Dark Star - the song

Coughdrops · #1 04-08-2010, 08:27 PM

Dearest JMJ,

This is a similar question to the Histoire thread. I was listening to Dark Star, off The Information, and noticed a very strong resemblance to the Stevie Wonder tune "Have a talk with God." - between the bass vibe and use of harmonica. I searched the forums to see if this subject had been broached... seemingly not. Was this something deliberate?

The Information is the album I spent the least amount of time with over the years, and after reading that you really like this record and Sea Change, I had to give it a more focused listen. Great record and I'm glad I've come to really appreciate it. Midnite Vultures is still my fav ... altered my consciousness!

Killer bass playing, J! Looking forward to checking out all the other albums you've been on!

Tom

jmjbassplayer · #2 04-08-2010, 11:25 PM

No, not deliberate at all, to my recollection. I wasn't privy to any discussion of or referencing to Stevie.

Glad you enjoy that record. It really is a great one. And, as always, stoked to hear about the Vultures love. That record has such the spirit to it.

Thanks a lot, Tom!
JMJ

JimmyM · #3 04-09-2010, 02:07 AM

definitely not a direct cop, but there are some similarities. but in the end, they're both great songs and that's what counts. and not saying beck nicked it from stevie, but knowing the right people to steal from always served the beatles well. paul mccartney once said the beatles were the biggest musical thieves in the business. people steal from beck all the time, too.

wellshuxley · #4 04-09-2010, 09:20 AM

Sea Change and The Information are my favorites too! If I had to pick one I would have to go with Sea Change. "Paper Tiger" has one of my favorite pick tones/bass lines in recent memory.

Coughdrops · #5 04-09-2010, 09:47 AM

I certainly don't think of it as thieving, even if there is a direct reference. I like how Justin talked a lot about a person's music library and their taste in music in that BassplayerTV thing. Even if things aren't overt, you are drawing on all this music that you've listened too and it opens up all sorts of doors. It has been mentioned a lot, but Beck covers a lot of ground on his recordings, stylistically speaking.

Back to transcribing so I can thieve some lines!