Mucho respect to my Irish pal Tom Martin

**bassybill** · #1 02-20-2009, 09:49 AM

I've been playing with Tom now for about 9 years. When the Birmingham music scene pretty much died on us three or four years ago, did he quit? No, he did not.

Instead, he bought an old disused factory unit and toiled away with a lot of effort and borrowed money/good will to open his own venue. The Tower of Song is now two years old and we're celebrating there Saturday night (21st Feb) with what's looking like being a really great fun gig. Top guy, Tom Martin. What do you think of the man and his music? And your's truly's bassing?

Another Operator
Irresistible Beat
Darktown

Any Midlands TB folks who can get over on Saturday would be very, very welcome.

JAUQO III-X · #2 02-20-2009, 10:41 AM

I listened to all three tracks and I can definitely hear the passion and musical sincerity in the tracks. The entire band sounds nice and the tone of your bass is warm with a nice touch of earthiness.

I can feel the blues influence overall and the vocals really are the icing on the cake..

You guys should be out on tour opening up for some one like Van Morrison.

katri · #3 02-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Like the stuff, I'll be at the next gig bill

**bassybill** · #4 02-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the input and taking the time to listen, Jauqo. You're not the first one to make that Van Morrison comparison, so I think it's probably a good one.

On the whole, we're happy with just ticking over. Tom manages to make a living out of the bar, but the rest of us have day jobs and other (more lucrative) bands. This is just a friendship and fun thing - but I do really like the music (I think Tom is a great lyricist, too) and we try to put on a good show.

**bassybill** · #5 02-20-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katri

Like the stuff, I'll be at the next gig bill

First beer is on me.

pointbass · #6 02-20-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

This is just a friendship and fun thing - but I do really like the music (I think Tom is a great lyricist, too) and we try to put on a good show.

The greatest musical bonus for me is "friendship and fun", in particular when the music itself is good, interesting and of an individual style. Congrats on having all of that come together ...

Just out of curiosity, is that the Palentino on those recordings? If so, is that all stock?

BTW, do you mind if I download these tunes for my library?

Enjoy yourself ....

**bassybill** · #7 02-20-2009, 03:11 PM

Download away! It's not as if by doing so you'll deprive us of any income. But thank you for asking - very right and proper.

No, the Palatino wasn't in use on those recordings. No particular reason why, I just felt more at home on BG, I think. The Palatino sounds fine live and I guess it would sound just as good recorded - at least, in this sort of style where my playing doesn't show up too much! The only mod I've made is stuffing some rags in behind the tailpiece to damp it and stop some feedback.

JimmyM · #8 02-20-2009, 04:20 PM

Very English, and very good! Your bass playing is perfect for it, too. I agree with Jauqo...you'd be right at home on tour with Van Morrison or Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello.

I'll bet TC wouldn't have rejected you for an RH450 tryout

i_got_a_mohawk · #9 02-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Does the place have a massive image of Robert Johnson on the side of the wall, or is it just a photoshop on the flyer?

Either way, sounds good

**bassybill** · #10 02-20-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Does the place have a massive image of Robert Johnson on the side of the wall, or is it just a photoshop on the flyer?

Either way, sounds good

Yes, it does have a massive image of Robert Johnson on the side of the wall. Tom got some flak from the council when he put that up there as they said he needed planning permission. But it's still there.

**bassybill** · #11 02-20-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Very English, and very good! Your bass playing is perfect for it, too. I agree with Jauqo...you'd be right at home on tour with Van Morrison or Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello.

I'll bet TC wouldn't have rejected you for an RH450 tryout

Jimmy - I take any compliment from a pro like you as high praise. I'm really glad you like the stuff.

Here's a few more for folks if they're enjoying listening to these.

Just Us
Built To Last
You Took Me In
Pulling Strings

JimmyM · #12 02-20-2009, 09:54 PM

Dude, if you lived in the US, you could easily snake my gig

Joe Gress · #13 02-20-2009, 10:00 PM

Cool stuff Bill!

**bassybill** · #14 02-20-2009, 10:14 PM

Cheers, guys. I think one of the reasons I've enjoyed playing with Tom's band over the years is the way the material really makes me think melodically and "play for the song". No slap fests here! "Built To Last" is good example of what I'm talking about.

That, and the fact that the other three guys are really easy to get on with as well as being good musicians.

kobass · #15 02-20-2009, 10:21 PM

Good stuff, Bill!

Congrats and enjoy the gig!

Cheers,
Kevin

burk48237 · #16 02-20-2009, 10:31 PM

Cool stuff, I must admit I hear more Bruce Cockburn in it then Van Morrison, although "another operator" definitely had a Morrison vibe. I like the feel a lot, if I have one criticism at times the music behind the vocals appears a touch busy. But it seems like a great project, and I got to respect a guy who put together his own venue. I'm struggling to pay for the house, I doubt their are any venues on my future.

**bassybill** · #17 02-20-2009, 10:38 PM

Bruce Cockburn, eh? Not somebody I've really listened to, I'll have to check him out. Thanks for the suggestion, Steve, good to hear from you chipping in here.

Tight lines! As my fishing friends say.

**bassybill** · #18 02-20-2009, 10:44 PM

While I'm on, I must say that we have some of TB's finest rogues coming in on this thread - Jauqo, Jimmy, Steve and the rest of the guys. It would be really great if you folks could make it to NYC this summer, I'd really enjoy hanging out and cracking a few beers.

I left out Ed 'cos I know he's going to be there anyway. I'm 5'10" and last summer I found myself standing in a cluster with with Ed, Laurent (ChiliPepper) and Mike Jewels, who are all tall men whose stature matches their generosity. It was like a scene from "Land Of The Giants".

JAUQO III-X · #19 02-21-2009, 05:43 AM

I wasn't saying that you guys sound like Van Morrison. I was saying that you guys have your own thing happening and that it would be an equally killer show with you guys on the same bill as Morrison.

Good hearty music that displays sincere passion.

Darkstrike · #20 02-21-2009, 08:27 AM

Awesome story, awesome music!