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Aston Barrett

#61
Bobby King said:
You can't say too much about Aston "Family Man" Barrett", he's one of the greatest, and most original musicians of our time!
Click to expand...

100 times over and over!

I haven't been able to find that Bass Player TV interview, looking for it recently. One of the things that stuck with me there is that it sounded like he wasn't using an amp or direct line, and that they just miked up his bass.
 
#62
his bass was huge on the Wailers, i play some covers of Marley and its kinda fun on bass, not boring like some types of music, on reggae the bass is the lead instrument on most bands,try Burning and Looting from Marley, or The Heathen or Revolution, what about Kaya? so many great sounds and bass lies from Aston Family Man Barrett.

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#64
Just found this thread and thought I'd share my Family Man story.

I had just moved to Charleston in the Spring of 2003. The Wailers were playing some dive bar on King Street. I decided to go grab tickets early in the day so we wouldn't have to wait in the ticket line later on. I got to the bar and there's 3 people there, bartender, Family Man and the singer. Bob's been my all time favorite musician since I was a kid (31 now). I immediately recognize Family Man at the bar and sat a few seats away and ordered a beer. I didn't want to come off as a star struck kid, but I'm pretty sure there was no getting around that one. Started talking to both of them. I let him know early what big fan I was. Sat there for about an hour talking about Bob, the early days and some other stuff. Unfortunately this was before my bass playing days, would have loved to get some pointers from an icon. Couldn't believe how approachable he was. Real friendly and real humble. Probably my most awesome brush with greatness.
 
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#66
P.S. I forgot to share my (lame) Family Man story...

I saw The Wailers Band at Frankie's Patio (Ybor City, Tampa) in 1996. Junior Marvin was their singer at the time.

I waited through an excellent ska/rock steady band, hoping to hear Fams' bass tone soon enough...

When The Wailers came on, everything sounded incredible EXCEPT the bass guitar. It was far too low in the mix.

A non-reggae fan would have thought it was OK - I mean, it had that sub-bass low end for days - but it just didn't sit within (or above) the mix as I hoped. I don't know if they EQ'd the low mids out, but I suspect the sound man thought it sounded fine, because he left it that way for the entire show.

So, I got to hear superb sound quality and performances of drums, rhythm & solo guitars, vocals, keys and horns - and the great Aston "Family Man" Barrett was in the same room - but his incredible bass playing that night was something I almost had to strain to hear. INFIDELS!!!!
 
#70
Great album, not hard to find (also released as Macka Dub, also on Clocktower), though I've no respect for the way Clocktower has released unliscenced JA recordings in the US:

http://www.amazon.com/macka-dub-carlton-family-barrett/dp/B000000PXC

Ignore the samples, they put the wrong album up.

Found some good samples here (UK residents can buy it here, too):

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#72
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#80
Just saw the Wailers last night at the local ski area in girdwood alaska last night. Family Man is unbelievable!! Such a robust clear sound with impeccable timing. The best low end sound reproduction of any show i have been to. Ended up meeting "Fams" in the bathroom during a playing break. What a show. The Wailer's new singer is a great addition as well.
 

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