What about Jam bands??

[HolmeBass]

It's ok to actually listen and decide not to like. But too many opinions here expose an obvious ignorance. Too many bash on jam bands just because it's a badge of hardness, a way to try and separate oneself from those dreaded "hippies". But if you cop to something like Grateful Dead couldn't write a great song, I know you don't have a clue in the wind.

One interesting thread from the wiki is about allowing taping at shows. This is part of the lifestyle, but it's something the bands actively allow and encourage.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Does anyone else think one of the key parts to enjoying "jamming" is being there, in the moment with the band? Recordings seem to rarely capture the full energy, the exchange between audience and band. There are definitely some, but there's a reason people go following these bands around instead of doing their own thing. Sitting in your own space is quite different from being present- this probably attributes to the comments about how long the music takes to develop. I really don't notice it much myself when i'm at concerts, as opposed to listening at home. I believe that is a factor in enjoyment...

 

[Max Blasto]

look most of the people commenting on singing ability have never listened to American Beauty, song writing have never listened to Terrapin Station, ect... I don't comment on Metal threads cause I don't know much about metal, not everyone on here has a very developed sense of self editing. Oh welcome to talkbass

Most, maybe, but not me. I'm well familiar with all Dead albums. And more bootlegs than I'd like to admit. And I stand by my point. I know that Dead fans are militantly supportive of the band, and sensitive to criticism in ways that few other fan bases are. That's awesome. I've had conversations with Dead fans who argue vehemently that the Dead's vocals are some of the most righteously soulful music you can happen to hear. Hey, man, we all gotta be fans of something, and ugly girls get married all the time.

But no. Their singing sucked. They sucked on American Beauty too. That recording made them sound ok, but anyone who thinks that vocals were a strong point in the band ever is being a little too subjective.

As for songwriting: Actually, I think the lack of broad appeal is one of the calling cards of Jam Bands because it gives some them counterculture street cred for their waspafarian fan base. I remember older Dead fans being derisive of people whose access to the band was Touch of Grey. But really, no one is in danger of hearing St. Stephen at the local pub this weekend. It's broad based appeal that I'm talking about.

You may like it. Great! But just because you like it doesn't mean it's actually good. Pink Floyd's the same. Awesome band with lotsa fans. But none of them could really sing. Still made great music tho. As did the Dead.

 

[AdamK]

Does anyone else think one of the key parts to enjoying "jamming" is being there, in the moment with the band? Recordings seem to rarely capture the full energy, the exchange between audience and band. There are definitely some, but there's a reason people go following these bands around instead of doing their own thing. Sitting in your own space is quite different from being present- this probably attributes to the comments about how long the music takes to develop. I really don't notice it much myself when i'm at concerts, as opposed to listening at home. I believe that is a factor in enjoyment...

As someone who went to their first Grateful Dead related concert last night, I can say that the experience at a jam band concert is definitely a big part of the jam. But, I'll say that when I'm listening alone I get just as much into the jams if not MORE since I don't have the other distractions from people at the concert and whatever they may say or do. And with recordings you get the better audio quality rather than being there.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

As someone who went to their first Grateful Dead related concert last night, I can say that the experience at a jam band concert is definitely a big part of the jam. But, I'll say that when I'm listening alone I get just as much into the jams if not MORE since I don't have the other distractions from people at the concert and whatever they may say or do. And with recordings you get the better audio quality rather than being there.

I'd say the audio quality isn't necessarily better, just different... depending on location and system, of course! (Being a professional live touring engineer, i'm a bit partial to feeling the bass in a way few stereo systems can match).
Great point about not putting up with annoyances that can distract!

 

[Max Blasto]

It's ok to actually listen and decide not to like. But too many opinions here expose an obvious ignorance. Too many bash on jam bands just because it's a badge of hardness, a way to try and separate oneself from those dreaded "hippies". But if you cop to something like Grateful Dead couldn't write a great song, I know you don't have a clue in the wind.

One interesting thread from the wiki is about allowing taping at shows. This is part of the lifestyle, but it's something the bands actively allow and encourage.

Please point out the person on this thread that said the Grateful Dead couldn't write a great song.

I'm waiting....

 

[StudioGC]

Here's Jack Casady playing with Jerry and Mickey:

I think Elvin Bishop is also playing on this track

Holy Cow, that's some great bass playing. I've always loved Phil Lesh, but Casady rips up that Love Light Jam.

