The Levin Brothers

[BASSDROID]

Saw them last night at the Royal Canadian Legion (VFW hall to us Yanks) in Sarnia Ontario, with about 60 in attendance. The sound was great and the band was on fire! Both band and audience had a great time. It was definitely a night to remember!

Pete Levin piano
Tony Levin bass
Ali Ryerson flute
Jeff Siegel drums

The repertoire was a mix of original compositions and carefully chosen covers which were mostly pop tunes.

Tony was using his NS electric upright and a late 50s or early 60s Gibson EB2 through a contemporary Ampeg combo. Not a Stingray or Chapman stick in sight. Naturally, he was pulling amazing things out of both instruments.

The EB2 was a bit of a surprise, but perfectly suited: big, rich, thick tones reminiscent of the pedals on a Hammond organ.

I had a chance to chat him up after the show. Very nice guy, personable and funny.

Here's the pics.

 

[J Wilson]

I got to hang with TL when he did a clinic for the newly-purchased-by-Gibson Trace Eliott at the local Sam Ash outpost. All Music Mans, plus The Stick. Master bassist. He pulled out the bamboo sticks on his fingers . . . .

I got to pick on several in-attendance brand managers for Gibson Trace Eliott, and I asked him if they were really going to do anything with TE or was Henry going to fly it into the ground like Steinberger, Tobias, and Oberheim?
Of course, their faces turned real red with aggravation and classic denials of any such thing . . . . and almost a year to the day later he sold it to Peavey, where Hartley had always sarcastically pointed out that so many well-known brand names were on their second or third owner and had nothing to do with the originals . . . .

It was fun to hear a Master talk, demonstrate, and teach.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Tony's a sweet guy and very generous with his time. Now with Crimson and Gabriel in the rear-view mirror, and nobody getting any younger, I hope he adopts a kinder touring schedule so he can relax a bit.