Buzz
Stanley Clarke: Acoustic Bass Solo
It never ceases to amaze me how musical Stanley Clarke is, and how easy he makes it look when he’s playing. Plus, he looks cool too. Enjoy.
Notion Music Introduces Progression 2.0 Composition Software
Notion Music has released Progression 2.0, the latest version of their composition software for bass, guitar and drums. New features include a more intuitive interface, desktop/iPad compatibility, and real instrument sounds for playback including bass samples by Victor Wooten. Other real samples are provided by guitarist Neil Zaza and drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten. Progression 2.0’s ability to work on multiple...
Adam Stevens: All Bass “Chameleon”
Bassist Adam Stevens makes it so easy to want to feature him. Aside from his excellent playing, he produces a lot of videos too. Here’s Adam playing the classic Herbie Hancock tune “Chameleon” from the Head Hunters album. Adam puts it all together the way we like it: using multiple bass tracks and loops.
PocketLabworks Introduces NeoBuds Noise-Isolating Earbud Headphones
PocketLabworks is now offering NeoBuds, a set of noise-isolating in-ear headphones aimed at musicians. The new earbuds feature nedodymium drivers, which the company says offers pro audio sound and super bass performance. NeoBuds offer a 4-foot cable ended with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug for connecting to smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, and more. The PocketLabworks NeoBuds Pro Musician Neodymium Noise-Isolating...
N-Audio Introduces Isolated Splitter / DI Box
Bulgarian boutique pedal company N-Audio has introduced the Isolated Guitar Splitter / DI Box. The unit – which accepts guitar, bass, and line level signals – combines a splitter y-box with dual isolated outputs and a DI box for recording. The company explains that the heart of the pedal is in its transformer. “Unlike typical transformer isolated guitar splitter this...
Geddy Lee: The Warner Music Interview
Roman Rogowiecki of Warner Music in Poland sat down with Geddy Lee in a wide ranging interview, where the two discussed Rush, their newest album, Clockwork Angels and a broad range of interesting topics related to both. The 21-minute interview is full of great responses from the always thoughtful and always humble bassist. Rush is currently on tour in support...
Adam Ben Ezra: Openland
Whenever a new video by bassist Adam Ben Ezra arrives, I pretty much drop what I’m doing to watch it. Each time, I wonder how Adam will raise the bar on what he does, and pretty much every time, he does. In this performance of “Openland”, Adam plays multiple instruments. He said the tune provided him “with an excuse to...
Paul McCartney Releases “Live Kisses” DVD
Earlier this year, former Beatle Paul McCartney stepped away from the bass for the album Kisses on the Bottom, an effort that instead featured a host of studio and jazz musicians accompanying him as he sang traditional pop tunes that shaped his early musical understanding. Now Sir Paul has followed up with a live DVD called Live Kisses. Recorded in...
Bass of the Week: Schecter Blackjack ATX C-4
This week we check out the Schecter Blackjack ATX C-4, a 4-stringer with attitude. Available in Sunburst, Black Satin, and Aged White finishes, the bass is built with a mahogany body, 3-piece mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard. The company explains ebony has a “snappy, crisp attack” that lends itself to picking due to its high amount of percussive overtones....
Custom Shop: BNA Audio
Great things often come out of solutions to problems. For example, bassist Mark Robertson noticed that amplifying an upright bass to really loud levels was an issue that got overlooked by most manufacturers. He eventually discussed it with friend and electronics guru Justin Herlocker, and BNA Audio was born. The team got into building hi-fi bass cabinets and is an...
Marco Panascia & Dario Deidda: Jazz Bass Duet
I love watching videos by the bass duo of Marco Panascia and Dario Deidda. I mean, it started with the fact that this is a bass duo. Then it quickly turned into admiration for their playing and their fun approach to music. Here’s the duo performing live in Rome in 2010. Thanks to Joachim Mahoudeaux for sharing this with us!
Soundgarden Release “King Animal”, Announce Tour Dates
It has been a long time since Soundgarden has released any new material. Sixteen years to be exact. That’s all changing with the release of King Animal, an album that should have fans rejoicing as the band stays true to their signature sound. Bassist Ben Shepherd supplies low end support as well as several of the album’s riffs, including the...