kong Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I know they were a little before my time (born in 1981) but I have been missing out in a big way. I think I've been listening to Waing for Columbus for about two weeks straight. Are there any other bands with comparable keyboard players that may have slipped under my radar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I don't think Bill Payne is matched by anybody. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Heck, I only started getting into them after they reformed with Let It Roll. I missed the Lowell George era entirely, but there are some videos out there to fill in the gaps. Billy kills it, and he's still out there, night after night. WFC is tops (did you get the original version or the deluxe version?), but there's lots of great material on other albums, including some of the recent ones from the reformed band. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Billy Payne is great and he did a great job at synthesizing his influences. Depending on what your favorite stuff is there are other guys you may want to check out. He is one of the more recorded keyboardist in Rock 'n' Roll history. You probably heard a ton of his stuff and didn't know it was him. (Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Doobie Brothers, Robert Palmer, Bonnie Raitt etc......) If you like his Orleans/rock style piano work maybe check out Professor Longhair. Maybe some of Larry Knechtel work. It was his solo to Johhny Rivers version of Rockin Pneumonia that got me interested in Orleans piano and eventually lead to me getting into Little Feat, Fess, Neville's etc.... "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Yeah, that's true. Billy has a lot of influences that show up in his music. He goes from jazz to rock to blues to NOLA to classical... Perhaps you should see if there's one part of his style you dig and go from there. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kong Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 I'm familiar with Fess. I probably like the Lowell George era stuff the most. I'm most impressed with Bill's ability to play different keyboards together and make it work. His synth wurli combinations are killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I don't think he's done much synth stuff since that period, which is too bad. He has finally started putting wurli back in his sounds again in the past few years. You might want to check out some of the other jam bands that were influenced by him. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Maybe the guy from Phish. Sorry I don't know his name. They were after my time but I saw them on PBS and the guy can play. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 One of my big inspirations. Not only is he great with the Feats, but is one of the all time great session players. Just check out his credits on AllMusic: http://allmusic.com/artist/bill-payne-p112956/credits Definitely an all-around great can-do-anything guy for rock, blues, and country. For comparable players, I'd include Nicky Hopkins and Steve Nathan. Yeah, any of those guys can play on my album. ;-) THe world's full of incredible talent, though, a lot of it undiscovered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kong Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 That's funny because Phish is where I started. They've been my favorite band for 13 years. I'm sort of moving backwards through influences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Enjoy. [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDp3Grz28mE [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMEkR3YRUnQ&feature=related [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns9jGWiF8d0&feature=related Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analogaddict Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 That's funny because Phish is where I started. They've been my favorite band for 13 years. I'm sort of moving backwards through influences. Sounds very familiar. I was born in 1977, and can totally relate to going 'full circle'. If you want another approach to rock keyboards, check out Garth Hudson, if you haven't already. "Rock of Ages" is a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTeechur Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Went to see Little Feat two years ago at the Hampton Casino. Nice small room, but utterly packed. I'd been a fan for years, but never had see them live. Worst. Concert. Ever. Ever. Muzikteechur is Lonnie, in Kittery, Maine. HS music teacher: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Rock, Musical Theatre, Piano, Guitar, Drama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Jx Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Went to see Little Feat two years ago at the Hampton Casino. Nice small room, but utterly packed. I'd been a fan for years, but never had see them live. Worst. Concert. Ever. Ever. Explain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I love Billy's playing. There are a number of interviews with him on 'Tube that are worth your time. When I first got into playing in bands I copped as many of his licks I could handle. He's the perfect blend of classical training and pork fat. If you like Billy Payne, be sure and check out Jon Cleary and my latest favorite, Robert Walter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 He sat in with my band in the mid '70's and gave me an ass whoopin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Went to see Little Feat two years ago at the Hampton Casino. Nice small room, but utterly packed. I'd been a fan for years, but never had see them live. Worst. Concert. Ever. Ever. Explain? Yes, please. