Buzz
Exploring the Value of Slap Bass
Q: I get so excited with seeing and hearing amazing slap bass playing. However, I’m wondering how many eggs to put the “slap basket.” I have tried a couple of different books and videos and have finally settled on Louis Johnson’s DVD from 1984. I am still working on the first lick and able to play it, but not at...
Monty Alexander, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton: Mojo
Today is John Clayton’s birthday, and we’re celebrating with one of the bassist’s grooves. Here’s the jazz guru laying it down with Monty Alexander and Jeff Hamilton on the tune “Mojo.” Clayton’s joy for music is infectious. Make sure to check out his solo at the 3:22 mark. Happy birthday, Mr. Clayton!
Swedish Trio Dirty Loops Releases Debut Album, “Loopified”
Dirty Loops, the Swedish trio known for its wild cover versions of songs by Justin Bieber, Adele and Justin Timberlake, has released its first album, . The band is still somewhat amazed by its success, which led to the creation of the record, according to bassist Henrik Linder. “We thought the combination of fusion and pop was so unsexy that...
Reader Spotlight: Scott Varney
Meet Scott Varney, a solo bassist who has a great “how I got started” story, and one who is doing his thing across various venues around his home in Williamsburg. Scott is the No Treble reader in the spotlight for the week of August 18, 2014. Bio: I am a solo bassist singer songwriter who lives in Williamsburg VA. Although...
Jimmi Clarke: Teen Town
Nigel Palmer sent us this video of his musical colleague, bassist Jimmi Clarke performing the Jaco Pastorius tune “Teen Town”. “Jimmi is an established session and live bassist for such luminaries as Gloria Gaynor and Il Divo,” Nigel said. “…and here he makes the Jaco/Weather Report tune ‘Teen Town’ look like a walk in the park, with a side order...
In Memoriam: Billy Rath
Billy Rath, bassist for classic punk band Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, has passed away after a long illness. He was 66. Rath joined the New York-based Heartbreakers in 1976, replacing original bassist Richard Hell. He was featured on the band’s only studio album, L.A.M.F, which caught the attention of the Sex Pistols. The band went on tour with the...
Xotic Announces 6-String XJ-1T Bass
Xotic has expanded their XJ-1T series with a 6-string bass, which the company describes as having the feel and tone of a traditional jazz-type bass with the addition of two more strings. The 34″ scale bass is fitted with a pair of the company’s single coil pickups and Hum Reduction Inductor circuit that eliminates the hum associated with jazz-style pickups....
Bass of the Week: M-Tone Guitars Boki
M-Tone Guitars made their first bass earlier this year, and by the looks of it, they got it right the first time. The M-Tone Boki is a custom bass that was hand-built in Portland, Oregon with a “super light” one-piece swamp ash body finished in a gorgeous floral paint job. Its motif is carried over to its steel pickguard, too....
El Ten Eleven: Thanks Bill
This must be the month for big sounding duos. Our friend Lucas Carver sent this note: “Experimental Post Rock with just Kristian on double neck guitar/bass and Tim on drums and crazy percussion. Kristian is the reason I love playing bass.” Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty are the duo known as El Ten Eleven. They hit the Vintage Room at...
New Stanley Clarke Band Album, “UP”, Set for Late September Release
Jazz-fusion bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke’s latest is set to drop September 30. UP, from The Stanley Clarke Band, promises a blend of electric and acoustic bass work from the legendary Clarke. Clarke’s former bandmates, pianist/keyboardist Ruslan Sirota and drummer Ronald Bruner Jr. appear on the album being released by Mack Avenue Records, as do acoustic pianist Beka Gochiashivili and drummer...
Weekly Top 10: Exploring Rocco Prestia’s Tone, Top 10 Bass Videos, New Gear and More of the Best in Bass
I love it when this happens: the top 10 list includes a top 10 list. So if you came to see the best in bass for this week, sit back and enjoy. These 10 stories and videos had the most views by No Treble readers for the week of August 10-16, 2014. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing....
Paul Jackson Trio: Midnight Is A Lonely Heart
Bass legend Paul Jackson reached out to us with this note: “Good people at No Treble, check our new video ‘Midnight is a Lonely Heart’ from our forthcoming ‘Groove or Die’.” This, ladies and gentlemen, is what it is all about. The track is a preview of the debut album by the Paul Jackson Trio, Groove Or Die, scheduled for...