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Billy Sheehan in the Winery Dogs

R

RitchieBlue

Jun 10, 2013
21
0
#1
I wanted to share my opinion with you, and hear some of your own, about Billy Sheehan in general, and his new band, the Winery Dogs, with the equally awesome Ritchie Kotzen and Mike Portnoy.

IMHO i liked them a lot together, I think they fit perfectly for the style they're playing, and that makes it possible for each one of them to show their best, which is really cool, since I believe they're some of the best rock musicians ever.

When it's about Sheehan, well, despite having read and heard a lot of criticizing, I still think he has a really nice bass tone, that sounds agressive, without sounding too punky, and wether he's playing with Mr. Big or the Winery Dogs, I can consider myself a fan of his work.

So, what do you think about them ?
 
#2
I haven't heard of the Winery Dogs. I'm a big fan of Billy Sheehan. I read an interview once, when I was trying to decide to jump into 5 string territory, where someone asked him why he didn't play 5 string. His reply was basically that he had so much to learn on a 4 string. I never did make the leap into 5 string, mostly because of that statement. Also, I haven't played in a group that really needed a 5 string. If I find myself in need of a 5, I will make the jump.

 
#3
I don't understand why some people take time out to criticise players who are clearly accomplished and Masters of their craft (art if you prefer)

Some of the things I respect in Billy is his unique tone and range, his technical prowess for the style he has chosen and his level of commitment to both his playing and to us as a community.

I have only seen him once at a master class along with some of his dvd's and stuff on the web.

I don't necessarily get turned on by some of the music he is involved in and arguably there are other players out there with a less frenetic but more musical approach.

He is very clear on what he believes in and why. Eg he has very firm ideas on positioning the bass and strap length.

I don't necessarily agree or follow everything he says but he is Billy Sheehan and I am not. :) lol , god help me ..:)

But he is awesome and surely is a great example of someone who has dedicated his life to bass and to the point where most of us can look on and just appreciate him for everything he is.

He does some hellishly freaky things and gotta love the audacity behind the scooped out frets and the harmonics that he drags out of just about every location across the instrument.

No offence to Billy but every time I hear or see him it makes me wonder if has ever been diagnosed ADD.

He is full on at the best of times and I may well be a poor judge of character but I think that he is a great example where his personality and temperament come out in every aspect of his playing.

I mean that as a compliment.

He also seems to still absolutely love playing live and not that I am any expert but on the footage i have seen he always seems to give it everything he has.

Its not like he is some shrinking violet that has the bass in the shadows with some attempt for a 'traditional' tone . :) lol

That's how I see and hear it...but like many things each to their own and very likely others may well see it differently.
 
#4
i cant wait for the winery dogs to be released here in the US. i got to hear the whole album at his clinic, he played it after the clinic while signing autographs and taking pics, great album. considering he had nothing to do with the production or mix of the album his tone came out amazing!
 
#6
Billy has corkscrew finger and bottle tilt wrist, but not ADD. Billy was born when curious over active kids were cured simply by playing outside with their friends, not drugs dispensed by lazy parents and doctors who pander to their granola chomping clients.
 
#11
I really like Sheehan's tone, and his whole way of playing, and I believe the Winery Dogs is the perfect combo, I mean, Kotzen is just as awesome as it gets, his voice sounda great, his tone is pretty cool too, but what I like the most about him, is that he is able to find a way to put some jazz into their songs, just as in the guitar solo for "Desire". And Mike Portnoy, man, he's just unbelievable.
 
#12
Musiclogic said:
Billy has corkscrew finger and bottle tilt wrist, but not ADD. Billy was born when curious over active kids were cured simply by playing outside with their friends, not drugs dispensed by lazy parents and doctors who pander to their granola chomping clients.
Click to expand...

Funny, but not even remotely true. Billy was born when over active kids got terrible grades in school. But they did play outside with their friends, though. So I guess some of that is true. And no, neither myself or anyone in my family has been diagnosed or treated for ADD.
 
#15
All three players sound great on this recording. I had no idea that Kotzen played fingerstyle (?!) Man, he knows his stuff! I did kind of check out on Portnoy in the mid 90s after participating in the drum clinic he did in Binghamton and being really turned off by his attitude, but maybe the DT debacle has humbled him a little. He sounds good here I must say. Looking forward to getting a copy.
 
 
#20
JimmyM said:
Let's assume you're right and it does exist. OK, so do we cure it by taking the kid off the sugary pesticide covered food, or do we dope him up with ritalin?
Click to expand...

You don't have to assume, it does exist. The problem isn't wether or not it exists, but when to do something about it. If the child is not doing bad in school, there isn't really any need for drugs other than convenience for the parent. That is the problem. If the child is doing poorly in school, it could be time to look at options. I suppose hitting them and sending them outside could be an option, kinda 1955 though. And it won't work.
 
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