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Mike Porcaro

#21
I recently "rediscovered" Mike Porcaro when I bought their
"Live in Amsterdam DVD". Although I`m a bass player myself I was more familiar with Lukather and Phillips, mainly cause I`ve always paid more attention to them.

One of my main reasons to watch was Mike`s Peavey Cirrus. I gotta admit that his timing, groove and tone, were simply perfect. His definitely a very solid player.

After watching it several times I felt mixed emotions.
I really admire them as individual musicians and they`re incredibly tight and professional. However, I dislike most of their music (I find it a bit "cheesy" to my taste) and their lead singer was awful.
 
#22
Mike's playing is so deep in the pocket that it's hard to notice him in the band if you're not really listening out for him. Mike's slaps and pops are oh so tasteful.

And to check out Toto live is just another different experience. One of the bass players that I actually really get inspiration from.
 
#23
I did not truly respect Mike before I saw him live. Everything he did just sounded so "right." His tone was VERY prominent, yet not annoying. One of the best bassists I've ever seen live! On cd he is just there, and like evangion said he's hard to really notice. I don't think his studio work is very interesting - but it's not ment to be either.

When it comes to Toto: Yes, they are cheesy - by all means. But let me admit it once and for all: Sometimes I like it cheesy! I listen to alot of "out" music - alot of advanced stuff. Sometimes I just love turning on those Toto-records and enjoy the cheesieness. It's incredible melodic pop-lines, performed and produced close to perfection. It's also got some very complex and interesting arrangements - yet you don't actually notice it until you really listen. So its got both the "great musician - thing" and the "catchy song -thing." And you may not like Toto, but please respect the guys as musicians. If you don't, just turn on Thriller....

And btw, they are coming to my town at saturday. My band was in a contest to warm up for them, but just lost. It will be one hell of a show, though - I'm really looking forward to it:)
 
#24
I like him. Greatest ever? I've never really considered him in the hunt for that title. otoh, he's very influential along with Hungate on the the way I approach the instrument.

I have the Live in Amsterdam DVD and I think it's fantastic. I must admit though, I've been a 'fan' of their music since I first purchased Toto (debut) on vinyl in 1978. The debut is one of my 'desert island' projects.
 
#25
IMO Mike Porcaro is a very tasty player. He serves the song and has a very disciplined approach. :cool:


audiotom said:
Jeff Porcaro - Mike's brother was more famous. He tragically he died in the 80's from a pesticide poisoning
Click to expand...

I think Jeff Porcaro died in the 90's. The initial report of his death that I'd read stated it was a result of pesticide poisoning, later I read his death was a result of cocaine abuse. Either way, he's one of my favorite drummers. What a terrible loss :(


- Art
 
#26
Let me tell you something that makes me sick. I work in the local newspaper here in Fredrikstad, Norway. Yesterday, the arrangers of the Toto-gig, sent out a press-mail. (Dunno what the correct term is in English.)

Somewhere in the letter it said: " (...) the famous band toto, led by Jeff Porcaro, comes to town."
 
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#27
I saw Toto back in May during one of their few shows in the US. They are a great live act. Everything about that show was dead on. Also, the show was in a small casino show room that had one of the best live mixes I have ever heard. After the show Mike P stuck around and talked, signed, and did photos with everyone that asked. ( with a smile on his face the whole time) He was a true gentleman! He may not be "the greatest ever", but any man that shows as much class as I saw that evening, goes a long way in my book!
PS Nor. Wood, how did ever lose that contest? You came out of the gate so fast, it seemed you would walk away with it!!!
 
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#29
Hi there
Mike is one of my fave players. Today I watched the video of 1990's 'Past to Present' tour where he is playing a blue stain Alembic, looks like an Elan 5 (certainly had 3 knobs and a q switch and the fatter pickups than the similar Europa model). Does anyone know for certain or have some pics of him with his alembic?

If anyone knows a good site with some information on his equipment I would like to hear from you!

Thanks
Chris
 
#35
Norwegianwood said:
Yeah, well basically all the other bands were cheating....We did not cheat, because we thought the arranger would clean it up. Wich they did not...Pretty annoying, but that's the way it was.
But we have just gotten a gig that's perhaps even bigger (here in norway)...so it's all good:)
Click to expand...

Hey!
I was at the concert in Fredrikstad last saturday, travelled all the way from Harstad to see them! My first Toto show, and I thought it was great.
What do you think?

Even though 50% of the reason to go there was to hear the song "I will remember" -and they never played it.. :eyebrow: that´s a great song!
Non the less, great show--
Mike Porcaro is a rock solid and stabile player, and you can easily tell that he is very experienced, he oozes of self confidence. And seems to be "inside" the music he plays, witch is great.
I would never categorize him to be among the best, though.
 
#36
Yeah, it was awesome. To bad they didn't play I will remember, but it was a great show nevertheless. Little Wing was, hands down, some of the best guitarplaying I've ever heard. Luke was in even better shape now than in Larvik last year. Although I was surprised to see him look drunk backstage. We told him not to drink before the show (in a jokely manner off course) and he told us to **** off. (In an equally jokely manner off course...!:) ) But he didn't seem very drunk on the stage...he played amazing. Afterwords, though, at the nachspiel on Hankø. He was pretty god damn wasted. The guys were cool, though, and I had a little chat with Mike.

I disagree that he isn't one of the best. He is indeed one of the best at what he is doing, it's hard to argue with that....Although I don't think everything is that interesting - it always sounds good and fits the song. That's what pop-bass is all about.
 
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#38
Norwegianwood said:
I disagree that he isn't one of the best. He is indeed one of the best at what he is doing, it's hard to argue with that....Although I don't think everything is that interesting - it always sounds good and fits the song. That's what pop-bass is all about.
Click to expand...

I agree that playing pop, he´s doing a very good job.
But he doesn´t amaze me as much as some of the others. But then again, he never got much spotlight.

So you were backstage? damn.. Would be really cool to meet the guys. :hyper:
 
#39
Well, he certainly runs the gamut with his choices of bass...

-Status
-F Bass
-Alembic
-Sugi
-Musicman
-Peavey
-Ibanez
-and who knows how many others...

From what I recall during the past few years, he's had quite a few touring systems too, having gone from Trace Elliot to an Alembic F-1x/SWR to all Peavey and now to what appears to be nothing more than a 4-space rack and a Sansamp DI without any cabinets onstage.

Lonnybass
 
#40
He always strikes me as a "cool in the pocket" type. Not flashy, but always appropriate for the song and very tasteful, particularly when he drops those low B's out of nowhere.

Some good tunes to check out...

Mushanga - this one has a neat break with a bass slap solo recorded using 4 overdubs.

These Chains - classic Porcaro tone. Can you say "punggggg"

I Will Remember - tasty fretless (ala Tony Levin style)
 

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