Bottom Feeding
Last night I had the opportunity to attend a concert at a local venue by a group called SMV. I won't assume that you know anything about SMV, as until about a week ago, I didn't. SMV is a fusion jazz supergroup comprised of three living legends of fusion jazz bass virtuosity -- Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten.
If you are a fan of the bass guitar at all, you owe it to yourself to look any of these names up on YouTube. What they can do with a bass, whether electric or standup, is nothing short of awe inspiring, no matter how you feel about jazz, in particular fusion jazz.
The trio finished up with one of the greatest bass driven fusion jazz tunes ever -- School Days, originally recorded by Clarke in 1976. It was incredible. Nothing short of amazing.
I think it may have reversed my vasectomy.
But here, see for yourself:
Now that I've told you about these guys, what they can do, how amazing they are, I'd like to take a moment to talk about the opening act. The Marco Benevento Trio. Piano, drums, electric bass. But not your standard bass/drums/piano jazz outfit. I was having a hard time trying to figure out how to label them. At times, they sounded as though they were channeling Genesis, at times like Radiohead, at times Ben Folds, and at times they just went off the deep end, doing to the piano what Coltrane used to do on a sax. It was pleasant, but not earth shattering.
I did buy Marco's album on iTunes today, but suspect it won't get strong positioning in my rotation. More of a curiosity piece, as in "Hey, I saw these guys at the Keswick."
It was really an odd choice for an opening act for SMV. I was particularly curious about how the bass player must have felt. Here he was, standing in a theater filled with lovers of the bass, lovers of amazing proficiency. And truly, he was no slouch on the bass, had a few nice solos and such, but it is unlikely that SMV would have asked him to fill in should there have been an illness or something, if'n ya knows what I mean.
I put myself in his shoes for a moment. And I felt bad for the guy. There was no way he was going to get any love from this audience. What sort of self-loathing or self-delusion must this guy have to be willing to put himself in that position? I can only wonder.
In fairness to all of you, I dug up this for you as well...
4 splash(es):
That's great! Vic Wooten used to play with Bela Fleck, but I didn't know what he was up to professionally lately. Thanks for sharing! :)
Jazz, bass guitar...I can put in on while cleaning a toilet and become happy.
Couldn't get sound on this for some reason??, but will look it up on youtube.
Thanks for the tip, and glad you had a good time.
You know, regarding your comment about the opening bass player, I am continually amazed by anybody who will put themselves in a position of having/needing super self-confidence in themselves and their abilities. I think this way more along the lines of politicians, CEO's, baseball pitchers, football quarterbacks, moms.... They have to do what they do without questioning themselves....they have to believe in what they are "selling" no matter what the rest of us think. They have to be confident enough in their abilities that even when they have obviously screwed something up, they continue to be the person making decisions - without hesitation.
I kind of think this way about your opening bass guy. He can't worry so much about what anyone else is doing. It's about making the best decisions - - playing the best damn bass - - he can without questioning himself. That's how he will succeed.
Anyway, I know that's kind of a corny bit of a stretch of an analogy. I'm just so in awe, inspired by, people who are just THAT confident in their abilities - - even if I don't agree with what they are doing.
P.S. That's Jazz???!!!??? That's not what I think of when I think jazz. Interesting.
P.S.S. You may want to let Mrs. Pos know about that whole "reversed my vasectomy" thing.
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