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Bill "The Buddha" Dickens'vcd

#21
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he doesn't shred, he does it most of the time you see him. That's his style, but to say he can't just sit back and groove is silly.

For Ineal, I'm not saying you're a liar, I don't know what to say about what you saw, but you don't gain the admiration of some of the best bassplayers in the world by just being a wanker who can't manage to find the pocket in a simple tune.

You don't get people like Wooten talking about how you're the man by fumbling over a Blink182 song... sorry.
 
#23
Originally posted by Darkslide
to say he can't just sit back and groove is silly.
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I'm sure "technically" speaking, he can groove. I'm sure he can play in time and he hits the right notes etc. But, from what I've heard (and again, it's limited to a video), I don't think he's a plays particularly creative or groovy basslines.

I brought this up, not to bash Dickens, but more to bring up a couple or related thoughts/points that came to mind.

For example, lets take a player like Oteil Burbridge. If anybody's seen him play a show (besides the Bass Day Video), you know that he's way more than a "lead bass player" kind of guy, even though he can solo for hours and keep it interesting. The guy is just as creative and even more impressive when he's laying down the groove. It's like he regulates the whole band.

I don't want to open up a can of worms, but I feel like I have to bring it up. Lets take a player like Jeff Berlin. He's an extremely accomplished jazz musician. In terms of soloing and playing over changes, I don't know of any electric bass player that is more advanced than he is. I really do like his soloing a lot. BUT, I'm not crazy about his "grooving." Now, can he groove? Yes he can. He plays in time, he plays the right notes, and he has a very extensive vocabulary. But I find his grooving a little boring for my tastes. My ear isn't glued to his grooving like it is to Stuart Zender's grooving, or to Oteil's grooving.

Note that I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, and I do admire everyone's playing on different levels and in different ways.
 
#24
Originally posted by alexssandro


I'm sure "technically" speaking, he can groove. I'm sure he can play in time and he hits the right notes etc. But, from what I've heard (and again, it's limited to a video), I don't think he's a plays particularly creative or groovy basslines.

I brought this up, not to bash Dickens, but more to bring up a couple or related thoughts/points that came to mind.

For example, lets take a player like Oteil Burbridge. If anybody's seen him play a show (besides the Bass Day Video), you know that he's way more than a "lead bass player" kind of guy, even though he can solo for hours and keep it interesting. The guy is just as creative and even more impressive when he's laying down the groove. It's like he regulates the whole band.

I don't want to open up a can of worms, but I feel like I have to bring it up. Lets take a player like Jeff Berlin. He's an extremely accomplished jazz musician. In terms of soloing and playing over changes, I don't know of any electric bass player that is more advanced than he is. I really do like his soloing a lot. BUT, I'm not crazy about his "grooving." Now, can he groove? Yes he can. He plays in time, he plays the right notes, and he has a very extensive vocabulary. But I find his grooving a little boring for my tastes. My ear isn't glued to his grooving like it is to Stuart Zender's grooving, or to Oteil's grooving.

Note that I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, and I do admire everyone's playing on different levels and in different ways.
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I honestly think your are just noticing the difference in your personal taste when comparing a palette of highly skilled individual's ability to sit back and groove. They all do it right, and they mostly do it different.
I would love to hear a Bill Dickens solo album, I think the guy can shred, and I know the guy can groove. Just a matter of personal preference I guess. I think Bill gets a bit of a backlash from showing off technical prowess and playing a nine string....
 
#27
Originally posted by Blisshead
I think Bill gets a bit of a backlash from showing off technical prowess and playing a nine string....
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That may be true, but it doesn't change what I saw. Maybe it just wasn't his night, I don't know. FWIW, I don't judge bassists by what they are known for doing, I judge them by what I hear, see and feel. If a bassist (or any musician) can make me feel it that's what matters to me; can they speak to me on some level. I accept bassists of all flavors and I respect what Dickens does-I damn sure can't do it!
Its as simple as this: "The Buddha" just don't do it for me.:cool:
 

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