johngoldsby Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share Posted November 1, 2009 I like the original version of "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" on the Fat Albert Rotunda record. I've gotta' check out the Quincy Jones version. Jackson & Gadd . . . . uh-huh. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 In the current issue of Bass Player, I had the chance to pose nine questions to Benny Rietveld. Feel free to comment on Benny answers, pose some questions of your own, or take a shot at answering the 9 Questions yourself. Bassist extraordinaire, film music composer, and star sideman Benny Rietveld has played with an amazing array of top acts, from Shiela E to John Lee Hooker, Miles Davis to Carlos Santana. In between traveling the world and laying down a foundation for the stars, Benny finds time to host his New York Band, gig and record solo projects. Benny has one foot in the film and production business since writing the score for the 1997 film, Brooklyn Rules. He is currently pushing to complete a full 1080 HD concert and instructional film. 9 Questions with Benny Rietveld JG * What is your idea of a perfect gig? BR: One where I'm present and living in every note as it goes by. And a free bottle of Grey Goose is also good. JG * Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why? BR: Probably my Tune Bass Maniac Deluxe. It's the one that I always played with Miles Davis and also recorded "Smooth" with. JG * If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just a day, who would it be? BR: Herbie Hancock. JG * What is your third all-time favorite record, and why? BR: It's almost impossible to name a first, so a third could be practically anything. JG * If you had never picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be? BR: Writer on The Simpsons JG * When was the music business nasty to you? BR: It was never nasty, I just didn't know any better and made poor and uninformed decisions. JG * Who are your heroes? BR: The people who continually support music, film and the arts. JG * What was your most recent big mistake? BR: Normally I would say that there are no mistakes, but dating on the rebound would be close. JG * What is your goal for the coming year? BR: To write and/or direct a film. You can also find Benny here: website: www.bennyworld.com Twitter: bennyrietveld Facebook: bennyrietveld www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnb Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Great choice, John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Thanks . . . I thought Benny was a great choice for the back page of Bass Player. Anyone who's worked with Miles and Santana is okay by me. Here he is at a . That's Dennis Chambers laying down the groove for Benny's ballistics. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I saw Benny on tour with Santana last year. He was not someone I had heard of before, but seeing him on stage with guys whose A-list status I am aware of (Dennis Chambers, Chester Thompson) certainly got me wanting to find out more about him. Thanks for this. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 I merged all of the previous "Questions" columns from Bass Player Magazine into one thread. Here you can find posts from Reggie Washington, Skeet Curtis, Rufus Reid, Oneida James, Benny Reitveld, and many others. Up next: the legendary Jack Bruce. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Im not in awe of many bass players. Ive heard lots of great bassists, and even more not-so-great ones. Bass players are just peoplelike me. And you. But when I received a pleasant response from Jack Bruce saying he would like to answer some questions for Bass Player, I had a feeling of wonder that I hadnt experienced since 1968, when I was wearing out Disraeli Gears trying to pick out the bass line to Sunshine of Your Love. I still marvel at this legend in the bass worlda free spirit who continues to explore and create magnificent music. In the four decades since Bruce wrote Sunshine of Your Love, he has been a key figure in a myriad of projects with jazz and rock players like Tony Williams, John McLaughlin, Leslie West, Robin Trower, Kip Hanrahan, and Vernon Reid. When Bruce turned 65 in 2008, two boxed-CD sets were released to commemorate his lifes work: Spirit [3-CDs of his work from the 70s, BBC], and Can You Follow [6-CDs of material from 63-03, Esoteric]. During his recent tour of Scotland, he was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Glasgow Caledonian University. Composing Himself: Jack Bruce, The Authorised Biography [Jawbone Press] by Harry Shapiro is scheduled for publication in 2010. You can follow his current projects at www.jackbruce.com. BP * What is your idea of a perfect gig? JB: The Cuicoland Express Bernie Worrell on Hammond, Vernon Reid Guitar, Milton Cardona and Richie Flores percussion, El Negro Horacio Hernandez and Robbie Ameen drums, me, plus a few tasty guests at a sold out Garden, and the Dom Perignon never runs out. BP * Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why? JB: I dont think Ive ever sold an instrument though Ive given a few away, but if anything happened to my old Warwick fretless thumb bass, I might give up playing bass guitar for good, because she is irreplaceableand I love her. BP * If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just a day, who would it be? JB: Lang Lang, the concert pianist, because Id love to experience what its like to have ten fingers on each hand. BP * What is your third all-time favorite record, and why? JB: Smokestack Lightning sung by Howlin Wolf. BP * If you had never picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be? JB: A dead guy. BP * When was the music business nasty to you? JB: Quite a few times. For example; once many years ago, when my manager stole my childrens birthrightyou wanna watch that oneand another time when I played some tracks with a full orchestra to an A&R man who spoke on the phone the whole time and then asked me if I had recorded it at home! BP * Who are your heroes? JB: My parents, my wife Margrit, my children and Charles Mingus. BP * What was your most recent big mistake? JB: To start writing a symphony. BP * What is your goal for the coming year? JB: To keep walking about a bit and finish that symphony. