| Author | Message | ||
| jseitang
Junior Username: jseitang Post Number: 13 Registered: 6-2002 |
hi all i need to ask 2 questions for anyone who can help. i want to know the best recording of jack cassidy playing alembic #1 (was he in hot tuna then-1972?) i'm trying to write an article about then and alembics... so then a total of 3 recordings thanks this second part is tricky i want opinions on the best recordings that best exemplfies phil lesh's quadrophonic-modified guild(the godfather) and his omega cut osange orange bass. anyone can help? | ||
| keavin
Intermediate Member Username: keavin Post Number: 114 Registered: 12-2002 |
try hot tuna.com, and or, jack cassady.com ,theres all type of info on all of their early stuff,also you can still order it as well ,even the greatful dead stuff is still orderable. as far as what best recordings with those early alembics i would be very intrested because i have alembic #12.(but im sure someone in this club would know what recordings to check out good luck!) | ||
| dadabass2001
Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 95 Registered: 6-2002 |
For Jack's work, try "rejoyce" on "After Bathing at Baxters" and anything on "Crown of Creation" (especially "Greasy Heart", "Crown of Creation" and "Lather"). Also check the first Hot Tuna record, a live acoustic recording at the New Orleans House in Berkley, especially "New Song for the Morning" and "Mann's Fate". Phil was playing the Alembic-modified quad Guild Starfire on "Europe 72", so check out "Cumberland Blues", "Jack Straw", and "One More Saturday Night" from that album. The recordings of the 1970s couldn't showcase quad sound (only stereo LPs) although some of the audience tapes circulating from that time give a stereo perspective. This is actually how Phil used it: his bass went to 4 stacks of 8 15' apeakers arrayed across the whole stage, and during his solo he'd switch it so each string came out of a seperate stack on stage, giving the audience stereophonic runs (sounds like a dietary problem!). This setup on stage predates the "Wall of Sound", in that there were still massive PA stacks on each side of the stage. I saw this set up in Madison in '71 or '72. This is the best of my recollection, Senator. Susan or Mica might be able to say if the Osage Orange bass was completed in time for any of the early studio albums from "American Beauty" thru "Workingman's Dead", "Mars Hotel" or "Wake Of The Flood". Mike (Message edited by dadabass2001 on March 28, 2004) | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 271 Registered: 7-2003 |
On Phil Lesh: I'll echo Mikes choices for the best of the modified Starfire. There are other Europe '72 cuts that are similar, but the songs Mike mentioned certainly represent the best of its sound. The timbre, particularly on higher notes (the first couple of bars of Jack Straw for instance) is truly exceptional. The tight, clean bottom has just enough warm, growl to send me over the edge! Just thought of another: Check out China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider (Also on Eu. '72). The Starfire is a bit growlier, particularly in China Cat, but also during the transition between the two songs. As for the Osage Orange bass, you should definitely fact-check this with Mica or Susan, but this has always been my belief: I don't think the Osage was completed for Am Beauty or Workingman's Dead (This is consistent with what I saw him play in concert during this era.). I do believe the Osage or another, similar Standard body Alembic was used on Wake of the Flood and Mars Hotel and perhaps others subsequent to those. I understood Mica to tell me that Phil had other Alembics built - some with Maple/purpleheart necks (unlike the Osage, which had Osage Orange and other woods in the neck - but did not have Osage Orange body-wood.) during this period. The neck delaminated on the Osage bass. Others can better comment on the non-Alembic electronic modifications on both the Osage and Starfire basses. Based on the assumption that the Osage, and not another Alembic, was Phil's recording bass for the next albums in sequence after Europe '72, I'd have to say some of the best examples are on Wake of the Flood. Many players have noted Phil's solo spot at the close of Eyes of the World as a high point. My personal favorite is the the sound Phil used throughout Stella Blue. Highs, lows - all very clean and transparent, with a depth that makes me want to say it's one of the best recorded examples of an Alembic anywhere. On Casady, I'm even less an expert, but my understanding was that most or even all the Airplane recordings were made with his modified Starfire. Perhaps others can shed more light. Hope I haven't misled you. If anyone can furnish better info, PLEASE jump in! I'd like to see your article when it's done. Bill (Message edited by bassman10096 on March 29, 2004) | ||
| jseitang
Junior Username: jseitang Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2002 |
wow guys you provided me with some great info and insight... i'm gonna have to get these recordings first.these basses- i'm obsessed with them! this article is more focused on 'the early alembic years' when they had a close relationship with the greatful dead and all. i am doing all my research and opinions on these facts, *mica* if you feel like jumping in and add and/or correct me, feel free to. i know shes very busy.... anyone have more info on the 'early years'? | ||
| keavin
Intermediate Member Username: keavin Post Number: 129 Registered: 12-2002 |
jseitang,as far as i know (speaking of early years) (72#12) (here), i was told it was probably owend by phil lesh of the greatful dead at one time. he owned most of the first alembics made in 1972, by a well known guitarist from L A , now its mine,25yrs in my posession,  | ||
| gbarchus
Member Username: gbarchus Post Number: 55 Registered: 6-2002 |
Classic Hot Tuna Acoustic (1971) was recorded with his Alembic. I just recently saw Jack here in Austin and now have his autograph on the electronics cavity backplate of my 20th Anniversity! | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 275 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Gale: Great spot for an autograph! Great autograph, too. Bill | ||
| goatfoot
Junior Username: goatfoot Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2003 |
jseitang, I have over three hundred gd live shows in my collection, from the Acid Tests to Jerry's last show. I have quite a bunch of the shows from the Europe '72 tour. The '70-'76 shows are my favorite. I also have a Hot Tuna show from '76. I'd be happy to make you a copy of a few shows "B-n-P" (blanks-and-postage)style. LMK off list. Kevin P.S. That's another thing I have to thank Alembic for. After I bought my first Alembic I searched for artist who played these great basses. This has led me to enjoy some great music. |
