Are Alembic players more prone to be band leader?

[hendixclarke]

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)

[chalie_holmes]

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

[jacko]

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)

[hendixclarke]

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)

[georgie_boy]

My head hurts!!!

[hendixclarke]

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)

[georgie_boy]

Maybe I've got it wrong..............
I was always told......if its too hot, stay out of the kitchen!!??

[afrobeat_fool]

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.

[jacko]

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)

[afrobeat_fool]

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.

[hydrargyrum]

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.

[eligilam]

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...

[artswork99]

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.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Liars+Todd+Rundgren&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

[bluplirst]

I think bald Canadians are more prone to be band leaders.....

[dlbydgtl]

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