Instrumental Music

Skel · #1 12-03-2006, 12:04 AM

I felt this was the most appropriate forum for this thread, if not please let me know.

The last instrumental music I remember being good enough for radio was Joe Satriani. I don't think I've heard of anything instrumental since. I guess it has to be extraordinarly good to compete with anything with lyrics. I remember the Allman Brothers hit "Jessica"? I'd like to hear comments or thoughts about writing/recording instrumental music.

Thanks.

Dave Grossman · #2 12-03-2006, 12:33 AM

My band is instrumental. http://www.unpronounceable.com/

Nobody complains that we don't have vocals. We haven't had that many gigs though. I don't think that anybody in my band has ever felt that any of our music needs vocals.

- Dave

jvbjr · #3 12-03-2006, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skel

The last instrumental music I remember being good enough for radio was Joe Satriani.

You are speaking of top 40 radio I suppose. I have head some Steve Vai and Dream Theater instrumental stuff on our local rock station. Of course the jazzy stations play primarily instrumental music. And BTW, what does "good enough" mean anyway? The musical musicianship level of most instrumental acts is 10x that of Green Day or Britney Spears. Although radio is a audible media, we still allow image to play the major role in what gets on.

mvw356 · #4 12-03-2006, 07:24 AM

TOTO has some rocking isntrumentals, check Jake to the bone on the Kingdom of Desire album, and Dave's gone skiing on Tambu. Great grooves and top notch playing.
The Regatta de blanc album by the Police has some isntrumentals too, sorry don't know the names of the songs.
If none of these float your boat, Pink Floyd has lots of instrumentals.

Baryonyx · #5 12-03-2006, 07:53 AM

I love my instrumentals! I listen to a lot of shred and fusion, as well as a sprinkling of world music, so I'm familiar with the odd instrumental!

An instrumental album I've really been digging recently is "Adventures in Radioland" by John Mclaughlin and Mahavishnu. It really is excellent, brilliant songs and excellent musicianship. Very much top class fusion with a very upbeat, 80's vibe to the proceedings. I love it!

Plus, I ordered the Paris DVD and Time is The Enemy by Jonas Hellborg/Shawn Lane/Jeff Sipe this morning, so I'm all set for future listening!

Skel · #6 12-03-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvbjr

And BTW, what does "good enough" mean anyway? The musical musicianship level of most instrumental acts is 10x that of Green Day or Britney Spears.

I guess by "good enough" I mean "commercial" - where non-musicians would pay money for the CD, etc. I'm in complete agreement about the level of musicianship being 10x.

You just reminded me of the time I got to see Rush with 5th row center seats at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. They opened with a 20 minute instrumental. I saw God 3 times.

markjazzbassist · #7 12-03-2006, 03:33 PM

i love strictly instrumental music. i listen to a lot of Jazz and Funk.

Trevorus · #8 12-03-2006, 03:35 PM

Pelican

gustav · #9 12-04-2006, 07:16 AM

i really like instrumental tunes. some of my favourites is intrumental. i mean.. just look at peaches en regalia with zappa and don't want you no more with the allman brothers band.

my band has also got an instrumental tune - it's goes by the name "no hats and a rainbow" if anybody wanna hear it..
A whole lot of people that heard us say its our greatest tune.. maybe it's becuase our singer is kinda bad to show up on rehearsals..

ALiP BoB · #10 12-04-2006, 07:41 AM

Orion & Call of Ktulu.

God bless Cliff Burton

Bassist4Life · #11 12-04-2006, 09:18 AM

Do you guys remember that tune "Cliffs of Dover"? Who was that? Was it Eric Johnson? That was a pretty popular tune on the radio.

Joe

Skel · #12 12-04-2006, 09:24 AM

I don't know if "Cliffs of Dover" is that sort of tribute to SRV, but if it is, that is an incredible tune, and does show that instrumental music can be fantastic. I still think the human voice is the most effective way to musically communicate an idea or feeling, etc. But if you can accomplish this instrumentally, I now think it's an incredible feat.

Scottgun · #13 12-04-2006, 09:32 AM

A band I recently left due to family obligations The Madeira is instrumental surf rock. Ivan Pongracic is an excellent guitarist.

Scott

**john turner** · #14 12-04-2006, 11:51 AM

plz listen to instrumental in sig below, yes? ----v

Matt Till · #15 12-04-2006, 11:52 AM

The key to a good instrumental is to have a lot going on... some large amount of tonal hugeness. Doesn't hurt to have some instrument acting almost as a singer, carrying "the tune." Jessica is a huge example... who doesn't sing along to that melody?

Check out (if you haven't) The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Jazz with a heavy rock twist and indian influence.

... and JT's band.

**john turner** · #16 12-04-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Till

... and JT's band.

(sends matt his royalty check)

thrash_jazz · #17 12-04-2006, 12:01 PM

Me...

(see sig)

davidmurphy · #18 12-04-2006, 03:59 PM

Instrumental music is alive & well.
There's an Irish band called Redneck Manefesto that have a decent following here.
Scottish band Mogwai are mainly instrumental too.

Afrokid · #19 12-04-2006, 09:13 PM

Explosions in the Sky..hands down the best post rock band...they are amazing live aswell...

Skel · #20 12-04-2006, 09:31 PM

Thanks for all the ideas and links. Haven't made time to listen yet, but it's good to know there is an interest in this. Imagine not having to put up with a lead singer.