Biggest Waste of Talents

[burk48237]

I was listening to Chicago V yesterday and Peter Cetera puts on a clinic. The bass lines in tunes "While the City Sleeps" and "State of the Union" are lines that would make Chuck Rainey proud. But Peter was content to put down his instrument and make syrupy pabulum with Amy Grant. Can you guys think of any great players who are content with a gig that is a waste of their talents? Another one that comes to mind is Daryl Jones. I'm sure it took him about thirty seconds of grueling ear training to figure out Bill Wymans bass lines.

[Deathblade Eric]

Originally Posted by burk48237

Can you guys think of any great players who are content with a gig that is a waste of their talents?

John Giblin. From going head to head with the jaw-droppingly good Percy Jones in Brand X to paying the rent in Simple Minds.

Pino in The Who. That should be the most coveted job in the business, but I guess Pete & Rog don't want anyone upstaging them.

Not a bassist, but a few years back a mate of mine was getting something together with ace drummer Ted McKenna (ex-SAHB, Rory Gallagher etc.). It was shaping up nicely, but still very early days, when Ted got a call offering him a world tour with Womack & Womack for some major bucks. I last saw him on the TV playing tennis onstage with W & W's kids. I hope it was worth it.

I can't blame any of 'em, I'd think long & hard (for about 0.0005 seconds) if I was offered a stupendously well-paid gig with about 0 artistic merit (with the possible exception of the last example).

Prostitute myself on the Altar of Capitalism?
Where do I get undressed?

[TrevorOfDoom]

everytime i don't get called to the studio. i'm sitting here, the hottest thing since sliced bread, and some other schmuck is getting the job. doubleyou tee eff, mate? doubleyou tee eff?



*i'm kidding. honestly.




*call me for a job. someone! please!!

[casualmadness]

Originally Posted by Deathblade Eric

Prostitute myself on the Altar of Capitalism? Where do I get undressed?

+1

[rsrhcp]

Originally Posted by Deathblade Eric

Prostitute myself on the Altar of Capitalism?
Where do I get undressed?

Couldn't have said it better my man, couldn't have said it better.

I'm adding that to my sig. by the way, if you don't mind, haha!

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Deathblade Eric

John Giblin. From going head to head with the jaw-droppingly good Percy Jones in Brand X to paying the rent in Simple Minds.

Speaking of Percy Jones, the last I heard, he was working in his wife's shop to make ends meet. That is the reality, very often, of playing only music you love.

[Matt Till]

Robert Trujillo joining Metallica.

[Deathblade Eric]

Originally Posted by rsrhcp

Couldn't have said it better my man, couldn't have said it better.

I'm adding that to my sig. by the way, if you don't mind, haha!

Feel free, I'd consider it & honour & a privilege, sir.

[JimmyM]

Funny, but the vast majority of people considered wasting their talents have stepped into gigantic gigs that pay a fortune. Credit to Deathblade for being the only one honest enough in this thread to admit that he'd do it in a second as long as he could be naked. Show me someone who wouldn't, and I'll show you someone working in his wife's store.

[Vic Winters]

Not a bass player, but Dave "Brownsound" Baksh being in Sum 41. The guy can rip, but he didn't get to do any of that in Sum 41.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

everytime i don't get called to the studio. i'm sitting here, the hottest thing since sliced bread, and some other schmuck is getting the job. doubleyou tee eff, mate? doubleyou tee eff?

Hahaha, great post.

If you play professionally, paying the bills is a pretty big concern. So you play some gigs you don't like.

Given that, I'd LOVE to play for Simple Minds, or Celine Dion, or most any good pop acts. It's good money, and even if it doesn't test your instrumental skills, it will certainly test your performance skills. Very different things.

[Deathblade Eric]

Originally Posted by Snarf

...even if it doesn't test your instrumental skills, it will certainly test your performance skills. Very different things.

Don't know that it would TBH. The footage I saw of The 'oo at Glastonbury this year was notable for the fact that Pino & the other guitarist were decidedly in the shadows & doing as they were told - don't even think they got a namecheck. Most hired hands are there purely to make the headliner sound good & showboating isn't an option (unless the contract says it is).

Pete.

[JimmyM]

If I made what I think Pino probably makes with the Who, I would play under the stage in a box.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Deathblade Eric

Don't know that it would TBH. The footage I saw of The 'oo at Glastonbury this year was notable for the fact that Pino & the other guitarist were decidedly in the shadows & doing as they were told - don't even think they got a namecheck. Most hired hands are there purely to make the headliner sound good & showboating isn't an option (unless the contract says it is).

Pete.

1) Their are plenty of hired hand gigs that have great bass playing. I'm not talking about a bass solo act. But I have nothing but respect for solid pop bass lines.

2) Cetera apparently gave up the instrument, that I don't get. I wish I had half of his ability, and it bugs me that the guy would throw it away.

3) I understand guys who pick up a tour to pay the bills (Pino, DJ). It still doesn't mean their not wasting their talents. And if Pino or DJ were to quit playing for everyone else and not apply their skills somewhere where it would be appreciated it would be a disappointment.

[Papersen]

I know many will totally disagree with me, but that`s what I sometimes think of Toto.

I mean all of their musicians are masters of their respective instruments, and although the band sounds terrific live (tight as no other, IMHO) I find the music "cheesy" to my taste.

Fortunately they show their skills in so many sessions and alternative bands.

[Lincoln]

Ironically, Peter Cetera finally gets some recognition beyond this board or amongst his contemporaries. Bass Player put him on the cover of this month's issue!

And he addresses his reasons for putting down the bass.....

BTW - Chicago V is a clinic in every aspect, from total musicianship, song-writing, bass playing, Terrys guitar-work, you name it, the album is downright perfect. For me the album is best example of fusion masquerading as pop music -- and the public LOVING it!

[MikeBass]

Norm Stockton playing with Lincoln Brewster.
It could be looked at like he backslid with the gig comparred to his talents.
Lincoln Brewster is a comteporary Christian guitarist/songwriter (smokin' player BTW) but the gig is pretty much a straight up rock gig (which I'd LOVE to have).

Not getting into the reasons why he might do the gig, but IMO he's better than what the gig calls for.

Freddy Washington with Michael Jackson is another one.

[GrooveWarrior]

Not a bass player, but Will Owsley gigging with Shania Twain and Amy Grant. He's one of the great songwriters of our time (IMO), and he's backing up those two. It pays the bills, I guess.

If you haven't heard Owsley, check out one of his two CD's!!

[Lincoln]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Norm Stockton playing with Lincoln Brewster.
It could be looked at like he backslid with the gig comparred to his talents.
Lincoln Brewster is a comteporary Christian guitarist/songwriter (smokin' player BTW) but the gig is pretty much a straight up rock gig (which I'd LOVE to have).

Is it possible he looked at it as ministry work on a more visible scale?

[Alan Vorse]

Vinnie Colaiuta with Faith Hill.