• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Interviewing Bassists Stories Pt. 3

#361
MouseRat said:
I say jump directly to your 'A' material...and projectile vomit on people. This translates through all media.
Click to expand...
Here's my opening gambit:

"Hi, Biff and Paula and the Gang! Thanks for having me on! At the outset I just want to tell you that this stupid disease of mine gives me something called brain fog, that might hang me up on a word, so if I hesitate, just jump in and finish my sentence for me. I won't get mad. Put words in my mouth!"

"So what's it like, Thomas, having Meniere's disease?"

"It's like being stoned, except you get to projectile vomit, too! It's sort of the opposite of medicinal marijuana. Instead of smoking pot to control the nausea, I have nausea that makes me stoned!"

(Insert wacky Morning Zoo sound effects.)

God almighty. What have I gotten myself into?
 
#362
Vince Klortho said:
Tom : you might want to start a separate thread for reviews of your book. This way they will all be in one place and that will make them much easier for you to avoid.

Best of luck with this.
Click to expand...
I think that would be presumptuous of me. This is my silly issue, not yours. I want to keep this as convenient for everyone as possible. Plus, nobody's ever done this before.

Think about it: You guys convinced me to write a book; I landed a book deal; the book got published; I've been taken on by a gigantic publicity firm so I might actually become a successful author; and you get to review the book here. How many authors invite reviews of their work and promise to not dispute them?

I think you should go ahead and post your reviews here. It'll make this thread even more epic, especially if people hate the book.
 
#364
MouseRat said:
Order in the next 20 hours to get it by Friday, Mar 1.
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Didn't take long for the first batch to sell out.
Click to expand...
I think that played a part in the PR firm agreeing to take me on.

Everyone should have the experience once in their life of having a total pro at the top of his or her field review you. It's terrifying and exhilarating.

I always had stage fright when I did my interviews, and I always had stage fright when I played bass, even when I recorded alone in my house. Apparently it makes me a better performer.

What I'll be doing once the publicity campaign begins is performing. So if you hear me on the radio, just remember: That's Thomas Wictor. The guy writing this is Tom Wictor.

We're two different people.
 
#367
My Web site designer is a left-handed bassist who played in Japan.

She and I seem to be on exactly the same page idea-wise, so once again the previous unpleasantness has apparently resulted in an improvement.

Since the PR firm said a standout Web site is the most important asset a new author can have, I'm going for broke here.

Why the heck not? I'm gambling it all, and it's pretty fun.

And Scott Thunes just invited me to another show.
 
#369
Arthritic_Tom said:
My Web site designer is a left-handed bassist who played in Japan.

She and I seem to be on exactly the same page idea-wise, so once again the previous unpleasantness has apparently resulted in an improvement.

Since the PR firm said a standout Web site is the most important asset a new author can have, I'm going for broke here.

Why the heck not? I'm gambling it all, and it's pretty fun.

And Scott Thunes just invited me to another show.
Click to expand...

Very happy for your turn of events Tom! Good luck!
 
#370
Got through the main part of the book. I'm on the "Lessons Learned" section now and depending on time should be finished tonight or tomorrow. I'll post my review Saturday, hopefully. I have my review mostly formed, as I've had an ongoing discussion with myself as I read the book - actually I'm asking Tom questions in my mind - but, depending on how the last two sections play out, it could change a bit.
 
#371
Ok, Tom I'm usually a voracious reader and can get through a book in a day or two. This is a partial review as I'm not through the entire book yet. You may remember from our private email conversations some of the things in my life parallel yours. Also that I just had major knee surgery 4 days ago. I thought reading this would be a great way to recover. You're hitting the mark on this one buddy. This is at times painful as it hits so close to home. I can only take it in sections. So in that regard I have to say, Bravo, you've done a great job so far. I'll review in it's entirety when finished. Also, page 131 should be required reading for any budding bassist as Scott's explanations are fantastic.
So, even though you're not/may read these, great job my friend. When a reader's nerves get hit like this you've done something right. Lots of life's lessons in this book. You younger players take heed of them please. Kudos to you.
 
#372
KPJ said:
Got through the main part of the book. I'm on the "Lessons Learned" section now and depending on time should be finished tonight or tomorrow. I'll post my review Saturday, hopefully. I have my review mostly formed, as I've had an ongoing discussion with myself as I read the book - actually I'm asking Tom questions in my mind - but, depending on how the last two sections play out, it could change a bit.
Click to expand...
If you have any questions that can help you complete your review, please feel free to PM them to me.

Or, if they're not spoilers, post them here in the thread so everyone can see them.

Either way is fine with me. Just think of what's best for the readers.
 
#373
Arthritic_Tom said:
If you have any questions that can help you complete your review, please feel free to PM them to me.

