Buzz
Groove – Episode #16: Jack Casady
Take one second, head over to Google Images and do a search for Jack Casady. A life in images. That’s not Photoshop. That’s him. A lifetime of electric bass history and evolution all rolled up into this individual who played for Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna and more. He’s – rightfully – in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and...
Parliament-Funkadelic: Flashlight (Live)
A few days ago, Parliament-Funkadelic took the stage on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform their 1978 hit “Flashlight.” Alissia Benveniste laid down the groove on bass, while Bootsy Collins backed up the band on drums. Bootsy played drums on the original track, thanks to the fact that Bernie Worrell played the bass line on three connected Minimoog...
Weezer Nods to Past Sound with “White Album”
Weezer’s latest album is a self-titled affair, to be known as the White Album. The band’s 1994 self-titled studio debut is known as the Blue Album, and then there’s the self-titled 2001 record known as the Green Album, and 2008’s self-titled Red Album. The White Album’s producer, Jake Sinclair, who once even played in a Weezer tribute band, wanted to...
Victor Wooten’s VixCamps Open For Registration
Registration is now open for Victor Wooten’s 2016 Music and Nature Camps. This season includes five main programs at Wooten Woods outside of Nashville, Tennessee plus three additional programs that branch out the educational offerings. VixCamps kicks off with the original Bass/Nature Camp from July 18th to the 24th. “Following the outline set in motion in the camp’s inaugural year...
Double Bass vs. Bass Guitar
Q: I have been playing bass guitar for about 8 years, got my grade 8, toured, recorded and got myself to a semi-professional session level. As I am going to go full time as a bass player in the next 18-24 months (I am realistic as well as ambitious) I started lessons with an outstanding teacher and someone who has...
Adam Ben Ezra & Daniel Casares: Tumbada
We’ve shared a video of Adam Ben Ezra performing his tune “Tumbada” before. In this video, Adam performs the tune with Spanish/Flamenco guitarist Daniel Casares. The duo has been touring lately. Such a great tune, with a nice, new take.
Allman Brothers Band Former Bootleg Released
What was once an Allman Brothers Band bootleg is now a more official release, called Live From A&R Studios. While the August 26, 1971 live, in-studio performance broadcast on New York’s WPLJ radio has long circulated as a bootleg, the new release’s sound quality sets it apart, having been remixed from the original multi-track studio recording. The record also features...
Reader Spotlight: Matthew Girard
Meet Matthew Girard, who works by day at the Museum of Fine Arts and keeps busy as a working bassist too. While Matthew started out on trumpet, his took his first shot at bass when that became an option. He hasn’t looked back. Matthew is this week’s reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: As one of the more...
ESP Introduces Classic Styled LTD AP-204 Bass
ESP unveiled the LTD AP-204 at this year’s NAMM Show, calling it a “modernized update of a classic shape for contemporary music styles.” The bass, which comes in Charcoal Metallic and Burgundy Burst finishes, is fitted with a set of ESP-designed P/J pickups. The bass is built with bolt-on construction featuring a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The...
Jaco Pastorius: Musicians Institute Master Class
A little over a year ago, Musicians Institute discovered a video in their vault of Jaco Pastorius’s appearance during a master class, which took place in the mid-80’s. They recently posted the entire video, where Jaco fielded questions from students. “Despite the glitchy video, the bassist’s signature sound rings loud [and] clear as he unveils the secrets of his virtuosity...
Hiromi Trio Again Showcases Anthony Jackson’s Talents
Prolific bassist Anthony Jackson, particularly well known for his contrabass playing, has again collaborated with Japanese pianist/composer Hiromi and drummer Simon Phillips on Hiromi’s 10th album, Spark. The trio has played and recorded together for five years, with Spark being its fourth album. The collaboration may last for awhile, according to Jackson (Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Chick Corea, The O’Jays)....
Bass of the Week: Wreck Guitars W Minor 5
This week we’re checking out the W Minor 5 by Wreck Guitars. Introduced late last year, the model can be fitted with a number of woods and pickup configurations. “This is a modern bass for light right arm playing with bridge moved more to the end of an instrument,” the company writes. “[The W Minor 5’s] balance is perfect for...