I'm so looking forward to this one

**bassybill** · #1 02-28-2011, 09:42 PM

I play in a big band from time to time with an awesome line up. In 6 years we've done maybe 10 gigs, but we now have a couple in the diary and the first of these is this month. The next gig is actually quite financially lucrative, but generally it's really hard to get a suitable venue and decent pay for a band this size (22 of us) so we just do this every now and again for giggles - that, and the quality of the music.

The line up is 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, female and male singers, two guitarists, two keyboard players, drummer, percussionist and yours truly on bass.

We had a rehearsal last week and it was an absolute blast. The band sounded great and some of the humour had me crying with laughter. It's just that sort of vibe when we get together.

Anyway, I really just posted this out of excitement and to make a few of you jealous!

How would you like to play with a line up like that - all great guys and good fun to spend time with - for this set? Bass player's dream, I reckon. Please forgive me for being so stoked about this, I'm so lucky to be able to play with this band.

Star - Earth Wind & Fire
What is Hip? - Tower of Power
Slave to the Rhythm - Grace Jones
Set Them Free - Sting
As - Stevie Wonder
Yaleo - Santana
Late in the Evening - Paul Simon
Rio - Duran Duran
You Might Need Somebody - Randy Crawford
Oye Mi Canto - Gloria Estefan
Rosanna - Toto
In the Stone - Earth Wind & Fire
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
Garden Party - Mezzoforte
Let's Groove - Earth Wind & Fire
September - Earth Wind & Fire
Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing - Incognito
Kids - Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting - Elton John
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

Munjibunga · #2 02-28-2011, 09:54 PM

I've heard your chops, Bill. They're lucky to have you.

**bassybill** · #3 02-28-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I've heard your chops, Bill. They're lucky to have you.

Hey man, that means a lot coming from you. Thank you so much.

Here's a little taste of the band I haven't posted before (I don't think so, anyway). It's a rough recording but it captures the vibe pretty well.

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Kids.mp3

Play it loud!!

Baron Von Vik · #4 02-28-2011, 10:01 PM

Oh My God. I know I'm not worthy, but I can dream...

But you're right, that's a really big band. I'd hate to be the guy herding the cats.

**bassybill** · #5 02-28-2011, 10:31 PM

The gig in June is a big corporate thing up in the North of the country. They're laying on coaches for us to travel and putting us up in a nice hotel for the night after the gig. Oh man, this is going to be epic!

Jeff K · #6 02-28-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I've heard your chops, Bill. They're lucky to have you.

+1. Awhile back, you posted some videos of you guys playing. (Was that at the party for your dad?!) Anyway, you guys were smokin', and it was very evident that you were all having a great time. I really enjoyed those clips. And Munji's right. You were definitely laying down some clean bottom...

**bassybill** · #7 02-28-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

+1. Awhile back, you posted some videos of you guys playing. (Was that at the party for your dad?!) Anyway, you guys were smokin', and it was very evident that you were all having a great time. I really enjoyed those clips. And Munji's right. You were definitely laying down some clean bottom...

The party for my dad was not quite the same band - well, a lot of the horn players were, but it was a smaller rhythm section, more like a conventional big swing band line up, as we were playing my dad's charts that were written that way. I'm really pleased you liked it, I worked like a demon to get that all set up!

Munjibunga · #8 02-28-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Hey man, that means a lot coming from you. Thank you so much.

Here's a little taste of the band I haven't posted before (I don't think so, anyway). It's a rough recording but it captures the vibe pretty well.

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Kids.mp3

Play it loud!!

Clean.

richtea · #9 02-28-2011, 11:53 PM

very cool, exelent set, I think I was sixteen the last time I played Rio in anger. love your tone. What colour is it, your bass?

elgecko · #10 02-28-2011, 11:55 PM

That's quite a book! Do they do their own arrangements?

**bassybill** · #11 03-01-2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtea

very cool, exelent set, I think I was sixteen the last time I played Rio in anger. love your tone. What colour is it, your bass?

Thanks for the kind comments. The bass I used on that gig is blue - why do you ask?

**bassybill** · #12 03-01-2011, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

That's quite a book! Do they do their own arrangements?

Yes, all done in house.

Plays_For_Dog · #13 03-01-2011, 03:56 AM

I have never played with horns but have always wanted to really bad. Yeap, I'm jealous.

Edit- Dig the clip. You own the pocket sir, and beware any keys that dare enter.

richtea · #14 03-01-2011, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Thanks for the kind comments. The bass I used on that gig is blue - why do you ask?

Well after reading threads that wood dos'nt matter and pups are just pups. Hardware makes no difference.Pretty much all that is left is colour, and now thanks to your info I know that I like the sound of blue,

LowDown Hal · #15 03-01-2011, 04:28 AM

That does sound like fun !

**bassybill** · #16 03-01-2011, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtea

Well after reading threads that wood dos'nt matter and pups are just pups. Hardware makes no difference.Pretty much all that is left is colour, and now thanks to your info I know that I like the sound of blue,

Ha ha! Nice. And why not?

EdHunter · #17 03-01-2011, 04:35 AM

Wish I was in on that one. Sounds like one of those perfect gigs in waiting...

richtea · #18 03-01-2011, 04:37 AM

Ok, Reachin of the pills... ARRHH...GAS ATTACK. That's verrrrry pretty!!!!!.

Is that a carbon neck?

just seen that is not a pure blue, it has a hint of green, thats what I am hearing.

**bassybill** · #19 03-01-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtea

Ok, Reachin of the pills... ARRHH...GAS ATTACK. That's verrrrry pretty!!!!!.

Is that a carbon neck?

just seen that is not a pure blue, it has a hint of green, thats what I am hearing.

Warmoth "dinky J" alder body
Status graphite neck
Nordstrand NJ4SEs
J-Retro pre
Badass bridge
Schallers (and a Hipshot D-Tuner)

My main bass. And it has a fretless sister too - now that one is REALLY green.

richtea · #20 03-01-2011, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Warmoth "dinky J" alder body
Status graphite neck
Nordstrand NJ4SEs
J-Retro pre
Badass bridge
Schallers (and a Hipshot D-Tuner)

My main bass. And it has a fretless sister too - now that one is REALLY green.

But does it have that signature REALLY green sound.

I have been gassing for a new main bass for a while, my old girl (JayDee) is getting on a bit. I had never considered a bolt-on graphite neck. I didn't know that status supplied them loose. Combined with that colour, it sounds really nice. I haven't played a status since the 80’s, about the time Mark King moved on to them. Maybe its time. Have a blast with gig, yes jealous.