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keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 427
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 7:16 am:   Edit Post

Up close.up close with stan!
jazzyvee
Intermediate Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 147
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 10:00 am:   Edit Post

I have slowly been converting my collection of music Video's that I've recorded from tv programmes on to DVD and i came across an old recording I made from a BBC programme called The Old Grey Whistle Test.

t is a concert by the Clarke Duke Project when they were touring the first album in the early eighties.

I converted the VHS Copy to DVD but took the opportunity to make some stills from the digital copy as I know you guys will like them. Forgive the grainyness as they have been copied from Betamax to VHS then to DVD so the quality is ok but not brilliant but you can still see the excitement inthe gig.

He is using a lovely Series I Tenor Bass, an electric Sitar and the one off Carl Thompson Picccolo Bass, which I have read he doesn't take on the road so this is quite a rare outing especially as far as England.

I did see one of the gigs in Birmingham when he came to the Midlands and we were all blown away by the band and the LED's on his bass were talked about for ages. LOL


Anyway enough preamble here are the pictures
Stan with Series I and George Duke

This is the Famoous Carl Thompson Piccolo bass
Clarkee with Carl Thompson

Close up of the CT Bass
Close up of Carl Thompson Bass

Correct Thumb Position.
Fingers at the Bass

Here is how you get those harmonics
Harmonics

Sitar and Series I
Sitar and Series I

The big rock ending for School Days
the Big Rock Ending

Catch you later JazzyVee
bigideas
Junior
Username: bigideas

Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 1:18 am:   Edit Post

he has (had?) two carl thompsons, a 34" and a 32". he got the 32" when the headstock broke on the 34" (carl gave'im the other whilst fixing the 34", and he liked it so he kept it)

i think Alembic and CT are the two extremes of the innovation in electric bass guitars. both embody the soul and inginuity that many bass players posess. alembic is the epitome of that soul through technology and CT is the epitome of that soul through simplicity and organics. and the fact that they both make absolutely beautiful instruments doesn't hurt either.
dgcarbu
Advanced Member
Username: dgcarbu

Post Number: 218
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 10:08 pm:   Edit Post

Bringing this one back...
dgcarbu
Advanced Member
Username: dgcarbu

Post Number: 222
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 12:53 am:   Edit Post

Check this one out...

Stanley and I at Yoshi's in Oakland...28 Jan 2005


serialnumber12
Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 64
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 5:05 am:   Edit Post

Great shot dg! did you talk ALEMBIC w/him?,i wish i had pics of the night i played with him in san carlos.
richbass939
Intermediate Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 127
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post

Great opportunity you had, Darrell, and great picture. What a keepsake for a bassist and Alembician. I'm a bit jealous.
Rich
dgcarbu
Advanced Member
Username: dgcarbu

Post Number: 226
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post

Bob,

Yeah,

You are correct, Stanley did acknowledge, and recognize my name, (that was a great feeling), once I mentioned the Alembic Owner's Convention idea, and he did say he was interested. I just told him I would keep him informed.

So c'mon people and let's do this. I am narrowing down the venue and working out a few details. Any feedback or help is welcome. The objective is to make this happen for all who are interested and trying as much as possible to make it a free entry event. This will be a non-profit event.

Rich,

I did this for all of us Alembicians. The Alembic Owner's Convention may be one of the opportunities to get a picture with Stanley if he actually comes. So I am going to need everyone's support on this.

Peace,
Darrell
richbass939
Intermediate Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 128
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post

I don't know if Stanley reads this club's postings or is aware of the extent of his influence on so many of us, but I hope he does. I've read so many people's comments about an appreciation for and love of his playing making them aware of Alembic. I know that's how it started for me. I wanted to know everything about what makes him so good.
I hope Stanley knows that there couldn't possibly be a more devoted group of fans than the people at the Convention. I truly wish that I could be there but it isn't possible.
I know this is WAAAAY not likely, but I wonder if he's going to be anywhere near Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 15. We have a "mini-convention", jam session that has been organized by one of the SLC Alembicians. There is even someone from NY state who may be there.
Good luck in getting a really good turnout at the Cal Convention. I think we're all watching and wishing for a really great time for all.
Rich
edwin
Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 52
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 6:00 pm:   Edit Post

I saw the Clarke/Duke Project at UMASS Amherst in 1982. Great show, although George split his pants and had to run off for a costume change!

