Buzz

Elvin Jones Trio, Featuring Jimmy Garrison: Sweet Little Maia (1968)

I don’t watch much TV, but I would if it was more like this 1968 clip from the Danish show Jazz Omkring Midnat. The Elvin Jones Trio, consisting of drummer Elvin Jones, bassist Jimmy Garrison and saxophonist Joe Farrel plays the tune “Sweet Little Maia.” The trio gets to really stretch out since there isn’t a chordal instrument, and Garrison...

Glenn Hughes and Black Country Communion Release Live CD, Prepare Next Studio Album

Black Country Communion have released a CD version of Live Over Europe as a follow-up to the DVD of the same name. Taken from their 2011 European tour, the 2-CD set features 17 tracks of the band’s original songs as well as two tunes from the band members’ previous work. Comprised of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason...

Bass of the Week: Rob Allen MB-2

The Rob Allen MB-2 is a unique semi-hollow bass designed to combine the warmth of an upright with the punch of a solid body electric bass. Though it’s available in a fretted version, the MB-2 comes standard as fretless to keep with the organic feel. The bass is offered in three variations depending on the top selected: Maple, Walnut, or...

Rocking Steady: An Interview with Jack Casady (Part 1)

As a member of the generation-defining bands Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, the impact Jack Casady’s bass playing cannot be overstated. His unmistakable tone and melodic bass lines have been the foundation for countless songs, not to mention the inspiration for countless bassists. While his previous accomplishments are nothing short of incredible, Casady isn’t one to rest on his laurels....

Tony Grey: Floating River Yangtze

Tony Grey shares this video he put together using a variety of bass loops and showcasing his new Fodera Signature model. Every one of the loops was recorded using the bass. The tune is “Floating River Yangtze”. So cool.

Top 10: The Best of No Treble in February

February might be the shortest month, but it was also a record breaking month for traffic on No Treble. Here are the top 10 most read articles, features and interviews on No Treble in February, 2012. Also, when The Who shares something on their Facebook page, it kind of helps that story’s rank. (Hint: take a look at the #1...

Aguilar Introduces AG 4P-60 P-Style Pickup

Aguilar Amplification has unveiled the AG 4P-60 P-bass pickup, modeled after company president Dave Boonshoft’s personal 1964 Fender Precision Bass. The vintage-style pickup is described as having just the right amount of “mid-range nose” to cut through a band while retaining hefty low end. Designed as a direct replacement for Fender Precision and other P-style basses, the pickup is built...

Zero Fret: What’s the Point?

Q: What’s the point of a “zero fret”? A: I haven’t noticed much of a difference having a zero fret vs. not having one. My Skjold basses all have zero frets in them, while my Zon’s do not. However, I believe that that the zero fret serves two functions: It gives an open string the same tone as a fretted...

Jeff Beck and Rhonda Smith: “Brush with Blues”, Live at the White House

Our Facebook friend Smokee Bear shares this video with us, of Jeff Beck and Rhonda Smith performing at the White House last week. The group, which also includes Veronica Bellino on drums, is performing “Brush with the Blues” as part of a night of music dubbed “Red White & Blues”. Smokee said, “PBS’ showing the performance of ‘Red, White and...

Mr. Big Releases All Acoustic “Live From the Living Room”

When you’ve been rocking as long as the members of Mr. Big have, it stands to reason that you might want to shake things up from time to time. Last year, the quartet did just that. After 14 years, Mr. Big’s original line up of bassist Billy Sheehan, vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert and drummer Pat Torpey reunited and...

Reader Spotlight: Bill Bois

Meet bassist Bill Bois, a well-traveled musician who has played as many styles of music as the places he’s lived and visited. Maybe more. Bill is our player in the spotlight for February 28, 2012. Bio: I’m a bass player and songwriter. Over the years, I’ve played jazz and rock in Maine; rock and blues in upstate New York; punk...