Cheerful music for a sad bassist

Uncle Lee · #1 08-29-2006, 11:29 PM

Hi everyone,

Without going into too many details, the next few months are going to be pretty rough. My girlfriend is moving to another city, and I myself will be going to another country (for at least 2 years !!) to finish my degree. This means I have to leave my job (where I just got a promotion last month

) and my two beloved bands here in Beijing, one of which starts gigging TONIGHT and the other only last month ...

So basically its gonna be rough.

What music do you like to listen to when life gets you down, or seems to stand in your way (or present you with huge challenges, whatever your perspective)? Can be anything: classical, jazz, rock, funk. Also any mood: soft, grooving, powerful, dancable.

What music picks you up when you are down?

PS: Mods I double posted in both db and 'lectricbass forums. Hope this is okay.

GM60466 · #2 08-30-2006, 08:15 AM

TRy a little Tom Waits, he always picks me up when I am down.

G

Uncle Lee · #3 09-01-2006, 03:59 AM

Thanks everyone, and those who posted on the BG side also. Feeling much better: the weather is fine, my band got offered another gig while I am still here, and I'm having a good time checking out those music suggestions.

Peace.

Marcus Johnson · #4 09-01-2006, 05:48 AM

Mingus for me. Every time.

Good luck, Uncle.

Bman83 · #5 09-01-2006, 06:24 AM

My favorite band in the whole world, PRIMUS! Cause "they're Primus, they suck!" Anything by Primus and I'm good to go.

Mike Goodbar · #6 09-01-2006, 08:01 AM

Just about any J.S. Bach does the trick for me. His music just has a way of defragmenting my hard drive.

On the other end of the spectrum, I always turn to Toots Thielemans for a quick pick-me-up. Pure, unabashed emotion.

christ andronis · #7 09-01-2006, 10:59 AM

Monty Python, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

ubasshudson · #8 09-01-2006, 09:36 PM

The happiest music I can suggest: Ladysmith Black Mombaza, Delbert McClinton, Iz, Benny Goodman.

thesaddpenguin · #9 09-13-2006, 06:03 PM

ska and swing! such as: Cheery Poppin' Daddies, The Toasters Reel Big Fish, The Specials, The Pietasters, Planet Smashers, Duke Heitger and his Swing Band. dooooiiihhtttt. and also, the upbeat Earth Wind and Fire songs.

tom5string · #10 09-14-2006, 09:54 AM

Something that always helps - at least for me:

Richard Galliano Septet - Piazzolla forever

bassbuz · #11 09-14-2006, 10:13 AM

how about slam stuart and major holly?
they do it for me
buz

Stingrayz · #12 09-14-2006, 12:21 PM

Iron Maiden :P

Sorry if i am about to derail this thread, but can anyone list a few bass solos or compositions with a sad or happy feel to it ?

Would be nice if they were something near the beginners level.

Thanks :P

hdiddy · #13 09-14-2006, 02:03 PM

Anything blues. Chicago blues might work. Buddy Guy always does the job for me. Either that or maybe Kenny Burrell's "Midnight Blue". Great album. Doug Watkins on bass.

EDIT: Oooh I just remember I love Louis Armstrong at times like this. His version of SOLITUDE just kills me. Or JUST A WALK CLOSER WITH THEE is nice too.

tZer · #14 09-14-2006, 02:04 PM

Morrisey...

kidding!!!

For me some good old Led Zeppelin makes me happy - Celebration Day, Friends, Thank you, Down By the Seaside... Hell... Physical Grafitti!

Andy Allen · #15 09-14-2006, 02:47 PM

Gypsy Jazz always picks me up:

Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, Bireli Lagrene, for instance. More straight-ahead swing a la Howard Alden can do it too, sometimes.

And then there's the Blooze for when you just want to wallow in your misfortune

Andy

TomGale · #16 09-14-2006, 06:23 PM

A big black russian and some Blood, Sweat and Tears usually does it for me...

nicklloyd · #17 09-23-2006, 03:00 PM

Jimmy Smith's "Root Down"... or anything else by him.

Toots and the Maytalls.

John Prine.

Slim Galliard and Slam Stewart.

Marcus Johnson · #18 09-24-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom5string

Something that always helps - at least for me:

Richard Galliano Septet - Piazzolla forever

+1000.... that is some great s**t!

rprowse · #19 09-24-2006, 02:48 PM

Bela Fleck. My son gave me a DVD of him playing in concert. What a wonderful feeling of friendship! This is the DVD with the Tibetian throat singer.

Marcus Johnson · #20 09-24-2006, 03:43 PM

I'll tell you what really works for me; I leave a bunch of ukulele laying around the house, just ready to play. Just banging around on those things really feels great to me. I just picked up a nice little tenor uke for my daughter yesterday, and the little sopranos are fun, if you can fit your fingers on 'em.