Frasier and Seinfeld -> DB and Slab

[theshadow2001]

So is the theme from the sitcom Frasier on double bass the equivalent to that of Seinfeld on slab?

In that if someone hears you slap on a slab alot some people are going to think Seinfeld or ask you to play it or are somehow convinced that all slap is seinfeld.

When you whip out that upright and start pizzing away has anyone ever got "Can you play the Frasier theme" or "is that the theme from Frasier?"

[hdiddy]

In case you didn't know, the theme is actually named "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs". It's a Gary Burton tune from his "Departure" CD. Pretty awesome personnel list on that song and the album: Gary Burton, John Scofield, Peter Erskrine, Fred Hersch, and John Patitucci. Yup that's Patitucci you're hearing.

Get the cd, highly recommended.

[TroyK]

...and no, no one has ever asked me that.

It would be cool to learn to do that Sienfeld thing, though.

hditty, I always thought that was Kelsey Grammer singing "tossed salads and scrambled eggs", Did he sing over the "Departure" track re-record it with some session guys or am I just confused?

by the way, "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs"? No thank you, Mr Burton. Maybe hard boiled eggs with a salad, but I've never much been a fan of cold eggs. Of course YMMV

[theshadow2001]

I had a feeling it wasn't just a theme tune. It is indeed a nice song and that Patitucci from the very few pieces I've heard him play is amazing. Thanks for the tip I'll check out the album.

Aside from seinfeld being a keyboard it would be funny to see it done ala rockabilly slap on a DB. Pointless but funny

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by TroyK

hditty, I always thought that was Kelsey Grammer singing "tossed salads and scrambled eggs", Did he sing over the "Departure" track re-record it with some session guys or am I just confused?

I coulda sworn that every time I see the show I hear him singing over the Gary Burton track. I could be wrong. I looked up a compilation from the show on Amazon, and it's not the same one I heard on tv. The theme when the credits are rolling has got to be GB's recording as I could swear I hear John Scofield's guitar - which is pretty distinctive.

[theshadow2001]

Ok so on the credits of the show it says

Music By - Bruce Miller

The Theme Lyrics - Darryl Phinnessee

Theme Preformed by - Kelsey Grammer

[hdiddy]

Hrm, guess I'm wrong. I still like his version better tho.

[TroyK]

Yeah, still could be Kelsey Grammer singing over the recording. And the instrumental breaks could be straight off the GB record. I don't know that record, so I don't have an opinion and IMDB.com was uncharastically unhelpful on this.

Guess it doesn't matter, just curious. Gotta be one of the swinginest sitcom themes of all times, but I still give the nod to Bewitched. I've got to work that one up and play it with my quintet.

-tk

[hdiddy]

Here, listen to the sample from Amazon and you guys tell me if this is the same recording as the one used from the show. Scofield's guitar may be subtle but there's no denying it's him if you've heard the recording in full and know his sound.

I swear this is the same one that's either played during credits or the one Grammer sings over.

Originally Posted by TroyK

Guess it doesn't matter, just curious. Gotta be one of the swinginest sitcom themes of all times

Maybe, but the swingingest show has still got to be Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. Have you seen an old rerun lately? John Costas piano playing is frighteningly awesome.

[theshadow2001]

It wont work for me on my POS computer (which will be no more after christmas) So I can't compare. Shame though because I have an episode recorded and I could make a direct comparison

[Mr.Phil]

For what its worth... I'm pretty sure those are different tracks. Kelsey Grammer doesn't sing over that one from amazon for the show. I have both versions on my computer and there are a few differences:
1.) the vocal track opens with solo walking bass
2.) there is a small bass solo in the tv theme, just a little ascending pattern with some double stops right before "they're calling again"
I think the version on amazon is the one they play inbetween clips on the show, where the city outlines on the black background. Anyway, hope that helps
-Phil
p.s. people have asked me "is that the Fraiser theme?" while on a jazz gig. Go figure.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by Mr.Phil

p.s. people have asked me "is that the Fraiser theme?" while on a jazz gig. Go figure.

I knew it! Some had to ask

[John Sprague]

When I made NnicktheLlady'sMman's website, I tried to talk him into recording some Sienfeldy licks to play when you switched from page to page on his site. I thought some of his boogey slappy goodness would be pretty cool.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Aside from seinfeld being a keyboard

Thanks for pointing that out... amazing how many musicians don't hear that.

I think it was performed by Mike Wolff, who's done a bunch of keyboard work for everyone imaginable. For me, the most important thing about him is that he used to play with Cannonball...

[Basshole]

Yeah, I'm always surprised how many people don't know the Seinfeld theme is not real bass. It's glaringly obvious to me...but then again, I own a Roland D-110, and an Alesis HR-16B Drum Machine (the two toys used to make that awful theme).

[Ben Rolston]

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Aside from seinfeld being a keyboard

AHH, thats why its always sounded weird. I have never really watched the show intently, but I always thought that the bass sounded odd on purpose, and that the player was also a bit odd. It being keys makes so much sense. Thanks for the info.

Ben

[lloccmttocs]

Yeah I've been asked if I was playing the Seinfeld theme everytime I slap more than one note.

But back the Fraiser theme, does anyone have that music? I always liked that bass line.