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 BP * Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why? JB: I dont think Ive ever sold an instrument though Ive given a few away, but if anything happened to my old Warwick fretless thumb bass, I might give up playing bass guitar for good, because she is irreplaceableand I love her. Interesting. I saw one of his Warwick fretless thumb basses at the Boston Hard Rock Cafe. I guess the irreplaceable one came after that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 He's talking about the "old" Warwick thumb bass To me, it's not so much about a particular instrument. I've had some nice ones, and I have some nice ones . . . but they are all basically just hunks of wood and metal. I still think about your American Standard, Davio . . . www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnb Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Jack Bruce - I don't have words for how he has influenced my playing. Most nights I fall short, but some nights... I still fall short, just not as short as the others And why try to sound like that guy from the "Grateful Dead" or "Phish" when I can close my eyes and channel my inner Jack Bruce. If this doesn't get a response from the forum members, this place is dead to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I'll go with Jack Bruce over Phish or the Dead. Their bassists are virtuosic talents, but I prefer songs, not rambling jams. besides, Bruce has a much better singing voice as well. "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I started playing bass at age 18 and when Wheels of Fire came out two years after that, I sat down with it and learned everything on it so you could certainly say that Jack Bruce influenced me. I saw him play live right around that time as well (at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit). Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I still think about your American Standard, Davio . . . If you saw it you'd never get it out of your head. It was "customized" many decades ago and it's quite a looker and player. I'm going to have to listen to more Cream stuff. I've heard a number of their songs but I've never really gotten into the meat of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Davio, start with Disraeli Gears. It was the best album they did, or at least the most focused. Wheels of Fire seems kinda all over the road, but has it's interesting bits. The live albums were all thrown kinda together to fill out Cream's recording contract after they couldn't stand the sight of each other anymore, but also have some interesting bits here and there; I'm So Glad is the best of a mixed lot to me. There are other things people like out of the live stuff, but I get a little bored with the longer jams, myself. Cream made their contribution to the music world, and I think it's a valid one. They sure hit me hard enough. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 In the January issue of BP, I got to speak with Chris Chaney. I didn't know his playing until recently, yet somehow I can relate to his answers pretty well (except for the extreme skiing thing). Here's what I wrote and how he answered the 9 Questions: Chris Chaney is one of the cool onesa first-call session bassist, a veteran of legendary bands like Janes Addiction, Alanis Morissette and The Panic Channelplus hes a darn good golfer. He spent his youth in the foothills of L.A., went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and then made a name for himself in the early 90s in L.A. playing jazz at The Baked Potato and R&B in the house band at Dragonfly. In the mid-90s, Chris catapulted his career into the big leagues, playing with Alanis Morissette, and then following Flea and Eric Avery in Janes Addiction. Hes worked with the whos-who of modern rock and pop, doing session with Carly Simon, Tommy Lee, Slash, James Hart, Sara Bareilles, Celine Dion, and countless other stars. Chris just finished his second CD with Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders. JG * What is your idea of a perfect gig? CC: Ten minutes from my house. JG * Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why? CC: My 58 P-Bass! Why would anyone sell a 58 P-bass and mess with perfection? JG * If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just a day, who would it be? CC: Stevie Wonderin my opinion he is unparalleled. He is the complete package. JG * What is your third all-time favorite record, and why? CC: This question is impossible to answer, but if I have toHeavy Weather by Weather Report. Jaco transcended bass! JG * If you had never picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be? CC: Doing extreme skiing, or big wave tow-in surfing! JG * When was the music business nasty to you? CC: The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. Hunter S. Thompson. I couldn't put it more eloquently. JG * Who are your heroes? CC: My wife and two kids start this list, followed by Laird Hamilton, Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice, Bill Walsh, Phil Jackson, and Ed Viesturs. JG * What was your most recent big mistake? CC: Building the 3803 piece Star Wars edition Lego "Death Star" for my son and kinking my neck and injuring my arm. I'm still tweaked two weeks later!!! JG * What is your goal for the coming year? CC: To break into the 80's on the golf course. