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Bill Dickens

#21
I don't really think it's that tasteless at all. This is actually the first video of Bill that I dig, the others where "wankery", but this segment has the right lenght (nice buildup, but not too long) some nice motives and structure. And he plays tighter than 99% of the slap videos on the net.
And I'm not a slap fanatic at all by the way.
 
#22
Vorago said:
Any vids of that?
Click to expand...

check out the dvd "Bill Dickens: The Collection".

It has not only instruction from him on his techniques, but also some really cool videos of him playing in a band setting (the guy who he does the interviews on it with also proves himself to be an amazing drummer). Bill plays in some really cool jazz, latin jazz and funk numbers, it's one of the best dvd's I own, without a doubt.

Plus, Bill comes across as a really warm, jovial kinda character, which is really cool.
 
#23
He does some wicked fingerstyle and fingerpick George Benson type jazz passages in the dvd "The day the bass players took over the world" where he shares the stage with Victor, Steve Bailey, and Oteil Burbridge. Order it. When you get it, close your eyes and..........















....listen.
 
#25
Thanks Jaquo..I think it is cool! I think some guys think he's wankin' or whatever they call it, because they can't hear or listen at that speed. I disagree and can hear that Bill's playing on this video is very thematic, climatic and is saying something. Yes, Victor Wooten thinks Bill is the greatest bassist on earth and I had the pleasure of being the first to tell him about Bill when Victor first came to Chicago to play, I told him about Bill's playing and that he will fall in love with this guy's bass playing. Victor just looked at me like I was crazy, but he and I see the same thing in Bill's playing that many others do....that which is not merely a technical player, but someones who has a deep passion for the art of bass playing.

BTW Jaquo, you may know me also as Mike or just the current bass player for Slave. I just came back from the Bahamas gigging with them, or as some would say....wanking............

Peace
 
#26
I've heard that Bill Dickens is absolutely nutzo on a drum kit as well, though I've never seen or heard him play drums myself.

Granted, these NAMM show things get kinda same-y and predictible (no matter who the player is), but I get the feeling they're all just kinda off-the-cuff demo type things, nothing to be taken too seriously. Maximum-wow-factor to grab attendee's attention.

I like watching Bill play though. Watching him play those things and analyzing it, it's fun! You can tell he's totally in control by the way his hands move. The same way an accomplished keyboardist's hands just seemingly zoom around the keyboard without any effort at all.
 
#28
Never knock the Budda. You may say he is flashy with no substance but nothing could be further from the truth. He is a humble man who has made music his only mission. He works harder than anyone I know at what he does and he can do anything. If a law against slapping was passed today and Bill couldn't legally slap in public he would still be the Budda and he would still blow your mind.

Whether you like his playing or not you need to recognize the same thing that Vic did...Bill should be the one people talk about and Mr. Wooten to his great credit made that observation. Vic recognized that although he and many others are among the best of the best...the Budda is the real deal and he deserves our respect.
 
#34
Jauqo,
I just saw on BET Jazz Stanley Clarke introducing hi new special called "On the Road With Stanley Clarke" which will air in June. They showed some highlights of the show and it's a must see! I thought of you because he was playing his thump stuff on upright and it sounded similar to what Bill Dickens is doing on the video. At least it was in the same vain, and I would challenge anyone to say that he was wanking. Then he showed a clip of an interview with Marcu Miller and they will talk about some important does and don't for us bass cats. They also jammed on "Lopsy Lu" as Marcus just starting playing it and Stan jumped in on Upright. I would hardley say they were wanking, plus they looked like they had a lot of fun. I think people here have to remember that it should be fun and not always serious. If you get a chance look on BET Jazz for the preview, it has a lot of hype for the special which will air in June. I'm sure there will be more info on Stanley's website.

Peace
Holla!
 
#36
JAUQO III-X said:
I have to say that most people who get to see a video or hear Bill,it's during performances like the video above.Bill can actually play incredible grooves and very tastefully.I have seen Bill in various musical setting and genera's and he really is one of the best his versatility really is top notch.Bill has done R&b,Pop,Jazz,stage plays,recording sessions etc.
Click to expand...

+1

He's not one of my faves, but i agree with the above.
 
