The Last Bass Outpost

 


I'm probably the world's only person that only took note of Ayn Rand via the unabashed discipleship of a Canadion rock trio!

Or is there anybody else here who learned about her existence via the 2112 album sleeve credits? Goes to show that drummers (Neil Peart) can have political impact.

Sliding on to less sticky subjects, gentlemen, Gibson has now made it official:

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Thunderbird-Short-Scale-Bass.aspx#

They do advertise it a little as if it were primarily for the physically and otherwise (guitarists) handicapped though:

"New from Gibson USA, this bass blends iconic styling with legendary Gibson tone, in a package that is perfect for players looking for something different than the same old long-scale basses out there. The Thunderbird Short Scale Bass (which at 30 1/2" is still somewhat larger than a full-sized guitar) is perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands, beginners and students, or those who are more familiar with 6-string guitar scale lengths. But the short-scale bass isn't merely an "alternative" or a "student" instrument by any means. Two of the world's most famous bassists, Paul McCartney and Jack Bruce, played short-scale basses at the most influential points their careers, and countless others have used them to make legendary rock, pop and blues recordings. The Thunderbird Short Scale Bass brings weighty tones and easy playability to a package styled for the 21st century, and suitable for every variety of music."

Ok, that makes two. George and Mark. Cross-dressing and a penchant for laissez faire market economics are therefore related. In this forum of scientific proof. ; - )

It amazes me that Ayn Rand, who is virtually unknown in Europe, rings a bell with so many of you. And I don't mean that in the sense of endorsing her views, but by knowing her at all. She means nothing to even conservative circles in Germany and is likewise not burnt at the opinion stake in leftist quarters for the simple reason that no one knows her. A real difference in visibility and perception we have here. Très intriguing.

Stop Press!!! It went: "Isn't she delicious ... Well, I hope he was ...".

And I really did think that "Only Women Bleed" was about menstruation at the time!

I can't slap though I tried. I event went to my old bass teacher in 1979 and asked him too teach me and he said: "You can't teach that, you just do it and learn as you go along". I tried the first part of that recommendation. But was spectacularly unsuccessful achieving the desired result. I never got better than abysmally horrible either. I wanted to learn it as another aspect of bass playing, I had no intention of becoming Mr Funk.

These days I can appreciate Marcus Miller or Stanley Clark doing it or Wyzzard (the guy from Mother's Finest), the Level 42 guy leaves me cold. Meshelle Ndwhatshername slaps tastefully too. For me it is percussion more than anything, the ratio of slap lines that are hummable is pretty low in my opinion. It impresses listeners who have little concept of bass playing like hell though.

Rap? Most Rap today doesn't even feature slap bass anymore, the lines would be too busy and get in the way of the rhythm of the rap. I like some of the old stuff, Sugarhill Gang and what were those guys called again that rapped "don't-push-me-cause-I'm-close-to-the-eeeedge"? Was Prince's "You sexy Mothef***er" over that hyper-nervous James Brown'esque bass line (non-slapped) a rap? It had some rap in it - great song. White people are absolutely unable to dance to it too.

Except maybe in demonstration booths at music industry fairs slapping has lost a lot of relevance and prevalence in contemporary music. When did you hear the last top ten hit with a slap bass throughout the song?

I'm fine with Foghat, hey, I even bought Fool for the City as some fancy pants gold hifi remaster CD and their comparatively recent Essential double CD.

They've just released a new album (or a band bearing their name). Charly Huhn, he of Motorcity fame or notoriety, now sings with them. I think I would have preferred Derek St. Holmes to have gotten that job.

Weren't you the guy who preferred them over Roxy Music?