I had no idea that NHOP ever played electric.
He had extra-human ability on the DB and I can't imagine what he'd do on an electric.
You're quite lucky to have seen him play. I wish I had that chance.
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Interviewing Bassists Stories Pt. 3
- Thread starter Arthritic_Tom
- Start date
I had no idea that NHOP ever played electric.
He had extra-human ability on the DB and I can't imagine what he'd do on an electric.
You're quite lucky to have seen him play. I wish I had that chance.
He used a sunburst Sting Ray, and he slapped the heck out of it. I've spent years looking for footage of him playing electric, but to no avail. It was Brothers Johnson-type funk, if you can believe it.I had no idea that NHOP ever played electric.
He had extra-human ability on the DB and I can't imagine what he'd do on an electric.
You're quite lucky to have seen him play. I wish I had that chance.
I'm sure it's in the vaults of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). When I lived in Norway, there was only that one channel. I saw NHØP play electric on Norwegian TV, and I saw De Press play this song, which amazed me because Andrej Nebb has only the index and pinky fingers of his fret hand.
I'd love to find that tape too, because the tempo was much faster, and he went nuts, playing about three times the notes as on the studio version of the song. My brother Pat and I were going, "Does that guy have only two fingers on his fret hand?! How the @#$% is he playing so many notes?"
It had a huge effect on me in terms of encouraging me to keep on practicing.
okcrum
in your chest
If you distill Tom's stories down to their essence, they describe every music scene on the planet.
Interesting that you would say that.
I've been asked by Bass Musician Magazine to conduct my first interview since about 2001. I chose--as you would imagine--Scott Thunes.
Scott has answered most of the questions, but I demanded that he tell a story about his career. Once he does that, the interview will be complete.
The interview is a doozy, one of the best I've ever done. Scott's answers are spectacular.
Still got my chops, after all these years.
It's funny: I never wanted to be an author. Writing is really, really hard for me. I prefer talking to people. I only started writing books after I failed in music journalism.
But now, if I had to choose between writing books and interviewing, I couldn't make the choice. Maybe I can do both. Who knows?
At any rate, as soon as I know when the Thunes interview will be published, I'll make sure to let everyone know.
Having done neither successfully - at least to the extent that I ever got paid for either - I can't say. But I don't feel they need be mutually exclusive...
Seems to me a part of writers' research is talking to people. If you write down what you asked, and what they answered, it's an interview. If you incorporate what you learned into a story line, it's "writing" - whether it's fiction or not.
I reference something I mentioned in my Amazon review of _Ghosts_ which is that I'm not completely buying that you 'failed' at music journalism. Certainly your published interviews were successful. The fact that the industry changed out from under you doesn't diminish your accomplishments, and IMO it;s less than you failed than the industry failed you. It happens... (And I agree if you're you - it's a distinction without a difference...)
Since I took up the bass not that long ago and have started paying attention to the trade press, I have read what passes for 'interview' and - not that impressed. And I don't think it's just nostalgia for the 'good old days.'
As Sly Stone observed 40 (!) years ago - "You must dig that it is not a movement in the first place, it is a feeling, and if it was good then, it's still good."
So of course you've still got it. Where would it go? Your perspective and insight were out of fashion for a while, but this does not diminish its value, just its marketability.
I'm glad that the cycle has again returned to a place where your insights are valued. This is the way with art. If you can remain true to your vision, the value will again be evident.
If you chase 'the popular' - well - that's a game of diminishing returns, isn't it?
It's shorthand.
Also, I made the conscious decision to make fun of myself as much as possible, in order to lighten the impact of describing what hasn't been a very fun life. The novel and dream diary that will soon complete the Ghosts trilogy delve into even darker territory, so the humor has been made even more self-deprecating.
People have sent me a few reviews, and I've glanced at them. The reviewers uniformly appreciate the lack of self-pity. Since I don't feel self-pity, it was easy to not write in a self-pitying manner.
But I feel it's important to not pull any punches. That doesn't mean puking out my guts; in the Thunes interview I'm in the process of completing, he walks the same tightrope of being open without falling into the trap of "too much information."
And he does it brilliantly.
Don't forget: This is all an art project. My main goal is to entertain, and I can't do that if I demand that you feel sorry for me. I don't feel sorry for me, so you shouldn't either.
okcrum
in your chest
Well, if you boil it down to personas and emotions, you've got a model of every scene there is, or at least every scene I've seen. You convey those two so well it makes the appeal of your writing (and you) very broad.
It's probably why Thunes both likes you, and dubbed you muffin cucumber.