#37
You can say that Mark passed the gauntlet over to me. The first Slave gig I played about ten years ago had Mark and myself on bass. He is a nice cat, just had a few personal issues to deal with outside of music. I just recently picked up a Sadowsky UV70WM with VTC (installed by myself) and Single coils pups (also self-inflicted). It does have that Mark Adams 70's funk vibe. I also have an MTD 635 that I use on that gig. I just copped an Aguilar 680db pre. Before that, I was using the Avalon 737sm, and still do at times. I power those with a Peavey DPC1400x (yeah, I know it's time to upgrade...maybe a stewart 2.1) For effects, I use my Roland V-Bass for the chorus and flange thing he did. I also have an old A/DA Flanger that gives me a little something else. I once used a Moogerfooger Lowpass filter and everybody was like "when did Bootsy land?" I also like it for the sub harmonics that it gives for extra hump. I have an original Epifani 3x10 with new drivers and will either get an Epifani 4x10UL to go with, or just upgrade one of my GoliathIIIjrs with either Beyma or Eminence, but everyone's doing the Eminence thses days. No, Schroeder cabs for me, thanks....It cuts thru, but something is definately missing there. AS for songs they play all of the main hits, but I have learned everything Mark ever played on in and outside of Slave. Odyssey, Aurra, and even the bootleg stuff Drac lets me listen to. Mark wasn't your typical groove player, he was busy as they come, but had a method to his madness. Sometimes I play his stuff verbatim, or do my thing if it permits.


Lo end PUNCH said:
Man you got Mark Adams gig??!!! Dude you must be a mutha on bass!!! What equipment are you using on the tour? What songs are you playing? did you have to learn the whole library? It does NOT suck to be you.:bassist:
Click to expand...
 
#38
BassSlave said:
You can say that Mark passed the gauntlet over to me. The first Slave gig I played about ten years ago had Mark and myself on bass. He is a nice cat, just had a few personal issues to deal with outside of music. I just recently picked up a Sadowsky UV70WM with VTC (installed by myself) and Single coils pups (also self-inflicted). It does have that Mark Adams 70's funk vibe. I also have an MTD 635 that I use on that gig. I just copped an Aguilar 680db pre. Before that, I was using the Avalon 737sm, and still do at times. I power those with a Peavey DPC1400x (yeah, I know it's time to upgrade...maybe a stewart 2.1) For effects, I use my Roland V-Bass for the chorus and flange thing he did. I also have an old A/DA Flanger that gives me a little something else. I once used a Moogerfooger Lowpass filter and everybody was like "when did Bootsy land?" I also like it for the sub harmonics that it gives for extra hump. I have an original Epifani 3x10 with new drivers and will either get an Epifani 4x10UL to go with, or just upgrade one of my GoliathIIIjrs with either Beyma or Eminence, but everyone's doing the Eminence thses days. No, Schroeder cabs for me, thanks....It cuts thru, but something is definately missing there. AS for songs they play all of the main hits, but I have learned everything Mark ever played on in and outside of Slave. Odyssey, Aurra, and even the bootleg stuff Drac lets me listen to. Mark wasn't your typical groove player, he was busy as they come, but had a method to his madness. Sometimes I play his stuff verbatim, or do my thing if it permits.
Click to expand...
Any chance you guys will record any of these live dates? You know y'all would make a mint! Us old school cats are starving for some ol school funk! Besides Prince, ain't no one holdin' it down anymore!
 
#39
BassSlave said:
Jauqo,
I just saw on BET Jazz Stanley Clarke introducing hi new special called "On the Road With Stanley Clarke" which will air in June. They showed some highlights of the show and it's a must see! I thought of you because he was playing his thump stuff on upright and it sounded similar to what Bill Dickens is doing on the video. At least it was in the same vain, and I would challenge anyone to say that he was wanking. Then he showed a clip of an interview with Marcu Miller and they will talk about some important does and don't for us bass cats. They also jammed on "Lopsy Lu" as Marcus just starting playing it and Stan jumped in on Upright. I would hardley say they were wanking, plus they looked like they had a lot of fun. I think people here have to remember that it should be fun and not always serious. If you get a chance look on BET Jazz for the preview, it has a lot of hype for the special which will air in June. I'm sure there will be more info on Stanley's website.

Peace
Holla!
Click to expand...

I caught that. It looks pretty good. I also liked the little jam he did with George Duke. It was cool seeing them together again.
 
#40
Actually we just finished a cruise to the Bahamas two weeks ago where we played and there was a dvd made. I don't know if the quality is good enough for the market. I will inquire to the forces that can make it happen. Thanks for the thought.


DWBass said:
Any chance you guys will record any of these live dates? You know y'all would make a mint! Us old school cats are starving for some ol school funk! Besides Prince, ain't no one holdin' it down anymore!
Click to expand...
 

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