Author Topic: Best recording of jack cassidy's alembic # 1 (Read 507 times)

jseitang · « **on:** August 12, 2005, 02:36:33 PM »

hey what album best represents alembic's number 1 and jack?

yggdrasil · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2005, 04:12:53 PM »

There's very little of Alembic #1 on record. He got it in early 1972.

I'm not an expert, but what I've pieced together is this: most likely on Baron von Tollbooth; probably on long John Silver; probably on 30 seconds over Winterland.

Frank.

(Message edited by Yggdrasil on August 13, 2005)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2005, 05:10:54 PM »

I've wondered the same, particularly about Burgers. It's always been easier to envision Water Song on a straight-up Alembic neck-through than on the Starfire.

Bill

yggdrasil · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2005, 04:59:35 AM »

Well, I went & dug out some of my old vinyl from that period. Burgers is a gatefold, with pics. The only bass shown is the last Starfire.

I have a couple of Casady articles by Dan Schwartz saved on my computer; the relevant passages are: ...Burgers, recorded in late ?71/ early ?72... and For an instrument that had so much energy, time and money invested in it, Jack's Alembic doesn't make too significant a mark in his recorded catalogue, appearing on one Hot Tuna album, the final Airplane album, and some Kantner-Slick collaborations.

Jack , according to Dan, got the bass in early 72 and used it for about 3 years until it dropped on pavement. So, my revised assessment is that it's on Phosphorescent Rat, not Burgers.
It is pictured on the back of 30 Seconds Over Winterland - whether he used it on the last studio album, Long John Silver, copyright 1972, is doubtful, I think. Sunfighter is 71, so it's not on that, leaving Baron von Tollbooth and probably Manhole as the the other 2 albums that he would have used it on.

So listen to 30 Seconds, Baron von Tollbooth & Phos Rat - you'll have a range of approaches done on Alembic #1.

I stand to be corrected.

Frank

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2005, 05:19:00 AM »

Why not ask Jack himself? He has a website, and he teaches Bass regularly at Jorma's Fur Peace Ranch. Drop him an email or, better yet, take his course and ask him yourself, LOL!

http://www.casadybass.com/

http://www.furpeaceranch.com/index.html

One of these years, I'm gonna do just that. As a guitarist who masquerades as a bassist, I'm torn over who's course (i.e., Jack or Jorma) to take first. Maybe the Pick 'N Putt Weekend...Harley's and Guitars...ride with Jorma and Co. in the Appalacians all day, pick and eat all night!

Cheers,

Kevin

yggdrasil · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:01:40 AM »

I have taken 4 of his workshops at FPR (even a couple of Pick'n'Putts). I think you will be surprised at how receptive (or not) Jack is to questions like this, especially when the conversation turns to his Alembic days or to his work with Kantner. I get the sense that he is very focussed on his current approach, which is fine by me.

(Message edited by Yggdrasil on August 13, 2005)

(Message edited by Yggdrasil on August 13, 2005)

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:22:02 AM »

Nice, Frank! I've been dreaming about doing it for years, but I procrastinate and lose out every time. While I haven't yet met Jorma or Jack, I had noticed through interviews that Jack seems a little more closed-mouth and evasive than Jorma, who tends to speak his mind.

yggdrasil · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:33:36 AM »

Kevin- FPR is quite an experience, beyond the workshops themselves - it's 3 days in its own world out of time somehow: the workshops, the setting, the incredible positive attitude of Vanessa, Jorma, Ginger, John and the rest of the fine people there - you can't call them staff -all I can say is book yourself in - if you can't book in advance, check in as a workshop gets close - sometimes there are cancellations (I got into Pick'n'Putt in May this year 2 weeks from the actual course.)

Frank

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:42:18 AM »

Cool! I do have to say I am a bit intimidated by the prospect of what promises to be a great experience. I've been playing for 28yrs, but don't consider myself very good. I do take lessons currently (past two and one-half years), but I don't know if I'm up to the pressure of having to perform in front of players as accomplished as Jorma and Jack, especially with others witnessing the debacle, LOL! I still wanna do it, but the anxiety is playing a factor in my reluctance to sign up.

As an avid biker for the past 20-yrs, and a MSF and NJS-certifed motorcycle instructor (nee' RiderCoach), the prospect of riding my Harley with the likes of Jorma out in God's country is almost too good to be true!

Cheers,

Kevin

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 13, 2005)

yggdrasil · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:52:43 AM »

Kevin-

Forget your anxiety! I'm the world's worst bass player. (not sure I should have said that on the Alembic forum :-)

I picked up bass as a late in life hobby 3 years ago, starting with Jack's beginner class at FPR.

Whenever I voice my insecurities to Jack(which are identical to what you summed up in the post above) ,he invariably replies that there's something in the Intermediate class for every level of player - that he appreciates having to handle the types of questions arising from having a student with more basic needs - that a lot of the better players really need to ask the basic questions, but won't due to emabarassment, etc.

Don't worry about that at all - you're several frets above me, and I don't fret over it (all this and bad puns too :-) There are virtuoso students, but that is not what it is about.

Frank

(Message edited by Yggdrasil on August 13, 2005)

kmh364 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2005, 07:08:43 AM »

Frank,

Thanks for the vote of confidence..it's a shot in the arm for insecure players like me. While I am sure I am my worst critic, my playing will never equal my expectations and/or aspirations. Sometimes, I just let it get the better of me. I was less insecure when I was younger and played worse! LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

P.S., I was the same way RE: my riding when it came time to take my Instructor Prep Course in order to obtain my teaching Certification credentials. I know I'm a decent rider, but when you are put on a strange motorcycle, on a strange course, and you are being critiqued by the school's board members, your instructor(s)/trainer(s), experienced contemporary instructors, and your fellow students, the pressure can cause anxiety. I was freaking-out at the prospect of not performing perfectly (i.e., each required demonstration ride for each riding exercise you do for your students must be perfect or they will mimick each and every mistake when they ride it themselves, LOL!), but I pulled it off with nary a hitch when the time came.

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 13, 2005)

jseitang · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2005, 11:31:28 AM »

so the answer is no, i guess there is no good recorded examples of alembic #1?

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2005, 01:01:38 PM »

J,
look at Frank's (yggdrasil) post at 4:59 am today (one post above the two links to Jack's website and Furpeace Ranch). He lists three albums.
Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2005, 02:14:08 PM »

Jimmy,

Sorry I confused you with the tangent I hijacked this thread off to. I thinks Frank's take on this subject, at least until we hear it from the Man himself, is about as good as it gets.

Cheers,

Kevin

jseitang · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2005, 02:19:30 PM »

thanks