The best name I've ever been given.
He outdoes himself in the Bass Musician Magazine interview. We closed a lot of books, to our relief.
What I appreciate most about Thunes is his kindness. He's a very kind man, when he isn't being absolutely impossible.
okcrum
in your chest
I play with a guy like that in an originals duo. He claims I'm just like him. Go figure. It's a fun show.
Thanks for the memories, Tom. It'll be great to see the new interview.
You're welcome.
Though it's strange interviewing someone who's become a friend, it also lets you ask things you wouldn't otherwise.
The lack of agendas is liberating.
Dang it! I was thinking the exact same thing over the weekend and just logged in to post this thought.
You beat me to it. Not only that, you also described this idea much better than I could.
I guess I'm a failed TB poster.
Hi Tom! i just finished 'Ghosts and Ballyhoo', to which I was introduced after stumbling upon this thread in its early days. I read back through what I had missed in a few days and checked in often since, but unfortunately recently I haven't had the time to keep up as I like to savour the links and not just pass them by and forget about them.
A few of the things I took from the thread and book were an appreciation for Scott Thunes and Stephen Jay. I thought of you when I stumbled upon a song that Higgs sang with Jay, which was an unexpected and pleasant find as I've always been inspired by Higgs and his endurance in a world where not only your very life was in danger of being randomly ended in an instant, but where your life's work and efforts were rarely rewarded either financially or with the credit due.
Here is a clip of Higgs singing and accompanying himself on guitar from the truly wonderful documentary 'Beats of the Heart', one of the few ever made about Reggae that was not riddled with errors and complacent history telling and the same few anecdotes told and retold. It is also one of the few that understood and explored the relationship of the music to the culture in way that was not simplistic or condescending, and in the words of the artists themselves.
Hope you enjoyed this and take some strength from the message and inspiration from the man.
I ordered 'In Cold Sweat' at the same time and it will be my next read.
A few of the things I took from the thread and book were an appreciation for Scott Thunes and Stephen Jay. I thought of you when I stumbled upon a song that Higgs sang with Jay, which was an unexpected and pleasant find as I've always been inspired by Higgs and his endurance in a world where not only your very life was in danger of being randomly ended in an instant, but where your life's work and efforts were rarely rewarded either financially or with the credit due.
Here is a clip of Higgs singing and accompanying himself on guitar from the truly wonderful documentary 'Beats of the Heart', one of the few ever made about Reggae that was not riddled with errors and complacent history telling and the same few anecdotes told and retold. It is also one of the few that understood and explored the relationship of the music to the culture in way that was not simplistic or condescending, and in the words of the artists themselves.
Hope you enjoyed this and take some strength from the message and inspiration from the man.
I ordered 'In Cold Sweat' at the same time and it will be my next read.
Thanks very much for your kind words. I hope you enjoy In Cold Sweat.
Having been born in Venezuela, I know the Third World first hand. Though we lived in an oil camp and were solidly middle class, we had daily contact with Venezuelans, most of whom were desperately poor.
My own view is that there's always hope, because most of a nation's problems are due to the culture. Changing a culture is incredibly hard work, because culture has become identity. My own war to free myself from the past is the same struggle on an individual scale. My unique, one-man culture had become my identity.
This theme is explored in a lot more detail in the second and third volumes of the Ghosts trilogy, which should be ready in a couple of months at most.
My Extravagumbo Website is scheduled to go online in mid-August, and I hope to have the second and third volumes of the Ghosts trilogy ready soon after that.
It's very hard to turn your back on the negative aspects of your own culture. To do so seems a betrayal. You generally end up excommunicated.
Most people find it impossible to live their lives isolated from the mainstream. However, to improve, you often have to make that choice. It's not an easy or even fair choice, but sometimes it's the only one you can make.
Living with the consequences of that choice are both unimaginably difficult and hugely rewarding.
Hi Tom, how's tricks? Good I hope
I read today your interview in Bass Musician Magazine and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I expect that you will not have read it yourself, I think both you and the interviewer Rick Suchow came across very well although he didn't give you quite an easy ride of it (to be expected I guess).
How strange though to see one of my favourite interviewers being the interviewee for once. Must have been a strange experience for you! Par for the course though now you have a fresh audience.
I also checked in on your temporary website and saw your heads up to the interview. Is that supposed to be a direct link? I couldn't get it to work unfortunately, just so you know.
Really looking forward to your extravagumbo site going up so I hope things are going ok and you're learning fast.
