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Yacht Rock?! Who has experience.
- Thread starter Jimmy4string
- Start date
Considering that Steely Dan often is lumped in as "yacht rock", a hair metal analogy doesn't seem terribly apt. Root problem is that "yacht rock" is basically a dismissive misnomer for sume pretty sophisticated music ... the term carries some pejorative connotations. But it's beyond the capabilities of many garden variety bar bands. Easier to crap on its caricature than it is to actually play it. 
I "liked" his post because I do think that bands that can play this music well are also doing quite well, as these things go. There's a place for this in better paying venues, if it's done right, and in that sense it does follow the same trajectory as the tributes.Considering that Steely Dan often is lumped in as "yacht rock", a hair metal analogy doesn't seem terribly apt. Root problem is that "yacht rock" is basically a dismissive misnomer for sume pretty sophisticated music ... the term carries some pejorative connotations. But it's beyond the capabilities of many garden variety bar bands. Easier to crap on its caricature than it is to actually play it.
It's a lot of work to learn these songs, though, and most people don't have the dedication to play it unless there's some incentive to put in the time.
For me, I just enjoy the feeling when you get up there with a bunch of good players and do something well. I enjoy taking the time and meeting the challenge of learning something more complicated than basic changes. But many people don't.
I can't remember if I commented as such upthread, but I will say that my YR band is the most fun I've had playing music in a bit. This surprises me a whole bunch, to be honest.
I have never played in a cover band and I figured I'd give this band a shot. I knew the drummer from years ago and always got along with him fine. He's a great player and singer, so that's a plus. His partner is the singer and I thought that might be an issue, but so far, so good. She's sort of the biz admin side of things and there is no diva or narcissistic tendencies about her. No red flags anywhere.
We are adding a guitarist as the guy we hired just after I started has been a little flaky on scheduling, but the guy we have found to replace him (an acquaintance of mine) showed up the other night and had 20 songs learned. Performance-wise, visually, and personality all fit better than the previous guy and we are stoked about how this new guy will elevate us. Plus, he sings like a songbird and has arranged vocal harmonies before, which, admittedly, is this band's weak point. And, as with nearly every band out there, if the vocals are garbage, it's not going to be great.
Anyway, all this to say, this band and situation meets the 3 Rules Of TalkBass Bands:
As always, @LBS-bass speaks the truth. Some of these songs are super complex. Not until I started deep diving on these songs did I realize what I was getting into. But, it's super satisfying and fun and the crowds are eating it up. I have 2 more gigs this month, hope to clear about $800 for both shows, and then we're cooling out for a month or so until our next shows.
For now, loving it and clamoring for more.
I have never played in a cover band and I figured I'd give this band a shot. I knew the drummer from years ago and always got along with him fine. He's a great player and singer, so that's a plus. His partner is the singer and I thought that might be an issue, but so far, so good. She's sort of the biz admin side of things and there is no diva or narcissistic tendencies about her. No red flags anywhere.
We are adding a guitarist as the guy we hired just after I started has been a little flaky on scheduling, but the guy we have found to replace him (an acquaintance of mine) showed up the other night and had 20 songs learned. Performance-wise, visually, and personality all fit better than the previous guy and we are stoked about how this new guy will elevate us. Plus, he sings like a songbird and has arranged vocal harmonies before, which, admittedly, is this band's weak point. And, as with nearly every band out there, if the vocals are garbage, it's not going to be great.
Anyway, all this to say, this band and situation meets the 3 Rules Of TalkBass Bands:
- The Music: we all love it. I've told the band that we are more a 70's/80's tribute band that heavily leans on yacht rock music, but still, to us, it's all good stuff.
- The Hang: we get along, we enjoy each other's company and so far, 6 months in, it's been (no pun intended) smooth sailing. Each one of us has our own role and knows what we are to do within that role, both musically and administratively.
- The Money: I have played 2 shows and averaged $375/show. Of course, averaged out with rehearsals and stuff, well, it doesn't add up to much, but I don't count rehearsals. All I know is the $$ I've brought in with 2 gigs is more than I would make in 5-7 gigs with my previous originals band, and that band had a great draw and only played weekends.
As always, @LBS-bass speaks the truth. Some of these songs are super complex. Not until I started deep diving on these songs did I realize what I was getting into. But, it's super satisfying and fun and the crowds are eating it up. I have 2 more gigs this month, hope to clear about $800 for both shows, and then we're cooling out for a month or so until our next shows.
For now, loving it and clamoring for more.
From my local news: https://www.wtvr.com/eat-it-virgini...-wind-launches-wine-business-september-6-2022
Local yacht rock band starts canned wine business...Steely Can...lol
Local yacht rock band starts canned wine business...Steely Can...lol
Love the music, seriously. Hate the awful moniker. Such is life, eh?
Thanks for the kind comment. Maggie May is a bit strange. The bass is unusually free and undisciplined for music of this age and genre, and figures rarely repeat. That's why I wrote the whole thing out! Hope it is of some use to you!
