Good Frank Zappa Bass?

[mbeall]

Originally Posted by Rev J

The live version of "St. Alphonzos's Pancake Breakfast" where Arthur Barrow doubles the marimba part.

C/S,
Rev J

Is that on one of the "You can't Do That On Stage Anymore" series?

-Mike

[Rev J]

Originally Posted by Roscoe East

I hope those are tears at the beauty of the part.

Here's another favorite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rak82qafjQ

C/S,
Rev J

[tZer]

"I am the Slime" (youtube)

"Pound for a Brown" (youtube)

Tons of fun!

[Hot Pocket]

Magic Fingers from 200 Motels is a cool pentatonic based lick that is quirky and an easy place to start. My faves with the band Scott Thunes and Arthur Barrow.

[Rev J]

Originally Posted by mbeall

Is that on one of the "You can't Do That On Stage Anymore" series?

-Mike

I think it is. Bryan Beller transcribed it in Bass Player a couple of years ago with a short interview with Arthur Barrow talking about playing it. As I recall Barrow said that it was a challenge that Zappa threw him to learn the part by ear over night.

Here's another really cool video regarding the part in question (from just the marimba perspective):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSmyCuU_pEo

Just imagine having to double that on bass.

C/S,
Rev J

[SturmUndDrang]

Originally Posted by mbeall

Is that on one of the "You can't Do That On Stage Anymore" series?

-Mike

You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 1 Disc 1. on track 14: Don't Eat The Yellow Snow. The St. Alphonso tune starts about 13:45 into the track. Ridiculously hard bass line to learn at tempo.

[the_stone]

Arthur Barrow's website:

http://home.netcom.com/~bigear/

He's got a whole section on his Zappa days, including the "Yellow Snow..." live track where he was sick and had to have a bucket next to him on stage (there's also a track on the album where Zappa introduces the band, along with their various ailments).

I got to see Arthur and Tommy Mars (ex Zappa keyboardist) earlier this year when the music department at the University of North Texas brought them in to do a concernt with the students. One of the music professors teaches a survey course on Zappa's music. They sounded great, and it was a trip watching Mars play on a huge Hammond/Leslie organ in a little recital hall.

[mbeall]

Thank you Rev J and SturmUndDrang. I'll put this on my bucket list. Looks easy enough on vibes. Not so much on BG. :-)

-Mike