Not to flame Billy Sheehan

strkssinthesky · #1 04-10-2007, 02:40 PM

But stuff like this http://youtube.com/watch?v=veLGBk1mE5U is about as melodic as me throwing up into a microphone

bikeplate · #2 04-10-2007, 02:44 PM

HI

Its called a crowd pleasing solo at a rock show. Ever see a drum solo at a rock show? Much worse.

Ever see Billy live? He is utterly amazing.

He's actually very well rounded and accomplished. One of our generations' best by far. Many of us on this board couldnt even plug in his bass but we find it in us to criticize. I'd take his career any day, any time. SOUR GRAPES is a term that comes to mind

Rob

MistaMarko · #3 04-10-2007, 02:48 PM

Yeah really. You'd take his ability anyday, and don't deny it.

bikeplate · #4 04-10-2007, 02:50 PM

HI

For sure, Mista. Its easy to bash. Sit in a room with Bill and youd be so blow away by how musical he is. Best rock player out there, IMO.

Rob

strkssinthesky · #5 04-10-2007, 02:51 PM

Like I said this was not to flame Billy because he is a more accomplished bass player than most people will ever be. I was merely commenting that though the speed is impressive I am easily bored/unimpressed by mailing away some scale (if he is even in a scale) at 20000000 bpm without any regard to melody

benthughes · #6 04-10-2007, 02:54 PM

Well..... if you're going to buy tickets to a Mr.Big, Steve Vai, Talas, whatever Billy Sheehan's in, you're paying to see that kind of thing. My only objection to that kind of playng is that I can't do it.

bikeplate · #7 04-10-2007, 02:54 PM

HI

Yea, right

Rob

strkssinthesky · #8 04-10-2007, 02:59 PM

I find guitar virtuoso's such as Vai and Becker actually very entertaining and more impressive, they are incredibly fast and they have much more harmonic interest than hitting random notes without meaning

Baryonyx · #9 04-10-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

For sure, Mista. Its easy to bash. Sit in a room with Bill and youd be so blow away by how musical he is. Best rock player out there, IMO.

Rob

+1

Alongside Geddy Lee, I don't think there is a finer player in rock. And he holds his own alongside Vai, a fellow virtuoso.

agreatheight · #10 04-10-2007, 03:06 PM

Sheehan has amazing skills, no denying it, but I agree with the OP - that particular solo was kinda wanky, and by kinda I mean extremely. BUT it was the 80s, lol. And yeah, he can whip my @ss, so...

scotch · #11 04-10-2007, 03:06 PM

Interesting. The whole speed-bass solo may not be my musical cup of tea, but I did find the clip entertaining. The guy spent a lot of time working to get that fast and spent a good deal learning to "mug" with such conviction!

Even more interesting how STRKSSINTHESKY was so "bored" by it that he needed to post here about it!

ron mexico · #12 04-10-2007, 03:06 PM

Man, he knows alot of notes! I don't think those notes are even on my bass

!

Seriously though, I passed on the chance to see Bx3 show in Minneapolis. That was one of the shows I regret missing the most.

strkssinthesky · #13 04-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Interesting. The whole speed-bass solo may not be my musical cup of tea, but I did find the clip entertaining. The guy spent a lot of time working to get that fast and spent a good deal learning to "mug" with such conviction!

Even more interesting how STRKSSINTHESKY was so "bored" by it that he needed to post here about it!

Just wanted to see what opinions were out there on the matter thats all. Clips like that are intersted for perhaps the first ten seconds but after that its all sort of sounds the same

mandrlane · #14 04-10-2007, 03:09 PM

have to agree with the first post... Let me start by saying I realize I am not anywhere in the ballpark... Not even the same town as he is talent wise, but 99% of the virtuoso type players... while I am left slack-jawed at the pure talent... it really doesn't do anything for me. of course I have to confess drum solos bore me to tears... as most bass solos... really any solos. I get the same feeling I'd get watching a math wiz do extremely complex algorithms... yes terrible impressive yet equally as boring.

One exception is Marcus Miller... Not only am I left slack-jawed, but also smiling... love his music.

OK go ahead and call me a jealous jerk...

scotch · #15 04-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strkssinthesky

Just wanted to see what opinions were out there on the matter thats all. Clips like that are intersted for perhaps the first ten seconds but after that its all sort of sounds the same

Yeah, I tend to agree. But then a lot of muso-jazz fusion sounds that way to me too. I guess you just have to let the intended audience enjoy what they like.

seansbrew · #16 04-10-2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strkssinthesky

But stuff like this http://youtube.com/watch?v=veLGBk1mE5U is about as melodic as me throwing up into a microphone

I think you have to keep this in context. Do you think this is something he would do at bass player live? I think he was merely giving the crowd what they wanted, some hard core wanking. I didn't care for the solo either, but I wouldn't judge his abilities based on this piece, it doesn't do him justice.

TobyPro4 · #17 04-10-2007, 03:22 PM

I'm afraid I'm in the "does nothing for me" camp.

We have guitarists for that kind of thing. Call me old fashioned but I like basslines.

strkssinthesky · #18 04-10-2007, 03:22 PM

I agree its for the intended audience, just not my cup of tea

Dr. Cheese · #19 04-10-2007, 03:23 PM

I'm a big Billy Sheehan fan. He has his harmonic limitations because he is self-taught without much formal knowledge of harmony and theory, however, the man has a Ph.D. in rock and roll! He absolutely kills as a rocker, and I suspect he is also very good in a pop band context too since he spent so much time doing the club scene before he got famous.

jonly · #20 04-10-2007, 03:25 PM

I have to agree with OP