Norah's bassist using two DB's!

Paul Warburton · #1 04-20-2005, 07:24 AM

I happened to see Norah Jones with The Handsome Band on TV last night. Now, this show was taped in Nashville, so i'm figuring that it's the bands home base because the bass player...sorry, don't remember his name...brought TWO DB's to the gig. He also played some slab.
Anyway he played a little German flat-back for most of the gig. Then, when guest artist Dolly Parton came out, the bass player came down front and played an old beat up Kay. I can only guess that this guy is just a real nit-picker when it comes to having exactly the sound he wants for whatever the material calls for.
Anybody have any knowledge or insight into this guy or what this was all about.
Of course, i'm also figuring that he doesn't do this on the road.
I can see it now at the airport....this axe is for ballads, this one is for sambas and, well...you got the idea?

Alexi David · #2 04-20-2005, 08:23 AM

That's nuts! I would do it too, of course, first if I had TWO basses and Roadies..........and groupies...........

Paul, maybe the Kay had guts on it and the other bass had spiros? I'm curious about this

**Chef** · #3 04-20-2005, 08:46 AM

When I saw them at Austin City Limits, he was playing what appeared to be an older Cleveland. I did not get close enough to confirm or deny...could be wrong. I dig his style though. Simple and tasteful...Sparse is real hard to do. It's easy to think you're doing it...but spend some time in the studio, and then listen to playback and think about how many possibly un-necessary notes you may be putting in when trying to achieve that end goal...tough!

Alexi David · #4 04-20-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

When I saw them at Austin City Limits, he was playing what appeared to be an older Cleveland. I did not get close enough to confirm or deny...could be wrong. I dig his style though. Simple and tasteful...Sparse is real hard to do. It's easy to think you're doing it...but spend some time in the studio, and then listen to playback and think about how many possibly un-necessary note you may be putting in when trying to achieve that end goal...tough!

Word.

Can you say "Charlie Haden"?

T-Bal · #5 04-20-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********
Now I'm starting to confuse myself anyway I hope that makes it clearier Maybe I should just play my favourite licks in the wrong key to get started I guess

Every time I read this it still cracks me up. I think I remember that thread. Is it still around or did it get 86'd?

Maybe the two basses were just to facilitate the change of location - not having to unplug, plug back in, etc. Or if there were major vocal monitors up front, maybe he needed a bass and pickup that was very feedback resistant, whereas this might not have been preferable for the whole show.

I dig the sparse thing, too.

Underbass · #6 04-20-2005, 10:53 AM

His name is Lee Alexander and he was featured in an article on bassplayer magazine. according to the article this is what he plays: ’20s German Pfretzschner strung with Thomastik Spirocores; ’42 Kay M-1 ; u-size Juzek. I have no idea what u-size means.

**Chef** · #7 04-20-2005, 02:31 PM

I've heard he's married to NJ, which makes him a great player...and a great player

farmerdude · #8 04-21-2005, 07:25 AM

I'm trying to figure out how I can take all 4 basses to a gig

**Chef** · #9 04-21-2005, 07:40 AM

Ford 15 passenger van, and some bikini-clad roadies...

They could hold them, like umbrellas, for racer-guys when you're not playing them.

Alexi David · #10 04-21-2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerdude

I'm trying to figure out how I can take all 4 basses to a gig

Charge entrance at the front door of your house!

bassphase · #11 04-21-2005, 08:49 AM

He's from San Francisco. When he left he said "I'm moving to New York--got a gig with my girlfriend, Norah".

Adam Levy, their guitarist is also from here (SF)

bob

jbahleda · #12 04-21-2005, 02:07 PM

I was fortunate enough to chat with him after a show he did in Columbus Ohio. I dont think he and Norah Jones are married yet, but I think they are engaged (not sure really). They are based out of New York city and the man is lucky enough to be able to tour with two uprights and at least two electrics.
On a personal note, he was a really, really nice guy. I spent more time chatting with him than with any of the others in the band. He aparently is also into producing and he just recorded/produced an album by the Philidelphia singer/songwriter Amos Lee.
As a geeky amature at playing the double bass, I must say that was a pretty cool evening for me.