Buzz
Reader Spotlight: Guillaume Couture
Meet Guillaume Couture, a bassist from Canada who had the good fortune of growing up around a P-bass (his dad’s). Guillaume started experimenting with it, kicking off a 12-year (and counting) run on the bass. Guillaume is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next!) Here’s his story… Bio: For as long as I can remember,...
In Memoriam: Robert “Pops” Popwell
Robert “Pops” Popwell, who played with The Young Rascals and The Crusaders, has passed away. He was 70 years old. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1946, Popwell started his career in the ’60s. He quickly got work in the jazz and R&B worlds. In 1970 alone, he recorded with Doris Duke, Hubert Laws, Deryll Inman, The Atlanta Disco Band,...
KAE Systems Unveils the MIDI Ant Foot Controller
KAE Systems has released the MIDI Ant, a compact MIDI foot controller designed for versatility. The pedal can activate any program or patch in any existing MIDI device in a chain of up to nine devices. Sporting a bright 3-digit LED display, it offers a fully customizable view of the program/patch number and can generate precise MIDI Clock between 20...
Groove Spoon: Simple Step
It has been a while since we featured a video by the band known as Groove Spoon. This 2009 clip showcases the group in a performance of “Simple Step.” You’ll recognize some familiar faces here too – from the band Vulfpeck – including bassist Joe Dart, drummer Jack Stratton, and vocalist Antwaun Stanley. The track is available for free on...
Yes Releases “Topographic Drama: Live Across America”
Yes has released a new live album, Topographic Drama: Live Across America, taken from the legendary prog band’s U.S. tour in 2016 and 2017. The album title is a play on the songs from the tour which included their 1980 album Drama in its entirety plus the first and fourth sides of the 1973 release Tales From Topographic Oceans. Besides...
Bass of the Week: Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo Bass
This week we’re checking out a hip Gretsch bass that had its start as a blues guitar. The Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo Bass is a four-string version of the company’s recreation of Bo Diddley’s classic Jupiter Thunderbird guitar he designed in 1959. When he gifted it to Billy Gibbons, the ZZ Top frontman didn’t dare to take such a rare instrument...
Eastwood Guitars Unveils Two New Basses, Teases Doubleneck 4/6
Eastwood introduced ten new instruments to their Custom Shop this week including two basses and a double neck guitar/bass. As part of their custom shop, each model is released under a crowd-funding/pre-order campaign. The first new bass is the Eastwood EB-1, which of course pays tribute to the Gibson EB-1 released in 1953. “We’ve made a few subtle changes but...
Jimi Hendrix Experience: Hey Joe (Live at the Monterey Pop Festival)
On this day in 1942, James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix was born. And while we don’t usually put quite the spotlight on guitarists, Hendrix is a favorite around here. Here’s the Jimi Hendrix Experience performing “Hey Joe” during their landmark appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, with Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. This concert also had...
Dave Roe To Join Dan Auerbach on 2018 Tour
Dan Auerbach has announced a 2018 tour in support of his new solo record, Waiting On A Song, and he’s put together a killer band for it. Picking from Nashville and Memphis musicians that helped create the album, the Black Keys guitarist/vocalist will be joined by Bobby Wood on keyboards, Russ Pahl on pedal steel, Gene “Bubba” Chrisman on drums,...
Keeley Electronics Introduces the Omni Reverb Pedal
Keeley Electronics has expanded their pedal lineup with the Omni Reverb, which they describe as “a powerful two control Reverb that gives you all the classic sounds with set-and-forget Room, Spring, and Plate reverb effects.” The streamlined pedal has two knobs- Dwell and Level – as well as a three-position switch for toggling between Room, Spring, and Plate reverbs. Each...
Stuart Clayton: Bass Lick of the Week #5 – Rock Bass Line with Plectrum
We’re really digging Stuart Clayton’s “Bass Lick of the Week” series. Here’s episode #5, where Stuart shares a great rock bass line, which he plays on a Fender Jazz with an octave pedal and a pick. Stuart has the transcription available on his Bassline Publishing site. (To access these files, just click on “Free Stuff!” on the main menu.)
Sting Releases New Video, “Live At The Olympia Paris”
Sting has released a new live video from a recent concert in Paris in a film called Sting: Live At The Olympia Paris. Taken from his performance in April 2017, the concert showcases the gamut of his career with tracks from his latest studio album, 57th & 9th, as well as hits from The Police and his solo career. Songs...