Mark Egan recommendations

Baryonyx · #1 09-07-2007, 04:31 PM

I'm looking to pick up a couple of Mark Egan records but I really don't know where to start.

There are two things that primarily attract me to Mark's records, one of which is the fact that I hear he plays Pedulla basses. Given that one is featured on the voer of "As We Speak", I'm guessing one was used here. Which record of his would be my best choice in terms of providing my ears with some sweet Pedulla Buzz tone?

Secondly, I hear he has been labelled as a "Jaco Clone" in the past. Which records drew this criticism? On which record would I hear the best argument for him being a "Jaco Clone"? I'm very eager to hear what some people interpret as a musician copping licks from Jaco. So basically, I'm looking to buy two records on these grounds, but might stretch to three to include his "best work" (in your opinion). Fire away, friends, let me know what you think!

jerry · #2 09-07-2007, 05:29 PM

His last two albums 'Freedom Town' & 'As We Speak' are great for his work on his Pedulla. The first two he did with Pat Metheny, 'Group' & 'American Garage' are classics [IMHO], but he used a fretless P-bass on those. I never saw Mark as a Jaco clone at all, I always thought he was a original voice on the fretless. He's one of my longtime favorite players with lots of great work with Gil Evans, Larry Coryell etc.

Baryonyx · #3 09-08-2007, 03:22 PM

Hmm, I think I might have to pick up "As We Speak", I just love the sound of those Buzz basses!

VJP · #4 09-08-2007, 04:10 PM

American Garage is a great recording. And unlike most stuff from that era, it does not (IMO) sound the least bit dated.

m.oreilly · #5 09-08-2007, 07:45 PM

here are some samples from "as we speak":

http://www.mediafire.com/?0cmjdmmmztp

http://www.mediafire.com/?bpvjmidzy1j

i really love the feel of this album. abercrombie was a perfect choice. i have some older "elements" stuff somewhere...

winston · #6 09-10-2007, 11:28 AM

I just picked up "As We Speak" this weekend. I am MIGHTILY impressed. The writing, playing, and group interplay on both discs are remarkable. Mark's intonation is flawless and he coaxes a beautifully warm, singing sound from his Pedulla Buzz.

I've never viewed Mark as a Jaco clone. I do believe he studied with Jaco in the '70's and he does play a coated-FB fretless but his voice is very much his own. I've heard his stuff with Metheny plus "Mosaic" and assorted session work (his recordings with Joan Osborne were great).

I've always thought Mark is an underrated player compared to some of his flashier compatriots. IMO this album cements his place as one of the best bass guitarists in jazz. Makes we want to hit the 'shed!

markjazzbassist · #7 09-10-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

The first two he did with Pat Metheny, 'Group' & 'American Garage' are classics [IMHO]

+1

great albums and great playing. Mark's got a nice tone.

bkbirge · #8 09-10-2007, 11:51 AM

Mark's a monster but the only similarity to Jaco is that they both did the Gil Evans gig. Mosaic is my favorite album of his, almost new agey but a wealth of 8 string fretless tone and good compositions.

You could always just ask him over at his website. He's been helpful and friendly to my questions in the past.

watspan · #9 09-10-2007, 01:03 PM

I came across Mark via Joe Beck's "Fingerpainting", which I still really like. No Jaco clone IMO

burk48237 · #10 09-10-2007, 02:09 PM

"Tricycles" w/ Larry Coryell trio with Paul Wertico, is in the same league with "As we Speak". And I actually think the tunes are better. Of course it doesn't hurt that they covered a couple of Monk tunes.

I never thought of Mark as a Jaco clone, but I must admit that most frettless only players do come across that way. Mark squeezes single notes more and makes every note count when he improvises. His tone is also unique and very similar to Pat Metheny's delay filling approach. The two Metheny albums mentioned, while a frettless J (not P- I believe), still have very similar tone and I believe contain some of the best ensemble playing on CD.

m.oreilly · #11 09-10-2007, 06:25 PM

question from mark's site:

Quote:

Hi Mark, I remember you sent me a lengthy email when I was still in high school about the bass you used on first PMG Cd. And Ive told the story so many times to others I want to make sure I still have it right, was it a 58 p-bass given to you from Jaco? And was it originally Fretted but had the frets removed? Was it coated with any epoxy after the frets were removed?

mark's reply:

Quote:

