| Author | Message | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 78 Registered: 6-2002 |
hey what album best represents alembic's number 1 and jack? | ||
| yggdrasil
Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 775 Registered: 7-2003 |
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
Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 53 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 952 Registered: 9-2003 |
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
Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 957 Registered: 9-2003 |
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
Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 960 Registered: 9-2003 |
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
Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 56 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 961 Registered: 9-2003 |
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
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 82 Registered: 6-2002 |
so the answer is no, i guess there is no good recorded examples of alembic #1? | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 439 Registered: 6-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 969 Registered: 9-2003 |
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
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2002 |
thanks | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2213 Registered: 5-2002 |
Frank said "Jack, according to Dan, got the bass in early 72 and used it for about 3 years". If that is accurate then this may be that bass. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 977 Registered: 9-2003 |
Cool live track find, Dave. That's as different a version of "Somebody To Love" as I've ever heard. The era is right: John Barbata (post-Joey Covington) at the drums. These are the famous "30 secs. Over Winterland" raw tracks that distilled into the "last" JA album. Personally, I don't care if there are other better representations of live JA, I've always loved that album! I think we have a winner! LOL! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2217 Registered: 5-2002 |
Kevin; I thought it was pretty cool when I heard it too! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 980 Registered: 9-2003 |
Grace's voice still gives me chills...and her old pix still give me thrills, LOL! Jack and Jorma were/are awesome! Gotta love "Feels So Good"! I nearly wore out my album copy of TSOW playing that track, "Crown Of Creation" and "Have You Seen The Saucers" over and over again. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2218 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm listening to Feel So Good right now! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 981 Registered: 9-2003 |
Jimmy: Are you listening? LOL! Cheers, Kevin |
