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by bigbadbob from Long Island NY

Last Post 3 days, 6 hours Ago


ROCK LIVES ON!
Jul 14, 2008 | 12:32 PM
Category: Music
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   As someone who spent most of his life involved in music, I'm encouraged to see newer, innovative groups emerging.  I'm further encouraged to see one of your LA bloggers, Lola, approaching music with an open mind. She sees the true value in the evolution of Rock.    

   In order to fully appreciate todays contribution, you should check out the past. As I said in some of my past blogs, I began as a snobby Jazz dude, but once I realized that it wasn't going to pay the bills, I changed my outlook. Tha change began when I got a call from a club owner who knew me. Seems he  hired a R&B soul group to play and their drummer quit. Could I help him out?  I threw my drums in the car and rushed right over. I told the band that I'd take the job until they got a replacement.  Who knew that I'd have so much fun and enjoy their music?  Guess what? It turned out that I was the replacement!

   That started my career as a drummer who could play it all! Jazz, R&B,Country....if it paid the bills I played it!  Best thing that ever happened to me, my musical mind opened up and I flushed snobbery down the toilet where it belonged! 

   Music is either one of two things...GOOD or BAD period!    Since then I've played my share of clubs, concerts, studio work...It was ALL good! Oldies, Classics, all of it.

   My daughter, who is a radio DJ,  gets me to listen to all of the newer groups. I love most of them. She has an Indies podcast which means I get to check out  a lot of creative, talented acts, who are on their way up.  I love it! 

   My only comment is what ever happened to instrumental solos?? Doesn't anybody jam anymore??

Bummer!! 

BIG Bad Bob

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Member Comments Total Comments: 73
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GabeNewman read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 7:50 AM

You got plenty of jam down here in Georgia BBB. So, much so, you might wanna bring some biscuits if you head in this direction, but I hear what you're saying about instrumental solos in todays music.

It seems syncing up is bigger than the dreaded ego. Let not one stand out amongst the others, else we are not a band of brothers...

As an untrained listener, I think jamming is balanced in that department. Everybody gets their chance, but it's hard to pack that into a four minute piece, right? So, they pack it with the punch instead.

I was raised on radio and can't site examples, because my interactive listening always came passively. I never had any record collections, or anything like that. So, I'll shut up now.

It's 8am on the East Coast and I have a Presidential Campaign to attend to. Have a great day!

-G
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:14 AM

Gabe, jamming is a form of musical fun. I always found that the audiences were in o the jams too! Hand clapping, hootin' and hollerin' and stomping their feet! You're NOT an untrained listener. You're just a listener, hopefully enjoying the fun. I rembember jamming with my friend Bette Midler and her band combining with ours and I actually got Margaret Whiting to join in. It gives the musician a shot at playiing with other musicians they enjoy and cookin' dude!
You're not supposed to be forced to listen, you do it by choice!
BBB
wnywluke read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:03 AM

I often dread the instrumental solos in concert. Sometimes I feel like they are just put in there as a chance for the rest of the band to run to the bathroom. I think part of the issue is that they sound predictable and not off-the-cuff. If they maybe tried to experiment to the point where they might make a mistake it would be more interesting to me. When every note or tom-tom is hit perfectly I don't think it's adding anything to the performance.
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:26 AM

You have a right to your opinion and yes there are those times when it's overdone....but good or bad, If it's done right it adds something. As far as running to the bathroom. I actally stopped a show for a pit stop! Ya gotta go, ya gotta go!

Noew see what ya did?
Sorry Luke, I gotta go!

BBBB
(The extra B is for bathroom!)
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:59 AM

Let's have a show of hands... How many people feel as Luke does, ya don't care for musical solos?!?!
Show of hands.... How many feel as I (BBB) do taht ya like em?!?!

LUKE____________!
BOB_____________!
If I (BBB) win, you get my undying graditude!
IF Luke wins, he buys coffee and donuts for everyone!!

