Pino Palladino on D'Angelo album - Voodoo

[therealting]

Pino's playing on this album completely knocks me out.

The thing that really gets me is that very often, the notes he is playing don't make harmonic sense. They are the wrong notes for the harmonies D'Angelo is actually singing (and playing on keys)... but the phrasing is so beautiful that it just doesn't matter.

I think I'm sort of trapped into playing things that only work within the "correct" harmony, and I'd like to break out of the habit. It surely can't be as simple as deliberately playing random notes, can it? Any advice?

[markjazzbassist]

big voodoo fan, love pino and big d'angelo fan as well.

i think the key to pino's playing on that album is a couple of things.

1. laid back, relaxed, behind the beat grooves
2. a lot of space between the notes and within the groove itself
3. it's all about feel, if it "feels" good, play it, it doesn't matter what key signature

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by therealting

I think I'm sort of trapped into playing things that only work within the "correct" harmony, and I'd like to break out of the habit. It surely can't be as simple as deliberately playing random notes, can it? Any advice?

No wrong notes, but wrong beat to use them. Articulation is what it's all about.

Want someone else with cool note selection check Me'shell Ndegeocello.

[Eublet]

This is tough. IMO, Pino is so stinking good at playing the right notes, that he knows how to play the wrong notes well. Pino can fit in more situations and blend in like he's a natural than most any other player I know of. He has a very deep understanding of music history and the role of the bass in it, including many different styles like rock, funk, old R&B, etc. He didn't pull of the masterful playing on Voodoo by just trying to play random notes. I know what you are saying, but keep in mind that Pino has a very advanced understanding of music, and some really big ears. Plus unlike many other people, he just loves to jump in the pocket and stay there all night long. He's one of my favorite players obviously.

But if you like what he does on Voodoo, an excellent way to learn how to do that yourself is by transcribing what he does.

[JLubinsky-Mast]

I just started working through the first track on the record, and I'm trying to figure out if he has all the strings dropped down a whole tone or just the e string. Does anybody know have an idea?

[Bassosaur]

I believe I read an article in Bass Player that stated he used drop D tuning.

[joelyb]

with alot of the tracks on the album, there is not really a single key centre, i think he chooses what tonality would suit the feel or vibe of the song and implies it.

its been said before but he is the master of making if feel so BAD!!!! pocket all the way

[bottomzone]

Pino is a masterful player. I have a feeling if D'Angelo thought that the "wrong" notes were being played, he would have communicated that to Pino.

Keep God First!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing To Waste!:

[Eublet]

I read in an article where the first time D'angelo heard Pino play, it was an impromptu thing. One of the guys D'angelo was with at the time was doing a mean James Brown impersonation, and Pino started playing the old grooves from memory with near perfection. That event set the stage for him playing on Voodoo.