Archive for February 2018 - Page 6
David Pastorius and Christian Fabian Release “No Tricks”
Bassists David Pastorius and Christian Fabian have teamed up to release No Tricks, a 10-track album of electric bass duos. At first glance, the pairing may seem an unlikely fit. Fabian is a member of the Lionel Hampton Big Band while Pastorius, who is the nephew of bass legend Jaco, has performed alongside artists like Tech Nine. However, after a...
NS Design Adds NXTa Radius to Bass Guitar Line
Ned Steinberger and NS Design unveiled the latest in their Radius bass guitar series with the NXTa Radius. The headless bass carries many of the same features of the lineup while adding their NXTa battery-free active electronics. “The new NXTa brings together the brilliant ergonomics of the headless neck and body configuration, the NS self-clamping tuning system, custom NS/EMG™ pickups,...
Metallica: Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth), Live in Chicago 1983
On February 10th each year we celebrate Cliff Burton’s birthday. But this year is special: it’s officially Cliff Burton Day. That’s why we’re observing the holiday with a live performance of the legendary Metallica bassist’s most famous bass solo composition, “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).” Recorded live at the Metro in Chicago during a 1983 performance, the clip shows Burton ripping through...
In Memoriam: Craig MacGregor
Sad news to report today: longtime Foghat bassist Craig MacGregor has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. Foghat announced the news on their Facebook page. “On behalf of Craig MacGregor’s family and the Foghat family, it is with great sadness that we are letting you know that we have lost our brother, good...
Ashdown Engineering Unveils the CTM 30 “Little Stubby” Tube Bass Amp
Ashdown Engineering’s Classic Tube Magnifier (CTM) series got a little bigger this year – or a little smaller. The all-tube CTM 30 “Little Stubby” was debuted at the NAMM Show, where Dan Gooday described it as “a little bit more of everything in a smaller package.” “Measuring just 400mm wide, 220mm deep and 80mm tall, the 30-watt CTM-30 Little Stubby...
The Lightbulb Moment: Habit Vs. Intuition
If there’s one thing I love doing, it’s pedaling eighth notes. So much so, you might say that I make a habit of it. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about playing one note, but playing it well, and focusing on all of the ways this seemingly simple rhythmic pattern can be manipulated. The art of the eighth note lies somewhere between...
Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Chancler: Oleo
We were sad to hear of the passing of legendary drummer Ndugu Chancler. While he is best known as the drummer for Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” his career was marked with tons of great jazz, fusion, and funk grooves. Here’s a display of some his jazz chops with pianist Patrice Rushen and bassist Stanley Clarke on the jazz standard “Oleo”....
Original Smashing Pumpkins Announce Reunion, No Bassist Named
The original members of the Smashing Pumpkins are reuniting, and of course, it wouldn’t be The Smashing Pumpkins without some drama. Bassist D’Arcy Wretzky will apparently not be joining the tour. “My apologies to all of the Smashing Pumpkins fans out there who are excited about this oncoming reunion tour of the original members of the band,” she wrote on...
Death By Audio Unveils the Deep Animation Pedal
Death By Audio was on hand at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show to show off their goods including the new Deep Animation, an envelope filter pedal that responds to your playing. “This crazy goofball responds to how you play, enveloping and filter sweeping and overdriving,” the company writes. “Finally, the perfect wave-thumping bass moving with how hard you hit your...
Bass Transcription: John Giblin’s Bass Line on “Babooshka” by Kate Bush
Kate Bush came from a very musical family, and at eleven she taught herself to play the piano. Soon after this she began to write songs and at sixteen she recorded a demo of fifty compositions and sent them to prospective record companies, but this did not lead to any offers. However, a family friend had a connection with Pink...
Kamasi Washington: Malcolm’s Theme, Live at Paste Studios
I’m a huge Kamasi Washington fan, and that’s thanks in part to the amazing bass work of Miles Mosley. Here’s an awesome stripped down version of “Malcolm’s Theme” from Washington’s 2015 album The Epic, live at Paste Studios. The song is driven by Mosley’s active bass line, which he accents with a slew of pedals to build different sections. Check...
Cliff Burton Day Announced For February 10th
Mark your calendars: Cliff Burton Day is set for February 10th. After fans started a petition on Change.org, the late Metallica bassist’s home town of Castro Valley will recognize the bassist on his birthday this year. Metallica announced the news on Twitter. “IT’S OFFICIAL! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have...