I think his playing on Fat Time is brilliant (from The Man With The Horn):
and this one with one of our more popular Belgian singers:
and this one with one of our more popular Belgian singers:
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Marcus Miller
- Thread starter Swamp_Ronin
- Start date
Hiram was an amazing guitarist, and I was a fan of his from his "Late Night with David Letterman" days. During the show I saw, which was at an outdoor ampitheater, on one song Hiram ran up one side, across the back, and back down to the stage, all while playing. (The dude was clearly coked up, sadly.) That band (with Dennis Chambers on drums) was great.
I was lucky enough to see Marcus and his band a few years ago. Absolutely killer musicians one and all, and really just a spellbinding show for me. Afterwards, Marcus stayed and signed autographs and took pictures for over an hour, for every single person who wanted one. I play a MM Fender Jazz, and so I had him sign the battery compartment cover plate for my bass. One of the best nights of my life!
His playing on Star People (Miles Davis) gets no love around here, but that album changed my life. Check it out. I've given up on posting links to it here.
Sometimes fretless just fits so well, sliding like the horn. Drumming is good too. Has an Arabian feel. I've only really heard On the Corner, more like funk. My jazz comprehension and knowledge is pretty low. A great song expertly played. Thanks.
Marcus Miller has a tone that is out of this world. I would love to see him live. It’s funny because I actually dislike slap bass with a passion, but there are a few who can pull it off and make it sound musical.
Finally!
Hello comrade!
Sure, the guitar playing by Stern and Scofield kinda dominates the tracks, but still.
I was in that issue. Mp3 of the Month. Love Marcus. Obviously have a couple copies of that one. LOL!
hi Swamp_Ronin 
That excuse is a s good as any other!
I've been a MM fan ever since the 80s
Check this one:
as a rocker you will certainly like the guitar solo!
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
That excuse is a s good as any other!
I've been a MM fan ever since the 80s
Check this one:
as a rocker you will certainly like the guitar solo!
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
I’ve said this a few times. But I seen Marcus years ago, I absolutely love pretty much everything Marcus has done in his session career but his own music doesn’t so much for me. Neither do any of the big name bass players for that matter.
Anyway, theorising how often do we get to see guys like that so their thing in the flesh I purchased a ticket anyway. The gig was amazing, he really spent the vast majority of it playing bass and letting the young guys shine. You could see exactly how he was first call for so long because his time and command was so good. He really is one of the all time greats and I could listen to him talk all day!
Spoke to a few musicians I knew after the gig, they were still at uni, but they all hated the gig because he barely played any flash! Scary to think people at music school couldn’t identify great musicianship…
Anyway, theorising how often do we get to see guys like that so their thing in the flesh I purchased a ticket anyway. The gig was amazing, he really spent the vast majority of it playing bass and letting the young guys shine. You could see exactly how he was first call for so long because his time and command was so good. He really is one of the all time greats and I could listen to him talk all day!
Spoke to a few musicians I knew after the gig, they were still at uni, but they all hated the gig because he barely played any flash! Scary to think people at music school couldn’t identify great musicianship…
Saw him a few months ago at the Pittsburgh Jazz festival - along with Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, and Gregory Porter. Some great bassists at that show!
Marcus is one of the few bass players to whom the term “Genius” applies. His graciousness pretty much completes the legacy. A bass and human treasure.
Thanks for posting all these deep cuts everyone! Marcus has made so many tunes, I haven't even heard half of them.
a few observations about the show:
1) 85% of the time, Marcus was playing his palm mute style (like in 3 deuces) and laying down the pocket, making the other guys in the band look like millionaires. Stone cold funky stuff, the entire club was grooving. Seeing this, it’s pretty clear why his career is so successful. Dude plays BASS. If he never slapped a note, he’s still be one of the top 5 players alive.
2) his tone… I’m not a guy that’s obsessed with tone, because I think the words are more important than what color of ink is in the pen, but he sounded exactly like the records. Compressed, super fat, and sparkling highs when he wanted. He mostly played the old 77 jazz, but he played a fretless and fretted sire, and they all sounded great.
3) I hung out with the guys in the band at the bar between sets, and the revery they had for him as a leader was pretty strong. It seems like the stories are true, he really is a great guy and he really does hear everything!
a few observations about the show:
1) 85% of the time, Marcus was playing his palm mute style (like in 3 deuces) and laying down the pocket, making the other guys in the band look like millionaires. Stone cold funky stuff, the entire club was grooving. Seeing this, it’s pretty clear why his career is so successful. Dude plays BASS. If he never slapped a note, he’s still be one of the top 5 players alive.
2) his tone… I’m not a guy that’s obsessed with tone, because I think the words are more important than what color of ink is in the pen, but he sounded exactly like the records. Compressed, super fat, and sparkling highs when he wanted. He mostly played the old 77 jazz, but he played a fretless and fretted sire, and they all sounded great.
3) I hung out with the guys in the band at the bar between sets, and the revery they had for him as a leader was pretty strong. It seems like the stories are true, he really is a great guy and he really does hear everything!
This overlooked Tom Scott album has a ton of Marcus grooves with a lot of palm muting.
That one + its companion album, We Want Miles
Paul Tingen's great book, Miles Beyond, called this stuff "chromatic Funk".
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Yes. Two 4x10s and he had an Aguilar head as a backup.
it was fat and clear, and not too loud.
