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ANDY CICHON
Billy Joel / Shania Twain / Shotgun Wedding
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IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME Behind virtually every great artist and history’s most enduring songs is a bass player who counts on Ampeg to deliver the very best tone possible. Whether it’s pop, rock or country, Andy conquers any genre and delivers flawless tone no matter with whom he shares the stage. And the Ampeg V-4B is the only amp he turns to for perfection every time. From amazingly portable and value-loaded combos to arena-rattling SVT rigs, Ampeg will have your fans saying, “You’ve got us feeling alright.”
THE ROUND SOUND ampeg.com
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PLAY
LEARN
C ontents |
VOLUME 25, NUMBER 8
|
B A S S P L AY E R . C O M
D B
TECH
AUGUST 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LINK
FACE
D E PA RT M E N T S
10
BASS NOTES
22 26
28
MIKE GORDON
SOUNDROOM
40
54
68
DAFT PUNK’S “GIORGIO BY MORODER”
Session vet James Genus stretches out on the jazzy techno jam from Random Access Memories.
Cover Photo: Joke Schott BASS PLAYER (ISSN 1050-785X) is published 13 times a year, monthly plus a Holiday issue to follow the December issue, by NewBay Media LLC, 1111 Bayhill Drive, Suite 125, San Bruno, CA 94066. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Bruno, CA and at additional mailing offices. Canadian GST No. R13288078, Customer No. 2116057, Agreement No. 40011901. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bass Player, Box 469069, Escondido, CA 92046.
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WOODSHED
After three decades of reeling it in, Gordon suddenly re-invents himself with a wild live show, a new solo album, and new Phish tracks. By Jon D’Auria
JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL Scenes from New Orleans’ 45th annual bash JOSH SMITH More than metal with Halestorm IAN HILL Breaking the mold with Judas Priest CHRIS MORRISSEY Northern hero with Sara Bareilles BP RECOMMENDS
WARWICK Streamer CV 4-string 48 G&L LB-100 4-string 50 GREENBOY AUDIO Fearless 112 cabinet 53 DUNLOP Super Bright strings 46
TECH BENCH
The mastermind behind the category-busting Snarky Puppy talks arranging, composing, and being the “fun police” of ace musicians. By Chris Jisi
COMMUNITY The Real World, Dig My Rig, Court of Opinion
EXPO Randy Coven Remembered 30 NEW GEAR Spector, Breedlove, La Bella & more 82 BOBBY'S BASSMENT The power of Tower
18
MICHAEL LEAGUE
T W
14
16
32
S
58
VOICES Paul Gagon: BBE boomer GEEK SPEAK Putting the squeeze on
60 JAZZ CONCEPTS Killer walking
64 BLUES YOU CAN USE Droppin’ the bom-bom
More Power. More Tone. www.bassplayer.com Vol. 25, No. 8, August 2014 Editorial Director Michael Molenda,
[email protected] Editor Chris Jisi,
[email protected] Consulting Editor Karl Coryat Senior Contributing Editor E. E. Bradman Contributing Editors Ed Friedland, Jonathan Herrera Staff Writer Jimmy Leslie Art Director Paul Haggard Production Manager Amy Santana
NEW
Publisher Joe Perry
[email protected], (212) 378-0464 Advertising Director, Eastern Region, Midwest & Europe Jeff Donnenwerth,
[email protected], (770) 643-1425 Advertising Director, Western Region & Asia Mari Deetz
[email protected], (650) 238-0344 Advertising Sales, Eastern Accounts Anna Blumenthal
[email protected], (646) 723-5404 Specialty Sales Advertising, West Michelle Eigen
[email protected], (650) 238-0325 Specialty Sales Advertising, East Jon Brudner
[email protected], (917) 281-4721
Class A Preamps with tube - Powerful EQ High Power in Lightweight Chassis Factory Direct MADE IN
6 months No interest
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USA
