Archive for May 2016 - Page 8

Prolific jazz bassist Steve Swallow’s long musical association with his life partner, pianist Carla Bley, and saxophonist Andy Sheppard, continues with the trio’s latest, Andando El Tiempo. The five-track album features Bley’s compositions, including a three-part title piece, which addresses addiction recovery. Another piece takes inspiration from Mendelssohn and Paul Haines’ poetry. Check out this live Paris performance of the...

In 2011, Squier added to their retro-styled Vintage Modified series with the Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS. The model riffs on the Fender Jaguar but pares things down on the controls as well as the scale. Squier describes the 30-inch scale bass as “short and sweet with a big sound”. Its overall design is based on the Fender Jaguar...

Today we’re talking tapping! I get a lot of questions about tapping because of Oon, my duo with bassoonist Paul Hanson. I get to play chords, melodies, and grooves – sometimes at the same time. Tapping is a helpful technique to expand the possibilities of the bass, but it must be used with taste! Function comes first. This lesson will...

Bassist Olivier Babaz is back with another bass and kalimba video that will make you question what’s physically possible. “L’appel Du Vide” is a track from his latest album, Odd Light, and features drummer Mark Nelson. The song features several groove changes that Babaz and Nelson navigate magnificently. Hold on to your hats.

Progressive metal band Haken has released its fourth full-length studio album, Affinity. While bassist Conner Green appeared on the band’s 2014 EP Restoration, Affinity marks his first album effort with the band. Green took over bass duties with Thomas MacLean’s 2013 departure from the group. The Prog Report has already given the album high marks, calling the track “The Architect”...

The week always ends on a positive note around here, because we get to celebrate the best of the best from the world of bass. Here are the top 10 reader favorite stories, columns, videos and more. Thanks as always for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Prince with Larry Graham: Motherless Child Like countless others, we were devastated to...

Fodera and Matthew Garrison have teamed up once again to introduce the Imperial Mini-MG. The headless and compact design was created with portability and playability in mind. “With the recent change in instrument travel regulations, there has been an increasing need for a bass guitar that combines portability without sacrificing tone or playability,” Fodera shares. “With these needs in mind,...

David Piggott teaches music at his studio, Piggott Music. One of his students is Kayla Malik. They recently recorded their own bass and vocals arrangement of Coldplay’s “Fix You”. David said this was the first time he heard Kayla sing. “Because everyone has lost something in their life… I hope you enjoy this [arrangement],” David shared.

Three years after releasing his first solo record in three decades, Back in the Room, former bassist for The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers Bruce Foxton has released Smash the Clock. Smash the Clock was recorded at the studio owned by his former bandmate in The Jam, Paul Weller, who contributes guitar and piano parts to the album (Weller also...

Devo was known for outlandish instruments, and Eastwood Guitars has a knack for bringing retro oddities back to life. That’s why they’re planning on remaking Jerry Casale’s “Be Stiff” bass from the Freedom of Choice tour in 1979 and 1980. The original bass was concocted around a Gibson EB-3 neck and parts Casale had around. “Neither Bob [Casale] nor Jerry...

When it comes to raw energy, the Sex Pistols are hard to beat. Today we’re throwing it back to a 1976 performance of the punk anthem “Anarchy in the UK” that features Glen Matlock and his vicious bass tone.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced their 11th studio album, The Getaway, will be available everywhere on June 17th. The album will be Flea and the gang’s first new album since 2011’s I’m With You. Besides unveiling the track list and artwork, they’ve announced a full summer’s worth of festival appearances and the first single from the album, entitled...