Archive for 2011 - Page 60

Q: How do you go about making your song arrangements? Do you have a plan from the beginning for the different instruments, or do you let the other musicians fill in the gaps based on their experience/ideas? I imagine that the distance between what you intend to create vs. what you actually create is much larger when other musicians are...

Here’s a clip from the Weather Report concert in Offenbach, Germany on September 29, 1978. The group is performing “River People”, composed by the one and only Jaco Pastorius.

Paul McCartney‘s catalog of re-issued albums adds one more to the list with the re-release of Run Devil Run. Originally released in 1999, this was McCartney’s first project following the passing of his wife, Linda. For this album, McCartney decided to return to the music of his roots, blending both popular and lesser known 1950’s rock ‘n roll songs, along...

Meet Kent Beatty, a bassist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and our player in the spotlight for June 28, 2011. Bio: Upcoming bassist Kent Beatty has been on his way to the forefront of modern bass playing since he started at age 12. Influenced by such legends as Flea, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, and Stuart Zender, his style has caused audiences...

Monolith Loudspeakers and Effects has released the MAGMA 1.0, a dual channel bass preamp built on solid state CMOS technology. Each channel is identical and has it’s own input, as well as an A/B input for blending. The back of the unit has effects loops for both channels, as well as two master line outs, a direct output, and footswitch...

Damian Erskine’s latest column (Making the Shift: from 4 to 6 String Bass) generated a ton of reaction and debate from readers. So here’s your chance to weigh in: How many strings on your bass? What’s the limit? Answer below in the comments, or on our Facebook page.

BB BlackDog is a band after our own hearts: two basses, some drums and some loops. That’s it. Thanks to Facebook friend and BB BlackDog bassist Dale Rowles, who shared this video with us. Dale said, “Here is a live offering from our April tour. As always features just two basses and drums, with no overdubs or technical trickery.” John...

Bassist Evan Brewer has released his debut solo bass album, Alone on Sumerian Records. The album is truly a solo bass album, as Brewer notes he is the only person on the album, and every sound is made by his bass. “I just think of [the bass] as a tool,” he said. “You don’t necessarily have to use it to...

Luminlay has introduced the SGT series of luminescent inlay markers to their product line, including the SGT-40 and SGT-50. The new fluorescent markers are designed for the top of fingerboards, where previous incarnations were built as side dots. Available in green, the SGT-40 and -50 are dot inlays made of a highly luminous material that is charged in seconds by...

I’ve long been on the lookout for a great recording app for my iPhone. Not for multi-tracking, because Garageband on my iPad has me 100% sold for that stuff, but more for recording quick ideas, recording rehearsals, concerts and so on. I recently tried out FiRe 2 by Audiofile Engineering, and after just a few short hours, I’m already impressed...

Level 42 bassist Mark King is auctioning off some of his memorabilia and gear to benefit the Beaulieu House, a respite care center that helps children and young people with severe learning and physical disabilities. Among the items is King’s 30th anniversary Ashdown MK500 head and the first Status KingBass he took on tour, which was featured on the 2001...

Facebook friend Helge Rudolph shares this video with us, featuring the group Dirty Loops performing a cover of Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance”. Bassist Henrik Linder helps make this tune so much better.