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Seeing Wooten was different this time...

ThumbyAche

ThumbyAche

Gold Supporting Member
Sep 15, 2005
3,487
1,385
Colorado
#1
Last night I went to see The Victor Wooten band with my wife and the show was really good but time seemed to lack the expressive magic of previous shows. There was less interplay between band members and no "walk the dog" tricks, etc or the crazy bass solo that is full of flash and showmanship. The show had some of that but it was really scaled down in comparison to previous shows. To me, this show seemed alot more of a "get-her done" kind of show and alot more focus on songs instead of musicianship (he kind of gave a speech on it). I've seen him so many times in so many different settings and was always left completely in awe when seeing "The Victor Wooten Band" but this show (to me) fell short of being as captivating as previous shows and my wife agreed. Also bummed that Victor spent so much time promoting his book (to be out in 2008) and the "Spyder" sportsware clothing he was wearing.. And.....No MC Divinity this time.
For the first time ever....I thought Anthony (his bass tech) actually had a better bass sound and they were using the same amp setup (my wife brought this up before I did). Anyway, the show was good but I left a little disappointed in a sense. Worth the money still and I love Wooten and maybe I expected him to continuously out-do previous shows (he usually does). Just sharing..still worth going of course.
 
#3
yah, I should have searched on this one and just added to the thread, oops.
The show was good, don't get me wrong...just not what I have come to expect from him. I guess I'm not the only one who felt like that though based on what you said. Oh well, Marcus Miller is coming to town so I need to get ready for that one! :hyper:
 
#4
that is funny, cause that sounds like exactly what I'd want to see, minus the promoting ;)

I dig the tricks and all, but the two times I saw the band it did seem like chopfest in a 80s kinda way, and I like there to be a mix of chops and good tunes. Pretty much why I can't stand Yngvie, but as I say that IN NO WAY am I comparing vic's vibe to said cheester, Vics rules so much more than that.

Reason why I say that is cause out of all the 'great bassist' band, Oteil and the Peacemakers are for me it, and when you go see them, Oteil actually doesn't take as many runs as you would think. All the players get a good spotlight, but they have great songs and a nice vocalist so you don't realize your at Oteil's show, except that is probably why you are there ;)
 
#5
Yah, I agree with you in a way but I guess my thing is....If I go to watch a great band with a great bass player and the focus is on the songs, I would have rather seen the Anthony Wellington band (as an example). I LOVE watching bands like that. I just figured Victor would do both, the way he did before. Derico Watson and Anthony Wellington were great and I would have gone just to see them groove on the songs, so I'm kind of with you on watching a great band play within a song. Didn't expect that to be the focus of the Victor Wooten Show though..
 
#6
I saw Victor Wooten's band preform last weekend in Boone, NC. Having never seen him before, I was left in awe. I was also lucky enough to catch a free workshop he gave that same day around lunch time. Anthony was there too. It was very informative and inspiring. He talked mostly on the differences between playing the bass and playing music, and the similarities of language and music.

Although I see what you mean about the performance. I've never seen him live before, but seen every video. There wasn't a lot of just "full out" nastiness and solos. And he did give a short speech near the end about his book and the ideas behind it. The book is already out though, I picked one up at the show.

p.s. MC Divinity is on tour with Beyonce.
 
#7
yah, I saw the Beyonce concert on Dish Network with her playing bass which was cool.
I know he had the book at the show, I guess he was talking about the publishing company making it more available nationally/internationally in 2008. I didn't get a copy but sure it's good.
If you would have seen his live shows prior to this one you would know what I mean. Still good though for sure.
 
#8
Thumby, you've got to be in the Denver/Boulder area? I thought about going to the show in Boulder last night, I didn't go... I WANTED to, but I figured that I've seen him the last two times he came to Boulder. I also figured that instead of seeing him again, I could spend the money on my GAS list. :D

After hearing your description, I'm kind of glad I didn't go... I probably would've been a little disappointed with that show too. :(
 
#9
I'm hoping to see Victor when he come to town, I have never seen him live. He is doing clinics in every city before the shows, I wonder if on this tour he is geting burnt out.

For me as impressive as Victor's pyrotechnics are I would dig hearing him focusing more on the music. If I want pyrotechnics I'll throw on one of his videos. Good to hear Ant is sounding great, I think he is an under rated player.
 
#10
fivestringgecko said:
Thumby, you've got to be in the Denver/Boulder area? I thought about going to the show in Boulder last night, I didn't go... I WANTED to, but I figured that I've seen him the last two times he came to Boulder. I also figured that instead of seeing him again, I could spend the money on my GAS list. :D

After hearing your description, I'm kind of glad I didn't go... I probably would've been a little disappointed with that show too. :(
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Dave??? Is that you?
 
