Buzz
Tom Walker Trio: Miss You
Sandwiched between the many political posts on Facebook are a few gems, like this one. Here’s the Tom Walker Trio’s “Suitcase Sessions” cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You.” Deano Bass handles the low end on this excellent cover.
Simon Sammut Returns With “Crossing”
Bassist Simon Sammut has released his sophomore solo album called Crossing. Following up on 2011’s Bassic Attitude, the effort is an evolution of his sound, which he describes as “fluid in texture and inspiration.” “The musical score and complimentary paintings are based on a common theme of ‘crossing,'” he writes. “Essentially it is about crossing barriers or boundaries whether they...
Mu-FX Introduces the Phasor 2X Pedal
Mu-FX has expanded their line of effects with the Phasor 2X. The pedal is an enhanced reissue of the Musitronics Mu-Tron Phasor II from the 1970’s and was designed by Musitronics co-founder Mike Beigel. “The Phasor 2X features the same analog electro-optical phase-shift circuitry as the original Mu-Tron Phasor II, with many enhancements,” a press release states. “These include: dual...
Creative Bass Lines: Lydian Triad Pairs
Today, we dive into something new – superimposing Major triad pairs derived from Lydian Mode Harmony over a Major 7th chord. The examples on the video are over an F Major 7th chord, and I am using a neat little looper for this. It’s a great practice tool. In the video (and transcription) I take you through the basic major...
Hiromi Uehara Trio Project: Flashback
Hiromi’s “Trio Project” is one I’ve always loved, thanks to some monster musicians. The trio took the stage on July 25, 2015, in Japan, with Anthony Jackson on bass and Simon Phillips on drums. Here’s their performance of “Flashback” from that show.
Phil Lesh Weighs In On New Grateful Dead Documentary
Grateful Dead fans are ecstatic about Long Strange Trip, the new four-hour documentary that tells the legendary band’s tale. It is showing in select theaters and now streaming on Amazon Prime. As in-depth as the film is, bassist Phil Lesh says it doesn’t cover the whole story. “It’s only telling part of the story,” he told Rolling Stone. “The Grateful...
Points of View: An Interview With Tom Kennedy
With decades of playing with some of the world’s top musicians under his belt, Tom Kennedy has seen a lot. Starting with jazz greats when he was just a teenager, the master bassist has seen the world from the stage and the studio. That’s only part of why his new album, Points of View, is so aptly titled. The release,...
FORQ: 635 South
Michael League is one busy bassist. FORQ – the band consisting of the Snarky Puppy bassist/founder, along with Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, Rudder keyboardist Henry Hey, and drummer Jason “JT” Thomas – has just released another video featuring a tune from their album, . “635 South” was written by Thomas.
Harry Shearer To Release Spinal Tap Bassist Derek Smalls Solo Album
Thirty-three years after the mockumentary that put Spinal Tap on the map, Derek Smalls is making a solo album. The “Big Bottom” bassist, a character played by Harry Shearer, is reportedly in the process of recording his solo debut, tentatively entitled Smalls Change. Shearer talked about the project with GQ, saying it will “shed light on the travails of partying...
Going Wireless: What to Look for in a Wireless System
Q: Every so often, I get a question and have no experience with the subject matter. Rather than ignoring it, I like to get someone else involved who can answer it better than I could. Case in point: I received a question some months ago asking about wireless systems and for suggestions as to what to look for and what...
Thundercat: Show You the Way
Thundercat was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week, and man was it good. Joined by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, they performed “Show You the Way,” from Thundercat’s latest album, Drunk.
On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 1
Part 1 – Boston/Burlington/Montreal/Toronto Introduction: We’re currently trudging along Queen Elizabeth Highway in Ontario, Canada. It’s a long stretch of nothingness road flanked by featureless forests and rest stops with Tim Horton’s menus in French. It will be a long haul from Montreal to Toronto today. It’s Day Four of a twenty city tour throughout Canada and the United States....