Just listened to Wooten's A Show Of Hands...

Fassa Albrecht · #1 08-02-2009, 07:05 PM

...all the way through and I simply can't see why people hold this as a great work of bassplaying.

The songs were good enough as they are and I have no problem with that, but the basslines to me seemed to be more about getting as many notes into a bar as possible and little to do with listenable solo playing.

All technicality and no groove.

Am I the only one who thinks this?

Nasnederis · #2 08-02-2009, 07:09 PM

I agree 100% with you. The man is a beast and do things i will never dream to do technically, but I dont hear GOOD SONGS. Its like going to see the Harlem Globetrothers, I mean they are awesome, good tricks etc, but at the end what you really want is real basketball.

Fassa Albrecht · #3 08-02-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasnederis

I agree 100% with you. The man is a beast and do things i will never dream to do technically, but I dont hear GOOD SONGS. Its like going to see the Harlem Globetrothers, I mean they are awesome, good tricks etc, but at the end what you really want is real basketball.

Music theory is like legs= too many and you'll trip up.

If I was going to choose a technical player to listen to, it'd be Geddy for me.

**john turner** · #4 08-02-2009, 07:16 PM

Fassa Albrecht · #5 08-02-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

lol.

Every time I see a mod in a thread I have a heart attack....

What have I said?

**john turner** · #6 08-02-2009, 07:23 PM

just the thought that you might be qualified to dictate to victor wooten the finer points of music theory. it's sorta funny.

.

if i were you, i'd chalk up your disliking of "Show of hands" as a personal taste thing, and leave it at that. it is, after all, a solo album from a band player, and as such is a personal statement that just might not click with you.

Nasnederis · #7 08-02-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

just the thought that you might be qualified to dictate to victor wooten the finer points of music theory. it's sorta funny.

.

if i were you, i'd chalk up your disliking of "Show of hands" as a personal taste thing, and leave it at that. it is, after all, a solo album from a band player, and as such is a personal statement that just might not click with you.

Sorry moderator, but after all, all post are just a personal taste thing. I love this post.

John Wentzien · #8 08-02-2009, 07:35 PM

I think he probably put this one out to show chops on purpose.
He is well-known for his technical skills and has enough demand for this to put out a CD.

dangorange · #9 08-02-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

I think he probably put this one out to show chops on purpose.
He is well-known for his technical skills and has enough demand for this to put out a CD.

I would love to hear him put out something that doesn't showcase his chops.

**Pacman** · #10 08-02-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Music theory is like legs= too many and you'll trip up.

Ironically, Vic doesn't know a lot of theory at all. He just plays his butt off. The funniest thing I find in your post is that you say there's no groove in his playing. That tells me more about you that a thousand posts ever will.

John Wentzien · #11 08-02-2009, 07:56 PM

Bela Fleck?

LilRay · #12 08-02-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangorange

I would love to hear him put out something that doesn't showcase his chops.

Look for something other than his solo work. He's a great pocket bassist.

I frankly don't understand folks need to bash Victor on his work. If it's not something you like that's fine, but to try and say or imply that he's not that good of a bassist or that his songs aren't melodic or "bass" playing is inane.

The man is simply trying to stretch the boundaries of the bass as an instrument, as well as develop something unique. Two things which I think he's done quite effectively.

As far as ones preference, like Vic or not you REMEMBER what you hear. How many of us think commercials are ignorant yet we remember the product that's being hocked.

Only real reason I see to knock Vic rather you like his stuff or not is jealousy.

God Bless, Ray

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #13 08-02-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

All technicality and no groove.

Agree about the technicality, but if there's no groove in tunes like "More Love" or "You Can't Hold No Groove", then I don't know what groove is.

"A Show Of Hands" is one of my all-time favorite bass solo albums. Plenty of technically demanding stuff, but very tasty as well. Besides, the fact that it is not 100% "perfect" but he left some minor mistakes here and there makes it even more valuable to me.

Jazzdogg · #14 08-02-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Ironically, Vic doesn't know a lot of theory at all. He just plays his butt off. The funniest thing I find in your post is that you say there's no groove in his playing. That tells me more about you than a thousand posts ever will.

+1 But, in truth, weren't most of us a little more impressed with our own skills than we had a right to be, and a little too eager to judge our betters, when we were Fassa's age?

ElMon · #15 08-02-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

just the thought that you might be qualified to dictate to victor wooten the finer points of music theory. it's sorta funny.

.

if i were you, i'd chalk up your disliking of "Show of hands" as a personal taste thing, and leave it at that. it is, after all, a solo album from a band player, and as such is a personal statement that just might not click with you.

Not so much about the first paragraph, as if Vic is some Ivory Tower of bass knowledge that one couldn't engage in debate with. There's nothing wrong with saying you don't like something, and I'm sure Vic is cool enough that he'd try and learn something from your criticism.

But, your second paragraph basically sums it up for me in a wonderful way in regards to these 'i'm not really into the ultra-technical bass solo artist' threads. If it doesn't move you, fine, move on. I agree with the OP and don't really like that album as much as I did when it came out, but my musical tastes/approach has changed drastically since then. No worries. Vic's still a completely unique and amazing voice on this wonderful instrument of ours, and God Bless him for building a great career out of it.

John Wentzien · #16 08-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Variety is the spice of life.
I for one am glad there are people out there pushing the boundaries.
I dig Dusty Hill layin' it down nice and simple too!
But I don't want to JUST hear simplicity 24/7 either.

dangorange · #17 08-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangorange

I would love to hear him put out something that doesn't showcase his chops.

Sorry, what I meant was I would love to see him put out a solo album focused moreso, or rather completely on his simple and great groove work.

JAUQO III-X · #18 08-02-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

the fact that it is not 100% "perfect" but he left some minor mistakes here and there

What were these minor mistakes?

Maybe they weren't mistakes at all but just what he wanted(part of his vision).

And no I'm not being sarcastic.

Demonator · #19 08-02-2009, 08:25 PM

What about "Me and My Bass Guitar" or "Bass Tribute" on Soul Circus. Theres plenty of groove in this mans work. In Palmystery the song "I saw God The Other Day" is great. I enjoy his music, as you may not. And thats ok

But this man can groove.

ElMon · #20 08-02-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Variety is the spice of life.
I for one am glad there are people out there pushing the boundaries.
I dig Dusty Hill layin' it down nice and simple too!
But I don't want to JUST hear simplicity 24/7 either.

I'm with you in 'no limits' listening. Dusty Hill can groove his @$$ off. Sure, he plays simple and rock solid stuff, but I couldn't imagine anyone else playing in that band. In the end I'd rather listen to someone with an inimitable style than a mere technician, no matter how amazing they might be. I admire players who let you know in two notes who they are. Vic's certainly one of them, but so is Jamerson/Chris Squire/Jaco/John Paul Jones, etc.

He's accomplished one of THE hardest tasks in making music, which is having a unique and compelling musical voice. Now, like other members of the 'Bass Pantheon', and Vic's certainly on that list, the problem I have is when tons of imitators spring up out of the woodwork trying to cash in on someone else's sound.

Maybe the OP, like me, has heard too many crappy renditions of Vic and Jaco lines at the local GC. The kind that make me run right back out of the store.