Michael Manring "standard" tracks

Steve Holroyd · #1 01-25-2001, 10:07 AM

Can someone give me some examples of Manring tracks (on his solo albums) where he performed in standard E-A-D-G tuning?

Thanks.

bassmonkeee · #2 01-25-2001, 10:26 AM

I know that Purple Haze was done with standard tuning. His website http://www.manthing.com has a section with all of his tunings, but the site has been doen since the end of November. Hopefully, it'll be up soon.

**Blackbird** · #3 01-25-2001, 11:40 AM

If you're looking for recordings in which Manring plays conventional bass lines, you're in luck. He was the studio bassist at Windham Hill records early in his career, and played on a lot of albums. The easiest ones to find that also include some of his compositions are recordings from the group Montreux. Here are a few titles to look for:

Let them say (a favorite of mine)
Sign Language
Retrospective (The best of Montreux)

The recording "Live at Montreux" hass Todd Phillips on bass, Montreux's erstwhile bassist.

Manring also played with other Montreux members before they became a group. One title comes to mind:

Chiaroscuro - Mike Marshall & Darol Anger.

Also, Manring must have played on a number of Michael Hedges recordings, although I have no clue which ones.

If you're into Manring's post "Thonk" material, his Windham Hill material will sound kind of tame. It's great music, though.

Will C.

Steve Holroyd · #4 01-25-2001, 12:19 PM

I wasn't looking for conventional work, necessarily. I'm familiar with his work with Hedges and others. Basically, I wanted examples of his solo style (just him and the bass) where he played in a standard tuning.

To give you a better idea, I'm looking for slapping/tapping stuff that I can listen to and play along with (to the extent I can figure it out) without having to retune my bass.

Thanks again.

Dave Siff · #5 01-25-2001, 02:27 PM

Steve,
Like bassmonkeee said, Manring's rendition of "Purple Haze" on his album "Drastic Measures" was done in standard tuning, and that one is a slap and tap fest. There was a BP article in 1991 in which Manring dissected "Drastic Measures" track-by-track (including tunings). I'll dig it up tonight and let you know what else on that album is standard tuning. As for his more recent solo albums, I think there is a "Thonk" music book with notation.. not sure about "The Book of Flame."

Steve Holroyd · #6 01-25-2001, 03:15 PM

Thanks. I remember that BP article, but, alas, stopped saving thos things years ago. In fact, it was my memories of the article that prompted the question.

Look forward to seeing the results of your search.

Dave Siff · #7 01-26-2001, 07:34 AM

Steve,
Found my May '91 BP last night, with the Manring article. Besides "Purple Haze", the only other piece on "Drastic Measures" that's in standard tuning is "500 Miles High", a beautiful rendering of the Chick Corea tune. I guess in the interests of being complete, one of the three bass tracks on "Deja Voodoo" is in standard tuning, too!
BTW, I dig that Mike Watt quote on your signature. He is God.

Dave Siff · #8 01-26-2001, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by neptoon
snake's got legs and monkey businessman were played in standard tuning...they're both on thonk...

"Monkey Businessman" has re-tunings mid-song with the Hipshots.. just something to keep in mind if you're going to attempt playing it. (Not that I have, or even could.. I have a video where he performs it, that's the only way I know!)

Zonplayer · #9 02-01-2001, 01:50 PM

Neptoon, how can you play Monkey Businessman without detuning? The song isnt even played in EADG.
Snakes Got Legs from Thonk is standard tuning (well the main part anyways).
Manthing from Unusual Weather is in standard tuning.
There are more too.

[Edited by Zonplayer on 02-06-2001 at 09:52 AM]