Too bad we are all WAL'led in these days. Or maybe not
Stay safe and well all.
I'm missing out on some gig work for sure. And the Wals and I were going to be gigging with a second band too to fill gaps, but thats not happening now.
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I'm missing out on some gig work for sure. And the Wals and I were going to be gigging with a second band too to fill gaps, but thats not happening now.
Yes I know. I have had several short scales and even a Chowney which is based on the SC Alembic (although it can't compete by a mile with the Alembic I guess). But in the end none of the short scales did stick. Feels too toyish to me somehow. I like how you can bend the strings easily though. I also have a 32" and I like that scale a lot more. Is like a perfect hybrid between a short and long scale bass.
That being said I would love to lay my hands on your Alembic. Love the sound of them. Looks very nice in that matte finish instead of the usual gloss that most of them have.
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He played Beans and also Wals with Japan. He played the Beans on the first four records- Obscure Alternatives, Adolescent Sex, Quiet Life and Gentlemen Take Polaroids. Some time after Genetlemen Take Polaroids he switched to Wal and their last album, Tin Drum was their best known and is Mick Exclusively playing a Wal. Likewise for the live album Oil On Canvas which followed.
All of Mick's session work was done on his Wals and on his Klein 5 string. He also played the Klein on the Rain Tree Crow record which was a Japan reunion album released in 1987 with the band name changed because David Sylvian who essentially stole publishing from the band (according to Mick's book as mentioned below) insisted that if they were going to share the songwriting credit the band should be called something other than Japan.
If you guys want to have an amazing read at home as we ride out this COVID-19 pandemic, I highly recommend you read Mick's autobiography "Japan and Self Existence." Mick talks about the rise and fall of Japan, his career as a solo artist and session player and some other juicy bits. It's a sobering book in many ways. Written with great humility and honesty. A wonderful read which I have intended to revisit recently. This thread is reminding me to do that so thank you, fellow Wal nuts!
I thought Rain Tree Crow was done with his 5 string Wal? And also some tracks on the Tooth Mother album had the Wal 5 string I think. He didn't had the 5 string for a long time I think because he didn't like 5 strings. The book is a nice read indeed.
The book is currently unavailable on Amazon. Did y'all flush the stock out already?!
If I recall correctly it’s a self published book which I purchased on Lulu.
Both, and more: Invalid Link Removed
In this video he's playing what looks like an alto. Yeah it's a video, however, he was more than capable of playing those parts so I'm gonna say he did:
Sorry about the quality. I had a much better one in my favorites yet it seems to have been taken down.
And lest we forget the song for which Mick's bass work is most lauded:
Nice! I stumbled upon this, presumably at this point this was a Wal?:
Whoa. That is the sh*t. These guys can play. You're right about his composing skills. He's like Jaco, that facet of him tends to be overlooked. I love his use of melodic/harmonic minors. That "Arabian" sound - mysterious, cool, and dark. He also plays minors and dominant sevenths where "they don't go" sometimes. Guess who else does that? Mr. John Taylor! I know the DD boys always cite Japan as an influence so maybe there is a connection there. Or maybe, it's all primal and I'm thinking too much.
Thanks for turning us on to that Roger! Off to look for more Beastial Cluster... EDIT: It's a Mick Karn album called Lunar Monkey.
Thanks for turning us on to that Roger! Off to look for more Beastial Cluster... EDIT: It's a Mick Karn album called Lunar Monkey.
Whoa. That is the sh*t. These guys can play. You're right about his composing skills. He's like Jaco, that facet of him tends to be overlooked. I love his use of melodic/harmonic minors. That "Arabian" sound - mysterious, cool, and dark. He also plays minors and dominant sevenths where "they don't go" sometimes. Guess who else does that? Mr. John Taylor! I know the DD boys always cite Japan as an influence so maybe there is a connection there. Or maybe, it's all primal and I'm thinking too much.
Thanks for turning us on to that Roger! Off to look for more Beastial Cluster... EDIT: It's a Mick Karn album called Lunar Monkey.
Mick didn't know much about theory though as he stated in interviews. He solely played by ear. In that sense he is very different from Jaco. Also his technique is more 'primitive' so to say. He was a self taught player. I think that is the reason that he came up with his strange harmonies and melodies. And maybe his oriental roots. I have done an interview with him a few months before he died. Might even be his last interview but I am not sure. Really nice guy. I Miss him!