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 They really are not the same without Lowell George. His imagination and wit made it for me. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Jx Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 He's the perfect blend of classical training and pork fat. This metaphor is signature worthy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Link Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 +1 on Jon Cleary. Awesome player, great band and mix of styles. aka âmisterdregsâ Nord Electro 5D 73 Yamaha P105 Kurzweil PC3LE7 Motion Sound KP200S Schimmel 6-10LE QSC CP-12 Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs Rolls PM55P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Link Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Through an old bandmate who does some work for Feat I was able to go to dinner with Bill Payne before a show and have chatted with him a couple of times. During dinner, he told his draft avoidance stories. aka âmisterdregsâ Nord Electro 5D 73 Yamaha P105 Kurzweil PC3LE7 Motion Sound KP200S Schimmel 6-10LE QSC CP-12 Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs Rolls PM55P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 +1 on Jon Cleary. Awesome player, great band and mix of styles. Jon Cleary hung out down in the bayou (New Orleans) long enough to add some major sh*t to his bag. Bad mofo. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 AFAIK, Cleary still hangs in the NOLA. BTW, coincidentally, today is Bill Payne's 63rd birthday. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I saw him in 1991, 1993, 2006 and just last year. Little Feats new drummer was not that good surpising enough when I was backstage watching the band. I am suprised they did not get anyone better? Anyway Billy gave me tickets to his show one time and told me he listened to a lot of Ray Charles and Professor Longhair. There was a time he did not feel good about his playing and was thinking of not playing anymore, I should scan the Keyboard interview I have. It was not that long ago really but he can play his ass off. I saw some special where he was playing with James Taylor and was doing some Gospel stuff on How Sweet it Is It was unreal.. I wish I could find a clip of that, it was a PBS special. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Someone who seems to not get mentioned much who had a definite impact on my me was Terry Adams from NRBQ. From him I learned that piano is a percussive instrument. and James Booker was incredible in my book. He took Fess and added some polish and refinements but not too much that the playing style lost it's primal nature. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Billy Payne is one of my favorites, and Little Feat (from the George era) is to me the epitome of what I would love to be doing. My favorite bar had Columbus playing on Saturday and yesterday when I popped in. FANTASTIC STUFF STILL. And Ive been listening to that record since I was 14. Jon Cleary is a must. Page McConnell is the dude from Phish. Check out JoJo Herman from Widespread Panic (if youre unfamiliar, go get Live In The Classic City for a primer). He doesnt have the chops of Payne, but like Benmont Tench from Tom Pettys band, seems to know the perfect thing to play at all times. Check out Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident, hes another guy with a ton of chops. But Billy Payne is the king of them all. No one can touch him. Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 James Booker was incredible in my book. He took Fess and added some polish and refinements but not too much that the playing style lost it's primal nature. +1 IMO, James Booker is a case study unto himself. Listening to him makes it harder to touch a KB afterwards. Otherwise, the other cats mentioned in this thread are more "accessible" in understanding some of the stuff in Billy's bag. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I only have one Booker album, and its a live recording from a bar, just him on piano: Spiders on the Keys. I dont think its a bootleg, but the quality certainly veers in that direction. Booker sounds like he might be fd up, but even still, some of the playing on that album is pretty frightening. I need to get some better recordings of him, but that album is a solid representation of serious Nawlins piano. Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I only have one Booker album, and its a live recording from a bar, just him on piano: Spiders on the Keys. I dont think its a bootleg, but the quality certainly veers in that direction. Booker sounds like he might be fd up, but even still, some of the playing on that album is pretty frightening. I need to get some better recordings of him, but that album is a solid representation of serious Nawlins piano. Yeah Tony, that was recorded while he was artist-in-residence at the Maple Leaf Bar. He was f'd up on those recordings which were done a little while before he died. So, you can already imagine what you'll hear on his "straight" recordings. For anyone who cares, James Booker gave lessons to Harry Connick Jr. when he was a lad. Also, Booker laid down Fats Domino's piano parts in the studio, toured with Little Richard and was a heavy influence on Dr. John. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/James-Booker.jpg "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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