Also looking forward to whatever Scott Thunes comes out with whilst playing your new Sabre bass
Don't think I've ever actually heard a Sabre before, not consciously anyway, so it'll be a double treat! (Any news on the Thunes and friends Ghosts and Ballyhoo freejazz sessions yet?)
I hope all is going well for you Tom and very much looking forward to vols. 2&3,
All the best!
I read today your interview in Bass Musician Magazine and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I expect that you will not have read it yourself, I think both you and the interviewer Rick Suchow came across very well although he didn't give you quite an easy ride of it (to be expected I guess).
How strange though to see one of my favourite interviewers being the interviewee for once. Must have been a strange experience for you! Par for the course though now you have a fresh audience.
I also checked in on your temporary website and saw your heads up to the interview. Is that supposed to be a direct link? I couldn't get it to work unfortunately, just so you know.
Really looking forward to your extravagumbo site going up so I hope things are going ok and you're learning fast.
Also looking forward to whatever Scott Thunes comes out with whilst playing your new Sabre bass
Don't think I've ever actually heard a Sabre before, not consciously anyway, so it'll be a double treat! (Any news on the Thunes and friends Ghosts and Ballyhoo freejazz sessions yet?)I hope all is going well for you Tom and very much looking forward to vols. 2&3,
All the best!
Thanks for the kind words.Hi Tom, how's tricks? Good I hope
I read today your interview in Bass Musician Magazine and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I expect that you will not have read it yourself, I think both you and the interviewer Rick Suchow came across very well although he didn't give you quite an easy ride of it (to be expected I guess).
How strange though to see one of my favourite interviewers being the interviewee for once. Must have been a strange experience for you! Par for the course though now you have a fresh audience.
I also checked in on your temporary website and saw your heads up to the interview. Is that supposed to be a direct link? I couldn't get it to work unfortunately, just so you know.
Really looking forward to your extravagumbo site going up so I hope things are going ok and you're learning fast.
Also looking forward to whatever Scott Thunes comes out with whilst playing your new Sabre bass
I hope all is going well for you Tom and very much looking forward to vols. 2&3,
All the best!
The link to Bass Musician Magazine article worked for me. I don't know what's up there.
My brother Tim and I are going to do a totally depraved video trailer for the book. Scott already provided me the music on my Sabre. Sounds like a Ricky to me!
The Exatravagumbo Website has hit a major snag, in that the designers promised to follow my specific instructions and then went ahead and did what they wanted. I'm told this is endemic in the industry. I already put one designer out of business for doing that to me.
Tomorrow will be pivotal. What they agree to do will determine my next course of action.
Volumes Two and Three of the Ghosts Trilogy are finished and in the process of being turned into actual books.
If you liked the memoir, you'll like the other two books. Tim designed both covers.
Attachments
Apologies Tom, my bad. Turns out my telephone is actually a better computer than my computer and your link works fine on there.
Yes, like hair dressers.
Well here's hoping these people quit pissing you about and come through for you today by just doing the job you asked for.
Tim's covers look awesome again by the way.
Yes, like hair dressers.
Well here's hoping these people quit pissing you about and come through for you today by just doing the job you asked for.
Tim's covers look awesome again by the way.
Commreman
Faith, Family, Fitness, and Frets
I haven't been able to follow this entire thread, but I am about halfway finished with Ghosts and Ballyhoo. It is a really tremendous read, and I am enjoying it immensely. Your brutal honesty in the book is refreshing. I hope you sell about a zillion copies of this!
Went to the placeholder site and read most of what was there. Great stuff.
Followed the link to the Bass Musician Magazine interview and read that.
Wow.
Looking forward to everything coming.
Will the next two books and the CD be available for pre-order at Amazon, or are you still doing the self-publish print-on-demand thing?
Whichever - the moment they're available, I'll send in my money. Can't wait...
Followed the link to the Bass Musician Magazine interview and read that.
Wow.
Looking forward to everything coming.
Will the next two books and the CD be available for pre-order at Amazon, or are you still doing the self-publish print-on-demand thing?
Whichever - the moment they're available, I'll send in my money. Can't wait...
The CD is going to be sold entirely by Steven Menasche. I hired him to record the album on the condition that I have no input, because I wanted pure improvisation. He and his bandmates will get all the proceeds, so as soon as he figures out how he's going to sell it, I'll post it on the Website and put a link.
The two companion volumes to Ghosts will be sold as publish-in-demand paperbacks and e-books. I'm not sure how Createspace handles it, but its owned by Amazon. You have to go through all these bizarre automated steps, with a "dashboard" and robots.
I have total creative freedom, though, and I don't have Marketing Directors lying to me and then getting fired. So there's that.
