Buzz
Steve Lawson Releases New Live, Improvised Solo Bass Album
Steve Lawson has released Believe in Peace, a four song album taken from his performance at the I Ching Arts Exhibit in Minneapolis. The exhibit featured the work of Geoff Bush, which moved Lawson so much that he decided to break from his normal gig routine with his wife and play an additional improv solo set. “Intending to play a...
In Memoriam: Pete Stevens, Co-Founder of Wal Basses
Pete Stevens, co-founder of Wal Basses, has passed away at the age of 65. The announcement came from the Wal Bass website. “It is with deepest sadness that we must pass on the news that Pete ‘The Fish’ Stevens, co-founder of Wal Bass Guitars,” the company stated. “As many in the Wal family will know, Pete had suffered from chronic...
Left Hand Thumb: Position
For all instrumentalists, excess tension should be a source of concern. We should work to eliminate it as much as possible. For string players, and especially bassists, excess tension can not only lead to technical and musical inaccuracies, but also to physical discomfort and injury. Sometimes these injuries can be resolved or worked around, other times they cannot. When serious...
Before 2112: Make Some Noise for Rush
During our down time (is there such a thing?) during the holiday week, the No Treble crew decided to put up a petition site for Rush, calling out the epic failure on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s part to keep them out. Well, they didn’t nickname me “Instigator” for nothing. Thanks to some help from our good friends...
Ed Friedland: Looping Bass Version of Steely Dan’s “Do It Again”
Here’s a cool video of Ed Friedland, aka the Bass Whisperer, building up a full on version of Steely Dan’s classic “Do It Again” during a 2010 clinic at the Bass Emporium in Austin, Texas. After “giving the drummer some,” Friedland fills out the tune’s bass line, chords and melody before ripping into a tasty solo.
Top 10: Best of 2011 Lists, The Top Bass Video of the Week Plus New Bass Gear
Our weekly top 10 list for the final week of 2011 is made up of even more top 10 lists. Our “Best of 2011” series last week was mega popular, taking the top three slots, and six of the top 10 overall. If you missed them, check them out below, or the complete “Best Of” series. Happy new year! Looking...
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #1: Victor Wooten
One of the busiest bassists in the business, Victor Wooten was probably never busier than in 2011. Let’s run down the list: The bassist announced his new label, Vix Records, during the Winter NAMM show in January. That wasn’t Vic’s only announcement at NAMM. He also debuted the new Yin Yang Standard bass with Fodera, based on the company’s Victor...
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #2: Les Claypool
Les Claypool said that Primus went “back on the front burner” in 2011, with the reintroduction of original drummer Jay Lane and the band’s release of Green Naugahyde, the first new full-length album since 1999. News of the reunion, the new CD and touring activity pushed the bassist to the #2 slot on the reader favorites list here. We caught...
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #3: Jaco Pastorius
Jaco Pastorius remains a force, nearly a quarter of a century after the world lost the bass legend way too soon. Jaco would have been 60 on December 1, 2011, so we honored him that day with an all-Jaco celebration, including our tribute to the one called “the world’s greatest bassist”. Thanks to the web and Youtube, previously unseen Jaco...
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #4: Esperanza Spalding
2011 was a monster year for Esperanza Spalding. She made bassists proud (and millions of teenage girls super sad/mad) by beating out Justin Bieber for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Esperanza was also the first jazz artist to win the award in decades. During the Grammy Awards, Esperanza teamed up with Bobby McFerrin for a memorable duet performance....
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #5: Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins is one busy bassist. 2011 saw the release of his first studio album in five years, Tha Funk Capital of the World, a new transcription book of Bootsy’s Legendary Licks, the two year anniversary of the bassist’s Funk University and an appearance on Sly Stone’s first album in over 25 years, I’m Back! Family & Friends. One of...
2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #6: Tal Wilkenfeld
Tal Wilkenfeld, last year’s #1 player on No Treble had a less busy year in 2011, but still made the top ten list. The always popular bassist wowed readers with her live performance with Ben Harper and Jackson Browne of “Steal My Kisses“, as well as another live performance with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, playing a medley of “Bolero”,...