Great year for music at UMass: the above, plus Miles (w/Marcus, Stern, Foster, etc), Dizzy and Max, King Crimson, Joan Armatrading, Gil Scott-Heron, etc, etc.
dnburgess
Advanced Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 374
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 2:22 am:   Edit Post

Can club members tell me what size venues SC has been playing on this tour and also the size of the respective cities. I'm just speculating on the feasibility of an Oz tour.

David B.
dgcarbu
Advanced Member
Username: dgcarbu

Post Number: 239
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

David B.,

Check out Yoshi's at:

http://www.yoshis.com/frame_club.html

It was sold out.

Peace,
Darrell
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2435
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 7:15 am:   Edit Post

On this site you'll find some great "Stanley on Alembic pics" http://www.grodecki.com/Gallery/Concerts/Stanley%20Clarke/index.htm

lidon2001
Intermediate Member
Username: lidon2001

Post Number: 194
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 1:09 pm:   Edit Post

Concert in West Palm Beach cancelled due to scheduling. I had second row center seats. Last year hurricane, this year scheduling. Maybe next year?
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4154
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 6:37 pm:   Edit Post

Tom; just think of all the practice he will have had between now and next year!

Paul; nice pics!
byoung
Advanced Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 319
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 9:46 pm:   Edit Post

Tom,

I know this won't do much to salve your disappointment, but I saw Stanley and George Duke last night at the Tulalip Amphitheatre, and it was awesome.

They had a young drummer (22-23 years old), and that cat could really play. Stan the Man and George Duke were absolutely sick.

Bradley
lidon2001
Intermediate Member
Username: lidon2001

Post Number: 196
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 9:56 pm:   Edit Post

Ok, now you're just trying to upset me! lol

I have to assume that the presales weren't up to expectations for the cancellation. The moderator at his forum gave some generic, non-answer with regard to the real reason.

Yes, the players he finds are great, while George and Stanley have WAY too much fun playing on stage together. Did he invite anyone up to play his bass and if so, why wasn't it you?

I'm sure next time down this way Stanley will probably acknowledge it and apologize, and then go and impress us as he usually does. I'm now looking forward to Adrian Belew at a local bar nearby. That should be a great one.

Tom
byoung
Advanced Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 320
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 3:42 pm:   Edit Post

Stanley didn't invite anyone up as far as I could tell, but he especially didn't invite me because I'm not very good.

I'm sure there were some decent players in the audience-- it would have been cool to see them.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 522
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 6:09 am:   Edit Post

He didn't invite anyone up when I saw him a couple of months ago. Yes he and George have lots of fun together. Their bantering back and forth doesn't seem to end. They were even doing it while signing autographs and talking to folks in the theatre lobby.

Keith
fretted4
Member
Username: fretted4

Post Number: 78
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

What ever happened to that maple top series 1 that stanley is using in the performance from 1981? It looks as if he swapped out the pointer knob for the top hat knob, guess he got tired of bangin his hand on it....
moonliner
Junior
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 23
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 7:00 pm:   Edit Post

Saw Stanley this afternoon at Jazz Fest in New Orleans.... Never seen him play live before and was most impressed with him and his band. They had some problems with sound, especially with his acoustic bass, but it was a great show regardless. Hiromi, the piano player was spectacular!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2024
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 3:44 pm:   Edit Post

Just today noticed a load of cool photo's of Stanley with some of his basses.
Some interesting ones like the Dragon's breath and what looks like a couple of Marcus Miller basses.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21503&id=109228892439003



What on earth is that brute in the middle?! The headstock is Ken Smith-ish

A Dragons Breath of fresh air.

The bass on the left looks like a Marcus Miller Fender Bass


Enjoy
Jazzyvee
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1142
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 3:51 pm:   Edit Post

Jazzyvee, Nice pics ,
Thanks for posting these
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2025
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 12:00 am:   Edit Post

I'm off to see him with his band tomorrow at Ronnie Scotts in London. He's doing a 3 day stint and tomorrow is the last night so should be fantastic.

Jazzyvee
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 637
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post

Jazzy, but where did you find these pictures ??????? Good luck, all the best for the Ronnie's concert... grrrrrrr.... I'm jalous.... If I was not working on the night, I could be come too.
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 12:52 am:   Edit Post

Spectacular pictures.

