If all goes to plan, I'll be recording the first Lollipod Minds Podcast this weekend.
My first guest will be the principal songwriter for the band, Dee Christopholus.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Complete Ashall, Part 2: The Bass-ic Facts
THE LAWRENCE ST. JAMES BAND
NEXT UP FOR BARRIE was a stint in the 3-piece Lawrence St. James Band (organ, bass, drums), a slightly jazzier concoction he describes as a "bluesy, heavy, fresh sound." Although a "good, tight unit," the band failed to develop an original voice, and splintered after keyboardist Mike Parks left to join a post- "& the Mindbenders" Wayne Fontana.
BARRATTS OF MANCHESTER
B.B. King has his string of Lucille(s); Eric Clapton's had his beloved Blackie.
A musician's devotion to his/her instrument may seem ridiculous to a non-player, but the truth of the matter is musicians court their instruments, chase them, hunger and lust for them.
Here's Barrie's story of finding his one true four-stringed love, the GIBSON EB-3, on Oxford Street in Barratts of Manchester :
"Worraninstrument! Neck smooth as silk -- low frets, double pick-up (one special) medium length, hardly had to press on the strings to get a real connection, just pure percussion. Tried it through a 200-watt Marshall amp and I guarantee that every instrument in that store vibrated when I started a mean slap on them thar strings -- better than any woman, sex, booze or drug -- that bass alone drugged me."
Notwithstanding the presumed (and, well, rather understandable) response of Barrie's spouse to this remark, I must say that as a musician myself, I understand the allure, the devotion to one's instrument. I am moved by the fact Barrie's recollections of this event are so clear to him over forty years later.
It's not for nothing instruments are often named after women.
But while I do understand the allure, the devotion, the romantic myth-making that surrounds legendary instruments, as a drummer it's a little more difficult to experience first-hand the same passion---there are simply too many parts.
The idea of naming a snare stand or a stick bag "Maisie" just wouldn't cut it.
JUST FORMIN' JUST FOUR MEN
The visit to Barratts would become fateful for another reason. Barrie's volume-heavy snogging session with his new love drew the attention of Adrian Barratt himself, who threatened to eject Barrie from the store. He was recognized, however, from one of his appearances and Barratt told him Just Four Men were looking for a fourth---"Just Three Men" wasn't nearly as clever-sounding.
JUST FOUR SCRUFFY GETS
Oddly enough, that same night Just Four Men were making an appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars.
"I thought they were SHIT!" says Barrie. "Really commercial--glittering suits and all."
Barrie was awoken by his father the next afternoon who said, "Four scruffy gets at the door; sound like bleedin' Scousers to me."
Now that's a rude awakening for any Mancunian!
But after a brief audition, Barrie was in.
NEXT UP FOR BARRIE was a stint in the 3-piece Lawrence St. James Band (organ, bass, drums), a slightly jazzier concoction he describes as a "bluesy, heavy, fresh sound." Although a "good, tight unit," the band failed to develop an original voice, and splintered after keyboardist Mike Parks left to join a post- "& the Mindbenders" Wayne Fontana.
BARRATTS OF MANCHESTER
B.B. King has his string of Lucille(s); Eric Clapton's had his beloved Blackie.
A musician's devotion to his/her instrument may seem ridiculous to a non-player, but the truth of the matter is musicians court their instruments, chase them, hunger and lust for them.
Here's Barrie's story of finding his one true four-stringed love, the GIBSON EB-3, on Oxford Street in Barratts of Manchester :
"Worraninstrument! Neck smooth as silk -- low frets, double pick-up (one special) medium length, hardly had to press on the strings to get a real connection, just pure percussion. Tried it through a 200-watt Marshall amp and I guarantee that every instrument in that store vibrated when I started a mean slap on them thar strings -- better than any woman, sex, booze or drug -- that bass alone drugged me."
Notwithstanding the presumed (and, well, rather understandable) response of Barrie's spouse to this remark, I must say that as a musician myself, I understand the allure, the devotion to one's instrument. I am moved by the fact Barrie's recollections of this event are so clear to him over forty years later.
It's not for nothing instruments are often named after women.
But while I do understand the allure, the devotion, the romantic myth-making that surrounds legendary instruments, as a drummer it's a little more difficult to experience first-hand the same passion---there are simply too many parts.
The idea of naming a snare stand or a stick bag "Maisie" just wouldn't cut it.
JUST FORMIN' JUST FOUR MEN
The visit to Barratts would become fateful for another reason. Barrie's volume-heavy snogging session with his new love drew the attention of Adrian Barratt himself, who threatened to eject Barrie from the store. He was recognized, however, from one of his appearances and Barratt told him Just Four Men were looking for a fourth---"Just Three Men" wasn't nearly as clever-sounding.
JUST FOUR SCRUFFY GETS
Oddly enough, that same night Just Four Men were making an appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars.
"I thought they were SHIT!" says Barrie. "Really commercial--glittering suits and all."
Barrie was awoken by his father the next afternoon who said, "Four scruffy gets at the door; sound like bleedin' Scousers to me."
Now that's a rude awakening for any Mancunian!
But after a brief audition, Barrie was in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)