Greatest American Band

[Barkless Dog]

I saw the TV show last night called Greatest American Band.

Most of the bands were pretty good. A few of the bass players played Laklands.

The funny part was, this one band played great, were excellent musicians. The bass player did a small two measure bass funk- solo/break.

All three judges (one was Sheila E) came down hard on the bass player and were revolted by the thought of ANY bass solo, even though the solo, or break was nice. One judge made a comment about, staying in your place, no one wants a bass solo.

The whole mention of a bass solo seems to = boredom & negative feelings 99% of people. You get the eyes rolling up in their heads.

No wonder a solo bassist is such a hard profession. Your audience is 90% male bass players, which is a very small group.

[rfclef]

Originally Posted by Barkless Dog

I saw the TV show last night called Greatest American Band.

Most of the bands were pretty good. A few of the bass players played Laklands.

The funny part was, this one band played great, were excellent musicians. The bass player did a small two measure bass funk- solo/break.

All three judges (one was Sheila E) came down hard on the bass player and were revolted by the thought of ANY bass solo, even though the solo, or break was nice. One judge made a comment about, staying in your place, no one wants a bass solo.

The whole mention of a bass solo seems to = boredom & negative feelings 99% of people. You get the eyes rolling up in their heads.

No wonder a solo bassist is such a hard profession. Your audience is 90% male bass players, which is a very small group.

Idunno... I thought the bass solo comments were kinda tongue in cheek... Cause most people want the screeching guitar schlock...

[scottice]

They did seem a bit harsh... I don't think the judges dug it. Poor guy. I bet his band mates were laughing at him backstage.

[VRT_RONBO]

I saw it too. I think that the judges don't have a clue what they are talking about. One week they tell a band to "make the song yours" then the next week they kill a band for changing the arrangement from the original. This week a band actually takes a perfectly appropriate time to showcase a-little of their talent and they dive all over the bass player. I did notice, however, that the audience loved it. Thats who you are really trying to please anyway. Bass solos can sound forced if they don't come at the right part of a song but I thought that one was pretty good.

[Dirk Diggler]

I'm glad someone else saw that, I was amazed at the comments by the other 2 judges, Sheila did say that he can play so it's OK. But consider the source on the other two guys.

1) The singer from the Goo Goo Dolls, he's a pop singer and not a musician, so what does he know?
2) The British guy Dickie, never heard of him before this show and judging by his comments I don't care what he has to say.

And if I recall there is a bass solo in the original Rod Stewart song.
I also will say that his playing was quite nice and fit the song well, but this is a pop based show so I'm surprised they even allow a guitar solo at all.
LOL
Dirk

[Pete C]

I did notice, however, that the audience loved it.

No, the audience just boos the judges to be contradictory.

[Slater]

The audience does what they're told to do by the show's director and producers...

[Bassic83]

Originally Posted by Slater

The audience does what they're told to do by the show's director and producers...

I wonder if they "vote" that way, too? I think the whole thing is rigged anyway. So is "American Idiot". Both shows show me that to make it in the music world, have your choreography and light show down. We have the people that actually play backstage...

The blogs I'm seeing online seem to be in universal accord that the judges were out of line when they knocked the bass solo, so I wouldn't be threatened by such comments any time soon if I were you.

[zachbass02]

anyone know which band did the bass solo? wouldn't be Denver and the Mile High Orchestra would it?

[Wally Malone]

Originally Posted by zachbass02

anyone know which band did the bass solo? wouldn't be Denver and the Mile High Orchestra would it?

SixWire

Wally

[Pete C]

I like to think that the bands that have reached this point (and Franklin Bridge and Tres Bien) have all been brilliant performers regardless of the show. It is definitely better than American Idol.

[Corona_Clyde]

Fight the power! Slap, pop, tap, & shred da sh*t outta that bass!!!!!!

[Barkless Dog]

To me most the bands come off as lounge acts, the judges second rate American idol clones.

Rock Star Supernova, too me was far more real bands (although more rock)

I think they are all great musicians to this point (can't like the kid band though)

The three brother band comes of the most original and enjoyable to me.

[Pete C]

Last night's performances were the worst that have come up yet for Light of Doom and The Clark Brothers. It kind of annoyed me that Dicko told The Clark Brothers that they could use a drummer and bass player.

[peaveyuser]

BS the only reason why the judges said the bass solo was bad is because they think music has to be mainstream crap to like, BS!. Audiences love good bass solo's now and then, hell look at all the bands that have em. **** this mainstream crap and opinion, some people are stupid enough to think music is only ok to listen to if the TV says it is. FOX just wants to keep this crap going, any form of creativity or difference will be abolished because it will take away their hold of the general public listening to brainwashing repetitive mainstream pop garbage. Why? so they can use it to advertise, think about it if you had a bunch of people listening to different genres music wouldn't be as good of a tool to advertise with to the general public. Some person see's usher do a coke commercial on FOX they're gonna pay attention because they know him, if everybody didn't get this mainstream crap fed to them then the peoples taste would be a lot more widespread so the corporations wouldn't know who to advertise with because it wouldn't appeal to a wide enough audience.

Or the judges could be @$$holes, who really don't have any taste

[ihateusernames]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

I'm glad someone else saw that, I was amazed at the comments by the other 2 judges, Sheila did say that he can play so it's OK. But consider the source on the other two guys.

1) The singer from the Goo Goo Dolls, he's a pop singer and not a musician, so what does he know?
2) The British guy Dickie, never heard of him before this show and judging by his comments I don't care what he has to say.

I don't care for the comments from the judges, and don't care for most of the bands on the show myself. It's easy to agree with this opinion of the token 'British guy', Dicko - he has no valueable input to the show.

To say John Rzeznik is not a musician? Ouch, I hope that's meant as sarcasm. Like him/them or not, he's a very talented songwriter and musician, his music captures a very broad audience and gets quite a bit of airtime.

Back to the show, I can't stand it and hope it doesn't return for a second season. And, as harsh as it may be to hear, Sheila E is spot on - bass solo may not have a place in modern music for the masses.

[VRT_RONBO]

Well it's kinda hard to pick "The Next Great American Band" when they play cover songs anyway. Some of the bands who have been voted off were very creative and had some good original material. Then they have them come in every week and play some regurgitated cover song (but don't get creative with it or we'll chastize you for that). Mtv used to have a Cover Band show. Why is this any different than that. Any respectable musician can play some cover tunes.

[scottice]

Just who is "Dicko"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicko

[Christopher]

Where's Randy Jacskon when you need him?