Or, if they're not spoilers, post them here in the thread so everyone can see them.

Either way is fine with me. Just think of what's best for the readers.
Click to expand...

I am definitely thinking of the readers, which is why I posted pre-emptively. Thank you for the offer of PM, I didn't want to reach out unsolicited, especially since you said you don't want to read the reviews. It's a definitely a positive one, there's one issue I'm struggling with and have to wait until I'm finished with the book to see how you sum up everything.

I could do a quick four word review a la the Chris Cross one you referenced earlier:

Sick guy, good book! :ninja:
 
#374
KPJ said:
I am definitely thinking of the readers, which is why I posted pre-emptively. Thank you for the offer of PM, I didn't want to reach out unsolicited, especially since you said you don't want to read the reviews. It's a definitely a positive one, there's one issue I'm struggling with and have to wait until I'm finished with the book to see how you sum up everything.

I could do a quick four word review a la the Chris Cross one you referenced earlier:

Sick guy, good book! :ninja:
Click to expand...
I'm using that. Sorry. Shouldn't have posted it if you didn't want it used.
 
#378
KPJ said:
I am definitely thinking of the readers, which is why I posted pre-emptively. Thank you for the offer of PM, I didn't want to reach out unsolicited, especially since you said you don't want to read the reviews. It's a definitely a positive one, there's one issue I'm struggling with and have to wait until I'm finished with the book to see how you sum up everything.

I could do a quick four word review a la the Chris Cross one you referenced earlier:

Sick guy, good book! :ninja:
Click to expand...

Based on the recent photos of Tom and my impression of the book at the half-way point, I was thinking about using the following C. Cross review paraphrase for my G&H review:

Thin man, fat voice.

That is, unless Tom's gone crazy with the Ben & Jerry's...

-Y

PS: if you'd like to use it in your promotional campaign, please credit it to the Managing Editor of the Journal of Applied Theoretical Applications Journal. Unless I can come up with an alternate title that is actually funny...
 
#379
Yools said:
Based on the recent photos of Tom and my impression of the book at the half-way point, I was thinking about using the following C. Cross review paraphrase for my G&H review:

Thin man, fat voice.

That is, unless Tom's gone crazy with the Ben & Jerry's...

-Y

PS: if you'd like to use it in your promotional campaign, please credit it to the Managing Editor of the Journal of Applied Theoretical Applications Journal. Unless I can come up with an alternate title that is actually funny...
Click to expand...
Next week I get back on the Meniere's diet and stop drinking coffee again. Tomorrow will be my last coffee day.

I'll tell you a secret: I passed the audition with my PR guy while spinning like a top from drinking coffee and eating a non-Meniere's diet--fresh food that takes so damn long to prepare. So I was able to sound confident, intelligent, and funny while trying not to puke. During Dad's final days, I simply didn't have time to prepare the non-Meniere's food, so I ate takeout and drank coffee to keep my spirits up. I haven't shaved in over a month, either.

Monday I start all over again. Diet, grooming, and no coffee. I'm going to miss the coffee. I might have to go back to methamphetamine.

KIDDING! At least I didn't start smoking again. None of us three ex-chain smokers--Mom, Tim, and me--went back to the butts during that month. Amazing. Didn't even occur to me. What I thought of instead was chocolate and caffeine, both of which are no-no's.

Monday I get back into the groove. Tomorrow, a brownie and my last cup of joe.
 
#380
Wow, I rcv'd the book on 2/21 and i was scheduled to have my knee reconstructed 2/25. It was all I could do to keep from opening it up as i wanted to save it for my recovery. i kinda managed to.
Ok, boys and girls, bassplayers all. This being a bass playing forum, if you're expecting an eye opening tome on Gene Simmons sex life or how so and so really got that tone or what guage strings Sting uses....forget about it. This is something else alltogether. Now I have had a few private correspondeces with the author and was one of those who helped to try and eq his mp3 of his playing. I've found their are quite a few parrallells in our lives (including buying the october 2012 issue after years of not buying the mag) and even though i may have a few years on him, I found myself rereading page after page to really digest what he has written.
This book should also be filed under 'psychiatry' as well as music. Through Tom's journey i was able to see things in my life from a different perspective. If you've read the book, I think you'll have to agree that Tom has finally found something he's looked for for so long...success!
Bravo Tom (even if you're not reading these) you did good. You managed to put into words things a lot of us as humans have trouble with at one time or another. Now as he states, what worked for him may not work for everyone but I have to say after reading some parts, little lights started going on that had been off for a long time. I thank Tom for that.
To surmise: If you're looking to figure out how to really get your bass to cut through the mix, skip it. If you want an open, honest look at a slice of life that may engage you here and there, then dig in.
Dig in deep.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back