Melvin Davis cookin' down under

hills1234 · #1 03-26-2008, 06:35 PM

Just had to share the bass joy ...

We don't get to see too many great bassists down in this part of the world - so it was an absolute delight to see Melvin Davis with Lee Ritenour last night at the NZ Jazz & Blues Festival. The band also included Patrice Rushen on keys and Will Kennedy on drums - and it was a fantastic show. They played two and a half hours straight with everything from straight ahead jazz to funked up and world beats off Lee's newish album.

Davis was the star of the show (for me anyway). He held the groove all night, often understated and just staying in the pocket, other times letting rip with great licks. Great right hand technique, judicious use of palm muting, some great slap solos, tasty melodic soloing on the upper strings, a bit of wah on the funk stuff and even a scat solo. He spent much of the night on his Ken Smith 7-string, but pulled out a Jazz fiver (not a Fender, not sure who made it) for the slapping. Davis and Kennedy had energy to burn, and Ritenour was classy as ever. A great night ...

And tonight it's off to see R Skeet Curtis with Maceo Parker ... should be another great night of bass funk!!

T-MOST · #2 03-26-2008, 06:50 PM

I would love to see either one of those shows. Mel and Rodney are definately 2 of my favorite bass players.

**KJung** · #3 03-27-2008, 08:34 AM

Wow, what a band that must have been! Will Kennedy! Cool!

I saw Melvin with Lee and Larry Carlton when they where touring together about 12 or 13 years ago. I didn't dig the tone of the Smith 7 that much, but he was just KILLING on an old Fender Jazz back then. I believe he uses a KSD 5 string jazz now.

You might what to check out the most recent Lee Ritenour DVD called 'Overtime'. It's kind of a career restrospective, but one of the bands has Melvin and Patrice... wonderful!

Dr. Cheese · #4 03-27-2008, 10:34 AM

I would guess he was using a KSD fiver also. He gets a great tone out of one!

Bass Boy · #5 03-27-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

You might what to check out the most recent Lee Ritenour DVD called 'Overtime'. It's kind of a career restrospective, but one of the bands has Melvin and Patrice... wonderful!

Great DVD!

**KJung** · #6 03-27-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Boy

Great DVD!

I laugh every time I see that signature

Bass Boy · #7 03-27-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I laugh every time I see that signature

Crap! I was going to remove it yesterday after I was done teasing you but I forgot! I may keep it a little bit longer....