Archive for 2014 - Page 3

Charlie Haden had an incredible life full of triumph, tragedy, and – most of all – beautiful music that he shared with the world. His passing earlier this year rocked the jazz community, who remembered his legacy with an outpouring of anecdotes on his impact on their lives. Now everyone is invited to honor Haden’s memory with a special concert...

Our “Isolated Bass Weeks” are super popular, and they’re super fun for us to do. Here are the top 10 reader favorites from 2014, based on No Treble reader views over these 12 months. Which one is your favorite?

This week we check out the XTC by Phantom Guitars. Handmade in Cologne, Germany, the XTC brings together elements of several classic basses with a single-coil and humbucker pickup configuration that the company says gives it modern sounds for rock, funk, jazz and pop. The XTC comes in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions with a choice of body woods. Its...

Time for some more holiday cheer from another one of our favorite bassists around here. Here’s Simon Fitzpatrick performing “Jingle Bells” – solo bass style.

Indie band Bastille has reappeared with a new mixtape, with a title reminiscent of its first two. This time out, the “tape” — actually a CD — is . However, the album marks the fist time the “mixtape” has featured exclusively original content, rather than a combination of originals and cover versions of songs. The album does feature extensive collaboration...

This week’s top 10 list kicks off with two incredible videos – the first by Alissia Benveniste with her old school funky sound, and the second by Rebecca Johnson and her remarkable bass and vocal work on Jaco’s “Come on, Come Over”. Readers also enjoyed columns by Sam Hallam (the best way to learn electric bass) and Donovan “Dr D.”...

Vulfpeck is one of our favorite bands around here. So when Jack Stratton emailed me there was a Christmas video, I couldn’t wait to share it. “This song follows true Dartonian Physics,” Jack shared, referencing Vulfpeck bassist Joe Dart. “Meaning, groove for two minutes and then freak out during the last 1/8th of the song.” As if that wasn’t enough,...

Romanian artist, Bass Battle (also known as one person, Bogdan Diaconeasa), has released an EP’s worth of ambient solo bass songs called Play. Recorded over the course of three years, just for fun, the album features only Diaconeasa’s bass and a looper. “I will say that this album is the declaration of my love for this beautiful instrument – the...

You may already be aware of many ways to use an iPad for making music. However, Hal Leonard Corp. has put together an book — — that covers the device’s “connectivity to the professional, project, and home music studios.” Written by music technology authors Vincent Leonard and Thomas Rudolph, the book in the Hal Leonard Quick Pro Guides series, the...

Time to kick off the holiday season, bass style. Dreadlock Dave sent us this video with a nice note full of good cheer: “Here’s a little holiday wish from me & my bass guitar! Have a groovy day.” Love this funky arrangement, and that solo is awesome!

Ibanez has unveiled a new limited edition version of their SR Premium bass. Built in their Premium facility, the SR Premium LTD SR5BBLTD is set from its apart with a Buckeye Burl top with a matching headstock and pickup covers. The SR5BBLTD’s ash body is matched with an Atlas-5 five piece wenge and bubinga neck that is reinforced with KTS...

No Treble reader Bryan Thomas sent us a note telling us to check out The Nth Power, featuring bassist Nate Edgar. We’re glad he did. Here’s a great clip of the band performing “Only Love” last year at Schubas in Chicago, Illinois. Edgar’s buttery tone ties the group together and works them into a frenzy as the song builds up.