Your Role With Beck

micahbell · #1 01-19-2009, 02:21 AM

I have read that you were a "music director" for Beck, as well as his bassist/clapper/background vocalist/etc.

My question is as a "music director" what exactly did you do?

EDIT:
Oh - also, you remember what kind of bass you were playing on Debra? Is this an acoustic bass or the Fender Coronado?
The tone on this song isn't something I could really work into my every day playing, but I love it on this song and I am very curious as to what it was. Every once in a while you play a few fills where it sounds like a fretless but I don't think it is...either way - very cool sound.

jmjbassplayer · #2 01-19-2009, 10:12 AM

Debra was a borrowed upright, recorded kinda dirty. There's also some Guild Starfire plucking in the background.

As MD, these are what my roles included, and could probably apply to everyone who has had my role with other artists:

- Guiding and organizing rehearsals, particularly when the artist is not around
- Helping to dole out parts and focus what people are playing, as well as their tones
- Helping write the setlist
- Running soundchecks
- Acting as liaison between band members, artist, management, and crew. This is a big one, requires a lot of time most days, as well as considerable savvy with everyone's roles in the touring game.

JMJ

micahbell · #3 01-20-2009, 01:19 AM

Hm - I guess that explains it. I was listening to the song over and over trying to figure out what was going on - at some points sounds very upright-ish, at others it sounds like a fretted semi-hollow or something, with bends instead of slides, so I have been curious about this for a few days now - thanks for clearing it up.

In regards to being a musical director - wow, that sounds like a massive job.
Did you set out to get that job, or did it just come around?

jmjbassplayer · #4 01-20-2009, 01:34 AM

It's a big job, yes. I earned that position by demonstrating hard work as the bass player, and eventually by just filling a need that myself and others felt I was qualified for. It was a vacant position, being covered by several people, that just needed to be one guy.

MetroBass · #5 02-06-2009, 09:01 PM

Knowing what you know now, here's the scenario: you're unemployed, needing to pay bills and out of the music scene totally. Beck and Trent both approach you to come be their wing (bass)man. They’re both standing there together and you have to answer. Where do you go?

I know this is totally hypothetical and absurd, and you probably will refrain from answering, however, this is the Justin Meldal-Johnsen “ask a pro” whatever?

+ I see you're reading your Talkbass stuff right now before a heavy LA crusade.

BTW: did you catch the free Cure concert at the Troubadour?

jmjbassplayer · #6 02-06-2009, 10:52 PM

Brent.

No to Cure @ Troub, but saw them last summer at The Shrine. Awesome. Grateful Dead of goth!

What's a "heavy LA crusade"?

Best,
JMJ

machell · #7 02-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

What's a "heavy LA crusade"?

Best,
JMJ

Sounds like something religious...

jmjbassplayer · #8 02-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Yeah, like dudes in chainmail with axes and broadswords. We don't see that in LA too often.

Man, but I would call my rehearsal schedule a "heavy LA crusade", that's for sure. We're burning the midnight oil getting songs ready for Australia & New Zealand. Only two more rehearsal days left - yikes!

JMJ

irvinz · #9 02-10-2009, 03:44 AM

awesome. would expect nothing other than the best on the 17th =)

MetroBass · #10 02-11-2009, 09:15 PM

Guess I have to say "Right Answer"!!

Crusade (sorry been reading to much about the "Knights of the Templar" - guess I was thinking tearing up the town, but with that rigorous rehearsal schedule, guess not.

But dude! Look at this artist list:
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2009 Lineup:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Phish (2 Shows)
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails

David Byrne
Wilco
Al Green
Snoop Dogg
Elvis Costello Solo
Erykah Badu
Paul Oakenfold
Ben Harper and Relentless7
The Mars Volta
TV on the Radio
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Gov’t Mule
Andrew Bird
Band Of Horses
Merle Haggard
MGMT
moe.
The Decemberists
Girl Talk
Bon Iver
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Galactic
The Del McCoury Band
of Montreal
Allen Toussaint
Coheed and Cambria
Booker T & the DBTs
David Grisman Quintet
Lucinda Williams
Animal Collective
Gomez
Neko Case
Down
Jenny Lewis
Santogold
Robert Earl Keen
Citizen Cope
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
The Ting Tings
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Kaki King
Grizzly Bear
King Sunny Adé
Okkervil River
St. Vincent
Zac Brown Band
Raphael Saadiq
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Crystal Castles
Tift Merritt
Brett Dennen
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Toubab Krewe
People Under the Stairs
Alejandro Escovedo
Vieux Farka Touré
Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Cherryholmes
Yeasayer
Todd Snider
Chairlift
Portugal. The Man.
The SteelDrivers
Midnite
The Knux
The Low Anthem
Delta Spirit
A.A. Bondy
The Lovell Sisters
Alberta Cross

MORE ARTISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

This is going to be epic - just curious, how many of these cats do you know? Now, I understand why your rehearsing so much - but watch out, when it rains at a concert Trent gets kind of wierd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXscJaV_SLQ

jmjbassplayer · #11 02-11-2009, 10:35 PM

So many great bands to see. Can't wait.