Anthony Jackson has a brilliant mind and has put a lot of time into carefully mastering the bass and the art of music. He is fully entitled to his opinions because of what he has put into the grooves and the hours of thought and reflection that went along with it. He is at the top of the heap looking down. Frankly, I find most of his musical opinions are dead on, maybe a bit harsh and usually not tailored for the crowds. Anthony seems to always have spoken honestly and I respect him for that.
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Clearly the samples can be used, if you’re willing to accept the musical outcome. Personally, I would rather listen to Gadd’s performance on Aja than a drum machine. In this sense I don’t believe that players like Jackson and Gadd could ever be replaced.
Back on topic. I’ve seen Anthony Jackson live twice and have a large number of recordings with him on bass. He is one of the true great bass artists. I hope his health is such that it gives us the opportunity to hear more of his work for many more years to come.
and yet if you listen to steely dan you're listening to a drum machine, that was the point of @Bob_Ross post. Steely dan were so fed up with drummers they had a drum machines of samples created so they would bypass said drummers. this is fact.
Remember Anthony's own words:
"Where you find a superior talent behind the machine, you can get superior performance out of the machine. Unfortunately, often, the talent behind the machine is inferior. So naturally, what comes out is inferior".
Having AJ's tone on a bass-computer doesn't replace his feel, insane technical and rhythmic abilities, or his ability to perfectly enhance the sound of an ensemble. Unfortunately, for many, it does. Therein lies the possibility of success with sampled AJ tracks and ultimately, the replacement of many working bass players.
That's cool....but fed up or not they seem to be able to handle using drummers LIVE, unless of course, they are fed up with drum machines--- LIVE ??? C'mon who the heck is Steely Dan anyways ? Having a cache of world class drummers at their disposal their own back yard. Drummers (musicians) are sensitive too (egos)
I read in a famous mag of a very famous studio drummer who was fed up and frustrated with Steely Dan and their quirky and unreasonable musical demands. They're great --but not as great as say contemporaries--EWF ???? (No drum machines hear, bro) LOL.......However, to each his own. God Bless ya Anthony Jackson et al.....
EWF did worse than drum machines, for years they lip synced their concerts. look it up. yes steely uses drum machines only in the studio. FWIW i use drum machines and have no issues. it was posted at the poster who thinks AJ walks on water and can do no wrong even though he made a sample library which is diametrically opposed to previous comments he has made. i get it, the guys gotta eat, no judgement from me.
NP
I use drum machines a lot too, cutting my teeth on a TR 808 in 1981.
Lip syncing, well it's darn sad one of the members of Milli Vanilli ended up taking his own life.
Who doesn't lip sync or use tracks these days in Live performances ?
Perhaps this conversation has taken an inappropriate and senseless turn ?
It's all good---keep making and listening to the music ya love, and the performers/programmers ya love, I guess ??
Cheers bud
I use drum machines a lot too, cutting my teeth on a TR 808 in 1981.
Lip syncing, well it's darn sad one of the members of Milli Vanilli ended up taking his own life.
Who doesn't lip sync or use tracks these days in Live performances ?
Perhaps this conversation has taken an inappropriate and senseless turn ?
It's all good---keep making and listening to the music ya love, and the performers/programmers ya love, I guess ??
Cheers bud
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gaucho, coincidently my favorite of theirs. go figure, as i enjoy drum machines.
This is the reason that it has probably taken me about 20 years to find hip hop that speaks to me. Too many lazy pricks pressing the buttons making flat, uninteresting music. I agree with the points you have made here. I was being semi sarcastic and making the same type of criticism that Jackson himself would've made regarding sampling and the fact that he did that particular sample library. God forbid you give the button pushers ammunition.
C/S,
Rev J
This is a track from Roland Vazquez's Further Dance album, live to 2-track. The whole album is great and so are the others from Roland's underserved catalog.
He's stopped popping up around social media or he's requested to not be uploaded. It's a shame...
I can't wait for him to get back into playing. I also can't help but wonder how it'll work jumping back in after a 2+ year hiatus.
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This is a shame. Hopefully this soon will turn for the better. Wishing AJ all the best.
I was really shocked by this picture from 2017. I thought it was photo shopped at first. Did he loose that much weight? Did he stop performing altogether?
Listen a lot to AJ again lately. He is the boss.
I am very worried about Anthony. I have been trying to reach him to do a track on a record with a producer who he previously has played on his solo album We’ve worked together in the past. And had a great relationship. But I’ve tried everything to reach him. I tried calling his phone but it’s not taking incoming calls now. I even left s message with his accountant asking Anthony to call me. But no reply!! I think you’re right They’re Bering extremely quiet about his condition. Maybe that’s good because they expect his health to improve eventually. I could not believe how much weight he lost. I actually preferred him heavy. But I guess that’s not good for his health. Anthony is a fantastic musician. And a kind, sweet, loving man. This producer doesn’t want any other bass player. I’ve suggested many top bass players but he keeps going back to Anthony. My heart and prayers are for my old friend. 
