It’s been awhile since I played with Naomi Shelton and I’m delighted to be back with her and the band this Friday Apr 27, 9pm, at Fat Cat Billiards. Her and Cliff Driver (organ) are two forces of nature and of course the rest of Gospel Queens and band are amazing. I love playing with these guys and gals, it always puts me in a good mood. See you on Friday!!
I know it happened a few days ago and there’s nothing I can really say about the man that hasn’t been said a thousand times before. But what can I say…he was an inspiration. As a bass player there’s a special place in my heart for great drummers and Levon was one of the best. Ever. He just had that deep deep understanding of American music and knew all the ins and outs of R&B and how to play it right. He had taste. He had soul. And, oh yeah, he could sing his ass off. I was lucky to catch him up at his barn in Woodstock a few years before he passed and I’ll remember that night for the rest of my life.
Here’s one of my favorites, with him impossibly playing the funkiest drums you’ll ever hear while singing his heart out. (I remember him once saying that singing made playing drums easier which to a mere mortal like myself makes no sense, but I still feel where’s he’s coming from.)
These posts seem to be coming too many and too often lately. Etta James records were some of the first that absolutely inspired my love of soul music and those great grooves were some that made me want to first play bass. She was one of THE greats! Another sad day for soul…
If you’re looking for NYE plans I’m playing with Sugar Pie Desanto at the Bell House opening for Lee Fields and The Expressions. Gonna be a good one.
Today the new Nicole Atkins video for “Hotel Plaster” is premiering on rollingstone.com!
I’ve got a bit part looking all sleepy and beardy…
http://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/nicole-atkins-hotel-plaster-20111216
Many of you know me primarily as a bass player…but I secretly also do web development work! I’ve recently been sharpening my skills and am pleased to announce one of my first sites coded on my own (designed by RepEquity).
Do You Have One Dollar is A philanthropic social challenge to see if 1 million New Yorkers can give just $1 each to help homeless/poor/hungry of NYC in 40 days, 11/22/2011 – 12/31/2011
http://doyouhaveonedollar.org/
Playing tonight at City Winery with Nicole Atkins.
8pm
FREE
My Best Fiend opening.
Can’t wait to get upstate…if you’re near Kingston, NY stop on by.
My Aguilar endorsement is finally official and I am super psyched about it!
Aguilar makes some of the best sounding amps on the planet, all hand-built right here in NYC. Not only do their products sound and look great, but I’ve been to their office/factory a few times and they’re all extremely helpful and attentive—they’re truly a great company that I’m proud to attach my name to.
But most importantly their gear &%$*#’n rocks!
I have the DB751 which is scary loud and “fat” and “warm” and all that…it’s like driving a Ferrari and it’s half the weight of an SVT.
Click here to check me out on their website. You’ll have to scroll down a bit past Adam Clayton and Georg Porter..but I’m there.
Here’s my rig:
If you’re up late tonight tune into NBC to Last Call with Carson Daly…I’ll be on with Nicole Atkins! The Black Angels are in the same episode, too.
Here’s a great quote from a blog post by Michael Beinhorn, a producer who has worked with Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, and more.
“It is indisputable that without a great drummer, a band is generally not good, but without a great bass guitarist, a band is simply not interesting.
The better a bass player is, the better he makes the rest of his band mates appear. If ever a bassist existed who could make his fellow band mates look good (at the considerable expense of going himself unnoticed in the process), that bassist would have to be John Paul Jones.
I would invite you to play ‘Rock And Roll’, listening first to the rhythm guitar, bass and drums. Next, try listening to only the bass and drums- ignore the racket they are supporting. Finally, play the track and try listening for only the bass guitar.
What a revelation that was. Wow. Listen to his choice of notes, how steady he is. Listen to his tone. Most of all, listen to how far ahead of the rest of the band he is.
It’s true. John Paul Jones is pushing the band along. If the drums are the backbone of a band, the bass guitar is the kinetic force which moves everything forward. Hear how the bass guitar is straining ahead of all the other instruments, (even the drums, almost to the point of lightly flamming with them). When he is at the point where he can’t move any further ahead without obviously flamming with everyone else, he has to articulate his phrasing in order to compensate for this.”
What once only existed in our collective unconscious now becomes reality….I present to you the debut of The Melvin Benson Orchestra.
Featuring members of The Sweet Divine Rhythm Band, we finally get to stretch out and play some of our favorite soul instrumentals. Free show!
The Melvin Benson Orchestra are:
Come bask in the glow of soul instrumental classics and rarities….
Bubbys Brooklyn
Tue July 19
9pm
FREE!
Long live the 90s…
Got to watch a few from the sidestage, too.
I’m driving up to Canada to play the Ottawa Bluesfest with Nicole Atkins July 16 at 8pm. Jane’s Addiction is on right after us…awesome.
Leaving today for tour with Nicole Atkins:
