Taylor Livingston
Commercial User
Just to be clear, it's okay with me if you like Justin Timberlake. But if you intended the fact that he has the number one single to be irrefutable evidence that he's a great musician, I don't agree.
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DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN.
- Thread starter 343 Salty Beans
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I take it as written that everyone visiting this forum shares my feelings about Mr. Timberlake and it's that common sentiment that makes this such a great place to visit!!!
I can see you're concerned, so just to put you at ease and set you straight; I hate just about every artist in the top 100 this week... and probably next week... and probably the week after that and so on ad infinitum.
What I was expressing was that popular music (and for that matter "good" music) does not always stem directly from awesome technical ability.
I don't think that playing lacked for heart and soul at all. It struck me as a great example of technical proficiency and an obvious love for the music.
What it wasn't, IMHO of course, was an example of groove-oriented playing. The solo approach to bass playing just comes from a completely different place than the more group-oriented style that is more common. They are two almost completely different, unrelated approaches to the same instrument, in my view. This doesn't make either of them better or worse, they're just different.
It's really no different from the piano or guitar. I've heard many examples of those instruments being used in very integrated rhythmic roles, and obviously also examples of very obvious frontal lead roles.
Playing bass in a technical, lead instrument way doesn't automatically rule out heart and soul, and playing in the pocket doesn't automatically bestow heart and soul. Individual players are either playing with it or without it at various times.
In addition to all of that, individual listeners will interpret things in vastly different ways.
IMHO, YMMV, all rights reserved, etc.
Ain't art fun?
Well said bro.
The kids got skills, and the video is entitled "tribute to Victor Wooten". I think he's trying to reflect on how Victor has inspired his playing. I would be willing to bet that he can hold it down when needed. As far as his tone... it appears as though he's playing in an apartment (could be wrong), and you really have to watch your volume in an apt. especially at night. Anyhow... I was impressed by this kid and bet we see more of him.... who knows?
bongomania
Commercial User
I liked sexy before I loaned it to him. Now that he's used it and gotten it all gross, I'm not sure I want him to bring it back.
It wan't meant as a cheap shot, and I really didn't have anyone specific in mind when I wrote it. It is rather the only explanation I can think of for the phenomenon I see almost every single time there is a player who shows some technical prowress--people want to detract from him and inevitably they reach for the only stick they can find--the purely abstract charge (well that's convenient!) of lack of soul or heart without any supporting argument. I hear nothing in his playing that renders him an inferior musician. Whether he is a great musician can't be determined by a few youtube videos. I qualified my comment with "I can't help but think..." meaning I can't prove it, and I can't say that any particular person is guilty of it. But the fact that this charge comes out all the time is a strong indication that at least some are guilty of it. And there is also my own experience. I've had jealous feelings of another's excellent playing. But I ask myself why and what it means and conclude that rather than open my mouth and spew sour grapes and bust his chops to others, that maybe I should just acknowledge his talent and use it as inspiration to challenge me to do better.
Scott
I don't particularly keep-up with the top-40 scene, but I happened-by Saturday Night Live... was it just-this-last?.. and caught some killer music. So good that I would call ANY even-close-to-rock or pop musician's opinion suspect, who'd slam THAT...
I'm pretty sure that it was Mr. Timberlake that I saw. It was all-live, and performed perfectly, with great groove; great musicianship all-around.
I was inspired. I switched-off the TV right after the song, and started practicing - this time to the metronome, which I'd been lazy about lately.
That band and singer were masterful - and did it LIVE.
Joe
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