Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: hendixclarke on July 14, 2009, 10:57:59 AM
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They sure have the best tools...
What are your thoughts?
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 14, 2009)
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No
The tool makes neither a musician nor a leader.
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Some tools do make musicians and leaders. The right tools, fit the right person, for the right job.
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 14, 2009)
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Tried it many times..pain in the arse
Organise the rehearsal room
Choose some songs then ask the rest to choose some..usually none brought to the table or chosen ones don't fit
Organise the gigs
Argueing over if that solo fits, that drum fill and on and on
No I would rather just contribute the low notes to the set
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Nah, in my experience the band leader tends to be the person who gathers the musicians together for a gig regardless of instrument.
Jazzyvee
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IMO ... a nice tool belt doesn't always mean a job well done. Training, experience, focus, preparation...are way more important.
A nice hammer is just icing on the cake.
It's nice to have the right one for the job...look out for the novice with the nail gun.
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Been playing Alembics for over 30 years. I have never been a leader. It just ain't me.
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Some band leaders aretools!. ;)
OO
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This post is very insightful...
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being a band leader is all about personality, being open, energetic, and organized are the things that i have seen in the band leaders that i know, so despite the instrument, a band leader is all about personality, not having a $10,000 instrument(my drummer has a $6000 Sonar drum kit and is DEFINETLY not the leader, he is the main reason practice gets cancelled).
~Taylor Watterson
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Are Alembic Players more prone (to be, or not to be...) band leaders?
That is the question...
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no
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No what?
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 14, 2009)
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For someone to spend 10K or more on an Alembic waiting for leadership, before producing a note, would not be a wise investment in my book.
For the great band leadership out there, is probably already taken anyway.
Therefore, I say to everyone BE A LEADER and get Alembic sounds recognized to stay strong.
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no, alembic owners are not prone to being band leaders more than anyone else. i agree, get the sound out there, be a leader for the Alembic tone, but that doesn't mean you need to be the band leader
~Taylor Watterson
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I believe Alembics are a huge mystery to most people and band leaders in particular.
Who's going to be the best advocate for Alembic music, if not the Alembic users themselves? If not us, who... when Stanley and Mark is not enough?
I guess that it... thanks
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 14, 2009)
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I think that being the point man in any particular group correlates with getting the gigs, being driven to perform so much that a person puts everything together such as choosing the musicians which must consist of musicians with the similar demeanor, concepts/taste and desire to perform too. Let's face it, the leader must be able to wear many hats such as diplomat, (quelling dissonances within the group),salesmanyou gotta get out there and promote your product and at a fair price (espicially with the way our economy is))the pointman must be charismatic (speaking to the audience, getting them involved)
I just happen to be lucky enough to own an Alembic. I have great musicians in my group Bop Top I sing in the group and choose 90% of the tunes (and this goes back to the musicians ) the musicians in the group trust my choices (song and gig-wise) I do ask them what do they want to play all of the time and on occaision somebody in the group will request a song to play. I could go on and on....Did I say that I perform using my Double Bass too? And that is defintely not an Alembic. I'm compelled to play and for me it was a natural progression in becoming the Point Man I just happen to have the Alembic which in my opinion is Baddest-assed bass in the solar system!!
Peace! And continue to dispurse the salve to our universe by producing those magnificent low frequencies!!!
Chalie Holmes
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As far as I can recall, Miles Davis never played an Alembic and IMO, He was the greatest band leader ever to have lived.
As far as Stanley goes, Who would you say was band leader in return to forever? or SMV? In both cases I'd say stanley was on equal footing with his collaborators but not neccessarily in charge. Mark king may still be the leader of Level 42 but he hasn't used an Alembic for many years.
Graeme (definitely not in charge)
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Chic Corea was the band leader of RTF and I believe he still owns the brand.
Also, in those early days, Stanley was not even using Alembics nor was considered a direct band leader per se.
However, his leadership was shown at an early age, when he switched his Ricky (Rickenbacker) to a Shorty (Alembic Series I short scale). This was a huge thing because Stanley may had passed up some very lucrative endorsements by front running other basses. He chosen quality over money. This was a wise move, for such young musician, for it was a move of Kings/Queens leadership.
What Bass maker don't have a Mark King brand in their line up?
Seems to me, Mark King is not passing any free meals
In either case, Stanley without an Alembics, is like Batman/Superman without their capes.
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 15, 2009)
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My head hurts!!!
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Like my mother would say: If it's to hot in the house, one shouldn't enter the kitchen...
(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 15, 2009)
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Maybe I've got it wrong..............
