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10-09-2002, 11:21 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | |
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he doesn't shred, he does it most of the time you see him. That's his style, but to say he can't just sit back and groove is silly.
For Ineal, I'm not saying you're a liar, I don't know what to say about what you saw, but you don't gain the admiration of some of the best bassplayers in the world by just being a wanker who can't manage to find the pocket in a simple tune.
You don't get people like Wooten talking about how you're the man by fumbling over a Blink182 song... sorry. |
10-10-2002, 10:55 AM
| | Supporting Member | | Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The land of chicken fried funk | | Quote: Originally posted by Darkslide
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he doesn't shred, he does it most of the time you see him. That's his style.... | Personally, I think Dickens missed his calling as the next, soon-to-be-forgotten, Yngwie Malmsteen. 
BD has some sweet moments but they seem to be few, IME.
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10-10-2002, 02:54 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Houston, Texas | | Quote: Originally posted by Darkslide
to say he can't just sit back and groove is silly.
| I'm sure "technically" speaking, he can groove. I'm sure he can play in time and he hits the right notes etc. But, from what I've heard (and again, it's limited to a video), I don't think he's a plays particularly creative or groovy basslines.
I brought this up, not to bash Dickens, but more to bring up a couple or related thoughts/points that came to mind.
For example, lets take a player like Oteil Burbridge. If anybody's seen him play a show (besides the Bass Day Video), you know that he's way more than a "lead bass player" kind of guy, even though he can solo for hours and keep it interesting. The guy is just as creative and even more impressive when he's laying down the groove. It's like he regulates the whole band.
I don't want to open up a can of worms, but I feel like I have to bring it up. Lets take a player like Jeff Berlin. He's an extremely accomplished jazz musician. In terms of soloing and playing over changes, I don't know of any electric bass player that is more advanced than he is. I really do like his soloing a lot. BUT, I'm not crazy about his "grooving." Now, can he groove? Yes he can. He plays in time, he plays the right notes, and he has a very extensive vocabulary. But I find his grooving a little boring for my tastes. My ear isn't glued to his grooving like it is to Stuart Zender's grooving, or to Oteil's grooving.
Note that I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, and I do admire everyone's playing on different levels and in different ways.
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10-11-2002, 10:36 AM
|  | - that dog won't hunt, Monsignor. Moderator | | | | Quote: Originally posted by alexssandro
I'm sure "technically" speaking, he can groove. I'm sure he can play in time and he hits the right notes etc. But, from what I've heard (and again, it's limited to a video), I don't think he's a plays particularly creative or groovy basslines.
I brought this up, not to bash Dickens, but more to bring up a couple or related thoughts/points that came to mind.
For example, lets take a player like Oteil Burbridge. If anybody's seen him play a show (besides the Bass Day Video), you know that he's way more than a "lead bass player" kind of guy, even though he can solo for hours and keep it interesting. The guy is just as creative and even more impressive when he's laying down the groove. It's like he regulates the whole band.
I don't want to open up a can of worms, but I feel like I have to bring it up. Lets take a player like Jeff Berlin. He's an extremely accomplished jazz musician. In terms of soloing and playing over changes, I don't know of any electric bass player that is more advanced than he is. I really do like his soloing a lot. BUT, I'm not crazy about his "grooving." Now, can he groove? Yes he can. He plays in time, he plays the right notes, and he has a very extensive vocabulary. But I find his grooving a little boring for my tastes. My ear isn't glued to his grooving like it is to Stuart Zender's grooving, or to Oteil's grooving.
Note that I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, and I do admire everyone's playing on different levels and in different ways. |
I honestly think your are just noticing the difference in your personal taste when comparing a palette of highly skilled individual's ability to sit back and groove. They all do it right, and they mostly do it different.
I would love to hear a Bill Dickens solo album, I think the guy can shred, and I know the guy can groove. Just a matter of personal preference I guess. I think Bill gets a bit of a backlash from showing off technical prowess and playing a nine string....
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10-11-2002, 11:25 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Houston, Texas | | Quote: Originally posted by Blisshead
I honestly think your are just noticing the difference in your personal taste | I agree a 100%. At the end of the day, when it comes to players of such high caliber, it really is a subjective matter.
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"Without principle, technique is mechanical; without technique, principle cannot be expressed. With both technique and principle, there is grace."
- Mike Sayama
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10-11-2002, 11:30 AM
| | - that dog won't hunt, Monsignor. Moderator | | | | Quote: Originally posted by alexssandro
I agree a 100%. At the end of the day, when it comes to players of such high caliber, it really is a subjective matter. | Thats the coolest thing about it, we have lots of choices these days, and a lot more access to them!
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10-12-2002, 12:56 AM
|  | Registered Misanthrope | | Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lee County, Alabama | | Quote: Originally posted by Blisshead
I think Bill gets a bit of a backlash from showing off technical prowess and playing a nine string.... | That may be true, but it doesn't change what I saw. Maybe it just wasn't his night, I don't know. FWIW, I don't judge bassists by what they are known for doing, I judge them by what I hear, see and feel. If a bassist (or any musician) can make me feel it that's what matters to me; can they speak to me on some level. I accept bassists of all flavors and I respect what Dickens does-I damn sure can't do it!
Its as simple as this: "The Buddha" just don't do it for me.  |
10-21-2002, 05:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rockville, MD | | Its not something you could listen to everyday, but everytime i do, i am amazed. On his website ( www.billthebuddhadickens.com ), you can download videos and sound clips of him.
He has this string muting-device caled the "buddha rope" and he claims it to be his secret. Does anyone know where i can find one of theese, or does anyone have one/ever heard of one?  |
10-21-2002, 07:30 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Madison WI USA | | | you can buy a Buddha Rope of his site, or you can just make one for yourself, its just a piece of rope
I think Bill Dickens is an amazing incredible bassist and definitely one of the best alive right now, certainly top 10....he can shred, he can groove, he can do it all | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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