 

[AdamK]

Holy Cow, that's some great bass playing. I've always loved Phil Lesh, but Casady rips up that Love Light Jam.

He's the reason I rock an Epiphone Jack Casady Signature bass

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Holy Cow, that's some great bass playing. I've always loved Phil Lesh, but Casady rips up that Love Light Jam.

Indeed, there's good reason Anthony Jackson sites him as a main influence!
Lots of improv here, some great bass moments, lots of jamming:

 

[AdamK]

I'd say the audio quality isn't necessarily better, just different... depending on location and system, of course! (Being a professional live touring engineer, i'm a bit partial to feeling the bass in a way few stereo systems can match).
Great point about not putting up with annoyances that can distract!

Ah that's the part I was forgetting! Yes the bass bombs are always a pleasure to feel at shows. However, at last night's show the bass wasn't always cutting through as much as I would've liked when there weren't bass bombs. But yes definitely can be better most of the time depending on the venue.

EDIT: I see we're both in Virginia. If you're familiar with the National that's where I was last night. To see Dark Star Orchestra!

 

[StudioGC]

He's the reason I rock an Epiphone Jack Casady Signature bass

Time for me to try the Casady Bass.

 

[Max Blasto]

The bands I'm talking about are as such puddle of mud limp bizkit Brittany spears you know the run of the mill here today gone tomorrow. So glad you are 105 years old to tell me from 1920 music till now.

I easily could, but that's because I've studied it, not because I was alive at the time.
Flash in the pan artists are the norm in pop music. So there is a Britney Spears for every decade. Limp Bizkit appealed to punk fans of the day who felt that Green Day had sold out. Punk. Nuff said.

I don't think either one of these examples has anything to do with serious musicianship as found in so called Jam Bands. These guys are players and if a band they're in breaks up, they can usually find a gig with another. None of them is going to crack the charts, but that's the nature of the genre - they're not supposed to. Their audience doesn't listen to the radio, or whatever streaming content is their first choice.

As for the time period you mentioned: What would make you point out an arbitrary 15 year period to comment on a genre of music that's been around for decades? And that particular one?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

EDIT: I see we're both in Virginia. If you're familiar with the National that's where I was last night. To see Dark Star Orchestra!

Yup, i've mixed shows there. Richmond has some great music happening on the local level. Used to be Math Rock central, great bands like King Sour and Kepone, Burma Jam...

 

[On the down low]

Please point out the person on this thread that said the Grateful Dead couldn't write a great song.

I'm waiting....

You should know you knew my age the music I never heard of, and how I was under a rock because of some miss wording. You clairvoyant you.

 

[bass12]

It is just funny how people don't care for them and they are the last real acts in music.

If that's what you really think then you have a very limited notion of what's going on in music. I saw Lettuce last year (saw Soulive too) and it was a good show, but it couldn't hold a candle to the Jaojoby, Kassav' or Positive Black Soul shows I also saw this past year. There are a lot of great ''real'' musical acts out there who are not ''jam'' bands.

 

[On the down low]

If that's what you really think then you have a very limited notion of what's going on in music. I saw Lettuce last year (saw Soulive too) and it was a good show, but it couldn't hold a candle to the Jaojoby, Kassav' or Positive Black Soul shows I also saw this past year.

Figure of speech. Wow how do you unsubscribe from this know it all fest?

 

[bass12]

Figure of speech. Wow how do you unsubscribe from this know it all fest?

Silly figure of speech to use. Did you think it would go uncontested?

 

[On the down low]

Silly figure of speech to use. Did you think it would go uncontested?

I found that this site is good for looking at some gear reviews, but other than that it's I know everything about everything on here, same as every other type of forum on line. Like I said good for some quick reference, but seriously how do you delete your profile?

 

[bass12]

I found that this site is good for looking at some gear reviews, but other than that it's I know everything about everything on here, same as every other type of forum on line. Like I said good for some quick reference, but seriously how do you delete your profile?

So you start a thread here which is basically setting the TB masses straight on where it's really at and now you're complaining about ''know-it-all's''? Okay.

 

[On the down low]

So you start a thread here which is basically setting the TB masses straight on where it's really at and now you're complaining about ''know-it-all's''? Okay.

Just some know it all