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F Bass + Steve Swallow = Beautiful!
- Thread starter Lorenzini
- Start date
Not really digging the fact that he picks but sounded beautiful. Doesnt look like a F Bass ive ever seen.
Why don't you like that he picks?
Does he get a bad sound to you or something?
Does it take away from the music?
Beautiful! I have seen him twice somewhat recently. First, with Scofield and Bill Stewart, and then with Gary Burton and Metheny and Antonia Sanchez.
He really does have a unique approach and voice on the instrument. He has a kind of 'guitar meets double bass' sort of vibe.
His tone was much thicker when I heard him. He was playing some sort of Villette or Citroen bass (I can't remember which of those guys made it). It was quite similar in tone to the Drozd model that Carles Benavente plays... very organic and thick sounding. There's another bass player I had the honor of seeing somewhat recently with Chick Corea. Holy Moly, was that something!
He really does have a unique approach and voice on the instrument. He has a kind of 'guitar meets double bass' sort of vibe.
His tone was much thicker when I heard him. He was playing some sort of Villette or Citroen bass (I can't remember which of those guys made it). It was quite similar in tone to the Drozd model that Carles Benavente plays... very organic and thick sounding. There's another bass player I had the honor of seeing somewhat recently with Chick Corea. Holy Moly, was that something!
Yeah man. First of all, both Swallow and Benavent are beautiful, passionate players.
Steve plays Citroen basses. Cool pieces, those. But I'll agree that it sounds very similar to the Drozd that Carlos plays.
Steve Swallow's one of those guys who I've always wanted to love
...but I just can't.
I admire the sh!t out of him: He's got an incredibly sophisticated ear, a bottomless knowledge of advanced jazz theory, a knack for piquant harmonies and clever yet subtle melodies, he's written some music that's ensconced in the jazz canon, and he's played with a vertible Who's Who of modern jazz.
But I can't stand the sound he gets out of his basses (any of 'em: I've heard him on a Gibson EB-2D, that F Bass, a Ken Parker, and the Citroen, and regardless of what instrument it always sounds tubby and lumbering to me), and I find the albums he records under his own name to be surprisingly lightweight and stylistically unimaginitive.
Anyway, that's my problem.
...but I just can't.
I admire the sh!t out of him: He's got an incredibly sophisticated ear, a bottomless knowledge of advanced jazz theory, a knack for piquant harmonies and clever yet subtle melodies, he's written some music that's ensconced in the jazz canon, and he's played with a vertible Who's Who of modern jazz.
But I can't stand the sound he gets out of his basses (any of 'em: I've heard him on a Gibson EB-2D, that F Bass, a Ken Parker, and the Citroen, and regardless of what instrument it always sounds tubby and lumbering to me), and I find the albums he records under his own name to be surprisingly lightweight and stylistically unimaginitive.
Anyway, that's my problem.
Why would you "not dig" the fact that he uses a pick if you admit it sounds beautiful? That's stupid.
Yeah I checked this out right after the other one.
Wow, beautiful. I love the baroque'isms he puts in there.
Steve Swallow is without a doubt the most under rated and unappreciated bass player in the world. He is amazing!
ibanezcollector
Yoyo's Hurt When You Crank It Into Your Face
I am going to agree with JazzyJames it just seems like it could sound so much earthier for a better word with out the pick..
I will get nailed for this but I didnt think it was anything special to begin with.. My opinion of course..
Steve Swallow is a beautiful person and a beautiful musician. I don't get the whole 'anti-pick' attitude--the man's music has conviction and it moves me. I don't care what anyone says of his tone, what he is saying on his instrument is alot more important.
Yeah, I'll be honest with ya, I wasn't that impressed. It probably struck a chord with you, but sounds like me messing around in my bedroom to a drum machine; not that big a deal. Besides, it sounded like his bends were not on target; off pitch.