THE NEWBAY MUSIC GROUP VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Bill Amstutz GROUP PUBLISHER: Bob Ziltz EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Brad Tolinski SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST: Bob Jenkins PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT MANAGER: Beatrice Kim GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR: Christopher Campana CONSUMER MARKETING DIRECTOR: Crystal Hudson CONSUMER MARKETING COORDINATOR: Dominique Rennell FULFILLMENT COORDINATOR: Ulises Cabrera OFFICES SERVICES COORDINATOR: Mara Hampson ADVISORY BOARD Kenny Aaronson, Jeff Andrews, Steve Bailey, Victor Bailey, Jeff Berlin, Brian Bromberg, Jack Bruce, Ron Carter, Phil Chen, Stanley Clarke, Art Davis, Nathan East, Mark Egan, Andy Gonzalez, Barry Green, Charlie Haden, Stuart Hamm, David Hungate, Anthony Jackson, Darryl Jones, Dave LaRue, Will Lee, Michael Manring, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Pino Palladino, John Patitucci, Josh Paul, Dave Pomeroy, Chuck Rainey, Rufus Reid, Steve Rodby, Billy Sheehan, Lee Sklar, Steve Swallow, Gerald Veasley, Rob Wasserman, Verdine White, Gary Willis, Doug Wimbish, Victor Wooten
Please direct all advertising and editorial inquiries to: BASS PLAYER, 1111 Bayhill Drive, Suite 125, San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 238-0260; FAX (650) 238-0261;
[email protected] Subscription orders, inquiries, address changes, and Back Issues: BASS PLAYER, P.O. Box 469069, Escondido, CA 92046-9069. For quickest service, telephone: 800-234-1831 or (760) 291-1537. bassplayer@ pcspublink.com List rental: (914) 925-2449,
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[email protected] NEWBAY MEDIA CORPORATE President & CEO Steve Palm Chief Financial Officer Paul Mastronardi Controller Jack Liedke Vice President, Digital Strategy & Operations Robert Ames Vice President, Audience Development Denise Robbins Vice President, Content & Marketing Anthony Savona IT Director Anthony Verbanic Vice President Human Resources Ray Vollmer BASS PLAYER is a registered trademark of NewBay Media LLC. All material published in BASS PLAYER is copyrighted © 2014 by NewBay Media LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material appearing in BASS PLAYER is prohibited without written permission. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or artwork. All product information is subject to change; publisher assumes no responsibility for such changes. All listed model numbers and product names are manufacturers’ registered trademarks. Published in the U.S.A. Follow BASS PLAYER online at:
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TECH
PLAY
LEARN
C ommunity Practice While You’re Young— Or Older
COMMUNITY
LINK
FACE
LOWDOWN
CHRIS JISI
TOO MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS 18 AND STUDYING PRIVATELY WITH THE GREAT New York City bassist Lincoln Goines, I remember him telling me, “Practice as much as possible now, while you’re young and still in school, because when you get older and have more responsibilities, you’re not going to have as much time.” I thought of Lincoln’s sage advice (which I should have done a better job heeding) while interviewing this month’s cover artist, Michael League of Snarky Puppy. Michael related his story of getting a last-minute bass scholarship to the University of North Texas, only to find out it was strictly an upright bass program, and that, by his professor (ex-Count Basie thumper) Lynn Seaton’s estimation, he was ten years behind all the other students! The textbook definition of a tireless overachiever, Michael “hit the woodshed” six-to-eight hours a day, formed blisters, fought off tendonitis, and made up the time within his four years. To which he reflected, “My advice to all young musicians is to practice now, before life kicks in.” With my increased duties at BP resulting in interaction with artists, gear manfacturers, and publicists on a much greater scale, Lincoln and Michael’s words once again ring true. Yet, I’ve come to realize there’s a lot to be said about post-adolescent practice. With limited, but better-budgeted practice time, I feel more focused than when I was a teen, and better able to absorb the content and context of what I’m working on. So, even if you never got to pick splinters out of your fingers from a youth spent woodshedding, relax and enjoy your practice sessions now. I can almost guarantee you’re reaping the full benefits. And if a young musician asks you for some advice, you know what to say. It’s official, Bass Player LIVE! will return to Los Angeles on November 8th and 9th, 2014. Keep checking back with BP for ticket info and announcements about this year’s gear exhibitors, clinicians, concert artists, and Lifetime Achievement award recipients. I’ll see you there.
