'Gaslighting Abbie' is still one of the best and most challenging lines you will ever hear.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='997458' date='Oct 22 2010, 07:35 PM']Everytime I see the name 'Steely Dan' I have the song 'Stuck in the Middle With You' in my head then I realise that's 'Stealers Wheel'[/quote] And Steeleye Span.

Seriously, we've done 'Don't Take me Alive' since day one and it's stayed in the set for 13 years. For me it's the Larry Carlton guitar intro that's most memorable. I'd love to see another Steely Dan album with him on guitar. He was a massive part of their sound.

Me? I'm not one for self promotion.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='997065' date='Oct 22 2010, 02:13 PM']Their whole catalogue is sensational to my ears. Filled with vocal gems, clever lyrics, great tongue in cheek humour, wry observation, not to mention stonking grooves by some of the best players on earth over the last forty odd years. Glittering harmonies, achingly beautiful song form structures and harmonic progressions.... I could go on all day. Bathe in everything they've done, it can only infect you with goodness Intelligent and accessible at once, not often bedfellows in modern music. MODS, Somebody block my account will you, I am going to keep on and on and on and etc[/quote] Well said!

I don't know about tribute bands, but I reckon most players will end up playing covers at some point in their musical lives.

I just thought I'd point out that I don't teach. I was just interested to know how you teachers go about things when faced with this scenario.

Following a conversation I had with someone today, if you genuinely thought someone was never going to learn to play their instrument through lack of talent or commitment, would you tell them straight? And if so, how would put it to them?

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='958872' date='Sep 16 2010, 09:58 PM']Steinberger? Schecter?[/quote] I recently sold my 1983 Steinberger L2 for £1400. I expected to get more, as it was serial number 610. Seeing as they were £1100 in that year, that's a poor return for a bass that's over 25 years old.

Absolute rip-off.

[quote name='Doddy' post='992771' date='Oct 18 2010, 09:11 PM']Chortle.[/quote] Yep.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='992716' date='Oct 18 2010, 08:40 PM']Looks like the crew might be making an outing earlier than planned then Russ? I presume a curry will follow! Possible 5 gear geeks here once we get confirmation Peteacademy.[/quote] Good stuff. Just let me know.

[quote name='mep' post='991586' date='Oct 17 2010, 08:47 PM']Is he on the Autistic spectrum at all by chance. There are a lot of undiagnosed people out there struggling with social & emotional development & behaviour.[/quote]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='990267' date='Oct 16 2010, 02:52 PM']FTR I am a bloke and I am straight, I just got the hunky homos avatar recently to balance out all the airhead bimbo avatars.[/quote] Somebody actually said to me the other day: 'Is thisnameistaken gay?'

[quote name='benzies123' post='990820' date='Oct 17 2010, 01:39 AM']Why so far! Any word of any similar events down south or in London? Cheers[/quote] I'm not sure why the events are so few and far between. I believe Janek was looking for a northern venue and TC approached us with that date.