Jason Scheff with Chicago

mebusdriver · #1 04-07-2011, 01:54 PM

Covering this tune for drill this weekend. One of those songs I heard long before I started playing and I'm realizing now how awesome it is. Jason Scheff plays his butt on this version. The dude is talented! To be able to cover that vocal range and play like this..... Some guys are just born with it. Anyway.... Just thought you guys would enjoy.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_u...&v=jEC_8BjLQoE

mebusdriver · #2 04-07-2011, 01:56 PM

Note..... He doesn't sing on this song but he does many others. Peter Cetera had something like a 4 and a half octave vocal range!! And Scheff sings most of his tunes.

Caca de Kick · #3 04-07-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mebusdriver

Some guys are just born with it.

A pun yes...he's the son of Jerry Scheff, bassist for Elvis and the Doors. So I guess you can say he was born with it.

Tampabass · #4 04-07-2011, 02:11 PM

I'll always think of Peter Cetera as THE Chicago bassist, and Jason Scheff as the Johnny-come-lately Chicago bassist.

yes, that dates me. Then again, Chicago hasn't made much memorable music in the post-Cetera years.

JimK · #5 04-07-2011, 02:18 PM

I hear you...those earliest Chicago albums with the original guys are spectacular. Their 1st album is one of the best debuts ever...any genre, IMO.
That said, Jason has been in Chicago longer than Cetera (not exactly a "johnny-come-lately")...& if one guy coulda assumed Cetera's spot, Jason is perfect.

lucas vigor · #6 04-07-2011, 02:38 PM

Hasn't he actually been in Chicago longer then Cetera, at this point?

I quite like Chicago 18, by the way. "Niagra Falls" is a great song!

SteveC · #7 04-07-2011, 02:42 PM

I believe he has been the bassist for Chicago longer than Cetera. I like them both. I think Cetera is a better singer and Scheff is a better bassist,

lucas vigor · #8 04-07-2011, 02:44 PM

yeah, I just looked it up. Cetera was in the band for 18 years, and Jason has been in there for 26 years now!

GM60466 · #9 04-07-2011, 02:46 PM

He had a pretty good teacher while he was growing up.
G

mebusdriver · #10 04-07-2011, 02:48 PM

Yeah that's crazy about his father being such a great player and him following in his footsteps. Not to mention he's got siblings that are all song writers and working musicians. Pretty awesome. I agree that the original Chicago put out all the best music and Cetera wrote some classics. But Scheff does HIS thing all over that stuff. I dig it.

**Thor** · #11 04-07-2011, 03:10 PM

I had to knock off a few Chicago tunes last weekend. I was asked to sub with a 7 piece horn band. I had a ball playing that as it is stuff I normally wouldn't cover with my power trio on bass. They had Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is and 25 or 6 to 4 on the set list. (I subbed on guitar

) so I got to channel Terrry Kath etCetera for a few songs.

Tampabass · #12 04-07-2011, 03:23 PM

Yeah, I know Scheff has been with the band forever. I didn't say he WAS a Johnny come lately, just that I'll always think of him that way, in that role.

Scheff may or may not technically be a better player - I haven't listened enough to him to judge.

But Cetera played many classic, very creative lines on all the tunes that defined the Chicago sound. His playing influenced a lot of bass players of my generation.

I loved Chicago in its prime. But the band has been running on fumes (as a nostalgia act) for a very long time.

mebusdriver · #13 04-07-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

Yeah, I know Scheff has been with the band forever. I didn't say he WAS a Johnny come lately, just that I'll always think of him that way, in that role.

Scheff may or may not technically be a better player - I haven't listened enough to him to judge.

But Cetera played many classic, very creative lines on all the tunes that defined the Chicago sound. His playing influenced a lot of bass players of my generation.

I loved Chicago in its prime. But the band has been running on fumes (as a nostalgia act) for a very long time.

I think he's got Cetera on skill and technique. Watch the clip I posted and YouTube some other stuff. The dude can PLAY.

oldbassplayergu · #14 04-07-2011, 05:34 PM

I know they still put out new music, but they are really a touring act now. playing the greatest hits. I saw them 5 or 6 year ago and Scheff was great. But Cetera IS chicago. there is no question. And if you love the ladies then by default you love Cetera!

basspraiser · #15 04-07-2011, 05:35 PM

Please re-link...the link does not go to a CHicago song...

Jason is a GREAT bassist and singer...I am a life long Chicago fan and love pretty much ALL of their stuff....

very talented band and pretty creative as well!

His "go to bass" (Lakland JO active) was what got me into Lakland basses....saw it on a dvd and that was the beginning of me playing Lakies!

SteveC · #16 04-07-2011, 05:44 PM

I'm fine with them being a "nostalgia" act. No one really wants to hear new Chicago anyway.....

spigmu · #17 04-07-2011, 09:32 PM

I saw Chicago and EWF on their combined tour and I went on an invitation and wasn't expecting much but it was great! Scheff was really, really good! Not only was his playing and singing terrific, but he did the kind of singing and playing together that most people can only fantasize about pulling off.

The whole combined show actually surprised me with how good it sounded musically and how much I enjoyed it.

JimK · #18 04-08-2011, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

Scheff may or may not technically be a better player - I haven't listened enough to him to judge.

IIRC, Jason was a Fusion guy...then he put out an '80s solo disc (For Chauncey) that showed off his slick Pop/vocal abilities.

Quote:

But Cetera played many classic, very creative lines on all the tunes that defined the Chicago sound. His playing influenced a lot of bass players of my generation.

No doubt. Maybe...maybe Cetera wasn't a "technician"...but he played & improvised a helluva lotta bass on those early recordings & concerts. Hell, I recall (& still have) a '70s Downbeat mag (my first as I was getting into Jazz) & Cetera was among the Readers' Choice for BASS!
Bruce, Squire & Cetera were the only guys I recognized on that list (the only EB players on the list, too). I asked my older, hipper cousin...Cetera? The guy in Chicago? He said "...he's able to play Jazz. Most Rock guys can't".

Quote:

I loved Chicago in its prime. But the band has been running on fumes (as a nostalgia act) for a very long time.

Sad...and true.

basspraiser · #19 04-16-2011, 12:45 PM

BTW - Jason's B-day is today!

Happy B-day Jason!!!!

pica · #20 04-16-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

I'll always think of Peter Cetera as THE Chicago bassist, and Jason Scheff as the Johnny-come-lately Chicago bassist.

yes, that dates me. Then again, Chicago hasn't made much memorable music in the post-Cetera years.

+100000