Akiko Yano with Anthony Jackson: Water Ways Flow Backward Again
Anthony Jackson is an absolute master of the bass. Besides creating some of the most memorable bass lines ever, he has deeply explored harmony and timbre on the instrument. Here’s a jaw-dropping performance of “Water Ways Flow Backward Again” with pianist Akiko Yano and drummer Cliff Almond from 1999 that proves the depth of his understanding. Yano and Jackson kick...
Stevie Wonder Announces More “Songs in the Key of Life” Tour Dates with Nate Watts
If you missed Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life tour last year, you’re in luck. The legendary R&B artist has announced another 11-date run this Spring that will span the U.S. Similar to last year’s trek, each night will include a performance of Wonder’s 1976 album in its entirety. “Truly, I wanted to do this for years,” Wonder...
Alex Webster: Conquering Dystopia’s “Kufra at Dusk” Playthrough
I love bass playthroughs. So when death metal king Alex Webster posted a new video, I dropped everything to watch it. The clip shows Webster tearing through “Kufra at Dusk” from metal supergroup Conquering Dystopia’s debut album last year. From killer tone to monster riffs, this has it all. Buckle up.
Bass Bash To Feature Victor Wooten, Gary Willis, Alain Caron and Others
The annual Bass Bash will be returning this year, and it’s going to be a doozy. Scheduled in the evenings after the NAMM Show, the Bass Bash is held at JT Schmid’s in Anaheim, California on January 22nd and 23rd from 7pm to midnight. This year’s performers include some of the world’s finest bassists. The first night will feature Alain...
Bass of the Week: Zerberus Guitars Hades
This week we check out the Hades bass by Zerberus Guitars. Built in their German custom shop, the instrument was made for bassist Lenny Castellanos of the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band. The bass’s uniquely figured body is made of mahogany with a Zebrawood top finished in a wild honey color. Its five-piece neck is made up of birdseye maple, mahogany,...
St. Paul and the Broken Bones: “Call Me,” Live
I don’t watch The Late Show a lot, but I know that when David Letterman goes on about how great the band is for two whole minutes before letting them play, it’s going to be good. In fact, it’s so good that Letterman has them start the song up again after they finish. St. Paul and the Broken Bones is...
Alter Ego Tunable Tailpiece for Double Bass
Italian string instrument maker Alter Ego has introduced a tunable tailpiece for the double bass. Rather than tuning the strings themselves, the tailpiece allows for tuning the afterlength portion of each string. “There are many valid theories on how to tune the afterlength portion of the strings, but we believe there is no ideal formula as many factors may come...
AC Guitars Announces Border Reiver Travel Bass
AC Guitars is introducing a new compact model called the Border Reiver Travel Bass. Hand-built in Scotland, the headless bass takes its name from a piece of local history. “Border Reivers were bands of raiders that operated on both sides of the English/Scottish border from the 13th to 17th century,” luthier Alan Cringean explains. “So crossing borders seemed like an...
Thundercat: “Them Changes”, Live in New Orleans
Pitchfork has a great new concert series called Nightcap, where they feature independent artists in late night concerts around the United States. They’re off to a great start with bassist Thundercat, who performed “Tron Song” and a brand new track called “Them Changes.” Not to be confused with the Buddy Miles song, “Them Changes” is a mid-tempo groove that blurs...
IK Multimedia Introduces iRig 2 Mobile Interface for iOS and Android
IK Multimedia has revamped their popular mobile instrument interface with the iRig 2. The new version adds several new features including a versatile gain control, a 1/4-inch amplifier output, and Android compatibility. The iRig 2 has a 1/4-inch input that can handle guitar, bass or other line level instruments. Its variable gain thumbwheel lets you adjust your input level to...
Electro-Harmonix Introduces Bass Soul Food Pedal
Electro-Harmonix has announced a bass-specific version of their Soul Food natural overdrive and clean boost pedal. The company describes the pedal as designed to enhance the original sound of your instrument while retaining its essential character. The Bass Soul Food is set apart with a gain stage, treble control and signal path optimized for bass guitar with more low-end definition....
ISP Technologies To Debut Beta Bass Preamp Pedal at NAMM
ISP Technologies will be unveiling a new pedal version of their popular bass preamp at the Winter NAMM Show this month. The Beta Bass Preamp Pedal is powered by an external 9-volt AC adaptor that is then internally multiplied to provide plus or minus 15-volt power supply for a “full 30 volt signal swing.” Its EQ section includes a bass...