Bizarre-funny guy!

ellocogris · #1 09-23-2009, 05:01 PM

Hi Janek and everyone!

I was just fooling around searching for some cool videos in youtube and I found this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6cPYNXsAIo

And this other video, showing his "chops" to Bill Dickens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5da2QoNCp1k

I found this hilarious, buy seriously I really cant believe this guy played bass for over 30 years as he claims. Althought he tries to be the contemporary, experimental type (and dont get me wrong, I really dig and respect guys like Messiaen, Stockhausen, Xenakis, etc) but he obviously lacks technique and musicianship. And he played with some heavy cats like Tony Williams. Maybe he was a good player when he was young and now he's gone crazy or something.
I also found he has "bass lessons" videos in "expert"village (also very funny), and I dont know why but it seems that if you are a weird (and unexpert) person you have to post something in expertvillage.

So this made me think about how taste and autocritism is so important. As artists we need to stay confident about what we do, agaisnt negative opinions we keep doing what our soul tell us. I think this Tony guy is feeling what he plays but doesnt have the ability and taste to transmit it.
But taste is subjective, and we all have preconseived ideas of what sounds good and bad.
Another example, Kenny G can play sax, he's melodic and expresive, plays in tune and sells a lot of records. But why do we say Kenny G sucks? And in the 80's monsters musicians like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Jeff Berlin, etc. made records that in my opinion are poor in taste (I'm talking about that particular period).
So how do we know as artist if what we do is really worth it?

Well, just wanted to share this with you all and hear your opinions.

Hope my english is good enough, sorry if its not!

middlebit · #2 09-24-2009, 11:04 AM

Not really my thing. I thought it was one of those "shreds" videos at first. Seems like he's seen some rough years.

Just curious, where have you heard Kenny G play in tune?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellocogris

Hi Janek and everyone!

I was just fooling around searching for some cool videos in youtube and I found this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6cPYNXsAIo

And this other video, showing his "chops" to Bill Dickens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5da2QoNCp1k

I found this hilarious, buy seriously I really cant believe this guy played bass for over 30 years as he claims. Althought he tries to be the contemporary, experimental type (and dont get me wrong, I really dig and respect guys like Messiaen, Stockhausen, Xenakis, etc) but he obviously lacks technique and musicianship. And he played with some heavy cats like Tony Williams. Maybe he was a good player when he was young and now he's gone crazy or something.
I also found he has "bass lessons" videos in "expert"village (also very funny), and I dont know why but it seems that if you are a weird (and unexpert) person you have to post something in expertvillage.

So this made me think about how taste and autocritism is so important. As artists we need to stay confident about what we do, agaisnt negative opinions we keep doing what our soul tell us. I think this Tony guy is feeling what he plays but doesnt have the ability and taste to transmit it.
But taste is subjective, and we all have preconseived ideas of what sounds good and bad.
Another example, Kenny G can play sax, he's melodic and expresive, plays in tune and sells a lot of records. But why do we say Kenny G sucks? And in the 80's monsters musicians like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Jeff Berlin, etc. made records that in my opinion are poor in taste (I'm talking about that particular period).
So how do we know as artist if what we do is really worth it?

Well, just wanted to share this with you all and hear your opinions.

Hope my english is good enough, sorry if its not!

janekbass · #3 09-24-2009, 11:49 AM

I think it's all a matter of personal taste, and as any kind of performer you can't please everyone. It would be really boring if you liked everything, and there would be no range in taste.

I'm not a fan of this cat, but then maybe he's not a big fan of me. It really doesn't matter. I think we should try and stay positive no matter what is going on. There is a lot of crap on youtube that you could ultimately spend the rest of your life denouncing as being this or that. But there are also a ton of other things up there that are inspirational and moving. That's why I started this thread: Inspirational youtube moments

Easy,

Janek

ellocogris · #4 09-24-2009, 08:34 PM

I think you're right Janek. We need to stay possitive and find inspiration in whatever move us, and let everybody else be whoever they want to be.

Michael Case · #5 09-25-2009, 10:45 AM

The guy put himself out there and like all people who do so he deserves respect for it.

Andrew.Glose · #6 09-27-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Case

The guy put himself out there and like all people who do so he deserves respect for it.

Anybody can 'put themselves out there.'

Youtube is full of stupid videos with people putting themselves 'out there.'

It doesn't automatically sign you up for respect.

Regardless...everyone has their own thing.

Andrew

Michael Case · #7 09-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew.Glose

Anybody can 'put themselves out there.'

Youtube is full of stupid videos with people putting themselves 'out there.'

It doesn't automatically sign you up for respect.

Regardless...everyone has their own thing.

Andrew

Sorry, in my book if you're putting it out there you deserve SOME respect. We all sit here and judge and criticize others but never put our own stuff out there for the same judgment.

I'm not saying I thought the videos were informative, I didn't say people should study with him. I just said show the guy some respect.

