Buzz
A Taste of Honey: Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978)
Like it or not, disco produced some great bass lines. Jeff Kerestes shared this music video of A Taste of Honey, featuring bassist/vocalist Janice-Marie Johnson, on our Facebook page. The song, “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” is a classic example of groovy bass from the ’70s. “I just came across this video,” Jeff said. “Classic bass line! Great female bass player.” Agreed!
Rewind: Bass of the Week, The Best Jaco Covers, Les Claypool Interview and the Best Bass Gear and Videos
Our Bass of the Week last week – Lemmy Kilmister‘s Rickenbacker Limited Edition Signature 4004LK – took the top honors as the #1 feature on No Treble. Readers also enjoyed the top 10 Jaco Pastorius covers and play-alongs, as well as our exclusive interview with Les Claypool. Ryan Madora checks in with her latest Blues Bass column, focusing on blues...
In Memoriam: Laurie McAllister
Laurie McAllister, who played bass in the final lineup of the iconic all-girl rock band the Runaways, has passed away at the age of 54. McAllister joined the Runaways in November 1978, replacing Victory Blue and becoming the 6th bassist in the band’s four year history. On her Facebook page, she listed her time in the band as the “Best...
Pat Metheny: Bright Size Life, Live with Richard Bona
Here’s some incredible fretless playing by Richard Bona with the Pat Metheny Group in the mid-2000’s. Bona pays his respects to Jaco, who played on the original take, while adding his own flair and chops to the tune.
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Add Dates to Rocket Science Tour
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have announced additional tour dates for their tour in support of Rocket Science. The tour kicked off in June, and will continue in 2012. The tour features the original Flecktones line up, including banjoist Bela Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten, drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten and the return of harmonica player Howard Levy. Bela Fleck & The...
Reverend Guitars’ Thundergun Bass Now Available in Three Colors
Reverend Guitars has announced their Thundergun model is now available in three colors: Wine Red, Vintage Clear, and Black. Besides a striking body design and reverse headstock, the set-neck bass features a raised center ridge for added sustain. Reverend designed the bass for “old school tone, but with modern punch,” explaining that their Thick Brick bridge pickup brings out cutting...
Kyle Eastwood Releases “Songs From the Chateau”
Kyle Eastwood has released his fifth solo album, Songs from the Chateau. The nine-track collection pays homage to France, where he spends his time while not living in Los Angeles, and was recorded in Chateau Couronneau, a 15th century chateau in Ligueux. Eastwood, who doubles on electric and upright, has kept a steady band in a genre where artists often...
NHØP, Larry Coryell and Phillip Catherine: Blues in the Closet
Here’s a super performance by bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (who introduces the tune) along with guitarists Larry Coryell and Phillip Catherine. The trio plays Oscar Pettiford’s “Blues in the Closet”, trading solos along the way.
Jeff Berlin to Tour in New All-Star Fusion Trio
Jeff Berlin will part of an all-star jazz fusion trio set to tour the East Coast in September. Filled out by guitarist Scott Henderson and drummer Mike Clark, the group starts in Sellersville, Pennsylvania before snaking up the coast then west to Ohio and ending in Chicago, Illinois on October 2nd. Berlin, who describes the group as the “Clapton-Bruce-Baker of...
Peavey Releases Updated TNT 115 and TKO 115 Bass Combos
Peavey has released updated versions of their TKO and TNT 115 bass combos. Rated at 400 watts and 600 watts respectively, the amps are fresher takes on the models which debuted over 30 years ago. There are several factors the TKO and TNT share – a 15″ loudspeaker, a tilt-back design, a seven-band graphic EQ with high and low shelving...
Understanding Blues Forms and Common Substitutions
In this lesson, we’re going to examine a couple of different blues forms, specifically the 12 bar, 8 bar, and 16 bar blues. Additionally, we’ll go over a few different approaches to playing through the form and knowing when it would be appropriate to substitute chords or when to adhere to the traditional changes. Here is a diagram outlining the...
Fitz and The Tantrums: Don’t Gotta Work It Out
The love for the low end runs deep in my family. My brother Josh, a bass trombonist sent me this video, highlighting both the bass and the honkin’ good bari sax. This is Fitz and The Tantrums, a band from L.A. with bassist Joseph Karnes and sax man James King. The tune, “Don’t Gotta Work It Out”, is from their...