#11
I do know this...Like I said, the show was worth it still. But I would have paid just to hear Sondra (singer), Derico Watson (kicks complete ace..), Anthony Wellington (Wayyyyyy underrated) and for somebody who is not a big fan of keys, I love Joseph Wooten. I would have paid just to see those guys by themselves without Victor or Reggie. To see Victor though, I wanted to see a full out Bass frenzy...
 
#12
I went to the show with my husband last night (Thumbyache) and as someone who is NOT an experienced bass player, but has seen Victor before, I have to say that I was disappointed as well. Don't get me wrong, I am still highly impresssed with his musical talent and the groove that makes my booty move :hyper: but was overall disappointed. I have seen him twice before (once with the Victor Wooten Band and once with Bela Fleck) and was always left completely floored at the show he put on. Now, I think that the "magic" and "tricks" are a little over the top, but that is also what sets him apart and makes it a great, unique experience. I did think that his overall bass sound was lacking, but was VERY impressed with Anthony's sound. His bass had such a sexy sound, that blew me away.
I also was put off by his extreme promotion of his shirt and book and sort of felt like he was trying to hard to sell himself to the "Spyder" people who were in the crowd and to the daughter's of the book publisher (also there). He must have mentioned the name of the publishing company a dozen times and it was just excessive. I would have much rather seen that time go to a mind blowing bass solo. For the record though, it was still a great show, and worth the money and drive. Derico is awesome, as is Joseph and Anthony and Sandra's voice is amazing!
I was bummed the Divinity was not there, but am thrilled that she has such a great thing going with Beyonce. Now to prep for Marcus! :D
 
#15
hotbassmom said:
I also was put off by his extreme promotion of his shirt and book and sort of felt like he was trying to hard to sell himself to the "Spyder" people who were in the crowd and to the daughter's of the book publisher (also there). He must have mentioned the name of the publishing company a dozen times and it was just excessive. I would have much rather seen that time go to a mind blowing bass solo.
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a) thumby ache, you sound like you have the most killer wife out therE! But please don't repeat I said that.

b) I TOTALLY hear you on the extreme promotion thing and how that can really detract from an experience. Not quite the same, but I saw Soulive in Feb, they got a new singer, and seriously that guy had terrible crowd management skills (which i know Vic is much better, but you sound as if he was compensating on that show). The singer would try to get the crowd to sing 'Soulive', and then he would sing 'Soulive', then he brought his mom on stage and they sung 'Soulive', and it was kinda cool maybe the first 20 times, but 100 times is way to freakin much. and something like that at a great show just doesn't need to be done, I'd rather you cut the crap out and play another tune.
 
#16
I saw them in Dallas as well, and I was actually pretty impressed with them not doing all the crazy stuff. They were one of the tightest bands I had seen in a long time personally. I was glad they focused on the music, instead of the flashy stuff myself. A lot of times its almost difficult to listen to some of the flash, for me anyhow. Id much prefer to see a band that can write a good song, than one that has chops. These guys have the chops, and just decided to use them more tastefully IMO.

I did get to hang out with Anthony Wellington on the tour bus briefly after the show with Pete Skjold and another buddy of mine that went. Joseph Wooten and Sanda Wilson came aboard shortly afterwards and chatted with us a while as well. It was pretty cool of them :) Plus I got to watch Pete play the Yin Yang bass Vic was using that night - that didnt suck either hehe.

On an aside, I really dug the opening band Snarky Puppy as well :)
 
#17
lamarjones said:
a) thumby ache, you sound like you have the most killer wife out therE! But please don't repeat I said that.

b) I TOTALLY hear you on the extreme promotion thing and how that can really detract from an experience. Not quite the same, but I saw Soulive in Feb, they got a new singer, and seriously that guy had terrible crowd management skills (which i know Vic is much better, but you sound as if he was compensating on that show). The singer would try to get the crowd to sing 'Soulive', and then he would sing 'Soulive', then he brought his mom on stage and they sung 'Soulive', and it was kinda cool maybe the first 20 times, but 100 times is way to freakin much. and something like that at a great show just doesn't need to be done, I'd rather you cut the crap out and play another tune.
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Thanks man! I appreciate that. Hotbassmom (my wife) recognizes that bass is in fact the coolest instrument to play, supports my passion for playing bass and also just bought me a Nordy. She has been cooler than I can ever say. And... I might have a gift for her too...hmmmm.:cool:

I have talked to you before on a Bene and a Sadowsky.
 
#19
fivestringgecko said:
Absolutely! Maybe we'll have to round up some people and jam sometime.

I'm currently in a church choir, but the last gig broke up because the drummer got diagnosed with borderline schizophrenia. :crying:
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Sure thing man. Going to Marcus Miller when he is in town (Cervantes), you should get tix and we'll hang out. There are a few other Denver Bassists' I'm trying to get there as well. As far as church (not to derail my own post), I play at the Vineyard and the music is very good there. If you are ever near, check it out. I don't go to Vineyard for the music but it's a plus to have such great music at church. We do.
 

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