Freddie Beckmeier

azureblue · #1 05-31-2009, 09:45 AM

OK, for the really obscure- Freddie was in the Soul Survivors with his brother Steve, then went to the original "Full Moon" band with Buzzy Feiten. He is in the new Full Moon also. He has a unique style, almost like he is playing Congas on the bass- one of my favorite Bassissts.

My question, for those who are lucky enough to have the first Full Moon CD or LP, is how did Freddie get that tone he recorded with, Like on "Need your Love", and "Selfish People" ? I am guessing it is a single coil P Bass with some sort of flats, but I can't tell

JimK · #2 06-01-2009, 05:46 AM

For years (since 1978?), I carried around a cassette copy of Full Moon's first album; a friend had two copies of the LP.
So, when I first got a PC & the Internet (1998), Full Moon was the 1st thing I looked for (I recall buying it from Tower Records online store...as an import for $30.

Anyway, that band was great & ahead of its time. Beckmeier's playing was great.
The little things he does during the verses to "Need Your Love" is cool.
Funny, I recall being disappointed that Dave Holland was on a track instead of Beckmeier (the cd has a bonus track with Holland called "Three Step").

Here's another Beckmeier album with Buzz Feiten, Philip Wilson, & Brother Gene-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_on...ues_Band_album)

...I just bought this last December. Worth having, IMO. iTunes has it if you want to hear some samples.
Amazon's link-
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Moving-Bu...3856630&sr=1-2

Sorry, as far as gear goes-
I have no idea...I assume it's a Fender P-bass.

azureblue · #3 06-01-2009, 07:45 AM

Has Rod Hicks on Bass, another unique bass player. Rod used an Ampeg scroll head bass on that album. Speaking of a bass that sounded awful until you played it with a band...... I have this CD, and used to play "So Far, So Good," with my old band. It's on iTunes.

As far as discography, Freddie has a number of other recordings out- one with his brother, Steve, and, of course, on the new Full Moon. Do a search for him, and you'll find the tracks.

I am pretty sure he used a P bass, but it sounds like a single coil to me- what do your ears tell you?

BTW, he was married to Kate Segal......

JimK · #4 06-01-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

Has Rod Hicks on Bass, another unique bass player. Rod used an Ampeg scroll head bass on that album.

I guess the credits/liner notes are wrong?

Quote:

BTW, he was married to Kate Segal......

Aeons ago, when MTV was sorta cool, they did Xmas Specials throughout Dec. 25th. One had Katie Segal singing Xmas tunes ina Big Band/Jazz sorta vibe. Suprised me...she was quite good, IIRC.

azureblue · #5 06-01-2009, 08:01 AM

Yep, they are- I have the CD. There's Rod on the far left of the cover pic. BTW, this CD has Dave Sanborn on alto

Kate originally sang behind Bette Midler as a harlette. She has a great voice, but made her bucks on TV.

fbeckmeier · #6 06-18-2009, 09:37 AM

first full moon...then soul survivors......the bass was just an old p bass what is "flats"? same bass on soul survivors record

fbeckmeier · #7 06-18-2009, 09:44 AM

The Butterfield LP "Keep on Movin"is NOT all Hicks....I played on "Where Did My Baby Go" and " Buddy's Advice"

"Freddie Beckmeier'

azureblue · #8 06-18-2009, 01:06 PM

Flats- the flat wound strings that usually came on the old P basses. Was that a single coil P bass?

I should have known by the style that you played "Where Did My Baby Go". My bad.

I first saw you live with "Bang" in Woodstock way back at the end of the 60's. Cafe Espresso, if my old brain recalls correctly. I think you were playing guitar with them- real funky group!

With the original Full Moon (I wore out the LP and was really glad to find the CD on line) I loved the sort of conga rhythms that you used against Philip W.'s drumming. A very unique bass concept. I wish the group had gotten more acclaim- I think FM was a landmark band.

BTW, I also have the second Soul Survivors LP- used to play "I wish that we could start all over again", years ago. A huge amount of talent in that group.

Of your work, what tracks do you like the best?

azureblue · #9 06-18-2009, 01:42 PM

sorry to bring up old flames. My apologies.
Another case of six degrees of separation.

jaydee72 · #10 06-18-2009, 05:19 PM

Freddy has played on a number of albums some of which we're not mentioned.. like, "The Greg Allman band", album " Playing up a storm", track "Crying shame", Randy Brown, album "Welcome to my room" just to name a few. Freddy has played with a lot of talented people and recorded a lot of stuff, stuff that he does not get credit for. His bass lines have been sampled as well. If you listen to the hip-hop track "LA FRESH" by the Visionaries you will recognize his bass line. Any real Bass player would agree with me when i say, playing good music comes from the soul and Freddy has plenty of that. I can attest to all of this because Freddy is a personal friend of mine and mentor....

fbeckmeier · #11 06-25-2009, 10:24 AM

My fav.....Thats much too hard to say. Sometimes I like them...sometimes I hate them."Bang" my God!who are you! That was an other life! Yes,mostly guitar. Single coil...I don't know....what ever came on the thing.I do make my own necks ..the fingerboards are interchangable,fret to fretless.Want one?Contact me.
Thanks JAYDEE let's play!
Freddie

RickC · #12 07-26-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

Has Rod Hicks on Bass, another unique bass player. Rod used an Ampeg scroll head bass on that album. Speaking of a bass that sounded awful until you played it with a band......

Old thread, I know...

I'm trying to find out which version of the Ampeg Scroll bass Rod was using with Butterfield - the early AUB with the mystery pickup, the later AMUB with the magnetic, or a modifed version of one of those. Anyone know?

There's what looks like a good photo of it on the back of the Butterfield Live LP, but I don't have a copy and the on-line versions don't show enough detail.

/rick

azureblue · #13 07-26-2011, 09:14 AM

I'm pretty sure Rod used the "Mystery" pick up bass. At least that is way it sounds on the "Keep On Moving" LP.

Freddie: Haw! I was one of the "hippies", a bass player from New Orleans who moved up to the Sawkill area, via NYC. I loved the 'depresso" Got to see you guys, Butterfield, and Van there, Van with his Street Band. Also the band that was the fore runner of Orleans, Boffalonga. I remember Buzzy driving around Woodstock in a MG convertible. IIRC directly wasn't Tommy Dawes (RIP), from the Cyrcle, playing bass for Bang?