Simply beautiful, in every way.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2026
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 5:18 am:   Edit Post

I got the pictures from his facebook page.
try this link from above the photo's I pasted in.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21503&id=109228892439003
Jazzyvee
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2536
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 5:32 am:   Edit Post

IIRC, the "brute in the middle" is indeed a Ken Smith. Note the brass scratch plate, not dissimilar to the earliest Alembics.
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 639
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 3:35 pm:   Edit Post

Thank's Jazzy
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2030
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 11:37 pm:   Edit Post

No problem I will let you know about the concert when I get back and of course will have my camera with me for some pics.

Jazzyvee
tmoney61092
Advanced Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 398
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 - 10:12 am:   Edit Post

the Ken Smith looks somewhat like a Moonstone V i saw on ebay a while ago, crazy looking either way, love the Thundercats symbol on his strap, reminds me of the good days :-p

~Taylor

(Message edited by tmoney61092 on July 16, 2010)
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 57
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

It's really great to see Stanley pulling out the big guns of the Dragon Breath.

Man, I love that bass. He looks great with it.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2033
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 5:06 pm:   Edit Post

Just got home from London. Clarkee is a Monster player and him and his band were firing on top form. on Friday night he just played so effortlessly and the sound he got with his Alembic was so amazing He is such a clean player and as responsive as the Series Electronics and unforgiving of any technique flaws, Stanley made no other sound that music. There was no string noise or extraneous sound of any kind at all and judging by what I've read on the forum, that takes some doing on a series instrument.

Hiromi is an amazing talent and I could only wonder in awe at her playing and wonder where her ability will take her and Jazz in the future.
Stanley only did two tracks with his Series I alembic, and introduction track and Goodbye Pork Pie hat. The rest were on double bass. Yep I would have loved to hear more electric bass tracks but his double bass playing is so amazing I just loved the whole set.



Jazzyvee
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 640
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 5:17 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Jazzy, you are late... I asked you to come back home at 11 pm latest. I'm not happy. LOL!!!
Bon, if Clarkee played his Alembic only two times, I don't have some tears, I prefer electric bands.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2035
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2010 - 12:18 am:   Edit Post

I'm sorry Pierre. As punishment you can post me your latest Alembic Series bass and I will lock myself in a room for the week.
Haha

jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2085
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2010 - 11:04 am:   Edit Post

Here is a wicked clip of school days i found on you tube today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_L1Rx9f-O8&feature=related

it looks like he also has two Roland JC 120 guitar amps in his rig too.


Jazzyvee
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 658
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2010 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post

IMPRESSIVE & GREAT !!!
Thank's my friend !
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 676
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 1:41 pm:   Edit Post

Nobody here ????? Hurry up guys !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr435emU5-4&feature=related

I have a question for when you will wake up :-)
With what gear Stan is playing now.... I'm looking for unfidelity to alembic preamp... It's look like Ampeg SVT.... true ?
What's happend ????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGWHelS75GE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDNH1ZWFP7Q

but WHAT'S HAPPEND ??????????????
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2121
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 4:37 pm:   Edit Post

Wicked video's PierreYves.
Thanks for posting the links.

Jazzyvee
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1664
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 5:39 pm:   Edit Post

Pierre-Yves,
I can think of a couple of reasons for the Ampeg equipment. The first is that the backline was provided by the venue. Another possibility is Stanley has an endorsement deal of some type with Ampeg. Stanley has not always used an Alembic preamp. I recall a time when he used and endorsed Carvin amplifiers. I also noticed he does not have his normal guitar amplifier on stage. This makes me think my first suggestion is the most likely.

Keith
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 679
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post

....I'm looking for Stanley Clarke band & Hiromi 2010 tours + Stanley Clarke band Guadeloupe concert videa, both are playing with
http://www.ampeg.com/products/pro/svt4pro/index.html
but WHY ? I would like to say why this choice... endorsement maybe... but why Stanley agree to play with this system ?
Somebody has his phone number ? LOL.

