Archive for December 2014 - Page 4
In Memoriam: Larry Sims
Bassist/vocalist Larry Sims, who was an original member of Loggins & Messina, has passed away of undisclosed causes. Bandleader Jim Messina broke the news on his Facebook page. “I was awakened this morning with a phone call that Larry Sims has passed away. As most of you know Larry was the original bass player and singer in Loggins and Messina.Larry...
D’Angelo Debuts Long-Awaited Album, Featuring Pino Palladino
2014 has been a good year for sneak albums, but R&B master D’Angelo may have taken the cake by releasing over the course of a weekend. The album, which is his first in fourteen years, is a tremendous return that pushes his art forward while keeping true to his voice. D’Angelo took a more serious approach for Black Messiah with...
Olivier Babaz Trio: Bim Maloya
Olivier Babaz is working on an album focusing on his specialty of mixing bass and kalimba. He sent us this video for the song “Bim Maloya,” in which he plays both instruments while employing 12/8 & 9/8 rhythms from Réunion Island.
New Hal Leonard Tab Book Teaches You How to Play Famous Rock Lines
Looking for a book that teaches you how to play some classic and new rock hits? Hal Leonard’s latest, could help. The paperback in the “Tab +” series not only includes tab for some bass classics, it also offers info on the gear you need to have, recording techniques, historical info, and playing tips (including right-and-left hand technique). Songs featured...
ZÜE Engineering Introduces the On Timer Pedalboard Clock
Time management on the bandstand can be crucial, and ZÜE Engineering is addressed that issue with the On Timer Pedalboard Clock, a pedal designed to help musicians manage their performance time. The device features two LED displays to keep track of your sets. The top is a 12-hour clock to display the current time, while the second is a timer...
What’s the Best Way To Learn Electric Bass?
Q: You can go to school and study electric bass in a jazz program, you can listen to records and learn from them, you can check out lessons on Youtube, you can subscribe to bass player’s online teaching regimens… But how do you know what is the best way to become a competent, professional level electric bassist? A: Electric bassists...
Christian McBride Trio: Sophisticated Lady
Christian McBride is one bad dude. Here’s a jaw-dropping video of his trio performing the Ellington standard “Sophisticated Lady” live at the Festival de Jazz San Javier in 2009. The bassist kicks things off with an extended solo take on the song’s melody before bringing in the rest of the band. McBride pulls out all the stops with colorful flourishes...
Whote Builds New Album’s Drone Music On Bass
Six-string bass is one of the building blocks of drone artist Whote’s (Thomas Watkiss) latest album, Whote II: Moons. Watkiss is the performer on and producer of the record, creating songs with not only the bass, but also distorted guitar, field recordings, and minimal keyboards. Whote is noted for its experimental music, and Moons continues in this vein, with live...
Reader Spotlight: Russ Rodgers
Meet Russ Rodgers, an accomplished bassist and teacher with a career spanning more than 30 years. Pretty cool when you can claim Adam Nitti and Todd Smallie as your students, and Russ has also studied under some top notch bassists as well. Russ is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of December 16, 2014. Here’s his story…...
Alissia Benveniste: Get Down
One of our favorite musical discoveries this year was Alissia Benveniste, a bassist and bandleader who is reviving the classic funk style with catchy hooks, uplifting lyrics, and awesome bass lines. She just sent us her latest video, and it’s got the same great recipe. “Get Down” is bursting with energy with an even larger ensemble than her previous songs....
Gov’t Mule Goes Pink On Live Album
Six years ago on Halloween, Gov’t Mule dressed up in another band’s music. The jam band/Allman Brothers offshoot, featuring Jorgen Carlsson on bass, performed Pink Floyd covers from albums including Dark Side of the Moon, Animals, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here. The 2008 show at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston, was recorded and is now available on CD...
Bass of the Week: R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine
This week we check out the R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine, an instrument Ryan Hyde calls a blend of traditional and modern values. Hyde honed his skills in Ken Smith’s shop before starting his own in Philadelphia. “The Soul Machine is meant to be a work horse instrument of the highest caliber,” he states. “It exudes the classic vibe of yesteryear,...