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Davie504 finally playing live
- Thread starter fnp5150
- Start date
Yep, it's simply a matter of taste and musicality. I would not pay money to see that show.
I don't mean to pick on just this post, but it's exactly what I want to make a point about. I would never argue with someone's taste. If you don't like it, no prob, ever. But to say it has little "merit". That's why people feel like they have to defend him. I think this and other statements like it imply there is little value in what he does, and also imply it takes very little talent compared to their favorite virtuoso. Hadrian Feraud could not do what Davie does (fwiw, vise versa). The stark truth is that pretty much none of us could do what he has done, which in my opinion suggests he is highly skilled. He also works ridiculously hard, I think a lot of posts imply what he does is easy. I know, most of us could do what he does if we wanted to, but we would never want to compromise our artistic integrity <sarc>. So say you don't like it, but don't try to say he's not extremely good at what he does, and at least 12 million people think it has merit (they like it).
I never said what Davie does didn't have any merit. I deliberately didn't say that, actually.
I'd add, there are many bassists with the technical facility to what Davie does (and choose not to). I know there are some on this forum! I think that's part of what turns some people off.
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I remember listening to this on the radio (it was at Woodstock '94) and going berserk in my room!
This said, "and Primus" is the operative phrase here. Claypool rearranges the bass/guitar part into a slap bass part, and is accompanied by his guitarist. No vocal melody. AND intro only, no other parts.
Who was lazier here, one may wonder?
Also and already pointed out above: there's something to be said in putting forth one's own interpretation, different from both the original and a (not sure how well-) known rendition. I feel confident Davie would've gotten just as much flak, had he played Les's version notatim.
But hey, it's all good. To quote myself,
So, yeah.
... Should probably direct it to the fans who perhaps idolize the guy a bit too much as David hasnt commented.
Define everyone? The room is empty. Maybe 5 or 6 people were there based on the evidence.
Ah well, you know, people will see and hear what they like. As had been mentioned taste is a spectrum. Some enjoyed the video which is cool I guess.
I don't know man. We must have watched different videos. I'm not trying to make you like it. Lol.
You mean play bass as well as he does? For sure. But create and maintain an audience online the way davy has? No way. Yeah, I could play like Wooten, I just don't really feel like it right now ;-)
I remember listening to this on the radio (it was at Woodstock '94) and going berserk in my room!
This said, "and Primus" is the operative phrase here. Claypool rearranges the bass/guitar part into a slap bass part, and is accompanied by his guitarist. No vocal melody. AND intro only, no other parts.
Who was lazier here, one may wonder?
Also and already pointed out above: there's something to be said in putting forth one's own interpretation, different from both the original and a (not sure how well-) known rendition. I feel confident Davie would've gotten just as much flak, had he played Les's version notatim.
But hey, it's all good. To quote myself,
So, yeah.
My point is the dude didn't even play all the notes in the signature line for his big solo performance. Even other bass players managed to pull that off.
Davie is great at the millennial shaky-cam YouTube influencer schtick. I'm sure he makes a lot of money doing it. That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve critique when he puts his playing out there into the public sphere and doesn't even bother to properly learn the song.
Um, properly schmoperly? He played all the notes he needed, including some that reproduce the vocal line, which other bass players didn't manage to pull off, and he did so for the chorus part as well, which the others didn't bother to.
By all means feel free to critique - who said you can't? Not me - but be open to others critiquing your critique. To quote a famous quote, I can do this all day.
I watched the linked video and about half a dozen others posted by TwoSet Violin of what looks like the same event and they all bored me sensless. It was a seemingly random selection of riffs, orchestral themes and exceprts, silly hats and tempo battles. Consequently, the music had no context and no coherence, and the whole event seemed to have no purpose other than to show off some chops. I don't think a single thing was played in full. Imagine turning up to play your favourite venue then rolling out a collection of intros, choruses and hooks? Would you expect to get paid or would you be happy to get away without a good lynching?
If I want musical virtuosity I will pick a top-class symphony orchestra. If I want musical comedy I will pick Frank Zappa, Bill Bailey, Igudesman and Joo or The Horne Section. If I want a lesson in bass guitar humility then Charles Berthould is the man. This was none of those things, IMHO, although the audience (canned?) seemed to like it.
YMMV
If I want musical virtuosity I will pick a top-class symphony orchestra. If I want musical comedy I will pick Frank Zappa, Bill Bailey, Igudesman and Joo or The Horne Section. If I want a lesson in bass guitar humility then Charles Berthould is the man. This was none of those things, IMHO, although the audience (canned?) seemed to like it.
YMMV
This thread is comical. Armchair bassists blasting a guy who is making millions making silly videos in his bedroom. Who's got it wrong here?
Some, perhaps, but not all by any means. If that truly was his first appearance in front of a live audience then I would say a good majority of the contributors here, myself included, have many thousands times more experience than him, and on bigger stages to boot. Good on him for finding a way of making money from social media, but the majority of the content really has little to do with actual music. Perhaps the fact that he is making a fortune speaks more to the musical sensibilities of his followers, which might be seen as questionable if they think that is what music in general and bass in particular is about.
Um, properly schmoperly? He played all the notes he needed, including some that reproduce the vocal line, which other bass players didn't manage to pull off, and he did so for the chorus part as well, which the others didn't bother to.
By all means feel free to critique - who said you can't? Not me - but be open to others critiquing your critique. To quote a famous quote, I can do this all day.
He botched the signature lick in the song. He droned E while the actual song pedals E-F underneath. That's just lazy. If you can't play the song, don't put yourself in the spotlight and make it your signature tune.
I suppose you'd be impressed if he noodled over Stairway to Heaven without following the changes, too?
Ah, so only those who make money from their music are valid musicians?
Good to know that Miley Cyrus is a more valid and important musician than Wayne Shorter ever was. I can't wait to hear your dissertation on the cultural impact of her catalog.
Also, the entire POINT of social media influencers like Davie is to get people to react to their content. This is exactly what his content is designed to do: to generate engagement. BTW, most of these "armchair bassists" have more real-world experience playing the bass than Davie ever will. Let me know how things go when he shows up at a local blues jam and tries to SLAPP his way through Pride and Joy.