Stan use 2 SVT 4 pro and 1 SVT 2 pro (for upright bass)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2722
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 4:19 am:   Edit Post

Perhaps he's found he likes the Ampeg sound. He can try out whatever he wants after all.

graeme
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 525
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 6:07 am:   Edit Post

Those videos confirm my opinion about my own SVT with Alembic... They doesn't fit together too well. That growl ruins Alembic's clear open tone, IMHO.

Don't take me wrong, I like distortion and use it at some parts of some tunes I play, but we pay a lot to get fidelity from our Alembics and bothers me my SVT just delivers me that "hot" tubey tone all the time.
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 526
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 6:13 am:   Edit Post

Apart the superb playing, the good part of this is that I realized it is not just my SVT... I really need to change my Amp.
rjmsteel
Intermediate Member
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 111
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post

I remember seeing Randy Jackson playing with Biily Cobham back in the 70`s. He was playing an old Telecaster bass through a SVT head and a single 8x10 cabinet.. his sound was ridiculous... ultra Fat Tone.
That sounded great for him, (Randy), but I don`t like the sound Stanley is getting on his Alembic either, through the Ampeg amplification.
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 280
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 3:46 am:   Edit Post

I think Stanley Clarke plays his electric bass as a guitar.

However, if Stanley were to use an actual electric guitar, to play the same notes, his sound would be average or mediocre at best, because the actions and fingering would sound like a bass player.

Just set the bass on deep space, and blast the thing.

As a pimp would say: "Let a guitar be a guitar."

Peace and Love,

Hal-
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 290
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2010 - 5:57 pm:   Edit Post

Case in point!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiI2ZHmxPPo&feature=related

That's JAZZZ FOR THAT AAZZZZ!

Peace and Love,

Hal-
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 826
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 03, 2010 - 5:49 am:   Edit Post

that was good!!!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 749
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, October 03, 2010 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post

Hal, thanks for the clip! I have to admit that I prefer Stanley's upright playing to his electric playing in many regards. OTOH, his recent upright playing seems to have integrated some of his electric ideas, so they seem to be meeting in the middle. Indeed a remarkable player!

Roland Kirk is really astounding. He came from a time when jazz musicians were celebrated for their force of personality and dedication to vision rather than an ability to ape what came before and he is a force of nature in that realm. I had no idea the breadth of his collaborations and was surprised to see this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW7BOYvX8ug&feature=related

The internet is amazing thing. I'm sure a lot of us remember the days when access to this kind of stuff on demand seemed like an impossible fantasy.
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 555
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 6:10 am:   Edit Post

Oh, I LOOOVE Stan playing the Upright! Thanks, I didn't knew that video, Hal...
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 291
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 6:08 pm:   Edit Post

I like that Video, because Stanley was a young kid being schooled.

Stanley was not, "and I repeat..." could not run circles around the Roland Kirk with McCoy Tyner :-)

Peace and Love,

Hal-
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 752
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 6:23 pm:   Edit Post

You know, I've seen Stanley maybe a half dozen times and I've never seen him run circles around anyone. I don't mean that in bad way, I've just always gotten a vibe of joy from him and not of him having a point to prove. I always got the idea that he just loved being up there playing music with whoever he was sharing the stage. He did get some hilarity out of watching George Duke split his pants and go running off stage for a new pair!
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 292
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post

Edwin, that was a insider from Stanley's own mouth when he said he'd ran circles around other musicians in the band. I am still trying to figure out what band was he talking about, but one thing for sure it sure was not McCoy Tyner and Roland Kirk. Maybe Stanley was referring to the 80's when he was playing pop...??? What a terrible period for the bass.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 758
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 9:31 pm:   Edit Post

Ah yes, what was the band he had with Keith Richards? The New Barbarians? I guess having only seen him with his band and in jazz contexts, I had forgotten about some of the other projects. (I'm trying to remember the pianist I saw him with at a jazz fest in the 80s, it was either Herbie or Chick. It was the first time I saw him on upright and when I saw no Alembic on stage, I was initially disappointed. That lasted about 30 seconds into the first tune!).