COOL HUH?
Drack1cba read my blog view my photos
Jul 20, 2008 | 8:03 AM

sorry Luke, I'm with BBB

I love a great Jam during a concert if the music is right for it however. R&B / Blues / Jazz... Rockabilly..

Two great examples ON film. "Sweet Dreams" on Roy Orbison's "A Black and White Night" he starts to send the song around and the first to somewhat falter is Tom Watts and then i think Bruce even has a go on another track where you can tell he did not plan on playing...

the 2nd is "The Last Waltz" by the band plenty of jam sessions on songs in which Robby just looked at someone and was like.. go for it !!!!!
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 20, 2008 | 9:56 AM

Sorry Luke, I'm with Drack!
BBB
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Jul 29, 2008 | 11:04 PM

There is much to be said for a melodic, in Key solo....as opposed to some ass standing there with a $3000 dollar guitar simply going "deedladeedladeedla" on the 22nd fret....
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 7:10 AM

I've played with a lot of players with inexpensive guitars who make beautiful, soulful solos. Big purple hair and expensive instruments do not a muscian make!
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:42 AM

Hey, BBB....that's my point....it's the "deedladeedladeedla" that GETS me!

Something about an expensive instrument justifies "poetic license", or whatever, to some folks, be it musical gibberish or not....

I can't talk, I'm trying to recall my scales while I'm out of work for minor Shoulder maintenance....Haven't picked up a guitar except rarely in a LONG time - Wife says it's good (mental) therapy for me, and the Good Book says make a JOYFUL NOISE ('bout all I'm up to!)....

I bought my little girl a 1/2 size 6-string at the Flea Market when she was about 5, and taught her the "deedla" to build up her callouses on her fingers, and her strength in her hand....I think it was a SKYDANCER, or something like that....pretty blonde 6-string with a great neck on it, for every bit of $15 bucks - She was SO proud of that thing....she probably still has it (wherever she is), if her POS mama didn't put it in the Yard sale....

Practicing is one thing I can do without spending money, and Lord knows I need it!
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 10:09 AM

I hear ya! Music never hurt anyone. I think everybody should at least try to play something or at the very least do some singing.1 It's great for the soul. Now that I'm primarily a comedy writer, the younger set don't think that I know anything at all about music. My friend and neighbor had a party in his back yard and had his son's band play live music, (if you could call it music). The drummer in the band had a huge,very expensive and mostly unnecessary drum set. My neighbor stood alongside the set, and as he's always done, played air drums along with the band. He's a frustrated drummer who wasn't aware that I was a real drummer, so when I commented to him about this huge set of drums and how the drummer only used three or four of the drums and banged them more than he played them, the bnad was within earshot and the kid came over to me and snidely challenged me to do better. At first I backed down, but he kept coming in my face, so I reluctantly sat baehind the drums, set them up properly, counted the band off and then proceeded to blow their doors off. I have never seen so many surperised faces among my neighbors and their kids. I drove their band into a frenzy, used everyone of the kids drums then played a mind blowing solo. It was one of the best and one of the worst things I ever did. I wound up giving drum lesson to half my neighbors kids, including my air-drumming friend. I will NEVER forget the shocked look on everybodies faces!
THEY ASKED FOR IT! That'll learn 'em!
BBB
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 4:13 PM

That's another good thing...."young dudes" and on up may not deem to speak on the street to each other, but get 'em together jammin'....?

Met some wonderful folks like that, and of course, there are always a few admiring young ladies in the crowd -

Never made much money off a guitar, but I made a BOATLOAD of free beer and BBQ....you know, the Saturday pig-pickin' at the bar or whatever Club, somebody's Birthday, Graduation....

We started doing the local clubs once, and did it well, but all of a sudden you HAVE to practice 4-5 hours 4 times a week, then it's not FUN anymore, it's work, and I was never good enough to make a living at it (though I could have been)...spent too much time fishing, too, but that was a choice I made myself -

What do you call the average guitar who breaks up with his girlfriend?


