Fishman Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 I hear on the grapevine that Colin Greenwood from Radiohead bought Norman Watt-Roy's jazz bass from Andy Baxter – nice that it's gone to someone cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 Lucky Colin....wish it was mine.....saying that i'm not worthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 me neither! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 I nearly bought it, but couldn’t agree a price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicbassman Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 I nearly bought it, but I tried it out and it wouldn't play Rhythm Stick properly, kept fluffing some of the notes, so I gave it a miss... 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 I’m sure Andy had that in his shop in about 2011 , or was that another one of Norman’s basses . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Reggaebass said: I’m sure Andy had that in his shop in about 2011 , or was that another one of Norman’s basses . That’s the one! Apparently Norman would have handed it over to you too. I’ve actually met Norman (shared a bill with Wilco Johnson) and he was a lovely chap. Funny smell coming from one of his cigarettes mind you... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 6 minutes ago, Burns-bass said: That’s the one! Apparently Norman would have handed it over to you too. I’ve actually met Norman (shared a bill with Wilco Johnson) and he was a lovely chap. Funny smell coming from one of his cigarettes mind you... Owning the bass and Norman handing it over would be something special 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borntohang Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Burns-bass said: That’s the one! Apparently Norman would have handed it over to you too. I’ve actually met Norman (shared a bill with Wilco Johnson) and he was a lovely chap. Funny smell coming from one of his cigarettes mind you... Wilko played a venue I worked at a few years back before his illness and from what I saw backstage they don't leave home without at least a brick or two! An old mate of mine has been teching for Norm on both Blockheads and Wilko duties, which must be cool. I should really get in touch sometime and see if we can hook something up because I'd love to have a proper chat with him. On the Wilko date I saw him real close up in a 150 cap venue and the man just does not make mistakes. Edited March 20, 2019 by borntohang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 9 hours ago, borntohang said: Wilko played a venue I worked at a few years back before his illness and from what I saw backstage they don't leave home without at least a brick or two! An old mate of mine has been teching for Norm on both Blockheads and Wilko duties, which must be cool. I should really get in touch sometime and see if we can hook something up because I'd love to have a proper chat with him. On the Wilko date I saw him real close up in a 150 cap venue and the man just does not make mistakes. I’ve never seen the Blockheads but I’d love to. I must admit I’d never heard of Johnson before the gig (I was only 21), but was totally blow away. He used our Hiwatt rigs and just blew everyone away. They were thoroughly lovely guys and I wish I’d had more time to chat with them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 If it's no longer good enough for Norm, it's not good enough for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 What’s Norman’s history with Fenders? Thought he was a Precision man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Wow. Wish I had Norman's Jazz - I'm dead jealous! I never saw Norm with the Blockheads. But I did see him with Wilko and Dylan Howe (on drums) a few years back. I've got to say, they blew me away. A 3 piece band with such a full sound, and boy, did they rock Norman's playing was superb. Wish I owned his Jazz... or his "rhythm stick" P/J Wish I was half as good as him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 I was lucky enough to see Ian Dury and The Blockheads in 1978 at the New Theatre in Oxford – as was normal for the times, they came onstage wearing brown paper bags on their heads – saw Wilko supporting the Stranglers around 2007 with Norman and Dylan – can't help thinking that the period since the 60s/70s has probably been the best – is the future going to be any good? discuss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) I saw the Blockheads in 2010, they played a stage I was helping to run at a local festival. They were good, but Derek the Draw's vocals didn't do it for me. Edited March 21, 2019 by BreadBin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) Thinking back - I seem to recall seeing a magazine article (or was it on the internet?) featuring Norman Where he sold his Jazz bass, and from memory, he didn't get much money for it, given its' history Although again, I think I also read that he did most of his recording work with his Precision - the Jazz being used mainly for live work.... Edited March 21, 2019 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) Somehow this is seven years ago already: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/193152-the-power-of-basschat/ Edited March 21, 2019 by toneknob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) Thanks for sharing that info toneknob - It's a great story I don't know where seven years has gone! Edited March 21, 2019 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I lusted after that bass when it was up for sale but in no way could I justify buying it! Seen Norman play quite a few times over the last decade or so, always a joy. I might go to Margate Rocks in September where both Wilko Johnson and The Blockheads are playing, sadly not on the same day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 thanks @toneknob i always was about 7 years behind the times 🐌 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 19 hours ago, Mickeyboro said: What’s Norman’s history with Fenders? Thought he was a Precision man. I met Norman back on 2007 in a guitar shop I was working in. He bought in his Jazz and Precison and we sat and chatted while I had them plugged in (and drooling). He said his late wife bought him the Precison in the early days and that it is his most special bass, he calls it the Rythmn Stick. The Precison is outrageously good, with a killer neck, super worn in. He bought the Jazz after, saying he prefered the neck for gigs, but it wasn’t as sentimental to him. We took the Jazz apart to check it out and he seemed really chuffed to find out more about it. Top bloke. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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