Still, there was some cool stuff going on with the bass in the 80s. I saw some great shows featuring folks like Bootsy, Robbie Shakespeare, Richard Davis, Tony Levin, Kim Clarke, Steve Swallow, Victor Bailey, Fima Ephron, etc. etc.
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2743
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 1:53 am:   Edit Post

Hal. You say "What a terrible period for the bass.". I can't think of any statement that's less accurate than this and if you truly believe this then you are really limiting your listening pleasure. The 80's was a fantastic decade for music that saw the the rise of the bass in many genres. If we concentrate on 'Pop', Stanley's 'Find Out' album is, in my opinion, one of his more accessible offerings which brought him to the attention of the general public, not just bassists and jazz aficionados. We also saw the rise in popularity of 'Slap' bass, primarily through mark King in Level 42. Pino Palladino's fretless work was a prominent feature of 80's pop as was John Taylor's (dare I say) funky fingerstyle. Billy Sheehan rose to prominence with talas and the DLR band in the 80's. In fact, there were loads of prominent bassists in the 80's putting out some pretty driving lines - i'm thinking of bands like Bon jovi, Big Country, Crowded House, jamiroquai, Yes, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Living color etc. The list is endless. The point is, you need to open your ears and listen - there's some really great music out there that was played by some really great bassists. Just because it's not 'The Funk' doesn't make it bad.

Graeme
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 293
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post

"We also saw the rise in popularity of 'Slap' bass, primarily through mark King in Level 42..."

Haaahaaaaa!

Peace and Love,

Hal-
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2747
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 7:27 am:   Edit Post

I stand by that statement Hal. I doubt if many non-musos would be aware of larry graham etc playing slap. In fact I doubt if many musicians on my side of the water were aware of Slap bass at all until Level 42 started appearing on our TVs and Radios. Remember, this was long before the internet and the only exposure we had to music over here was top-of-the-pops who (obviously) catered for pop fans, and the old grey whistle test which was a late night programme that only featured stanley once as far as I can remember. Here's an example... I wasn't aware of Stanley until around 1979 and when I tried discussing him with other musicians the general consensus was that he was a failed guitarist trying too hard. Obviously not true but this was the feeling from the majority of my musician acquaintances.

Graeme
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 763
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 4:26 pm:   Edit Post

I think it might have to do with where you grew up. Pretty much everyone I knew in the 70s had a copy of School Days (and Jaco's first record). I don't remember where I heard slap bass for the first time (Bros. Johnson? Bootsy?), but the first record that I was able to listen to and start to really cop some of the licks was from listening to Johnny B. Gayden on Albert Collin's Frozen Alive record. I saw him a few years later and that dude is a monster. Perhaps it was because it was Boston and there were some Berklee people there, but he did extensive quoting of Jaco and Stanley and made both of their licks a lot more danceable! That was in the 80s! No, the 80s didn't suck. I also saw Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and his Inter-Reformers in the 80s and he had 2 bass players! I might have sucked in the 80s, but there were lots of others who didn't.
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 295
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 8:02 pm:   Edit Post

It's just like the "British Invasion"... It was never an invasion for me, but whatever works.


Hal-
charles_holmes
Member
Username: charles_holmes

Post Number: 66
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 4:19 pm:   Edit Post

I happen to view the comment "I was playing rings around everyone" that Clarke made during an interview. My impression was that he was referring to the "formative yrs" before he was "recognized/known"
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 300
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 6:01 pm:   Edit Post

It's still a mystery to me, what band Stanley were referring to when he made that statement...

I know good and well, he was not referring to anybody who came from Miles Davis camp. So, that's been ruled out completely.

How many licks...does it takes to get to the center of the truth?

The world will never know...

Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 07, 2010)
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1517
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post

I take a different view of bass from the 70's/80's timeframe:

Once synths began to come in, I remember a large bunch of folks began to think that drums and bass would simply be sequenced into songs, there wold be no place for these mundane parts to be played by human beings.

Then when disco hit, say what you will, but it really ushered in a new breath of life for the rhythm section, bought the bass upfront in the mix in lots of tunes. As far as I'm concerned, disco made possible a huge push in 'upfront' bass possible.

Lurking behind the big commercial radio push with that stuff, the Stanleys and Jacos and Jimmies really made themselves known in more serious music. But there started to be more records with guys playing MiniMoogs for bass lines . . . . which led to five- and six-string basses as guys like Nathan East and Doug Wimbish felt they needed to expand their range to double or prevent keyboard bass lines, thereby denting their studio work.