DIG MY RIG!
BASS PLAYER HAS GOTTEN ME INTO TROUBLE WITH MY WIFE over the years by presenting me with gear that causes the “I wants.” From left to right: new MIM Fender Classic ’70s Jazz, 2002 Pedulla PentaBuzz (love the mwah and growl!), 2013 Sterling SUB Ray4 (crazy bang for the buck), Kramer-era Spector NS-2 ( my m a i n g o - to b a s s ) , B a r re t t- B e n av e n te L o w E n d Ja z z 5 w i t h c h a m b e re d walnut body and f lamed koa top (it’s a shame more players don’t know these guys!). I use a Boss GT-10B and combinations of Gallien-Krueger 700RB head, Hartke HyDrive 1x12 and 4x10 cabs, and a Hartke XL 1x15… until another hard case of the “I wants.” —C H ARLES DRIVER Got a rig you think we’d dig? Send a photo and description to
[email protected].
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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
TIMELINE
COURT OF OPINION
To whom should we give a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Bass Player Live! in Los Angeles? Join the conversation at facebook.com/bassplayermag. John Entwistle. —Zoe Lind
John Paul Jones would be deserving. —Un Even Stephen
Steve Harris. —Michael Risucci
Charles Mingus, Jimmy Blanton, Marcus Miller, Paul Chambers.
This Month This Month In In Bass: Bass:
August 2ND
Bass legend James Jamerson dies,
3RD
Bad Company, with former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell, hits No. 1 with its self-titled debut album, 1973.
—Joey Everett
Cliff Burton. —Rick Kranz
1983.
6TH
Upright icon, composer, and bandleader Charlie Haden born,
9TH
Cliff Williams and AC/DC rule the airwaves with Back in Black, 1980.
10TH
1937.
Upright slap bass pioneer Bill Johnson born, 1872. Composer, arranger, and bassist Chuck Israels born,
1936. Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’
Love,” armed with an Anthony Jackson bass line, is No. 1, 1974. Duck Dunn or John Deacon.
11TH
Jermaine Jackson, 14, and the rest of the Jackson 5 are formally introduced to the public by Diana Ross, 1969.
—Rodney Spiers
12TH
A month before they began calling themselves Led Zeppelin, the New Yardbirds—Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John
Carol Kaye. —Peter K Bawa
Bonham—play together for the first time, 1968.
14TH
Slap pioneer, singer, bandleader, and songwriter Larry Graham born, 1946.
17TH
Carl Radle’s bass parts help take Eric Clapton’s 461 Ocean Boulevard to the top of the charts, 1974.
Stanley Clarke or Larry Graham. —Federico Vellere
18TH
Upright slap veteran Mark Rubin born,
1966. Chic, bolstered by
Bernard Edwards, rules the airwaves with “Good Times,” 1979. Glenn Matlock and Krist Novoselic.
20TH
—Jan Boone
22ND
Art Ensemble Of Chicago bassist Malachi Favors born, 1927.
23RD
Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong sideman John Lindsay born,
1894. David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes,” with its prominent George Murray bass line, hits No. 1 in the U.K., 1980.
Chuck Rainey. —Matt Koon
24TH Bootsy, Bootsy, and Bootsy. —Emanuele Loffredi
Victor Wooten!
Verdine White’s bass groove is a highlight of the Emotions’ No. 1 hit “Best of My Love,” 1977.
Huey Lewis & the News, including bass man Mario Cipollina, rock the charts with “The Power of Love,” 1985.
25TH
Kiss bassist, co-founder, and co-vocalist Gene Simmons born, 1949.
26TH
Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule bassist Allen Woody dies, 2000.
27TH
Vanilla Fudge and Cactus co-founder Tim Bogert born, 1944. The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” with Carol Kaye on electric bass and Lyle
—Caleb Pruiett
Ritz on upright, rises to No. 2 on the U.K. Singles chart,
28TH
1966.
L.A. and Nashville session legend Joe Osborn born, 1937.
bassplayer.com / a u g u s t 2 0 1 4
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