Double Bass A mighty wind

[marvin spangles]

Hi
Just saw the movie "A mighty wind" recently. I am curious to know if Harry Shearer was really playing the bass and if so what make was it. It had a glorious sound.

 

[jallenbass]

He is indeed a player of the instrument.

 

[Tampabass]

I was curious about that, myself.
I knew that he actually played bass in Spinal Tap; wasn't sure what was up with his Upright playing in AMW.
I just came across the below interview - he says he plays upright every day (doesn't specify what he plays), and talks about playing Tobias and Lakland bass guitars.

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[Marcus Johnson]

"Oh a mighty wind's a-blowin',
it's kicking up the sand,
It's blowing out a message
to every woman, child and man

Yes a mighty wind's a-blowin'
'cross the land and 'cross the sea,
It's blowin' peace and freedom
It's blowin' equality,
Yes it's blowin' peace and freedom,
it's blowin' you and me."

Classic.

 

[Eric Swanson]

Truly of the great, funny films. Dear God, thank you for these people.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Some may know that the movie was based on a group called The New Christy Minstrels that had a few hits in the '60's and is still in existence. A good friend of mine was their bassist in the '70's and '80's playing a '64 Kay M-1 that was formerly played by Kenny Rogers before he left to form the 5th Dimension.
When my friend left the group they gave him the bass as a lovely parting gift.
Well, he brought the bass to me recently to have a little work done and I commented on the Spirocore Mittels. He didn't know what they were, but told me they had been on for at least 25 years! They still sound great, so I left them on.

Interesting story.

 

[marvin spangles]

hey guys thanks for the responses. Shearer is a pretty good player. Great tuning and a meaty sound. Not quite Spinal Tap but a mighty funny film nevertheless.

 

[bassrome]

Harry Shearer was at the ISB. He did narration for music that Richard Thompson and Danny Thompson played at the State Theater in town.

Jack

 

[Tampabass]

Some may know that the movie was based on a group called The New Christy Minstrels that had a few hits in the '60's and is still in existence. A good friend of mine was their bassist in the '70's and '80's playing a '64 Kay M-1 that was formerly played by Kenny Rogers before he left to form the 5th Dimension.
When my friend left the group they gave him the bass as a lovely parting gift.
Well, he brought the bass to me recently to have a little work done and I commented on the Spirocore Mittels. He didn't know what they were, but told me they had been on for at least 25 years! They still sound great, so I left them on.

Interesting story.

Hey, Clink, cool story.
By the way, I think you meant to say First Edition (and not Fifth Dimension - "Up, Up and Away" Group)

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

My bad. A quick trip to Wiki confirms that he left the Minstrels in '67 for the First Edition.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

SPARKY - I don't know, but when I first saw the film I remember thinking "Oh that's a Christopher"....