And lots of 80's kids grew up on disco as part of their background as well as Stanley and Zeppelin. Roger Taylor was the biggest Bernard Edwards (Chic) fan in the world, so no wonder DuranDuran had bass lines that were very interesting for 'pop' records.

I'm afraid I'm just not a 'serious' student of serious music; I grew up on the radio, and I really miss it. Just no mystery in an IPod . . .

J o e y
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 303
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 12:48 am:   Edit Post

As a musician, I learned absolutely nothing from the 80's other than music was undercut with greed and musical head count removal.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 310
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 7:08 pm:   Edit Post

Duran Duran LOL!!!

Man in those days, I ran from anything that had art-deco pinks and ocean blues. But boy did ladies go for it...

Duran Duran had it going on during the Miami Vice era! :-)


Peace and Love,

Hal-
kungfusheriff
Senior Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 943
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 8:00 pm:   Edit Post

"As a musician, I learned absolutely nothing from the 80's other than music was undercut with greed and musical head count removal."

Same as it ever was, brother, same as it ever was.
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 627
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 8:47 am:   Edit Post

Joey,

You should check out some 70's funk to see where Disco 'bassist' learned their chops.
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 316
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

Although this is painful to say, but I stopped listing to Stanley Clarke just before his run with George Duke was launched.

I still say his "Beatles Movement" was with RTF. Stanley without Chic, Lenny, and Al is: "a No Mystery". Everything after that band, became one...(a mystery).

I felt Stanley had this "fame bug" going on...

So, I switch from listing to Stanley and his Alembic folly, and started checking out more of what Percy Jones was doing with is electric fretless bass.

Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 14, 2010)
jos
Junior
Username: jos

Post Number: 34
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 11:14 am:   Edit Post

Hi Hal! You should check out Stanley Clarke’s new albums they are just sooo great. Stanley Clarke Band with Hiromi and The Toys Of men…great Alembic sounds on both albums!
I love Stanley’s old albums too but I think Stanley is playing better than ever today…he has been touring so much for the last four years and is in such a good shape, still a real inspiration, at least for me….

All The Best,
J-O-S
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 317
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 4:13 pm:   Edit Post

That's wonderful Jos.

However for me, just give me the FUNK, and I am cool "with that, and like that"!

But frankly, I believe the 1970's RTF "would run circles around" the 2008 RTF. :-)


Peace and Love,

Hal-
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2315
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 11:16 am:   Edit Post

Stanley with a buckeye burl bass.
nyc-rehearsal2.jpg

Jazzyvee
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1272
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 12:47 pm:   Edit Post

Interesting... there appear to be bird inlays on the fretboard. I remember an instrument in the FTC section a while back that had similar inlays, but just did a quick scan through and couldn't recall which instrument it was.

Anybody know if that's Stanley's bass, or just an Alembic lucky enough to fall into his hands for a session?
willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 174
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 1:16 pm:   Edit Post

I believe this bass was made initially for another customer but there was an issue with it not being exactly as he wanted. So Alembic, being the great people they are, are building that customer another bass. They sent this to Stanley to try. He loved it because it's the first bass he got with a satin finish neck. He usually has no finish on his neck and uses some hand cream. Turns out he realy like the satin neck feel. I got that from a very reliable source.
Willie
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1673
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 2:51 pm:   Edit Post

That was my bass. I prefer the Classic taper which this bass did not have so Alembic is building me another. I guess you could say that Stanley is playing a Keith Signature model. ;-)

Keith

(Message edited by keith_h on February 02, 2011)
willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 175
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 4:53 pm:   Edit Post

From what I hear he really liks it. Maybe someday there will be a Keith Signature Bass available. But switch the neck taper from the 1.5 at the nut to the 1.625 of the classic taper or the 1.7 that you are used to from your Brown Bass. The last 3 I ordered had the classic taper. I like the 1.625 nut. But I don't mind the 1.5 nut on my Jazz Bass.
Good luck with your new bass Keith. Must be cool to think Stanley has your bass.
Willie
skyboltone
Member
Username: skyboltone

Post Number: 52
Registered: 11-2010
Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 9:03 pm:   Edit Post

I'm sorry I missed out on all the fighting back in the early part of the thread. I missed the '80s completely. I spent the entire decade concentrating on Baroque and Classical music and played very little. Some blues now and then. Big vinyl collection fancy turntable.

