• 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.

Michael Manring - playing BASS

kesslari

kesslari

Groovin' with Fusion Cuisine
Staff member
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 21, 2007
15,227
45,062
Santa Cruz Mtns, California
Disclosures
Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
#1
Until now, I'd only heard Michael Manring doing his solo bass stuff, which, while technically brilliant, is just not my bag.

Tonight a friend loaned me a John Gorka DVD. Gorka is a singer-songwriter. Manring is playing bass, and playing in a beautiful supportive way that is just wonderful.

I'm really impressed, in a really nice way.
Beautiful playing.
 
#2
A great record for you to check out would be "Equilbré" with David Cullen. Jaco does his fair share of soloing, but using his fingerstyle chops, and I've never heard Manring play a support role in this way (though I've not heard his recordings as a session bassist for Windham Hill either). He plays intelligently and with such taste and refinement, it really is superb. I love his solo bass stuff but it is nice to see a completely different side of his musical personality!

Oh, and the tunes are amazing too, especially "Shuffle In" and "Turbograss".
 
#4
Some other recordings to check out from Manring are the "Yo Miles" cds, he lays down a thick and funky groove. I had the 1st Yo Miles for years and really liked it, then I saw Manthing in a clinic and went mad getting his stuff and was surprised when i saw this on a discography, dug it out and yes he was the only bass player.
 
#5
+1 on "Equilibre'"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By far my favorite non-solo Manring cd... so far. ;)

IMNSHO, to really appreciate Manring solo you have to see him live.

"The Absolute Joy of Playing" right from the get-go!!! :)

And the nicest, most low-key guy you'd ever want to meet, too.
 
#6
bassbrad said:
Some other recordings to check out from Manring are the "Yo Miles" cds, he lays down a thick and funky groove. I had the 1st Yo Miles for years and really liked it, then I saw Manthing in a clinic and went mad getting his stuff and was surprised when i saw this on a discography, dug it out and yes he was the only bass player.
Click to expand...

+1, those albums contain some of my favorite playing by Manring! Very groovy!
 
#9
Manring's a pro. On his solo CD's he can do whatever he feels like doing, but when he backs someone else up, he does it the way they want him to do. That's what you call "professionalism." I'm often surprised when people consider that a foreign concept.
 
#11
Chris2112 said:
What kind of music does (or did?) the Windham Hill label make?
Click to expand...

New Age. But IMHO, Windham Hill was above most of the labels that started putting out New Age music. They had a lot of artist like the late great Michael Hedges, Mark Isham, Montreux[which included Manring] etc, who released very engaging music. Plus they were smart enough to give Manring a solo deal.
 
#12
Windham Hill did, rightly so, get branded as a New Age label...there are some nuggets, however-

Lost Tribe's (Fima Ephron, Adam Rogers, David Gilmore, Ben Perowsky) debut was on Windham Hill.
Billy Childs had some early releases on Windham Hill, too (w/ Jimmy Johnson & Tony Dumas on bass).

...and the Yo! Miles discs with Manring are great!
 
#13
JimK said:
Windham Hill did, rightly so, get branded as a New Age label...there are some nuggets, however-

Lost Tribe's (Fima Ephron, Adam Rogers, David Gilmore, Ben Perowsky) debut was on Windham Hill.
Billy Childs had some early releases on Windham Hill, too (w/ Jimmy Johnson & Tony Dumas on bass).

...and the Yo! Miles discs with Manring are great!
Click to expand...

Ha, I forgot Lost Tribe was on Windham Hill, those albums alone are enough to get some credit.;)
 
#18
In case anyone is interested in seeing Michael play both solo and as part of this trio, we are playing two shows next weekend, July 11th & 12th. Friday night is at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA and Sat is at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA.

FYI - Michael and I will be playing at least one Michael Hedges tune together, which is rare these days for Mr. Manring.

For more info on my harp sympitar (dedicated to Hedges) or the album, tour, etc. go to http://harpsympitar.com

The other stuff we play together, besides the music from my album, is a mix of "Flamenco Fusion" (a la Paco, John & Al) and Jazz Fusion (like Weather Report, etc.) This is a rare opportunity to see Michael "go off" with two high-energy guitarists.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back