I tend to agree with all of this - so Wooten has the chops, but also provides a lot of "content" in terms of tunes and interesting harmonic and rhythmic arrangements etc.
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Vail Johnson
- Thread starter Chad Michael
- Start date
I tend to agree with all of this - so Wooten has the chops, but also provides a lot of "content" in terms of tunes and interesting harmonic and rhythmic arrangements etc.
Vail Johnson's solo style is one of my favorites. His own albums are "groovier" than Kenny G stuff, and he has a more "organic" (and better IMO) tone in his own albums.
As a bassist, I appreciate the likes of Alain Caron and Gary Willis. Reminds me of Thai food.
But Vail's stuff is more "bass for the masses" like a cheeseburger with fries, easy to like.
But Vail's stuff is more "bass for the masses" like a cheeseburger with fries, easy to like.
Exactly, i think that's what atracted me to Vail when i first heard him. He sounded pretty good and the bass solo was really catchy.
He may not be very melodic but to me slap bass solos are more like percusion solos; you have to have a good groove going.
That reminds me... i gotta have a bass that can cop that tone (for a lot less money
)That reminds me... i gotta have a bass that can cop that tone (for a lot less money
Good luck! I used to have a Kubicki and I've never known another bass to sound like it!
- Jun 15, 2005
- 160
- 74
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Skjold basses,Zon basses,Aguilar,D'Addario,GruvGear
Man, you guys are rough! 
Seriously, that mullet was nearly 20 years ago. I'm just glad that there isn't any footage of me moon- walking in spandex bike shorts!!
There are current videos out there for your viewing (dis) pleasure.
Always fun to hear what fellow bassists are thinking. It's a nice contrast to the adulation of the mindless public.
Here's the update, I still wear sweat bands because otherwise I sweat all over my basses.
My hair is longer at the moment because my wife thinks I'm too scary looking with the buzz cut!
I still enjoy the pentatonic scale, though sometimes play a few of those 'jazz' notes in- between.
Touring like mad at the moment; still with Kenny G. It's been a fantastic gig for 22 years now.
Latest (2006) CD 'Underground' available from my website ( vailjohnson.net); no vocals, lots of bass!! Maybe you guys will give me some straight feedback?
Working on the new CD, probably done by summer '08.
Always smiling when I play; still can't believe I get paid for goofing off
Seriously, that mullet was nearly 20 years ago. I'm just glad that there isn't any footage of me moon- walking in spandex bike shorts!!
There are current videos out there for your viewing (dis) pleasure.
Always fun to hear what fellow bassists are thinking. It's a nice contrast to the adulation of the mindless public.
Here's the update, I still wear sweat bands because otherwise I sweat all over my basses.
My hair is longer at the moment because my wife thinks I'm too scary looking with the buzz cut!
I still enjoy the pentatonic scale, though sometimes play a few of those 'jazz' notes in- between.
Touring like mad at the moment; still with Kenny G. It's been a fantastic gig for 22 years now.
Latest (2006) CD 'Underground' available from my website ( vailjohnson.net); no vocals, lots of bass!! Maybe you guys will give me some straight feedback?
Working on the new CD, probably done by summer '08.
Always smiling when I play; still can't believe I get paid for goofing off
Well done for coming back at us!
I agree it is a bit "cruel" to judge fashions of 20 years ago and I have no doubt we all cringe at some photos taken of us in the past!
I must admit that most of your music has passed me by in the UK and so I have little to go on apart from seeing this clip. If I get the chance, I will try to catch some more recent stuff!
I agree it is a bit "cruel" to judge fashions of 20 years ago and I have no doubt we all cringe at some photos taken of us in the past!
I must admit that most of your music has passed me by in the UK and so I have little to go on apart from seeing this clip. If I get the chance, I will try to catch some more recent stuff!
Man, you guys are rough!
Seriously, that mullet was nearly 20 years ago. I'm just glad that there isn't any footage of me moon- walking in spandex bike shorts!!
