Author Topic: The Secretary of Entertainment-Robert Gordon (Read 1466 times)

Edwin Hurwitz (edwin) · « **on:** December 24, 2002, 07:01:24 PM »

I found a CD copy of Moving Target, by Gil Scott-Heron, today. 20 years ago or so, this and other albums by this band with the Secretary of Entertainment (those of you who saw Gil in those days will know what I mean) Robert Gordon on the bass changed my musical and personal life. This album has some great Alembic tones on it, especially Black History/The World. Sadly this is the only picture I have of him, (from Reflections, also a great album),as I didn't bring my camera to the shows I saw. Everyone owes it to themselves to check out this music as it covers all the bases-groove, spirit and a message that can save the world!

Edwin

Jerome Edwards (jerome) · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2002, 11:17:38 PM »

Is That Jazz

dgcarbu · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2005, 09:12:41 PM »

This is one to revive...

musashi · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2009, 07:56:23 AM »

Thought I would post this here, too. (I originally posted this under Famous Alembics in the misc. section.)

Robbie Gordon has been a tremendous influence on myself and others. He is a master of both slap and fretless bass. He is a fantastic musician and the link below is but the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4LvadyXCc&feature=related

(Message edited by musashi on June 04, 2009)

musashi · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2009, 08:16:24 AM »

Here's another one, a little more Alembic bass...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfy6ig4koPM

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2009, 10:04:13 AM »

Thank you for sharing this.

musashi · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2009, 09:52:34 PM »

My Privilege.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2009, 04:41:23 PM »

Cool videos; thanks!

edwin · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2009, 12:06:49 PM »

Thanks for these! Brings back some memories, for sure. Are these from an available DVD? It looks like a pro shot video.

tbrannon · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:18:10 PM »

Edwin,

The performance looks to be on the Black Wax DVD. I googled 'Black Wax DVD Heron' and got a ton of options for purchase.

musashi · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2009, 07:42:21 PM »

Yes, it's from Black Wax.

chrisalembic · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2009, 01:19:53 PM »

Black Wax is a great DVD. Besides GSH's words and music there is lots of Alembic Bass sounds and views on there.

Robert Gorden is such a funky old school bassist. Whatever happened to him? Does anybody know? I only know him from Gil Scott Heron's music and always loved that stuff, even some years ago when I was around 15 and didnt have a clue at all about what GSH was saying. But hey that music was grooving!!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2009, 03:40:09 PM »

I just remembered this is an alembics and their artistes thread so I will move my posting elsewhere.

(Message edited by Jazzyvee on August 24, 2009)

chrisalembic · « **Reply #13 on:** August 24, 2009, 04:13:22 PM »

Sup Jazzyvee!! This is a Robert Gordon Bass clip thats a bit more recent.. well its from 1990 I think.. so almost twenty years lol...dunno if you can call this recent.. anyway he is playing some sort of jazz style bass here, as opposed to the alembic.. but i still think that his jazz sounds very alembic-like..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncgveCAlRnQ&feature=related

musashi · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:01:55 PM »

Robbie Gordon is, to me, THE seminal cat.

Everybody who slaps more than octaves is his son or daughter.

He released a solo album, Still Growin' (Hollywood Records), and he worked with several Brit Acid Jazz comglomerations: Brand New Heavies; James Taylor Quartet. Last I read, he is based in the UK, and still appears with Gil Scott-Heron, on occasion.

Rob is absolutely Badass. To me... MK got a lot of what he does from Robbie Gordon.

I consider Mark King and Jonas Hellborg my musical older brothers, but Robert Gordon is the father of us all.

I wanted to add, per this edit, that Rob was (and perhaps still is) playing a Jaydee bass that had a Fender jazz bass profile). This would account for the sound discrepancy. John Diggens at JayDee Supernatural basses really did have down the Alembic Series I bridge pick-up sound (with the right sound engineer)...

(Message edited by musashi on August 25, 2009)

Author Topic: The Secretary of Entertainment-Robert Gordon (Read 1466 times)

Edwin Hurwitz (edwin)

Jerome Edwards (jerome)

chrisalembic

chrisalembic