• 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.

Jack Casady - underrated!!!!!

#21
Jack was my number one influence followed a very close second by that other Jack... Bruce. Both the Godfathers of strong, supportive, melodic jamming bass. the thing about Casady is that h always supports the groove, but with such monster lines.
Click to expand...
+1

Jack has always been one of my biggest influences. I first saw him in '72 with Tuna. At that point, he just blew me away with the fluidity of his lines (and the fact he was playing with all five fingers on his right hand!!). Saw him a few times in between, but most recently with Jorma a couple of Thanksgivings back at the Beacon in NYC. I took my (then) 16 year old guitarist son to the show. He learned a few things he'd never even thought about. But Jack's style was still fluid and his touch is even more subtle. What complete command and understatement. I hadn't thought a lot about Jack for some time, and I concluded he is probably my biggest influence (well, neck and neck with Jamerson and McCartney). I love hearing people get turned on to Jack - you don't have to like the music to enjoy the bass. :p
 
#23
Jack rocks. HARD.
My ears *still* hurt from seeing Hot Tuna in the '70s
At an ice skating rink...

Jorma Kaukonen - now there's a guitarist who doesn't get the respect he deserves...
 
#24
kesslari said:
Jack rocks. HARD.
My ears *still* hurt from seeing Hot Tuna in the '70s
At an ice skating rink...

Jorma Kaukonen - now there's a guitarist who doesn't get the respect he deserves...
Click to expand...

A few months ago Jack and Jorma played at the Cactus Cafe (a tiny venue) here in Austin. I was the first one in through the door and I sat - quite literally - at Jack's feet. At the end of the show I stood up and shook his hand and told him that he is my hero.
 
#28
One more.

I am almost positive this pic is from the afternoon appearance
of the Jefferson Airplane at Altamonte.

Yes, that Altamonte concert. The one where a Hell's Angel knocked Marty Balin unconscious and off the satge during the set. The one where an alleged murder was committed during the Stones evening set.

It is clearly visible in the film footage that Jack was playing
with a broken A string. That string appears missing here as
well on his heavily modded Guild Starfire. Actually, if you look
closely, you can see the string hanging slightly to the left of the
upper right tuning peg.

The great thing, listening to the music on the film, is that
Jack doesn't miss a beat. He is every bit as good on a
three string as a 4 string.

That concert lent new meaning to the phrase 'tough crowd'.
 
#29
I also saw Jack in 71 or 72 with Hot Tuna,at the Auditorium theatre in Chicago.I was already a huge fan but live I was blown away.His tone and playing was the most powerful I had ever heard and felt then or now and I'm not talking volume.His runs were smooth but with dive bomb notes exploding at times.With Jack he was the song and Jorma and Papa John Creach were supporting him and the drummer,not the other way around like usual.If you want to hear a very cool bass solo dig up Jefferson Airplane song Sunrise.It's just Jack and Grace Slick and Jack does all the backgound with with his bass with conrolled feedback and sustain and will give you an idea how powerful his playing and tone were at the time I saw him.He is all about note selection, feel and timing but I never realized a bass could sound like nukes going off and still be musical and make me grin through the whole show.Awesome.
 
#30
i saw jack do a sales/clinic thing in Houston at a Mars Music in the late 90s. He was there advertising his band hot tuna and his new (at that time) epiphone bass and he using eden gear. he played along with some backing tracks on a dat (i think) and signed some glossys (8x10s).

nice guy. pro all the way.

mm
 
#31
Sunrise is a great song. It can be found on 'Blows Against the
Empire', technically the Slick/Kantner compilation under the
flag of 'Jefferson Starship'. And a whole inner sleeve full of
guest artists too numerous to mention.

http://www.amazon.com/Against-Empire-Kantner-Jefferson-Starship/dp/B000002X2B

'Have you seen the stars tonight?' is another great example of
Jack's mastery of tone and feedback from the same
recording , along with strong bass lines. The vocal support
from David Crosby is memorable as well.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#33
I saw JA at Wall Stadium on a hot and humid mid-August day in '71. I wound up standing in line for one of the food vendors behind this long-haired hippie dude, colorfully dressed with rose colored glasses and a sash tied around his head. I thought he looked very Haight-Ashbury. I remember he was a fair bit shorter than I and a just a little bit thinner.

No biggie, we went our separate ways. I to my friends in the stands, and he to the stage to play bass.
 
#36
Thor said:
Not at all man! Just a friendly suggestion from your fellow
JC lover! :)

Welcome to TB btw!

Here's a great pic for your collection!
(Jack rates his own folder on my computer ;) )
Click to expand...

thanks man.

also, that photo definitely is from altamont. great show. the video pisses me off so bad, because they interrupt the other side of this life(which is sounding really good up until the interruption)
 
#37
another thing to recommend to all of you Jack fans is the newly released "Sweeping Up The Spotlight" Live at the Fillmore 1969 cd. In the ballad of you and me and pooneil Jack does the most amazing bass solo. Gives me chills everytime i hear it!
 
#38
Blues Bass 2 said:
I also saw Jack in 71 or 72 with Hot Tuna,at the Auditorium theatre in Chicago.Awesome.
Click to expand...

Hey, I was at that show! Burgers was just released and I was 15. WooHoo! My style is a result of many things, but Jack looms large.

A few years ago I went to Jorma's place and took Jack's Master Class. The topic- soloing. My final? Playing Mann's Fate with Jack and Jorma and taking the solo.:cool:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back