HOMELESS!
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 31, 2008 | 6:57 AM

Being a musician is work and that's how you become even MORE than good enough. I spent years WORKING in clubs and making a good living at it. Moreimportantly I was earning a good living doing what I LOVED! The years of playing concerts was the big payoff. Sorta like going from triple A to the big leagues. But every once in a while you sneak back int9 the clubs to jam and sharpen up your chops. when you're commited and are constantly trying to improve and you love music it's mostly ALWAYS FUN!!!
That poor homeless guitar player. FUNNY!!
True but FUNNY!! LOL BBB
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Jul 31, 2008 | 10:17 AM

Yeah, people always say "man, I wish I could just pick that thang up and do that!"...

Lots more than just picking it up! - still fun, though...I can still make a JOYFUL NOISE!

Plus, something for everybody - if guitar doesn't suit you, a Keyboard is just as portable nowadays....

I can't see people who play one style saying "Oh, Hell, no!....I'm gonna play..." country music, or whatever...

Learn some cool licks like that, even if it IS "cross-dressing", as my bud says!

Oh, well...
bigbadbob read my blog
Jul 31, 2008 | 10:49 AM

You rock DW! YOU ROCK! I've played it all, everything from wdding music, to country music, jazz, blues and yes even drum corp music...
And it ALL wound up in my musical bag of tricks! And and me better! Hey you don't have to make money at it to enjoy it, right?!?!?!
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Jul 31, 2008 | 8:52 PM

Never could get the proper slide "phrasing" I wanted for really old Blues, but I was having alot of fun with a cheap keyboard for awhile...(it was "coming back" to me) -

My Wife's Grandson (8yrs) never could get me to understand how a 30-some pound 12" color TV fell UP 4 ft to take out the whole damned platform, keyboard and all...(dammit, boy, this ain't your toys...)....

Maybe I should invest in another one when I get back to work...I seem to not be able to concentrate on guitar like I used to....kinda "plateaued out", as the saying goes...

The Meds are probably not helping, but maybe I just need a diversion -

Still beats daytime TV, God knows!
Bellafisk read my blog view my photos
Aug 17, 2008 | 6:47 PM

I can't imagine the music oppportunties there in New York.

Here is Texas it is much limited.

I was given the musical talent. I can play just about any instumet. My favorite has to be the saxaphone.

Gosh that has been so many years ago. I used to read muic but I would think of a song I liked and after about 30 minutes would have it down pat note for note.

I started on clarient, played the flute for awhile then went to saxaphone. I did play on the drums a bit too.

I have done many solo's and the reaction was pretty good.

I was in a band for a while and played the organ and had a solo on that as well.

I would give anythng to get another sax and play again. All I have here is guitar and it is just not as gratifying to me.

Bob do ya have room for me in your band? I promise I am good. I even won a singing competition once.
DW45 read my blog view my photos
Aug 17, 2008 | 8:17 PM

Hello, Bellafisk....Sounds like we just need to trade instruments for awhile, just for sake of change!....I never got involved with brass or wind, but 2 things hard to beat is any kind of "horn" player, or pianist either one..

I'll freely own up to the fact that the less said about MY singing, the happier we'll all be -
Where are you in Texas? I've got some by-marriage folks in Rockport, and they were all over that huge Festival they gad a lttle while back....

Anything between ZZTop and Johnny Winter....You may have too many options!....Good Luck, I just think I need to switch styles for awhile, 'till the CONCENTRATION comes back....
Bellafisk read my blog view my photos
Aug 17, 2008 | 8:27 PM

Hey DW let's get together.

I'm in the Dallas area.

Would love to play again. ANYTHING!!!

Oh and since we know each othe now you can call me Bella.
bigbadbob read my blog
Aug 17, 2008 | 8:45 PM

Look at this my Big Bad Blogs is giving birth to some musical match making. COOL!
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bigbadbob

Professional Musician (www.freeflowingsalt.com)
/Comedy Writer/Artist/all-around-
insane-person....

Member Since: 7/13/2007


 

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