TheGreek Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 I have heard Richard's name mentioned many times - mostly as a great Bass player. I'm never sure what constitutes a "great player" after all, a lot is around personal taste and we all like different stuff (thankfully). I was on YouTube earlier so I thought I'd have a listen to a playlist of Richard's work. Pleasantly surprised TBH - very accessible and easy on the ear - his bass work is excellent and inspirational - not flash but you'd like to emulate some of his riffs and his general feel. Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DG_BoYi3nU&index=1&list=PLqscbOuY67mzAsZjfD6PrSsbmh6fpzxuJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 It's not my sort of thing as such but we saw him live at the Manchester bass day, ridiculous and had my hairs standing on end! He's also a really good public speaker with a good sense of humour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 He's got insane technical ability but really knows when to just hold back and groove. Great singer too. His solo live shows are excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 He also knows how to throw a strop when he had his run in with Tecamp... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 [quote name='The59Sound' timestamp='1499946504' post='3334706'] He also knows how to throw a strop when he had his run in with Tecamp... [/quote] He's had a few run-ins, including one with TC Electronics too! To be fair, he's just protecting his brand! But he's wonderful, killer bassist, singer, composer, guitarist, drummer, piano player, producer.....you name it, he's pretty much mastered it. As you'd imagine, he's a bit more 'out there' with his playing live, so if you get to see a show, definitely go! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 My father in law has met him at a gig, apparently had a lovely chat and a beer with him. He said he's a really nice bloke and also commented on his great sense of humour. I've been a fan for several years now but not had chance to see him live yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1499947374' post='3334715'] My father in law has met him at a gig, apparently had a lovely chat and a beer with him. He said he's a really nice bloke and also commented on his great sense of humour. I've been a fan for several years now but not had chance to see him live yet. [/quote] Absolutely, had a chat with him a couple of times and he always makes time, lovely guy! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Which Manchester Bass Day was that! Do they still have them with people like RIchard Bona? I'd go... I think his playing unbelievable - don't care for the scat singing but it's impressive and suggests he has perfect pitch too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 His sweet, falsetto singing is also very beautiful. I saw him with Zawinul Syndicate and it brought me close to tears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) [quote name='visog' timestamp='1499949648' post='3334744'] Which Manchester Bass Day was that! Do they still have them with people like RIchard Bona? I'd go... I think his playing unbelievable - don't care for the scat singing but it's impressive and suggests he has perfect pitch too. [/quote] There hasn't been one since 2011. Last one was at Band On The Wall with Marcus Miller. Stevie Williams, who organised the event, has been concentrating on recording with his latest band. When I last spoke to him about the event he didn't discount doing more. It was actually called Bass Day UK and the best ones, IMHO, were at the Royal Northern College of Music. I saw the Richard Bona session and it was unbelievable. Other notable players who have appeared are TM Stevens, Hadrien Feraud, Adam Nitti, Billy Sheehan, Natan East, Stu Hamm.......the list goes on. Yolanda Charles and Dave Marks were also regulars. There are quite a few YouTube videos from past Bass Days. Edited July 13, 2017 by BassBunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I have all his solo albums, he is the full package. Love it when he is singing in his native tongue. Been in a his company a couple of times, he has a wicked, dry sense of humour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 That's the ones, the live shows were excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 He played a tour with Pat Metheny, not as the bassist but the singer with PMG. However he played one number on bass with just Pat, amazing. On the strength of it bought a couple of his solo albums and they are terrific, as long as you can handle him singing in Cameroonian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) Just back in with the dog and got chatting with one of my neighbours who's also from Cameroon and had turned me on to Richard Bono a while back. Turns out he knows Richard very well - they used to hang out together when they were teenagers - he's going to try to get me a free back stage pass next time RB's in the country. There was another bass player he mentioned - Etienne Mbappe - another friend of his and RB. Only had a quick listen but me likes... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJUjLtrvqw[/media] ..and a Jaco style solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWCFKMQlxg Edited July 15, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAgent Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 I've seen Bona many times, first time in 2002, around the time of his first solo album. I love his playing and composing, but the last few years I've skipped some of his concerts and haven't even kept up with his most recent albums. TBH, I think he's repeating himself a bit too much lately... His solos have become predictive and especially when he plays with his own band his shows tend to get a bit theatrical and uninspired. The best show I've seen him do was at North Sea Jazz a few years ago, when he did an impro set with Bobby McFerrin and Cyro Baptista. He did some of his well-known licks (he always plays a bit of Dina Lam and Mike Stern's Still There) but it was amazing to see those three guys just having fun improvising. Haven't seen his Cuban project yet, it's supposed to be very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1500138023' post='3335877'] Just back in with the dog and got chatting with one of my neighbours who's also from Cameroon and had turned me on to Richard Bono a while back. Turns out he knows Richard very well - they used to hang out together when they were teenagers - he's going to try to get me a free back stage pass next time RB's in the country. There was another bass player he mentioned - Etienne Mbappe - another friend of his and RB. Only had a quick listen but me likes... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJUjLtrvqw[/media] ..and a Jaco style solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWCFKMQlxg [/quote] Very cool! Richard Bona is absolutely one of the best out there currently, his sense of composition and what and when to play is phenomenal! I love his collabs especially when he duets like the Bobby Mcferrin video. Etienne is another seriously good bass player, I particularly love his work with Salif Keita who's one of my favourite musicians right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatboter Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Used to be a huge fan but like someone else has said : his solo's start to be very predictable (that hasty slur across the neck at the end of the solo, the "ambulance", the theme from "Twilight Zone", etc...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='wombatboter' timestamp='1500276024' post='3336546'] Used to be a huge fan but like someone else has said : his solo's start to be very predictable (that hasty slur across the neck at the end of the solo, the "ambulance", the theme from "Twilight Zone", etc...) [/quote] I feel these days, that most of the 'older' players that we are/were all fond of , have a habit of being predictable. (let's face it, we know their playing styles and tunes inside out). His latest album 'Heritage', is a real chill offering. It's mainly just Cuban/native rhythms & arrangements (some piano Jazz soloing), along with singing in his native tongue (plus, back to the bare bones, well played Bass playing). I am a fan of Latin & World music, so for me, the album is a joy to listen to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qYqLqdTiSU [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6U4Mnjc6bY&list=PLvsPlB6BS56w5rznU_8gjcMcqCnarb_xc&index=5[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE8NKtzvuaU&list=PLvsPlB6BS56w5rznU_8gjcMcqCnarb_xc&index=6[/media] Edited July 17, 2017 by lowdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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