Victor Wooten on Conan O'Brien Tonght

[Infernal Affair]

Part of my interest in this I think, is that we as bassists are usually so open minded, analytical, and most often provide such a leveling and objective perspective in our bands that this somewhat visceral reaction to this artist seems in a way, out of character.

I see the whole "bassist is usually the most open minded individual in the band" type of statement quite often. But I question its validity, mainly because the only time I hear it is from other bass players. People are people. And people have opinions. Sure some people can be a bit more civilized (not counting jsingles, who was very civilized), but if they don't like Victor Wooten then they don't like him.

And you'll see it for every artist put up, but I agree with you that it's easy to be turned off to someone if they are top of the heap and people keep on yapping about him.

I was wondering about that too

Can anyone shed some light on the subject?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Future_Man_Wooten

It isn't THAT hard to search for the info.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Agreed. The whole "bassist is usually the most open minded individual in the band" thing is true... unless it isn't. Probably happens in equal parts IME. I've come across so many narrow-minded musicians who don't even realize it it's not funny. They're much happier dwelling on what they don't like than simply enjoying what they do.

 

[iScott]

Too bad they have to stoop so low for exposure as to be on that show ... I swear you could shine a flashlight in Conan's right ear and read the paper out his left ear with very little dimming effect on the light.

You must not have a sense of humor. Conan is great. I would consider playing on any of the late night shows an honor and a good way to let people hear you live. Sure the have a huge "underground" following but why not try to grab some new listeners?

 

[scottice]

...but doesn't Conan look like a freakin' giant!!!! LOL!!!

Conan IS a freakin' giant!

 

[hbarcat]

The drummer is a brother of Victor Wooten's, he goes by "Future Man". That thing he's playing is his own invention called a drumtar or something, it's basically an electronic drum kit in the shape of a guitar. He's incredibly talented like the rest of the Wooten brothers.

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Man
.

Okay, that explains why the guy dressed as a pirate holding a box with a stick coming out of it (that looked like a prop from a Tim Burton movie) seemed to be standing there doing nothing useful, while at the same time, I was hearing drum sounds apparently coming from nowhere.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I think that Jsingles brings up a reasonable point... And this may well apply to a great number of big bassists - - a guy may be the ultimate side man, but on his own, isn't so great. I have yet to hear a Marcus Miller original CD that was as good as his side work (Provided you call his Miles Davis work side work..)

That's one thing I'll really give Flea - he's a man who knows his place. No solo albums for him, just him being the heart and soul of the RHCP.

But as for Mr. Wooten - I dig him - dig him all day long... But with the flecktones, not on his own. I've bought/listened to his solo stuff and it leaves me cold - but his work with the flecktones was GREAT - and what a live show they provide! Yahoo!

 

[grovest]

Thanks for the notice. I watch Conan online all the time but almost always skip the music act. This was some really straight ahead playing from V W.

 

[DistantTremor]

AAH!!! That freaking Welch's commercial interrupted me three times.

Other than that, thank you for the link. Great performance.

I also delight in seeing Victor in a band setting. He can sure as hell walk a good bass line.

 

[tfmbass]

I just finished watching the episode and someone else mentioned it before, but there is a ton of fret buzz in his tone!
I love the new DVD...but it seems like in his playing he is about to rip the strings off the bass. I never noticed it till I saw the DVD and the Conan episode confirmed it. He plays real hard, but he did get crowd reaction after his solo.

I agree with most of you on this forum that Vic really shines in the Flecktones setting. The only solo disc that I really enjoyed was Show Of Hands.
After that I didnt care for 16 bass tracks on one song.
When Soul Circus came out I listed to it once, then I got Marcus's Silver Rain. I still listen to that album.

I highly recommend Vics DVD. There is a ton of musical info on that.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I finally got to listen to this at home where I have a real set of speakers to listen to this, it is freakin' amazing. I thought Vics tone was pretty awesome it grinded when he wanted it to, I wouldn't consider anything I heard as unwanted fret noise.

BTW did you see him sneak on a capo at the very end? He did that in about a 8th note of rest he had in there.

 

[rarbass]

Arg I can't watch it! It says I need Adobe Flash Player 9 or greater to view it. So I installed it and it says the same thing.

I use Opera, so I tried it in IE and the flash player wouldn't install.

 

[Oric]

I like the fret buzz in his tone- it makes it sound like a real instrument and a real person playing it. Excessive fret buzz would be annoying, but he has really low action, and uses it to his advantage.

 

[rarbass]

Is there anywhere else I can view this? My computer absolutely REFUSES to allow me to watch this video.

 

[soda shack]

All right. Now I actually have a reason to watch TV tonight.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

All right. Now I actually have a reason to watch TV tonight.
Thanks for the heads up.

Sorry but it already aired.

 

[rarbass]

Sorry but it already aired.

No worries though! You don't live in Canada so you can watch it here!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I, however, cannot due to my "location". Idiots...

 

[willgroove2]

Agreed. The whole "bassist is usually the most open minded individual in the band" thing is true... unless it isn't. Probably happens in equal parts IME. I've come across so many narrow-minded musicians who don't even realize it it's not funny. They're much happier dwelling on what they don't like than simply enjoying what they do.

I often say that Musicians in general can be some of the most interesting multi-faceted people you can meet or they can be very narrow in their focus on what they like. This thread has some examples of people who,while more than entitled to their opinion,seem to be unable to really listen to the music and comment without stating how much they dislike VLW'S solo work and in some cases, any Bassist solo work.

 

[Psychicpet]

It would sound better with a GK driving those cabs

would've sounded close to the same as I'm 99.9999% sure what we heard out of the TV was either:
a) house DI
b) Vic's DI and not the head either...
unless he reeeeeally impressed the house sound guy.

It is funny though that this thread has turned into a "Luv Victa // Hate Victa" thread and there's hardly been any mention of the HyDrive stack he's using... I wonder if there'd be more ooo's and ahh's and discussion if he was using some TB "House Brands"

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I wonder if there'd be more ooo's and ahh's and discussion if he was using some TB "House Brands"

I feel you.

 

[rarbass]

I often say that Musicians in general can be some of the most interesting multi-faceted people you can meet or they can be very narrow in their focus on what they like. This thread has some examples of people who,while more than entitled to their opinion,seem to be unable to really listen to the music and comment without stating how much they dislike VLW'S solo work and in some cases, any Bassist solo work.

Quite true, it really seemed ridiculous to me. What does watching Vic on Conan have to do with his solo work and why you don't like it "regardless of how amazing he is"?