Buzz
Status Quo Bassist Gets His Revenge, Again
Status Quo bassist John “Rhino” Edwards has released his second album with his side band, Rhino’s Revenge, called Rhino’s Revenge II. The album comes 15 years after the original Rhino’s Revenge, released in 2000. “By any standards, that’s a long time between albums,” Rhino said, “but when you’re fortunate enough to be in a band like Quo, you’d don’t get...
Joey Spampinato Diagnosed with Cancer
NRBQ founder Joey Spampinato has been diagnosed with cancer. The bassist, who has more recently been touring with his band The Spampinato Brothers, will be going on a rigorous 12-month treatment plan. The news was broken via a YouCaring Crowdfunding page by his wife, Kami. “Joey has been diagnosed with cancer. It’s not stage four. We are grateful for that,”...
Learning the Bass: Should I Get a Teacher?
Q: I am a beginning bassist. I want to know your opinion about studying bass with a teacher vs. self-teaching. Which do you think is more useful and advantageous? I’ve studied with a teacher since last year, but I don’t find I’m progressing anymore, and I’m in doubt if I should continue with the same teacher. I feel like I...
Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey & Derico Watson: Bass Extremes
Back in September, Berklee held their Beantown Jazz Festival. Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey and Derico Watson took the stage, and thankfully, they recorded it.
Bill Laswell Record is a Bass Extravaganza
The latest release from experimental composer/bassist/producer Bill Laswell is absolutely all about the bass. The seven-track piece, Bass Culture, features not only Laswell, but a divers group of bassists including funk icon Bootsy Collins (James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band), Robbie Shakespeare (one half of reggae legends Sly & Robbie), Jah Wobble (P.I.L.) and Gabe Katz (noise rockers Blind Idiot...
Reader Spotlight: Carlo Dellepiane
If you’re a regular reader here, you’ll know I love the Reader Spotlight. It might just be my favorite thing we do here. This week, I’m thrilled to share Carlo Dellepiane’s story. Carlo is about to embark on his next big step in his musical career, which is awesome. But wait until you read the advice his father gave him...
Kiesel Guitars Introduces Vader Headless Bass Series
Kiesel Guitars has introduced a bass version of their Vader Series of instruments. Available in four, five, and six-string versions, the basses feature a headless design with a compact, beveled body for ergonomics. Each version has 24 frets and a 34-inch scale, though the option of a 30-inch short scale is available. Standard features include an alder body, a carbon...
The Zamar Odongo Collective: Cantaloupe Island
I’ve watched just one video of The Zamar Odongo Collective, and I’m already a big fan. Drummer Zamar Odongo and the group’s pianist, Timothée Bakoglu, came up with this terrific arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island”. Making this even sweeter is the groove (and tone) by bassist Lucy Clifford. We’ll be watching for more from this group from Berklee.
New Set Offers Overview of Jack Bruce’s Life in Music
It’s been a year since Jack Bruce’s Oct. 25, 2014, death at age 71. At the time of this sad anniversary, Polydor has released a set of Bruce’s work, called Sunshine of Your Love: A Life in Music. The two-CD set’s title comes from the Cream tune of the same name. The set includes music from Bruce’s time in that...
Bass of the Week: Lambdin Guitars 35″ Scale Four-String
This week we’re checking out a 35″ Scale Four-String model by luthier Ben Lambdin of Lambdin Guitars. The California-based builder opened shop recently, but he’s no new-comer to the industry. “After nearly a decade of working for and learning from some of the most respected guitar manufacturers in the world, such as the Santa Cruz Guitar Co, Zon Guitars, and...
Miles Mosley, Featuring Justin Sky: High School
Miles Mosley can rip it up on the upright bass, but his latest release, “High School,” isn’t about that. “Ever meet someone that makes you feel nervous and giddy like you’re back in High School again?,” the bassist asks. “Here’s live footage of a song I co-wrote about that very thing, featuring the West Coast Get Down and Justin Sky....
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Releases Latest as Bassist and Poet
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his years playing “Theo” on “The Cosby Show,” is also a Grammy-winning musician, whose latest album with his group Miles Long, Selfless, features his spoken word poetry as well as his bass work. “I’ve been really fortunate to create my own niche,” Warner said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I figure if it’s therapeutic...