Laurence Cottle vs Jeff Berlin live vdeo

[Mike Flynn]

Hi dudes

I shot this video in 2005 at the London Guitar Show - it's quite a rare chance to see and hear Laurie Cottle upclose as he and Jeff B battle it out over St Thomas, LC was demoing on the EBS stand but popped over to see Jeff for some friendly burns - very entertaining and I think Laurie wins.

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtTMWXBqnvs

Hope you like it

Mike

[BassGod]

I agree. Cottle wins. Berlin's solos were good, but I think he relied to much on the gimmicks of fretless. Not that I could ever hope to play that well.

Graeme

[Mike Flynn]

Jeff is on a fretted bass - just so you know - he's just got it hard set on the bridge pickup with a ton of chorus on it...sounds good but I'm not a chorus fan myself - Laurie is playing his GB Rumour bass - it's rather nice...

http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/mainframe.htm

Cheers

M

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Mike Flynn

Jeff is on a fretted bass - just so you know - he's just got it hard set on the bridge pickup with a ton of chorus on it...sounds good but I'm not a chorus fan myself - Laurie is playing his GB Rumour bass - it's rather nice...

http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/mainframe.htm

Cheers

M

I thought that was a lined fretless! That's a very convincing sound. The gliss sounds so smooth.

Graeme

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by BassGod

I thought that was a lined fretless! That's a very convincing sound. The gliss sounds so smooth.

Graeme

Maybe because I know JB plays fretted, but I wasn't convinced for a second. I hear nothing but chorus + bridge pickup (==cheese, IMO).

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

Maybe because I know JB plays fretted, but I wasn't convinced for a second. I hear nothing but chorus + bridge pickup (==cheese, IMO).

I've never heard Berlin before, so I guess I have to plead ignorance. I am impressed though.

Graeme

[mstott25]

I'm not sure if that was really a duel but it was nice. I liked Jeff Berlin's solos and I really dig his tone. Jeff's as good as anybody who's ever touched the electric bass IMO and Laurence Cottle impresses me more and more every time I hear him.

[Christopher]

I declare a draw.

[Basshole]

Nah, I give it to Mr. Fanny pack (I loved the comment). Jeff is playing his butt off. Speaking of which, Jeff could stand to lay off the twinkies...

[BillytheBassist]

I love Jeff and Laurence both..... If this was indeed a contest i would have to give that round to Jeff as far as soloes go. But i think Laurence did a much better job at supporting the soloes than Jeff. Both great players and great footage, thanks for posting it.

[peekster]

"Cottle wins. Berlin's solos were good, but I think he relied to much on the gimmicks of fretless. Not that I could ever hope to play that well."

No way. Nobody got 'blown away' here--these guys are both just too good--how else would they even be in that venue together?--but JB just throws in too many wicked little harmonic, and some rhythmic, surprises that work. His stuff was simply more interesting.

--and 'gimmicks of fretless'? That does not compute. I think he fooled you, just like he used to fool me about twenty years ago.

Every time I hear Berlin, I am more convinced that the only reason he's not out beating every other current bass 'god' at their own game of style/technique is that he's just not interested.

[Mike Flynn]

OK before this gets out of hand my use of the 'versus' tag was a lighthearted thing and in no way meant to stir up any bad feeling towards JB or LC - they are BOTH amazing - personally I prefer Laurence's playing and having heard him blow like a mutha over lots of bebop stuff I think his timing and phrasing are simply top draw - Jeff's use of legato is great but for me lacks the punch of Laurie's picking - have a look at this clip of LC playing Jaco's 'Used To be A Cha Cha' - it's awesome stuff;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBXT-f8FD1Y

Glad you guys are enjoying this stuff anyway.

Mike

[Baryonyx]

Wow, what an amazing video! Jeff Berlin on form, always a pleasure to watch! I was very impressed by Cottle, his soloing was excellent! However, Jeff Berlin stands out to me with his brilliant tone, phrasing and use of melodic ideas.

[phxlbrmpf]

Wow, wasn't Cottle in Black Sabbath for a while? I used to think he was a rock player.

[neptoon]

man, that was great...berlin's use of his bass over his mouth wins every time...haven't heard too much of laurence cottle's playing, though...man, excellent playing...i'm never picking my basses up again

[FR5]

Thanks Mike for posting these videos, great players having great fun. But I like the Stella by Starlight solo also very much

Steven

[musicman5string]

After watching it once, I'd say while both are great players, on this particular cut JB smoked LC. He just has some of the best jazz phrasing of anyone on the electric bass.
There's a video of his trio with Miroslav Vitous sitting in and the first tune is just JB with piano and drums. JB's solo on that track is as good as anything you'll hear.

[Basshole]

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

I love Jeff and Laurence both..... If this was indeed a contest i would have to give that round to Jeff as far as soloes go. But i think Laurence did a much better job at supporting the soloes than Jeff.

I agree.

Funny thing is, in the one with Cottle and Cartaya, Oskar holds it down far better in terms of groove compared to Cottle, but then his soloing was so bad, I just had to stop the video (sorry Oskar).

All relative, I suppose...

[Bassist30]

That was really nice seeing 2 bassist playing together like that. Jeff floors me with his harmonic and melodic knowledge. He is truly one of the masters of the instrument.
Both played well and pretty much expressed there knowledge of the instrument. But Jeff was not playing a fretless. I have seen him play that bass and it isn't a fretless although he always sounded like he did.

[jerry]

I remember when both had bands on the cool but short lived label Passport Jazz. Laurence had the Fents and Jeff had Players, both smokin' 80's fusion bands.