I was always told......if its too hot, stay out of the kitchen!!??
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Wow, to say Miles was the greatest band leader ever is quite a stretch. Did you ever meet him? I did not, but I have met a few of the musicians who did. The consensus is that he was a moody unpredictable drug addict with a lot of emotional problems. Not my choice for a band leader. Just my 2 cents worth. I would have chosen Duke or Count. Very professional and you knew if or when you were getting paid.Oh yeah, Marcus Miller ran Miles band for at least 6yrs, and I think he has a few Alembics.
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Nick. You'll notice I said 'IMO' i.e. 'in my opinion'. Other opinions are equally welcome. To balance your comment, every interview or soundbite I've heard / read from musicians he employed would suggest that they held him in the highest regard. In fact, Marcus has stated several times, including at a gig I attended, that he never gets tired of playing Tutu because of his great love for Miles.
Graeme
p.s. george. I've heard it's if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen
(Message edited by jacko on July 15, 2009)
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That's cool Graeme. That's why I putjust my 2 cents worth. And then included the part about Marcus, as he is a band leader with some Alembic's. Which is what I thought this thread was about. Are we good? Nick.
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You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone . . .
She don't come and I don't follow . . .
I can't imagine trying to lead my peers. I collaborate among my equals, and give respect to their ideas. I'll consider any of my band members suggestions, even if I don't agree. But none of us have the ego to call ourselves leader.
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Here's a brain twister: What if both the guitar player and the bass player for a band played Alembics? I guess the leader would have to be chosen by the ole tie their hands together and let them duke it out like in the 'Beat It' video method...
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And when they asked us who will lead
I thought it surely must be me
But I stood up too fast
(I stood up too fast)
Because as soon as I was boss
The next one in line took my head clean off
Cause I stood up too fast
(I stood up too fast)
And when they asked for volunteers
I must have thought they said 'drink beers'
And I stood up too fast
(I stood up too fast)
And right before your very eyes
I have ignored my own advice
Cause I stood up too fast
(I stood up too fast)
And nobody has the slightest choice
But to put up with my droning voice
When I stood up too fast
(I stood up too fast)
Chorus excerpts from Stood Up, Todd Rundgren - Liars, 2004 (IMO, an excellent CD)
http://www.thelyricarchive.com/song/565433-76465/Stood-Up (http://www.thelyricarchive.com/song/565433-76465/Stood-Up)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Liars+Todd+Rundgren&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
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I think bald Canadians are more prone to be band leaders.....
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I like showing up and playing my best and letting somebody else sweat the details. It's really nice after a show when they blow by the leader to see my Alembic and tell me how cool it looks and sounds. John
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Nick; you wrote about Miles Davis that the consensus is that he was a moody unpredictable drug addict. Miles kicked his addiction, which started around 1950, in 1954; thus the only players among whom a consensus could call him a drug addict would be those who played with him prior to 1955. Miles recorded a lot of albums and led a lot of bands after 1954 until his death in 1991.
Personally, I do not think it a stretch that someone would suggest Miles to be the best band leader of all time. Miles brought forth amazing music from the players that he led. It was Miles' leadership that brought forth Kind of Blue, an album that many consider the most important and influential jazz album ever. It was his leadership that brought forth Bitches Brew and Birth of the Cool, both considered to be major turning points in the history of jazz. There are other band leaders who have had similar impacts on the history of music, Ellington and Zappa to name two off the top of my head, and I personally tend to shy away from calling anyone the best of anything; but I can certainly understand why someone might find Miles the best band leader. He was, in my view, certainly one of the most important.
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You will know the tree, by fruits it bares...
Miles Davis, O God, I would dare anyone to try to live in his shoes for one day... You pick any of the the years.. 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's or 70's you would throw a chair.
I recommend you read his Autobiography written with Quincy Troupe before to throw stones on a Great Man like Miles.
I will say nothing more on this... Not one word more!
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One of the aspects of aspects of the leadership that Miles Davis offered the music world was giving relatively new young talents a chance to express them selves as artists while being booked in HIS gig and giving them a chance to be heard by the WORLD! One thing is sure and that is if Miles released a musical production EVERYONE was listening. I really feel that this is the most beautiful gift that an elder established musical artist can offer to talented young players . Miles was giving these CATS
an opportunity to show them selves in prime light !
(Message edited by sonicus on July 16, 2009)
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When Gill Evans and Miles had reached out to Jimi to fill the void, one could imagine what magic and new direction Jazz would had gone.
I think many young rockers picked up on it... Thus the birth of Fusion Jazz...
