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hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 764
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 5:17 pm:   Edit Post

What was that all about?

http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoaftHY6.html
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 720
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 5:47 pm:   Edit Post

Didn't everyone do a little acting in the 80's?

...pretty bizarre.
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 766
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 8:30 pm:   Edit Post

Stanley went Hollywood... I am sure glad that was short lived.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1551
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 11:51 pm:   Edit Post

Probably shouldn't laugh but it is so funny and very much of it's time. I wonder how much he would cringe if this clip was played to him today on a television interview.

Jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2291
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 4:24 am:   Edit Post

I can't view the clip as it's banned at work. I do however remember Stanley appearing in a strange TV musical film as an enigmatic musician. I think Kid Creole starred and the film title may have had paradise in it.

Graeme
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 502
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 5:40 am:   Edit Post

According to Internet Movie Database, which I've found to be both accurate & comprehensive, Stanley has 1 credit as an actor - 1 episode of a TV show called The Music Makers in 2005.

Peter
ps - the clip wouldn't play for me - is there a secret hidden button or something?

(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on June 24, 2009)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2292
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 5:43 am:   Edit Post

I haven't been able to find it either. I think it was set in someplace like havana. The search goes on.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2293
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post

Well, that took some finding. Barry Manilow's big fun on swing street. Not a movie at all but set in a seedy jazz club if I recall correctly (it was 1988).

Graeme
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 768
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

That was truly a stray moment for such a wonderful talent. Hey, with Miami Vice hitting the airways, and Music Videos taking flight to this new sensation of MTV "music commercials" forced everybody to be seen, or never get heard.

I am so glad that Sh_t is over!

Let the rappers, and kids have it.
jbybj
Advanced Member
Username: jbybj

Post Number: 214
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 10:21 am:   Edit Post

Just for the record, the Internet movie database is accurate and comprehensive. It's also full of inaccuracies and omissions.
mario_farufyno
Intermediate Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 126
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 9:38 am:   Edit Post

This shows that Stanley have great sense of humour. One guy doesn't need to be superior just because he is one of the greatest bassist of all times. I'd rather to be Dizzy more than Davies (if you know what I mean). To be open to play dumb - or what ever we could criticize - is a quality, not a mistake.

Although everybody got at least one ashaming photo from the 80's... The Devil's haircut (mullet), the suit's large shoulders and the high-contrasted fluorescent colors made all of us subject to jokes, don't you agree?

I'm glad the 80's are gone! Lol
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 784
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 11:58 am:   Edit Post

Mario, I believe he does shows a lighter side... but with all the production costs that went into making this video, I don't think it was a wise decision to make. Michael Jackson's Thriller was killing anything that moved... and lucky Louis Johnson was there for the ride slamming bass.

It's hard for a Jazz artisan to go on hiatus to split from a very mature audience to jump on flimsy computer sound-tack that could be made digitally. I can remember the jokes in my music classes in college when somebody said something about Stanley's new 80's direction. We all love Stanley, but we felt he was selling out for the money/fame.

Then on the other hand, its good to add a greater fan base. Going into POP helps. Phil Collins did the same thing, but to do this, he had a voice his way (sing) to the top.

I don't think a bass can do this alone, and we all know that Stanley tried singing. I like his singing voice myself. But, Michael Jackson dominated all voices at that time...

The full meaning of Stanley decisions to "jump on the pop band wagon" will always be a mystery to me, I think Stanley is too stiff of a bass player to get the fame he may had been looking for... I think of Jamain Jackson, who dances while playing his basses and Bootsy who needs no introduction as to what he's about. Stanley Clarke name can't match those guys when it comes to Funk or Pop.

Working with singers like Howard Hewett, and Jeffrey Osborn was cheesy. However on the other hand, Stanley's music works with Dee Bridgwater (Who is my wife's cousin) was fantastic because Dee and Stanley, was in their natural elements... Fine Jazz.

The 80's for the most part was a horrible decade for Jazz, but great for POP.

