Val Douglas and Bagga, 2 reggae masters, 1 night

One Drop · #1 11-13-2010, 11:46 AM

Saw The Skatalites and Israel Vibration on the same bill last night in Lausanne, Val Douglas with the former and Errol 'Bagga' Walker with the latter.

I'd never had the chance to hear Douglas in person, what a treat it was finally. When they got the sound semi-sorted after a few songs I could really hear what he was doing on his Hohner B2A. He had a little sponge mute at the bridge and played it on his lap, seated, with the neck up in the air. He really uses the sides of his RH fingers most of the time, gets that uprightish tone with heavily shaped notes that just works so well on ska, rocksteady and foundation reggae styles.

Bagga I've seen many times before, usually with a Hofner violin bass, and sometimes a J. This time he was playing a modern J style bass, couldn't see what it was but it had a glossy natural finish and was either stained or had a darker wood top. Completely different approach than VD, interesting to hear them back to back. Bagga gets a great big smooth sound with a light touch, much more of a cushion for the band, less punchy but working with the kick more for the punch.

Both were awe-inspiring and I couldn't wait to get back to my bass to play myself. I love that feeling.

Anyway, not much to add, just wanted to get a reggae topic back on the board, and this was a righteous occasion.

thomashawk · #2 11-13-2010, 11:48 AM

Amazing players! Glad it was a good show.

jerry · #3 11-13-2010, 04:46 PM

I Love Val's playing, 'Satta Massagana' by the Abyssinians is a killer album!

One Drop · #4 11-14-2010, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I Love Val's playing, 'Satta Massagana' by the Abyssinians is a killer album!

Great vocal group, always quality backing on their singles and albums. Another group I've wanted to see live since the '70s but haven't been able to yet.

1Drop · #5 11-15-2010, 07:03 AM

Sounds like a great show. DId I Vibes pull out a Greedy Dog?
Love that song, such goove, sucha a massive pocket.

One Drop · #6 11-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Drop

Sounds like a great show. DId I Vibes pull out a Greedy Dog?
Love that song, such goove, sucha a massive pocket.

I wasn't really in a state to notice, myself...

Like your TB name, BTW. Wish I'd thought of it myself!

Dig Wilbur Ware · #7 11-30-2010, 10:38 AM

Big Val fan: w/ Bob Andy on "Life" and the Joe Higgs "Life of Contradiction" lp among others...

and while we're on the topic, I'll be seeing Fully on his P-bass with Tony Chin tonight.

One Drop · #8 12-01-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dig Wilbur Ware

Big Val fan: w/ Bob Andy on "Life" and the Joe Higgs "Life of Contradiction" lp among others...

and while we're on the topic, I'll be seeing Fully on his P-bass with Tony Chin tonight.

Lucky you! He's a monster, BIG Soul Syndicate fan here. I wish he'd come to Europe more often, so many of the older JA musicians seem to live on the US West Coast these days...

BTW, I dig Wilbur ware, too! had my ears opened as a teen when I first heard 'Softly As In a Morning Sunrise' from the Sonny Rollins trio recording album he did with Elvin Jones live at the Vanguard

BurningSkies · #9 12-01-2010, 11:43 AM

Where was Lloyd? The Skatalites without Lloyd isn't really the Skatalites.

One Drop · #10 12-01-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Where was Lloyd? The Skatalites without Lloyd isn't really the Skatalites.

He was right where he belongs, on the drum riser next to Mr. Bassie.

Still laying it down, I just love his cymbal work and the classic rhythms he helped invent, though maybe he's lacking some of the power he had as a younger man (he'll be 80 this year!!).

BurningSkies · #11 12-01-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

He was right where he belongs, on the drum riser next to Mr. Bassie.

Still laying it down, I just love his cymbal work and the classic rhythms he helped invent, though maybe he's lacking some of the power he had as a younger man (he'll be 80 this year!!).

One Drop · #12 12-02-2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Silly me; I wasn't thinking.

Lloyd Brevett isn't in the lineup these days, I hope he's well and health reasons are not keeping him from touring.

I've been lucky enough to hear him with them in the past, great to hear DB at reggae SPLs!

BurningSkis, have you heard the album he cut a few years ago with Dean Fraser, semi-acoustic versions of some classic ska, rocksteady and reggae riddims? I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, but it was an amazing jazzy session with great players and fantastic song choice and arrangements. Off the top of my head they did a version of the Diamond's 'Have Mercy', 'Shine Eye Gal,', 'Real Rock', etc. I mention it because his bass was recorded beautifully, really worth the effort of tracking it down.

BurningSkies · #13 12-02-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

Silly me; I wasn't thinking.

Lloyd Brevett isn't in the lineup these days, I hope he's well and health reasons are not keeping him from touring.

I've been lucky enough to hear him with them in the past, great to hear DB at reggae SPLs!

BurningSkis, have you heard the album he cut a few years ago with Dean Fraser, semi-acoustic versions of some classic ska, rocksteady and reggae riddims? I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, but it was an amazing jazzy session with great players and fantastic song choice and arrangements. Off the top of my head they did a version of the Diamond's 'Have Mercy', 'Shine Eye Gal,', 'Real Rock', etc. I mention it because his bass was recorded beautifully, really worth the effort of tracking it down.

I'll have to look around. I don't think I've heard it, or if so, it's not standing out (the BurningSkies reggae massive tops out at a ridiculous multi-thousands of recordings).

I had the pleasure of sharing the bill with the Skatalites several times in the past, and it was an honor to provide backline for them too...back in the Roland Alphonso/Lester Sterling/Tommy McCook days. I can say that even as old men, they can drink, smoke, swear and fight more than most young guys. I also have a memory of playing at SOB's in NYC and having several of the newer members of the Skatalites show up for the hang. In those days Lloyd was carrying an electric upright for gigs, mostly because it fit in the van.

Also witness a moment when Roland Alphonso was taken for homeless outside the club and a nice woman dropped him a 5 and some takeout.

One Drop · #14 12-03-2010, 02:22 AM

Feel free to share any other anecdotes, BurningSkies. I love this stuff!

Sounbwoy · #15 12-04-2010, 08:44 AM

When did Fully make the switch from the Steinberger to the P? I saw a recent pic of him playing one and wondered, but thought he may just been using Val's bass....

One Drop · #16 12-05-2010, 02:54 AM

Hasn't Fully played a P his whole career? I even saw a video interview with him where he had his old P in the radio studio and he praises it to the skies, and describes all the sessions and hits it has got him through.

I think he's played Steinies live on and off over the years, though.

Sounbwoy · #17 12-09-2010, 10:31 PM

I know he started with a P, but he's been on a Steinberger for the last couple years that I know of. One other thing..I have it on good authority that "Flabba" Holt is still playing bass with IV..May b Bagga was a stand-in?