I think every artist has his peevish moments eh? Haven't you? Same questions over and over. Not enough sleep. Fights with the main squeeze back home.

Anyway, Mozart was an A**hole. Stanley is forgiven.

It is worse today making a living in music. Many multiple copies of CDs make it hard to get a label to take a risk. Bands make it now on the road. $185 for a seat in the nosebleed section of a huge Arena to see the Eagles? Roger Waters was local recently doing The Wall. By the time I got word the cheapest tickets were $785. Up in front. Wine and cheese with Roger afterwards. Couldn't swing it. They say Roger is peevish too. I actually DO like his bass playing.

1.5" nut for me.
jos
Junior
Username: jos

Post Number: 38
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 7:07 am:   Edit Post

Hi Friends!

Check this out!!!! A real Alembic show!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgLFmOBRNF8

All The Best, J-O-S
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 767
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 10:10 am:   Edit Post

Two Alembics yess but what for sound ??!!

here is best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbzUM6y6jNY

Sorry Jos... all the best
doug_k
New
Username: doug_k

Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 8:58 am:   Edit Post

Here's a couple pics from a recent gig in Va, thanks to my wife:
stan2stan3
charles_holmes
Intermediate Member
Username: charles_holmes

Post Number: 123
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 2:18 pm:   Edit Post

Man, that photo on the right looks like Hal's bass!
Thank you for the photos! So...are these shots form the Wooten/Clarke tour?
doug_k
New
Username: doug_k

Post Number: 9
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2011 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post

Yes, they are from the wooten/ clarke tour.
I know he has tuned his basses a-c in the past, but it seemed like standard to me. I could be wrong, though.
he had some great sounding pedals, too:
pedals
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 631
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2011 - 9:46 pm:   Edit Post

Anyone knows what are all those Pedals? Supose I can see a EBS Bass IQ but not sure what are the rest of it (is the blue one a MXR Bass Octave?). What is that multieffect, TC?
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 791
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post

the EBS is octabass ? and the big pedal board could be a footswitch for rackmount effect as Eventide ?
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2884
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 1:15 am:   Edit Post

No sign of the EBS Wah he's been endorsing recently then.

Graeme
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2381
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 2:44 am:   Edit Post

Hehe jacko are you being a cynic this morning. :-)
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2383
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 2:49 am:   Edit Post

Hehe jacko are you being a cynic this morning. :-)
Jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2886
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 4:48 am:   Edit Post

Haha! Indeed, strange to see he never uses his loewenbrau basses either :-)

Graeme
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2778
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post

Graeme - that would be Loewenherz, not to be confused with the German beer brewery. Quite similar in style to the Ken Smith U-shaped monstrosity, to be honest - an acquiered taste, for sure.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 894
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 9:37 am:   Edit Post

The multi-effect is a TC G-System. When my Lexicon G2 became unrepairable, I thought about getting one of these, but decided to go with Eventide. I'm not sure I made the right decision, although I do think the Eventide sounds are amazing, the TC seems to have an ergonomic advantage. One cool thing about the G-System is that you can remove the actual processor from the foot pedal and rack mount it while keeping the pedal on the floor.

Stan does get some really great sounds!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2384
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 1:16 pm:   Edit Post

Adriaan, i think we are being entertained with some Scottish tongue in cheek humour today. :-)


Nice one Jacko at least it's not a Bass bass from Burton-on-trent.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2385
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 1:21 pm:   Edit Post

Oops double post

(Message edited by jazzyvee on April 04, 2011)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2888
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 1:00 am:   Edit Post

You got me Jazzy. Sorry Adriaan, as jazzy has spotted it was a pretty usuccessful attempt at humour.

Graeme
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 633
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 6:56 am:   Edit Post

Now I'm just curious about that unindentified gray little pedal after the TC... A distorion, may be?

*(I'm pretty sure that what we're seeing is a EBS Bass IQ followed by a MXR bass octaver plus)
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 801
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 7:42 pm:   Edit Post

here is the nicest picture of Stanley I ever seen !



extract from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagecarnival/2910624416/
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2406
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 11:20 pm:   Edit Post

yeah that is a great picture. I've seen those little white lines near the filter controls on a number of pictures of him live so I guess they are his reference points.

Jazzyvee

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