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Hey Nick, sorry for the delay - it was bedtime over here ;-) Of course we're good;-) the world would be a poorer place if everyone had the same opinion and it's a real shame the internet is so bad at conveying emotion, humour, facial expressions etc. I've said many times to people on here that if we were to meet in person we'd get along straightaway.
And thanks Dave, Hal and Wolf for chiming in. I knew I couldn't be the only one that likes Miles ;-)
Graeme
p.s. Dan said I think bald Canadians are more prone to be band leaders...... The drummer in Big Tuna is bald, canadian, gets the gigs, sorts the set lists and does all the on stage patter. Proves the point admirably ;-)
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My band used to make me run all the leads.....
thats why I left
slawie
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Thanks Graeme
You're right of course!
It was just, that my brain had gone into melt down mode, and I nearly forgot how to speak English!
G
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Hey guy's. Just getting up here on the west coast of America. Not to beat a dead horse but may bee you guys don't recall Miles's terrible coke habit starting during the On the Corner days and extending thru the early 90's.He states this very clearly in his Autobiography. Heck, he even had his nephew running around town to score before a practice could start. Now look, I love Miles. All his music and the way he continued to reinvent himself is an inspiration to me. I have spent many, many hours transcribing his melodies and solo work. Originally suggested by my bass teacher, Phil Baker, the work took on a life of it's own as I became enamored with the simplicity and complexity of such a minimalist construction. I am stating it's very hard to work with leaders that are more interested in getting f*$#3d up than rehersing. Or nodding out on stage. Or the opposite. Getting all coked up before a show and breaking strings and busting their axe.I will never know what it's like to be a Miles Davis. Where I live the elder statesmen that gave young cats a chance died. They gave me a chance and I ran with it and have been gigging ever since. But the current old guard have every gig locked up, and the club owners don't want to hear anything new. It's all Autumn Leaves, and Love for sale. Great tunes, but overplayed. Thank you all for being soooooo cool on this forum. I looked around at it a few years ago. I am glad I found my way back.
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Hey Nick,
That is exactly why I formed the unit I have now because most of the other groups focus on The Real Book material. I do not have anything against that material but I really wanted to do something entirely different than what most of the other musical groups perform in my neck of the woods. We still incorporate a few real book tunes now and then, but the bulk of our stuff is Smooth jazz,Jazz rock/funk. Hell, I just transcribed a feel good tune All Night Long By Lionel Richie. And Heavy Cloud no Rain By Sting. For me, I like to play alot of different songs, the great thing is that the guys that are in my unit wanted to play this stuff too!Did I mention that we cover Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Al Jarreau, Stanley Clark, Marcus Miller, Dizzy Gillespie, Marylyn Scott,and Brian Bromberg too?! And that's just the tip of the iceberg!! Peace brother!
Chalie Holmes
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Hey Graeme,
I was thinking about Paul Shaffer. Thanks for supporting my point. I must be on to something...
Dan
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Oops, I forgot to say that I got the Woody Stroode look too! (for those that do not know who woody is, he was the guy that was going to kill Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) in the fight scene.
Tall tan and bald baby!
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not too sure about band leader, but it seems EVERY band I've been in, I am the one that is technically proficient and wind up being the sound and tech... I think the bass player in a lot of bands become the sound guy for this reason...and if you play an Alembic...you obviously have a technical bent so you can't hide!
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Chalie - other than travelling to the Keystone state where could a fella hear some of your stuff?
Stevie, Stanley, Marcus and Bromberg!!! Man you must be one busy cat - I understand why you have the best rig ever! And why you are tall tan and bald!!!:-D
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Yo Pauldo!!
I will make it a point to try and record Bop Top live. We gig twice every other month sometimes more. I really am humbled by your rig statement! Thanks man!
To answer your question, 6'3 afro-amer and follicley (sp) challenged.
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Wow, this thread opened a can of worms....
In my band I'm the technician,singer,writer and bass player with songs written on bass; thankfully I bought an Alembic so those big bass
riffs sound BADASS!
I think a good bass player with good tone becomes a leader whether he/she means to or not; the rythymn section is key! without it, all is sucking....Tony
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Let the band lead the band! that is the only way...
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Band Leader, been there & done that. WAY TOO much work for the little extra cash!
Yep Hired Gun that's me!.
OO
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One can get a little extra cash for being the band leader? I must have been doing it wrong all those years! It seems to always cost me... I prefer the hired guns gigs in a lot of ways, but I have to admit I like choosing my share of the song list enough to pay that little extra!
-JP
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No.