Anybody remember Tiran Porter?

[Brad Johnson]

I was a huge fan of the early Doobies. That said, I was definitely pro-McDonald when he came onboard. At the time, I was into the 'jazzy'/R&B thing he brought into the band. Now...hmmmm. I would agree with Jerry, though, about the extra 5 years.

On a tangent, I was totally into David Foster when he started producing Al Jarreau, The Tubes, Chicago, EW&F, AWB...now I see it 180 degrees out. Too much of his "slickness" pretty much took the edge outta those bands.

Agreed... but that's what was selling at the time.

I was just listening to some eighties song yesterday and it had the typical heavy artillery snare going off right on schedule. Ah, good times.

 

[electracoyote]

McDonald came off of doing a bunch of killer studio work. Likehim or not, the guy can sing.

He can sing, he just can't enunciate. I don't know the words to any of his songs, and I've heard all the hits at least a million times each.

 

[Brad Johnson]

He can sing, he just can't enunciate. I don't know the words to any of his songs, and I've heard all the hits at least a million times each.

I'd bet you can tell what he says on his background work.


I can tell what he's saying and those who imitate him love to exaggerate for effect.

 

[cetera]

Resurrecting this thread because I've been offline for a while....

Tiran is THE MAN! Great bassist, cool grooves and a master of melody from the McCartney/Jamerson school....

I'm lucky enough to be very good friends with him and will pass on all your lovely comments....
He's a chilled guy who enjoys his music and doesn't go online so he will appreciate knowing that he's still well thought of

 

[Hoover]

I also seem to have developed his habit of bass hop-scotch. What all has he played? I seem to remember a T-Bird, a Ric, and a Jazz. Others?

Wasn't he one of the first -- er, perhaps one of the only -- users of the original 3-pickup Paul Reed Smith bass? istr seeing pictures of him playing one of those.

 

[bryantandrew]

Clear as the Driven Snow off of The Captain and Me. Great bass work in the latter half of the song. I haven't sat down to learn that one yet, but I've managed to learn Down in the Track and Road Angel. Good songs, great lines.

 

[j_p_312]

Have to echo the previous sentiments here. Probably one of the first bassists I took notice of. I remember when we played "China Grove" in my high school jazz band, and I was fairly new to bass at the time (I only took it up because the band director asked if I was interested). I was happy to learn this song because it was the only one I had really heard before and already kinda knew the bassline to.

 

[Hamrhed]

There is an excellent interview w/ Tiran at Bass player TV- very cool guy/cool player

 

[LSquared]

Here he is:

Big fan of him and the pre-McDonald Doobies.

+10

 

[So Low Bass]

A truly unique, great player. The Doobies would have been a different band without him.

As I always say, the producers in those days let the bass hold the rest of the band on top, from underneath. Not anymore.

 

[countrybassist]

Nice groove player for sure.