Roy Vogt · #8 12-04-2009, 03:04 PM

Tony Newton actually had a career in the 1970s with Tony Williams. He's playing bass on "Believe It" and "Million Dollar Legs" with Alan Holdsworth, Tony Williams, and Alan Pasqua. So, yes, he is a bonafide player. My heart goes out to him, trying to keep on keepin' on.
One of the things that can cheeze me about Youtube is the amount of people who get on there and just make snarky comments about EVERYONE.

I've had the dubious pleasure of getting some of this attention, but so has Victor Wooten, Stan Lassiter, and a good number of other players. Remember: modem+computer+opinion doesn't necessarily = genius (sorry, I guess that was snarky in it's own way)....

basmartin · #9 12-04-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Tony Newton actually had a career in the 1970s with Tony Williams. He's playing bass on "Believe It" and "Million Dollar Legs" with Alan Holdsworth, Tony Williams, and Alan Pasqua. So, yes, he is a bonafide player. My heart goes out to him, trying to keep on keepin' on...

Yeah, he played great on those records. Too bad to see that life has been rough on him.

Roy Vogt · #10 12-05-2009, 08:53 AM

Actually, when you pick out what's being said in the second Youtube video, Tony's talking to Bill about the HARMONIC devices (dead strings, passing notes, etc.) that Jamerson used on Motown sessions. Pretty valid stuff, even if it's lost in the NAMM Show hubub.
In the working world I live in (in Nashville), I'd be sent home from the studio and my tracks would be immediately be replaced if I tried to play double-thumb lines, tapping and assorted Youtube Shred instead of the ideas that Tony's talking to Bill about. What strikes me about that clip is that you have 80 years of bass experience between the two of them, which is why there is the respect from Bill. It's a sign of his maturity, IMHO.

needmoney · #11 12-06-2009, 08:08 AM

Eek-gads, I put the Roots on pause for that. Fail!

Roy Vogt · #12 12-07-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmoney

Eek-gads, I put the Roots on pause for that. Fail!

Ironically, Owen Biddle, the bassist for the Roots and Hub are both using a lot of the same principles in their bass lines that Jamerson pioneered and Tony is talking about in his conversation with Bill Dickens.

JAUQO III-X · #13 12-13-2009, 08:53 PM

For those who may be interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Aq71oBmm48

davec · #14 12-13-2009, 11:24 PM

seriously, does anyone here believe that if Tony Newton had nothing to say and was as burnt out as the post would lead you to believe that Billy Dickens would be listening like that? I've never seen Billy be disrespectful or unkind, but he wouldn't be handing over his bass and listening.

Big lesson moment... Regardless of technical level, any player with that type of career can teach you something. Knowing that is why guys like Billy Dickens reach the heights they do.

Roy Vogt · #15 12-14-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

For those who may be interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Aq71oBmm48

Thank you, Jauqo-the pocket doesn't lie, does it?

I was sharing my adventures on the forums with one of my students (also a Talkbasser) and he reminded me it's a forum. All sorts of opinions can wind up here.
It's like Myspace-there's some poor soul in my friends group that continually keeps posting about shapeshifting reptilian aliens taking over. Guess they just can't get his meds balanced

JAUQO III-X · #16 12-14-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Thank you, Jauqo-the pocket doesn't lie, does it?

You are more than welcome Roy. And no the pocket doesn't lie. When it's all said and done the pocket will prevail

LilRay · #17 12-14-2009, 08:17 AM

Are you guys making fun of Tony Newton?

Apparently I don't get the sarcasm?

God Bless, Ray

Roy Vogt · #18 12-14-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Are you guys making fun of Tony Newton?

Apparently I don't get the sarcasm?

God Bless, Ray

No, we're not. Tony's a fine player and a true piece of bass history and a Master. I saw the start of this thread, didn't dig it, and jumped in.
Hope this clarifies some of my posts.
Peace,
Roy

JAUQO III-X · #19 12-14-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Tony's a fine player and a true piece of bass history and a Master.

Yes he is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

I saw the start of this thread, didn't dig it, and jumped in.

Exactly my reason for posting as well.

JimmyM · #20 12-14-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Thank you, Jauqo-the pocket doesn't lie, does it?

I was sharing my adventures on the forums with one of my students (also a Talkbasser) and he reminded me it's a forum. All sorts of opinions can wind up here.
It's like Myspace-there's some poor soul in my friends group that continually keeps posting about shapeshifting reptilian aliens taking over. Guess they just can't get his meds balanced

Is that Riley Martin from the Howard Stern Show? Riley claims to have been taken aboard a mothership by friendly aliens, but also claims that an angry reptilian from an alien race called the Targzissians cut off a piece of his finger after Riley bested him in a mind-melding contest. I obviously know way too much about this, but the guy is hilarious when he rants about Howard not giving him a million dollars to do his 1-hour show on Sirius so I dig him and hope he never takes his meds

Anyway, you were right...the pocket doesn't lie. I thoroughly enjoyed Tony's promo vid and would love to book him down in Florida for a show...too bad I have no venue or money to offer him