I am glad my hero is back home with Jazz.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 915
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:10 pm:   Edit Post

hendix I agree..I went right off Stan in the 80's, he was suddenly doing all this awful cherry flavoured disco pop crap, I mean someone who composes 'Hot Fun' which is a great funk track or 'We Supply'and then starts writing that dross..I mean did he really need the money?
He looked pretty well off to me looking at the picture of all his basses on the steps of his house in the vinyl version of 'I Wanna Play For You'
Dee Bridgewater..a fantastic vocalist with a great mix of soul & jazz, I bet she and Stan could have composed a funk single to die for.
Yes I will never understand why he took that route, maybe he was testing the water and educating himself.
You never know he might join the forum and explain himself..now that would be great!
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 787
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:27 pm:   Edit Post

Its funny how I mentioned Michael Jackson today in this thread, and Thriller.... Michael has died today! I am not kidding!!!! Michael Jackson "King of Pop", has died of a heart attack.
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2299
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 2:06 am:   Edit Post

I'm going to have to disagree with Hal and Terry., To me, stanley's 'Find Out' album was a refreshing change of direction and it remains one of my most played SC albums. It has one of the best versions of Born in the USA I've heard and the rest of the songs stand up well to repeat listening. One of the problems I have with much of Stanleys work is that he constantly drops in the same old motifs, all of which are missing from Find Out which to me can't be bad.

Hal said "The full meaning of Stanley decisions to "jump on the pop band wagon" will always be a mystery to me"
I don't think it's a mystery at all. All great artistes are constantly changing direction, pushing the boundaries of their craft and, believe it or not, having FUN, which is what I believe Stanley was doing. By way of comparison, several years ago I was getting so bored playing the same tired old covers gigs that I ended up in a country and western band as a side project. Now that was alot of fun and gave me back some energy to do the paying work.

I wonder what you both think of the work he did with George Duke?

Graeme
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 919
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 2:47 am:   Edit Post

I bought the first Duke/Clarke album back in 1981, it was very different, I have to agree with Jacko on 'Born In The USA'..it was a 1000 miles apart from Springsteens version.
I don't think all Stans albums have had the same motif as you describe. 'I Wanna Play For You' , the double vinyl has so much variety,reggae, soul, jazz, funk and rock.
'Rocks, Pebbles & Sand' is even more varied.
If anything the first album he did and 'School Days' and 'Modern Man' are very similar in that respect.
I just thought(in my opinion) he went to the commercial side of the record company to get himself in the know in mainstream music.
Yet in 'If This Bass Could Only Talk' he jumped back to his jazz funk roots.
I guess when you are as famous and as good as Stan you can do anything..
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 790
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 7:39 am:   Edit Post

George Duke had a funk fan base perfect for Stanley to bridge his music.

The combination was a brilliant move because George Duke could sing, and he was better grounded with Afro-Gospel/Soul than Stanley.


As for Stanley Clarke, he was better known in "Rock" circles.

Stanley Rock roots were like no other bass Jazz bass player I know (in my opinion). His roots with Santana, Gomez, Beck, Richards, and other Rock legends.

When Stanley merged with George, I knew Stanley's edgy rock side, would get toned down (which also, frankly, made me run away from the collaboration ).

I love a strong guitar wail in Soul music. Ernie Isley on "Who's that lady", and "Atlantis" comes to mind, with his brother, Marvin Isley playing Alembic bass on those cuts... The bass was so strong, I could hear my father (back in the day), driving up the driveway with the grows of Marvin's Alembic bass in a distance...on those songs.

(Message edited by hendixclarke on June 26, 2009)
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 510
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 8:42 am:   Edit Post

Stanley Clarke has a stronger "edgy rock side" than George Duke? I must be confused as to which one of them played with Zappa.

Peter
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 791
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 9:26 am:   Edit Post

Yes, and Frank's music was also "edgy rock side" than "George Duke too".

From what I was told from Ray White (Personally)...

Frank hands out his sheet music to the team, and there was very little room for edits, he say play it period.

Frank was a perfectionist, and it had to be his way, or you would be shown out the door.

Frank Zappa played everything in his music. Frank used rock, soul, pop, jazz, symphonic hems too... Frank used everything he could get his hands on.

Frank's music was way... way... way... way... much complicated than Rock alone. His music was extremely dynamic, and required very technical staff of true masters of music. Frank's music was the "Harvard School of Rock." George was in the pocket, laying it down as he can do. But in all honesty, George roots is Jazz/R&B.

(Message edited by hendixclarke on June 26, 2009)
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 792
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post

Just for the record... George Duke is a Genius in his own right.

George Duke putting together an album and video like the one shown here, "is more into his character" than for Stanley.

George Duke is a jolly and happy soul. I remember him as a music teacher at Merritt College in Oakland California many years ago.

Stanley and Lewis Johnson did some funky urban grooves too... "We Supply (all your funky needs)"
"The Rock Pebbles and Sand" album was the last time I support his music financially.

I was very disappointed that Stanley and Lewis didn't tour together. I wanted to see these two dogs "lock-up" on stage.
mario_farufyno
Intermediate Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 130
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 2:37 pm:   Edit Post

I got your point Hal, this is a "background" issue. To me, this was a first step to Jazz.