Yep. The discipline, not improvising part is an aspect that many players don't get. Making it fresh... while playing the same line, the same way is a subtle thing. Not for everybody. I do need Ravin' - my blues - zydeco - Chuck Berry thing too, but Willy and Nelson (my YR crossed with Country gig) earns 5 x per gig). Both bands are great hangs and that ... is the thing. Period. Dot.
Fagin has a unique voice, and initially didn't want to the the band's singer (as seen with "Reelin' in the Years"). But they found that other vocalists had a hard time getting the vocal inflections and timing right (again, "Reelin' in the Years", imo, ymmv, etc., though it was still a hit). When you have lyrics like "Everyone stopped to stare at your technicolor motor home", the vocalist has to have sort of a quick tongue
Leonid and Friends do amazing covers of some very challenging material. They got "My Old School" down, singer/guitarist nails it in both departments. Nice!
Leonid and Friends... Yeah. They did a northwest tour last winter. A few respected buddies saw it and said WOW! One drove PDX to Seattle for their next date... the video is ridiculois. My Old School.. the only possible criticism is the pronunciation of 'Guadaljara'... which is funny if you listen for it... other than that, they could be from Long Island. Amazing.
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But ... what's wrong with their "Guadalajara" pronunciation? Sounds reasonably on point to me. Not that it really matters, of course.
The J, GuadalaJara vs GuadlaHara... of course these guys are from Moscow... not Long Island.... crazy good!
I'm over it, and proudly tell others I love Yacht Rock. Think of it like the New York Yankees - "Yankee" was pejorative and so they felt even more entrenched in choosing it, and now they're the bane of the existence of every other MLB team. All I'm saying is: to me, don't care what they call it, and I don't mind any pejorative connotations. I proudly blast YR when driving around, and I play YR songs all the time at home if I can find a good backing track.
I find more people don't know what YR is than do know what it is. I end up having to explain the smoothness, the grooviness, the madness that is Yacht Rock.
I always give examples. Or I say "softer rock, usually with catchy melodies and great vocal harmonies, and usually a saxophone somewhere in the song" ha ha
I play with Yacht Rock here in Atlanta. I'm not a founding member, but the name Yacht Rock is trademarked by the guys I play with. Spotify and XM pays them royalties for using the term. There are two bands. Yacht Rock Revue, and Yacht Rock Schooner, both run by the same guys.
It's a fun gig. Some of the songs are pretty difficult to learn, even though they don't sound too tough at first. I grew up loving these songs, so I at least knew the structure, which helped. But while some are easier to fake your way through by knowing the chords, a lot have very specific parts, like some Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins (Heart to Heart), and Doobie Brothers (What a Fool Believes), Captain and Tennille (Love will Keep us together), etc.
It's a fun gig. Some of the songs are pretty difficult to learn, even though they don't sound too tough at first. I grew up loving these songs, so I at least knew the structure, which helped. But while some are easier to fake your way through by knowing the chords, a lot have very specific parts, like some Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins (Heart to Heart), and Doobie Brothers (What a Fool Believes), Captain and Tennille (Love will Keep us together), etc.
I've done some Steely Dan in my own bands. Often we had to fake the vocals into 2-part harmonies in clubs where the pay limited hiring more hands.
I've even done "Kid Charlemagne" as a 3 piece on guitar and vocals, which is kind of a work out.
And I've played Michael Mcdonald and Doobies tunes as a sideman.
It always seems to go over well, and I always enjoy hearing others cover it when sang on key and played with the right groove (and where no one overplays their part).
I've even done "Kid Charlemagne" as a 3 piece on guitar and vocals, which is kind of a work out.
And I've played Michael Mcdonald and Doobies tunes as a sideman.
It always seems to go over well, and I always enjoy hearing others cover it when sang on key and played with the right groove (and where no one overplays their part).
Well, I too had never heard of 'Yacht Rock' (I'm not even sure I've ever typed or written the word yacht before), but there are some great songs on these lists.
I cringe when the cheese factor gets too high, but I would love to play some of this music with a tight band. I'd probably enjoy listening to one too, in the right setting. The slower stuff would bore me after awhile though.
I have a vivid memory of my inebriated mother sitting me down in front of her vinyl one night and gushing over the Christopher Cross album shown earlier in this thread. LOL! It was pretty uncomfortable as a 7 year old, but I am glad she shared her passion for music with me.
Also, I don't recall seeing it here, but Couldn't Get It Right seems like a suitable song for these lists. I've always wanted to cover that one.
I cringe when the cheese factor gets too high, but I would love to play some of this music with a tight band. I'd probably enjoy listening to one too, in the right setting. The slower stuff would bore me after awhile though.
I have a vivid memory of my inebriated mother sitting me down in front of her vinyl one night and gushing over the Christopher Cross album shown earlier in this thread. LOL! It was pretty uncomfortable as a 7 year old, but I am glad she shared her passion for music with me.
Also, I don't recall seeing it here, but Couldn't Get It Right seems like a suitable song for these lists. I've always wanted to cover that one.
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