From Bill Bruord’s album Gradually Going Tornado. Jeff sounds pretty good to me...
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Jeff Berlin, vocalist!!??
- Thread starter brianrost
- Start date
Heavily doubled/flanged/processed…probably for a reason. Who exactly thought that this all was a good idea?
Jeff would probably benefit from singing with a metronome.
And listening to more jazz!
And listening to more jazz!
Sadly, I have to agree with this. While I enjoy the song a lot, it could do without Jeff's vocals.
I saw a video of him playing with Paul Gilbert and singing lead. He sounded pretty good.
Edit: I think it was this video, or another from the same show.
Edit: I think it was this video, or another from the same show.
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That album was pretty polarizing to all of us Bruford fans when it first came out, specifically because of Berlin singing.
I’m actually impressed that he can sing as well as he does… But it definitely seems to be a different caliber of musical performance compared to the instrumental prowess on display in that record. More of the truck driver/longshoreman school of vocalizing, versus the virtuoso school.
Sometimes I try to imagine what those recordings would sound like with someone else singing them… Like, maybe Peter Gabriel or Daryl Hall or Sinéad O’Connor. How cool would that be?
I’m actually impressed that he can sing as well as he does… But it definitely seems to be a different caliber of musical performance compared to the instrumental prowess on display in that record. More of the truck driver/longshoreman school of vocalizing, versus the virtuoso school.
Sometimes I try to imagine what those recordings would sound like with someone else singing them… Like, maybe Peter Gabriel or Daryl Hall or Sinéad O’Connor. How cool would that be?
Stanley Clarke's singing isn't much better. I remember when Return To Forever changed direction after Romantic Warrior, some guitar playing fans were not happy.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
I just ditched that album, retaining only the instrument tracks on mp3. I couldn't stand the sound of his voice. I guess he's in tune, but it's not a sound I enjoy listening to.
But the bass playing is of course really good.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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That song absolutely does not need singing on it. That being said, Jeff does a fine job with it, even if is barely listenable
+1. And ever hear Alphonso Johnson's singing?
Man, what was it about the 70s that prompted so many virtuoso bassists to think "I'll try warbling now!" ?
To be fair -- some folks in some drum forums has much as Bill Bruford hate as we do Jeff Berlin. Alan gets a pass.
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That’s not Allen [EDIT: oops, I mean Allan] Holdsworth on the gradually going tornado album; it’s John Clark playing guitar
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I am saying that in general. and later in life, These 3 played a lot together. I did not listen to that album much. I like all of them as well,
Guess you're not one of Annette’s fans
She’s the ex-wife of the late jazz bassist Gary Peacock and was in a realtionship with jazz pianist Paul Bley for a few years. She’s composed a number of tunes that Bley and others have performed or recorded. Her vocals are definitely an acquired taste.
This one has her voice being run through a synthesizer.
Paul and Gary performing some of Annette’s compositions, no singing here.
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Drummer Tony Williams singing on this album…John McLaughlin on guitar, Jack Bruce on bass.
Jeff's singing here reminds me of how much he admired Jack Bruce.
Not in terms of the sound, but the overall presentation of a skilled, clear voiced singing bassist.
Also a nod to John Wetton in that regard.
To me, Jeff's vocal sound and style is a product of its time period. There are similarities to Paul Williams from Allan Holdsworth's IOU band, which was recording and touring then.
Not in terms of the sound, but the overall presentation of a skilled, clear voiced singing bassist.
Also a nod to John Wetton in that regard.
To me, Jeff's vocal sound and style is a product of its time period. There are similarities to Paul Williams from Allan Holdsworth's IOU band, which was recording and touring then.