When I was younger I prefered Rock/Funk more than Jazz, so I started listening that Pop Stanley first. Since I loved Parliament (and started listening brazilian music first), never found wrong to like Funk while I had a Rock background, and found Stanley mindblowing (even with all that pop limited short formated bass solos - in my mind, at the time, a Bass would never solo!).

This was the way I've found to hear Wheather and RTF, then Eletric Miles, then Coltrane and all Jazz geniuses before them... So, I must express my gratitude for him in trying to talk to me (and all kids who couldn't get all Jazz complexities). I take that "effort" as generosity.

But I'm shure this is one of those embarrasing moments from the 80's, anyway. Lol
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 795
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 3:41 pm:   Edit Post

My favorite Stanley Clarke Album of all-time!
(And they said motorcycles an basses didn't mix...)

hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 798
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 8:52 pm:   Edit Post

This thread is "Weird"

I mentioned Michael Jackson minutes before he died...

Recap:


"Mario, I believe he does shows a lighter side... but with all the
production costs that went into making this video, I don't think it
was a wise decision to make. Michael Jackson's Thriller was killing
anything that moved... and lucky Louis Johnson was there for the ride
slamming bass.

It's hard for a Jazz artisan to go on hiatus to split from a very
mature audience to jump on flimsy computer sound-tack that could be
made digitally. I can remember the jokes in my music classes in
college when somebody said something about Stanley's new 80's
direction. We all love Stanley, but we felt he was selling out for the
money/fame.

Then on the other hand, its good to add a greater fan base. Going into
POP helps. Phil Collins did the same thing, but to do this, he had a
voice his way (sing) to the top.

I don't think a bass can do this alone, and we all know that Stanley
tried singing. I like his singing voice myself. But, Michael Jackson
dominated all voices at that time..."

Spooky...

Hal-
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2304
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 7:52 am:   Edit Post

I finally managed to view the original clip and to be honest Hal, I really don't see why you're making all this fuss. I thought it was a better than average music video for it's era and I was left wonderng what happens 'next week' ;-) The music was exacly what you expected to hear back then and I expect Stanley just wanted to be part of it.

Graeme
hendixclarke
Senior Member
Username: hendixclarke

Post Number: 809
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

Then you were the person that fit the target audience for their video campaign?

:-)

(Message edited by hendixclarke on June 28, 2009)
white_cloud
Senior Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 709
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 8:04 am:   Edit Post

One cant help but feel that your logic and good reasoning are being wasted here Graeme!

John.

(Message edited by white cloud on June 28, 2009)
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 824
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

Seconded!!!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2306
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 4:13 pm:   Edit Post

Hal. I doubt very much that I was the target audience, I was then and have been since 1974 a committed YES fan so during the 80's I spent much of my time wondering whether my favourite band ..
a. had a future with trevor rabin .... or..

b. had a future with the Buggles.

However, that video fits in perfectly with the music that was being played at the time. It's very easy to look back and say 'such - and - such was the decade of bad taste' but in my opinion, it's ONLY the people who were there at the time "Doin' it" that have the right to say what's right and wrong.
Hal, I think we should agree to disagree as I'm sure if we were to meet in person we would get on like a house on fire. Everyone on the internet has (and is entitled to) an opinion and only occasionally does the entire web share the same;-)

peace

Graeme.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8267
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 5:34 pm:   Edit Post

Graeme; I'm reading Yesstories now. I bought it used here locally expecting it to be a bio; but essentially it's a collection of quotes by the band members about the songs on each album taken from various sources at various times arranged in the chronological order of the album releases. I can't say that I recommend it, but it is a nice read for falling asleep in bed. I am learning things that I didn't know before; for instance I'm up to 1994's Talk, and until now I had not realized that Trevor Rabin had been in the band for such a long time.
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2310
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 12:50 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the heads up Dave, I'll have to look that one up - one can never have too many Yes books ;-) If you want a decent Bio then 2 that I have would fit the bill, the first by Dan Hedges, 'Yes, The authorised Biography' came out just after Drama so takes the band up to the trevor horn / geoff downes era. The second, by Chris Welch 'Close to the Edge' has been updated since I bought my copy in 1998 and brings the story much more up-to-date although I've no doubt he's planning to update it again with recent events.
As far as discussing Trevor Rabin, I can vividly remember driving from Hertfordshire to the North East to see the folks sometime in 1983 when I heard 'Our Song' (the B side to owner of a lonely heart) on the radio. You can imaging the excitement I felt that my favourite band had reformed so I have nothing but admiration for trevor as I believe they'd still be humming and ha-ing even now if he hadn't driven them along.

Graeme

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