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Rhonda Smith... I don't know guys...

K

KenToby

Aug 15, 2002
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#1
I saw Prince less than a month ago in Seattle and while the show was pretty good (I'm not a huge fan and did'nt get caught up in the whole "Genius" hype thing) I've gotta say, most any of us could held down the bass chair; I was not impressed by Rhonda Smith at all. Yea, she did her job with no mistakes and was semi-enthusiastic, etc., however I'm still wondering exactly what her claim to fame is; It isn't her live her chops for sure.

Did I miss somthing!!!

KT
 
#3
You CANNOT judge someone's bass playing abilities from watching them do a show supporting a solo artist. While they may sometimes get some kind of big solo section it's pretty rare and their sole role is to support the music of that artist. The other night I saw Adam Nitti play with Christian recording artist Stephen Curtis Chapman. I am by no means a fan of Chapman and just went to see Nitti. There is no way that anyone who has never heard Nitti's solo stuff went away from that show thinking "I bet that guy is an incredible bassist that can really tear it up." Nitti just supported the rather simplistic arena rock by playing simple, tasteful lines. However, Nitti IS an incredible bassist that can really tear it up. You only get a very narrow taste of someone's abilities in that kind of situation.

brad cook
 
#7
Absolutely, you can't tell ANYONE's true abilities by watching them back up another artist. 99% of the time, if they're doing their job right they aren't garnering any attention, just doing their job holding down solidly for the artist and being as invisible as possible.

I play in a cover band several nights a week. I'd shudder to think that anyone would judge my true bass-playing abilities when seeing me play "Honky Tonk Woman". :rollno:
 
#8
Eric Moesle said:
Absolutely, you can't tell ANYONE's true abilities by watching them back up another artist. 99% of the time, if they're doing their job right they aren't garnering any attention, just doing their job holding down solidly for the artist and being as invisible as possible.

I play in a cover band several nights a week. I'd shudder to think that anyone would judge my true bass-playing abilities when seeing me play "Honky Tonk Woman". :rollno:
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How can this be? I can tell an experienced bass player by the way they hold their bass. If I walked in on some dude/chick at a club who was playing the frets off of the bass, ripping melodic 32nd note figures and slappin and tappin like Wooten, I might be hip to them as a kind of technician who has woodshed their techniques, but this still does not reveal how they occupy the role of 'musical foundation' that is the bass. I'm sure that rhonda drawing little attention to herself is only a reflection of how deeply imbedded in the music she was.
 
#9
Joshua said:
She's definitely the real deal. I've got her solo disc and assuming it's actually her playing on it, she's a real musician. I'd imagine for a Prince live show it's all about the pocket...
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+1
try playing those live grooves. They are crazy go nuts! The new live version of musicology is very different than the studio version and is pretty challenging to play. Rhonda is great at sliding aroud her groves and she is modest about her other chops. You should really attemp some of those grooves.
 
#10
Don't get me wrong, I didn't say Rhonda could't play, I'm sure it's quite the opposite. My one and only point is, given the 25 years of Prince hype, I didn't find Rhonda, the 2nd keyboards or any of the horn players to live up to the legend; I expected virtuosity. What I saw was a well packaged enjoyable show. The drummer, 1st keys, Prince on guitar and guitar #2 were very impressive!
I tend to think maybe Prince being as controlling as his reputation suggests, didn't give these guys enough chain.

Bottom line, I'm sure Rhonda can really shine but I think she may need a different venue.

Thanks everybody,

KT
 
#14
Maceo is a living legend for sure. I've been listening to him since his James Brown, P-Funk, etc. days. It was nastalgic to see and hear him in person, but objectively I found him kind of limited. He did a great job blowing the melody to "What a wonderful world" but with all of Prince's choices of players I was suprized he got that gig (I'm glad he did however). It was all about respect I guess; Maceo sure has paid his dues!!!.

KT

slinkp said:
Maceo Parker in the horn section didn't make any impression?
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#19
Benjamin Strange said:
Not that I would admit.

:ninja:
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That's a backhanded "yes" if I ever heard one.

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