There are current videos out there for your viewing (dis) pleasure.
Always fun to hear what fellow bassists are thinking. It's a nice contrast to the adulation of the mindless public.
Here's the update, I still wear sweat bands because otherwise I sweat all over my basses.
My hair is longer at the moment because my wife thinks I'm too scary looking with the buzz cut!
I still enjoy the pentatonic scale, though sometimes play a few of those 'jazz' notes in- between.
Touring like mad at the moment; still with Kenny G. It's been a fantastic gig for 22 years now.
Latest (2006) CD 'Underground' available from my website ( vailjohnson.net); no vocals, lots of bass!! Maybe you guys will give me some straight feedback?
Working on the new CD, probably done by summer '08.
Always smiling when I play; still can't believe I get paid for goofing off
Sorry for being so rough on you! Agreed, it was 20 years ago! LOL! I have all your cd's so it's obvious I do dig your playing. I wanted more FUNK on your latest cd but it's overall a great disc!
I stand by my previous statements. Of course Vail is playing his pentatonic licks in front of theater/stadium crowds and I'm playing over changes in cafes
.
I would still like to know what he did with Herbie Hancock. Live? Session? Is a recording available? I'm not doubting him, I'd actually be interested in hearing it.
.I would still like to know what he did with Herbie Hancock. Live? Session? Is a recording available? I'm not doubting him, I'd actually be interested in hearing it.
I did a year tour of live shows with Herbie back in the early
90's. Wish there was audio available; it was really fun.
I'll look around to see if I have anything, maybe I recorded from the stage with a portable deck; I used to do that a lot.
The album we were supporting was 'Dis is Da Drum'.
90's. Wish there was audio available; it was really fun.
I'll look around to see if I have anything, maybe I recorded from the stage with a portable deck; I used to do that a lot.
The album we were supporting was 'Dis is Da Drum'.
Very true! Great slap tone but I was never a fan of the fingerstyle tone.
I got to see Kenny's band several times throughout the 80's and 90's. The last show I saw was at Sandstone Theater (now Verizon Ampitheater) in Bonner Springs, KS around 1993 or so. Vail was killing as always. His fashion never bothered me. I was more interested in what was coming out of the speakers!
And RIP Bruce Carter.
Vail + Bruce = deep pockets of bliss
Cool to see your reply here Vail! Keep up the good work!
Hey Vail are you still playing those Kubiki basses now or do you play something more "contemporary"?
In your opinion what other bass can get a tone similar to a Kubiki (they are really hard to find).
In your opinion what other bass can get a tone similar to a Kubiki (they are really hard to find).
yep, still playing the Kubickis. Haven't played another bass that has the same set of qualities for me.
The Kubickis are a quirky breed. There are so many easy ways to make it sound 'funny'. Lots of EQ range and the tone switch conspire to create that situation.
Takes some time to really get a feel for what it can do, in my opinion.
I loved it from the first minute I played it at Phils shop in Santa Barbara back in '86, though.
Still do; I feel I can do different things on each bass I have; the Kubickis are really great for soloing; my '62 P bass is awesome for 'groove'. I still play the old Kramer fretless, though nature is slowly 're-claiming' it!
FYI, there are even 'funnier' videos of me if you search on youtube. ;-) The mullet got bigger by the time I started playing on Arsenio Hall Show.
The Kubickis are a quirky breed. There are so many easy ways to make it sound 'funny'. Lots of EQ range and the tone switch conspire to create that situation.
Takes some time to really get a feel for what it can do, in my opinion.
I loved it from the first minute I played it at Phils shop in Santa Barbara back in '86, though.
Still do; I feel I can do different things on each bass I have; the Kubickis are really great for soloing; my '62 P bass is awesome for 'groove'. I still play the old Kramer fretless, though nature is slowly 're-claiming' it!
FYI, there are even 'funnier' videos of me if you search on youtube. ;-) The mullet got bigger by the time I started playing on Arsenio Hall Show.
