nick@ibassmag Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 [color=#333333]On this day in 2012, Tribal Tech made their long-awaited return with the release of their album "X". 2014 also marks 30 years since Tribal Tech started out, and 15 years since Ibanez launched the Gary Willis Signature model! [/color][color=#333333]Absolutely love Gary's playing, his approach to improvising and the way he 'hacks' his gear until it does what he wants it to do. A real bass hero.[/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Yep, I'm a fan. I can only marvel at his funkiness and extraordinary technique. I love the way he works with drummers and programmed elements. Some of his playing tips have helped me too - especially his emphasis on playing as lightly as possible to avoid fatigue. I must get to see him in concert at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I got this video of him at the London Bass Guitar Show, 3 years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO7b4UunY3I&list=UUu4FqWLIRBo_gKVDJt0SNGw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I loved the first two LPs, Spears and Dr Hee but, after that, I lost interest (I have owned several more lps/cds but let them go). I find Willis's playing a bit bland and predictable, despite his obvious virtuosity. I think he is one of those guys that needs to be produced by great writers etc. Like Jeff Berlin, all that technique but not much emotional content. There is a cd with Willis and Allan Holdsworth playing standards that says it all. It just doesn't work. He is a monster player, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 He is a true virtuoso and I love his tone but, I can't get with his keyboard sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoRi Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Gary Willis on his mountain bike (you hear the song 'Mean Streak' from his album Actual Fiction). [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkpKeuXI5Fk[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 I'm another fan. Saw him at the London Bass Show. Not necessarily a fan of all his music, bit too groove based for me, but he has been a big influence on my approach to my playing the instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamd Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Likewise not someone I'd think oh Ill put that on to listen to, but as a role model for technique and feel he has a refreshing take on the instrument Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great point, grahamD. I use his r/h muting techniques a lot nowadays so his has influence me but I just don't seem to want to listen to his records. Although I do love his song 'It's Only Music' off 'Bent' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I don't think he realises how [i]extraordinary[/i] that muting and plucking technique of his is. Most of us mortals can't get within a mile of it. I learned a bit of it then gave up and decided to use brute force for the remaining 90% of my playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1396033779' post='2409337'] Like Jeff Berlin, all that technique but not much emotional content. There is a cd with Willis and Allan Holdsworth playing standards that says it all. It just doesn't work. He is a monster player, though. [/quote] I beg to differ Bilbo - I guess we could argue all day about 'emotional content' in any player's playing - I personally love the way Willis uses long sustained notes in a highly expressive way, agreed the Holdsworth CD is a case in (your) point but I think that's partly due to the 1980s production values and the fact it was all recorded seperately - not live in a single room - seeing him with Tribal Tech last July was truly one of the best jazz-fusion gigs I've ever seen. Anyway his latest trio album is bloody brilliant - and there are some beautiful ballad bits on this as well as some incredible interaction with his trio - not sure how emotional you need this stuff to be to enjoy it but I love it: http://abstractlogix.bandcamp.com/album/retro Cheers Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I love Gary Willis's playing since I got my first tribal tech album which was Illicit, and I think he has great sensitivity and sense of melody in his playing. I love the dark warm tone he gets and is one of the bass players who I feel uses effects and his technique in a very musical way rather than to show off. I saw him live with Tribal tech in Manchester and he was phenomenal. I even got a chat with him during the interval. I friend of mine went to Italy for a week for some one to one lessons with him and came back extremely happy and inspired. Jazzyvee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I love Gary Willis' playing, and his innovative technology-embracing approach. And his solos are so melodic, more often than not you can actually whistle along with them. For me, [i]that[/i] is the mark of a good solo -- anybody can arse about pointlessly in E all day, but it takes real imagination to actually turn it into a tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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