| Author | Message | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 148 Registered: 5-2011 |
I don't have the link, but there is a cool video on Youtube titled "Mark King for Prague Proms 2011".It was recorded in his home studio, with all his basses surrounding him, thus the sighting.The vid speaks for itself.Worth a look if you are a fan..... | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 436 Registered: 2-2011 |
AMAZING! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7pQJN9v58 | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 108 Registered: 7-2007 |
He is well above the others and if that wasn't enough - he sings. And if that wasn't enough - he is just a nice natural man who talks on the same level (no pun intended) as the rest of us. Yes, you guessed, I am a fan. Glynn | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2776 Registered: 6-2002 |
Does anyone play these basses without a chorus and with some bottom end. The sound is very bright and lively in the top end but I've never heard any clips of those status basses showing that have anything in the lower frequencies and any warmth in the tone? Jazzyvee | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 149 Registered: 5-2011 |
Good question Jazzy.Status basses are virtually non exsitant on the West Coast.I think MK's sound is that way because he is so rythem oriented,and uses a lot of keyboards to provide the bottom end.Personally I thought his "sound" was best on his Jaydee basses.They had more growl and bottom. | ||
| bassilisk
Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 99 Registered: 4-2009 |
I had a Status KingBass Standard with a bolt-on graphite neck and a mahogany body with a rosewood cap. Though they can be extremely bright I can vouch for their bottom end. The sound was also very focused and tight. Besides the bass/treble EQ it had a sweepable midrange with a 3 position switch that offered +6dB/flat/-6dB. MK gets that tone very deliberately because the bass itself offers a very broad tonal pallette. I liked this bass a lot. Unfortunately it suffered from the same thing as my Alembic MK Sig. Unless you wear it like he does that short upper horn makes it a bear on balance. It was difficult to play the Status comfortably and eventually I flipped it for this reason. But, I would have no problem getting one of their more comfortable body styles with this same electronics package. I thought it was very versatile. | ||
| tncaveman
Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 65 Registered: 2-2011 |
That was freaking awesome - I haven't heard any Level 42 stuff that really turned me on - but his solo stuff is amazing! I love the headless design ------>>>>> Strings w/ two balls (LOL) Stephen | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10581 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool video! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1430 Registered: 3-2004 |
I have 2 MK black beauties. One 5er and one 6er. I got a great sound right away and with the 3 band eq plenty of whatever you want. I love Mark King, got his signature axes but I want to sound like me not him. Couldn't pull off his thing if I tried! Cheers | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1820 Registered: 9-2002 |
MK reminds me of most very accomplished musicians I've been around at close range: They're talking along about the weather, whatever, while just goofing off this amazingly terrifying stuff, and it hits you, this is just him goofing around like me . . . . me, that is, if I'd slept with the thing for 25 years and never once put it down ! Also, he also reminds me just how different Brits speaking English sound so different that us speaking American, supposedly the same thing. Well, I've just fixed bangers and mash and I've got to catch something on the telly, Cheers ! J o e y | ||
| mb94952
New Username: mb94952 Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2010 |
I have always LOVED Mark King. I've been a fan since 1987 and I got to meet him a few years ago in SF. He is very nice, indeed, and has a great sense of humor. He NEVER takes his fans for granted. I WISH I still still had my Mark King and Alembic poster... My dad threw it out when I was partying at college. (never graduated) | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 110 Registered: 7-2007 |
I have still got a programme from a Level 42 concert many, many years ago. He was really young then, full of confidence but in a nice cheeky sort of way. I agree that he cares for his fans and I can imagine him being the same talking down the pub as on stage. I was inspired at the time, and still have, a custom Jaydee made for me by JD in 1986 (I live very near to Birmingham UK)which combined the MK and George Anderson versions. I never did and never will slap - am content to watch MK and admire. Glynn | ||
| jbybj
Advanced Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 351 Registered: 6-2006 |
To my ear, underneath all that flashy technique and blinding LED'S, is an awesome groove, and great melodic lines. I just don't understand why he had to speed up the video like that :-) | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 111 Registered: 7-2007 |
It is interesting how words come across! The words from the last poster jbybj came over to me as rather condescending - I don't know you so I may be totally wrong and this is not a personal attack BUT words like 'flashy' and 'blinding' rather give an impression of grudging praise when followed by the pleasant comments on groove and melody. As to the speeding up - doesn't any musician doing practice, or a drummer building up a solo, increase the speed because they can? If a clearly very talented artist is not to anyone's liking, then perhaps the opinion is best not posted in an otherwise positive forum otherwise it may come over, however unwittingly, as what may be seen as 'sour grapes'. No offence intended and I hope none taken,jbybj. Glynn | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 156 Registered: 5-2011 |
Glynn, I see what you mean,but he may also have been using humor to point out how ridiculously talented MK is. I couldn't play have of it ,even if you backed it off 10 or 20 beats/min! It's amazing to me when watching players like MK ,Michael Manring(this man is NEVER discussed enough,and very gracious and friendly as well.I've seen and met him twice at a small venue)Victor Wooten,Steve Baily,and of course Jaco and Stanely play.They are so relaxed,and fluid.They play effortlessly.Repitition helps,but this is another level. | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 112 Registered: 7-2007 |
Yes - good point. Thanks. Glynn | ||
| jbybj
Advanced Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 352 Registered: 6-2006 |
It was my intent to convey, that I have encountered many players in the slap style of playing, that seem to be able to slap that bass quite ferociously, but display nothing more than rapid technique, and very little in the way of musicality. Mr. King, OTOH, not only possesses the ferocious technique, but applies that technique, (so often misused by others) to achieve something supremely musical, and immensely enjoyable to listen to. The smiley face :-) following the "speed up" comment, was intended to indicate my FEEBLE attempt at humor. As though he plays so fast, one as foolish as myself might have assumed he must have sped up the video. Because it's not possible for someone to do that in real time, is it? So I have proven once again, to myself, why I'm glad I chose not to go into comedy for my profession. It seemed funny to me when I was typing it........... I loved that video, I loved the song he wrote, I loved the playing, and I even loved the sound of his Status. (Message edited by jbybj on March 14, 2012) | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1348 Registered: 6-2002 |
It is funny now , thanks for explaining... : )) | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 240 Registered: 5-2005 |
Good clarification. Of course, if Mark double tracked some slap bass, and had it recorded or Midi'd, he could speed that up in "real (or is it (reel) time. He is a great player in that style. Saw them open up for Steve Winwood at MSG and they were great. Boon hit a duck note on guitar, and the band really had a big laugh. They knew not to take themselves that seriously, but to this day I really enjoy their music. | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 113 Registered: 7-2007 |
Glad it's all cleared up. Glynn | ||
| rob_steen
Junior Username: rob_steen Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hi, Just saw Mark playing in Ronnie Scotts in London a few weeks ago, playing only solo tracks, it was amazing to see some of this stuff live for the first time. He played the Essential completely through all 20 minutes of it! The band included a 3 piece horn section, 2 keyboards players, guitar, drums and percussion. No backing tracks or midi. Great to see musicians playing off each other and having fun. - Rob | ||
| mb94952
Junior Username: mb94952 Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2010 |
Wow, I would've LOVED to see that show !! | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1798 Registered: 11-2004 |
Yep..as a long term fan from the very early 80's ('The Early Tapes' & 'Level 42') I missed that gig, I would have travelled the 200 or so miles to catch him playing a non promptu gig like that. I should visit the website more often!!! |