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 By the way, folks: Give me some new questions that I can ask your fellow bass players in the monthly Questions column in BP. There have to be a couple of burning questions out there that I should be asking these famous guys & girls, right? ;-) www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 JG * When was the music business nasty to you? CC: The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. Hunter S. Thompson. I couldn't put it more eloquently. JG * Who are your heroes? CC: My wife and two kids start this list, followed by Laird Hamilton, Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice, Bill Walsh, Phil Jackson, and Ed Viesturs. There's a joke in there somewhere... Sorry, couldn't be helped. How about favorite pre and/or post gig food? Mine would be the ultimate nachos at one of my favorite local venues and an ice cold chocolate milk for the ride home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 John, would you perchance be taking requests on whom you might be featuring on the 9 Questions page? Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Sure, Nick, If I can track them down . . . then I can give it a shot. Who'd you have in mind? Nachos and chocolate milk, Davio? Er, mmm . . . www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Other questions: What other instruments do you play? Would you encourage your children to become musicians? Do you think in letters, Roman numerals or Arabic numbers? Jamerson or Pastorius? White meat or dark meat? Sushi or burgers? Wine or beer? Boxers or briefs? Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Sure, Nick, If I can track them down . . . then I can give it a shot. Who'd you have in mind? Nachos and chocolate milk, Davio? Er, mmm . . . Off the top of my head... Alain Caron Tal Wilkenfeld John Paul Jones Chuck Rainey Bob Glaub Oteil Burbridge Willie Weeks Roscoe Beck Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 Good list, Nick. I see what I can do with some of these. Great questions, Jeremy . . . www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingertalkin Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Hey John, get in touch with Chris for me....I will give him golf lessons and he can give me bass lessons! Sounds fair to me! How do you sign a computer screen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 A URB monster - Renaud Garcia Fons (we just stumbled upon him in a recent thread) ...and a beast on both bass guitar and URB - John Patitucci I'd love the chance to pick either of their brains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I think Chris is going to a new golf teacher now . . . Tiger something. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 But, back on topic . . . Renaud Garcia Fons and Patitucci are great suggestions, so maybe i can pin them down in the near future. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simpleman3441 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 BP* What is your idea of a perfect gig? SM: Playing for people I trust will listen for enjoyment and dont have a pretentious attitudes. BP* What is your most treasured possession? SM: I dont own my family or my gf, so Im gonna go with my version of Cubase 5. BP* If you were to die and come back as any musician, who would it be? SM: Dan Auerbach. Dudes got soul. BP* What is your third all-time favorite record and why? SM: This is a really tough question for me. Ive been working so much on my own music and producing my friends that I havent had time to listen enough recently. I would have to say Amnesiac by Radiohead. I dont relate to it enough to call it my first or second all-time favorite, but its a solid record with plenty of good songwriting and creative tones. BP* What is your dream scenario? SM: Having the funds to create my ideal studio and the time and health to allow myself to play my instruments well. BP* What annoys you about the music business? SM: Musicians that suck making all the money. BP* Who are your musical heroes? SM: This list is too long. BP* What was your most recent big mistake? SM: Trying so hard to make two years of progress in one. I injured my hand. Things happen faster if you dont force them. You cant muscle your way into playing better. BP* What are your goals for the coming year? SM: To get my hand healthy again and finish writing, recording, and producing the albums that Im working on. We cannot accelerate the growth of a tree by pulling on its branches. - Ricardo Iznaola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Cool answers, simpleman . . . www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 ...also... Esperanza Spalding Sandin Wilson Bakithi Kumalo JoJo Garza and Keanu Reeves Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simpleman3441 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 JG * Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why? SM: My Warmoth JG * If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just a day, who would it be? SM: Jimmy Page. It'd be interesting to be that famous, but I'd only want to experience it for a day. JG * If you had never picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be? SM: Park Ranger JG * When was the music business nasty to you? SM: When has it been good might be a more challenging and interesting question. JG * What was your most recent big mistake? SM: Choosing to pursue a career in music. It was also my best decision ever. We cannot accelerate the growth of a tree by pulling on its branches. - Ricardo Iznaola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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