Gary Willis WOW and Appreciation

[henry2513]

Here's a gem I found on youtube of a very recent performance.

DAMN is all I can say, he keeps evolving and getting better every year. Best contemporary bassist IMO.

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Monster Chops
Groove
Phrasing

On top of it all he's a class act. Always takes the time to answer e-mails and offer advice.

 

[MikeBass]

Gary Willis is amazing......

 

[gumtown]

I have always liked this video with Gary using the Roland GR-55 synth (because i have one)
Willis plays the GR-55 - YouTube

 

[henry2513]

I have always liked this video with Gary using the Roland GR-55 synth (because i have one)
Willis plays the GR-55 - YouTube

Sweet, someday I'd like to pick one of those up. I need to buy a new amp before I do that though

 

[chanson]

Can anyone recommend some essential Gary Willis recordings/albums to dig into?

 

[Spaldo]

Gary Willis is amazing......

Gary Willis is the bass player who makes all the best bass players say 'friggin' awesome bass player' after saying the words 'Gary Willis'....

Silly way of putting it, but there you go.

 

[JimK]

Can anyone recommend some essential Gary Willis recordings/albums to dig into?

Any/all of the Tribal Tech albums...some of the earliest are OOP (Dr. Hee, IMO, kills!).
A new Tribal Tech album called X, comes out in March 2012.


Willis' 2 solo albums are great-
No Sweat
Amazon.com: No Sweat: Gary Willis: Music
Used copy is reasonable...
Bent
Amazon.com: gary willis bent: Music
Wow...stick with the Used version, I guess.


Slaughterhouse 3 is a trio version of bass-drums-sax...
Amazon.com: Slaughterhouse 3: Gary Willis, Llibert Fortuny, Kirk Covington: Music

Actual Fiction is also worthy-
Amazon.com: Actual Fiction: Gary Willis: Music

 

[cnltb]

Can anyone recommend some essential Gary Willis recordings/albums to dig into?

Tribal tech-face first,thick...and the other TT albums...
GW-bent, no sweat
Triphasic-Shaman

slaughterhouse 3 is fun too.

 

[slapagroov]

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere, but just in case it hasn't:

Gary Willis Trio at Jamboree "Change Agent" - YouTube

Looking forward to this album. I've been listening to him since I was a kid, and he still slays me! Saw him with Tribal Tech back in 98 or so in West Palm Beach, FL. My jaw was on the floor all night. Tightest band I've ever heard!
I didn't know about the new CD. Any more info?

 

[chanson]

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere, but just in case it hasn't:

Gary Willis Trio at Jamboree "Change Agent" - YouTube

Looking forward to this album. I've been listening to him since I was a kid, and he still slays me! Saw him with Tribal Tech back in 98 or so in West Palm Beach, FL. My jaw was on the floor all night. Tightest band I've ever heard!
I didn't know about the new CD. Any more info?

Wow...can't wait to hear that whole album. That track is insanely killin'.

 

[cat_saltnpepper]

New tribal tech CD was released recently, you should be able to download from iTunes and such. no immediate plan for the tour, and another recordings though.

in terms of getting familiar with Gary, you should check his webpage/homepage. he actually answers most of the questions personally and of course, there's the discography for those who wants the CDs and etc.

 

[jerry]

He kills on the new Tribal Tech, I love his playing!

 

[Isaac_Bear]

Yeah dude! Garry is the man...do you like Mathew Garrison too?
I love the picking technique so much!

 

[chanson]

Gary's right hand technique is really wild. I hope to study it more in the future.

 

[slapagroov]

Wow...can't wait to hear that whole album. That track is insanely killin'.

For real.

in terms of getting familiar with Gary, you should check his webpage/homepage. he actually answers most of the questions personally and of course, there's the discography for those who wants the CDs and etc.

Yeah, I love his website. I wasn't on it when X came out, so I totally didn't realize it was out. Going to buy now!!!

Yeah dude! Garry is the man...do you like Mathew Garrison too?
I love the picking technique so much!

Yeah, Garrison is great. I got his first disc when he first released it. Willis just really floors me though. Something about his playing just hits home with me.

 

[henry2513]

Gary's right hand technique is really wild. I hope to study it more in the future.

I integrated it into my playing, took about 6 months to really, really become proficient with it, anytime you're ready PM me about it.

 

[slapagroov]

I didn't have the patience to stick with it. I tried, but 15 years of steady practice, including a BA in music Ed of practicing one way is really hard to alter. However, I did take a lot of his other ideas. His video was really great. He talks about left and right hand position. Every bassist could benefit from that advise.

 

[cnltb]

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere, but just in case it hasn't:

Gary Willis Trio at Jamboree "Change Agent" - YouTube

Looking forward to this album. I've been listening to him since I was a kid, and he still slays me! Saw him with Tribal Tech back in 98 or so in West Palm Beach, FL. My jaw was on the floor all night. Tightest band I've ever heard!
I didn't know about the new CD. Any more info?

Exciting, that!
Got any more news on this?
Is it coming out under willis' name?

 

[slapagroov]

^ On his Website it looks to be called "Gary Willis Retro." I don't know if that's the name of the album, or the band. It seems to be referred to as the Gary Willis Trio as well. Either way, looking forward to it!

Since we're talking up Mr. Willis, does anyone have a favorite solo, tune, whatever of his? I'm curious if there is stuff I haven't heard. Mine is, by far, the solo from "Hole in the Head" on Tribal Tech's Reality Check album. It's one of my favorite bass solos period.

 

[pbass888]

Todd Johnson (who is here on the site under the 'experts' section). was a student of Gary's and is also a pioneer on the six string bass. He has taught me a lot in the last few years about light touch, melodic soloing and making solos that sound musically. He credits a lot of his success to gary. IF you like Gary, you will love Todd's work and can study with him.
Good luck!