Hi Dan, Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, you have all the correct details on the 58 p-bass. It did have a finish . The first one was put on by Jaco and the second by Michael Pedulla. It was an epoxy finish. First the inlays were filled with a wood filler then the epoxy was sprayed on and then sanded. It was originally fretted and Jaco removed the frets. Hope all is well with you. Mark

from fretlessbass:

Quote:

What fretless basses have you owned, which do you still own?
Mark Egan: I've always played Fender or Pedulla fretless basses. I originally had a 1964 Fender jazz bass that I took the frets out of. I still have it, but I put the frets back in and I use it on a lot of rock and funk and alternative projects.

jerry · #12 09-10-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

"Tricycles" w/ Larry Coryell trio with Paul Wertico, is in the same league with "As we Speak". And I actually think the tunes are better. Of course it doesn't hurt that they covered a couple of Monk tunes.

+1, on Tricycles! Coryell and Wertico play great and I've always dug Wertico's playing.

JimK · #13 09-11-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

The first two he did with Pat Metheny, 'Group' & 'American Garage' are classics [IMHO], but he used a fretless P-bass on those...

Hey Jerry-
On the back cover of Group...I seem to recall a Fender P modified with a Jazz pickup in the bridge position. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I have that LP anymore...can you verify?

Back in the day, that really intrigued me...I recall seeing pix of Chuck Rainey & Randy Tico with P-J basses, too.
Eventually, I followed suit & the difference was big as far as getting the sound in my head the way I heard it.

burk48237 · #14 09-11-2007, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Hey Jerry-
On the back cover of Group...I seem to recall a Fender P modified with a Jazz pickup in the bridge position. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I have that LP anymore...can you verify?

Back in the day, that really intrigued me...I recall seeing pix of Chuck Rainey & Randy Tico with P-J basses, too.
Eventually, I followed suit & the difference was big as far as getting the sound in my head the way I heard it.

Actually it's the back of American Garage. I have that LP framed on the wall in my practice room.

Which is a very underrated LP, I think the title cut turned people off, but every other cut was killer. "Airstream" and "Across the Heartland" are among Pats best writing.

JimK · #15 09-11-2007, 11:40 AM

Josh-
You don't say.

JimK · #16 09-11-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

Actually it's the back of American Garage.

Thanks...I knew I'd F that up.
So it's a P-bass modified into a P-J bass?

burk48237 · #17 09-11-2007, 11:55 AM

Interesting that it's a maple board fretless. Not something people usually associate with a Fretless. Although I suspect that the coated board ( by Mike Pedula) negates a lot of the differences in tone between boards on a frettless. His coatings are quite thick. Also Mike didn't really have any real production of basses until 1981 (after American Garage and the Group Albums ). He made 372 basses as a repair man between 1976 and 81. Mark and Jeff Andrews were the first guys I heard playing them. Damn all this talk has me gassing for another Buzz.

Jim Nazium · #18 09-20-2007, 08:05 AM

Egan has done some great session work, besides his solo albums. Check out "Saint Theresa" on Joan Osborne's first album: beautiful Pedulla sound, and the part, while not particularly flashy, is tasteful, in the pocket, and just right for the song.

Man, if I could sound like that ...

dedelandia · #19 09-25-2007, 01:42 PM

Hi there, I think nobody mentioned that mark did took lessons with Jaco on florida, and he was featured in an "historic" Guitar Player magazine form the 80's with Jaco on the cover. There was a little note with Mark called "studiyng with Jaco" in there, perhaps because of that he was considered a Jaco alumni, but I don't think nobody never took that "jaco clone" seriusly, I never heard of it.
Mark it's a beautifull guy and musician. I've been jamming with him in the early 90 and he did palyed that Pbass (fretted by then)
By the way: asked bout his favourite new cats in the 4 string bussiness, Jaco went:

"Charlie Haden and Steve Swallow....not, just kidding: I'll say Mark Egan...and Marcus Miller too."

add to that the fact that Mark played (beautifully) on P.MG. 's "Jaco", and you'llsee that the Jaco-Egan link exists, but there's no clone there.
A good pupil honnouring the master.
Hail Egan!
cheers:
DD

ps: check his Elements albums.

#20 08-07-2008, 01:30 PM

I'd like to continue this somewhat dated discussion since I just picked up American Garage a few days ago. It's a great album but I do feel that Mr. Egan takes a few too many pages out of the Jaco book on this recording, notably the bridge pickup/fretless combo; he even plays a few of Jaco's signture sixteenth-note licks throughout the album. I must be missing something here... would anyone care to recommend an Egan/PMG record that sounds a bit different?