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The Bassists of Gary Moore by Freddy Villano

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The Bassists of Gary Moore by Freddy VillanoThe Bassists of Gary Moore by Freddy Villano…

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February 6th, 2016 marked the five-year anniversary of the death of guitar great Gary Moore. A somber moment indeed, and also, most certainly, an opportunity for thousands of guitarist worldwide to reflect upon the immense influence he’s had on their instrument as well as their kin. Many marquee players, like Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard/Dio/Last In Line) and John Sykes (Whitesnake/Blue Murder/Thin Lizzy), forged their own identities by emulating Moore’s tone and technique early in their careers.

Inasmuch as Moore was an inspiration to the guitar world, his influence was even broader, as he often surrounded himself with some of the best musicians in the business—and his bassists were no exception. Bass Musician caught up with some of his former bass players and asked them to reflect on their time with Moore and to find out about what they’re up to now.

Jimmy Bain

In 1981, Scottish bassist Jimmy Bain, most famous for his work with Rainbow (and subsequently Dio), managed to cut the bass tracks for Gary Moore’s Dirty Fingers album (Jet, 1984) while simultaneously mixing Stand Your Ground (EMI, 1981), the second Wild Horses record (his collaboration with ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist and fellow Scotsman Brian Robertson). “Gary was doing his album in London, at Morgan Studios, and the bass player he had wasn’t working out so he asked me to come over and play on some tracks,” recalled the 68-year-old bassist. “Chris Tsangarides was the producer and Tommy Aldridge was playing drums. He was one of my favorite drummers at the time—we clicked right away.” Bain already knew Moore from Thin Lizzy, a band with whom he had a close personal relationship, so it wasn’t even remotely an issue when he was asked to pull double-duty. “I started working with Gary at noon and went to about six or seven and then took a break and went down and worked on the Wild Horses mixes starting at about 11 o’clock and worked through the night,” he remembers. “I lost a lot of sleep for a few weeks, but I really enjoyed working with Gary.”

Known for being adept with Moog Taurus pedals (Kate Bush hired him for her 1982 record The Dreaming (EMI) because of his reputation), Bain used them on the track “Rest In Peace” and employed a Yamaha BB2000 bass and an Ampeg SVT throughout the session. He named “Nuclear Attack,” “Hiroshima” and “Run To Your Mama” as standout tracks.

Unfortunately, Bain passed away on January 23rd, 2016. Since 2012, Bain had been working with his ex-band mates from the original incarnation of Dio in the band Last In Line. Their debut CD, Heavy Crown (Frontiers) was released on February 20th. He was reportedly writing an autobiography at the time of his death, titled, I Fell into Metal.

Jimmy Bain w/Gary Moore, “Hiroshima,” Dirty Fingers:

Bob Daisley

Famous for the indelible mark he left on Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo records, 65-year old Australian bassist Bob Daisley says the first time he saw Moore play was in 1975 at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London when he was in Coliseum II. “Gary was the new sort of whiz kid guitar player that people were talking about,” he recalls. In 1983, when Daisley was in New York with Ozzy and guitarist Jake E. Lee writing for the Bark At The Moon (Epic, 1983) record, Moore, who was friends and former band mates with Ozzy keyboardist Don Airey and drummer Tommy Aldridge, visited and initiated a jam with the bassist. “He loved it,” says Daisley. Not long after, Daisley was called upon to play on a few tracks on Victims Of The Future (10 Records, 1984) and subsequent tour dates, which resulted in Emerald Aisles: Gary Moore Live In Ireland (1986). “At the end of the last show Gary said to me, ‘I know you’re with Ozzy, but if ever you’d like to work with me the door is always open,’” recalls Daisley.

Daisley says that Moore was a big fan of bassist Jack Bruce. “He did like that style of playing, although for Gary’s music it had to be a little more disciplined,” admits Daisley. “Cream was very free and Jack overplayed a lot, but he did it so well. You couldn’t go that far with Gary. He was quite particular and could be quite pedantic in what he wanted and didn’t want,” he admits. “His perfectionism sometimes polished the shine off of things, if you know what I mean.”

Daisley credits Power Of The Blues, the last album he did with Moore, (Sanctuary, 2004), as a highlight. “Power Of The Blues is pretty raw—we recorded it quickly,” he admits. “The basic tracks were done in nine days and the enjoyment we were having comes across in the music.” Daisley used a Gibson EB-3 on many of the tracks along with one of Moore’s 50-watt vintage Marshall heads and 4X12 cabinets. “The other bass I used was a 1963 Olympic white Fender Precision through a vintage Ampeg SVT.”

In 2013 Daisley released his autobiography, For Facts Sake. He took time off from playing to complete the endeavor, saying, “If you don’t put your all into something like that it can go on for years and you never get it finished.”

Bob Daisley w/Gary Moore, “Power Of The Blues,” Power Of The Blues:

Mo Foster

70-year-old session ace Mo Foster says it was vital to be able to play by ear when working with Moore: “Gary never wrote out any parts in advance—it was up to you to figure out the chords, any licks and the structure of the song. You could make suggestions but he generally knew exactly what he wanted.” Foster recalls that Moore had seen him playing with Jeff Beck at Hammersmith Odeon back in 1981, but the two didn’t actually meet for the first time until a session in July 1982 at Townhouse Studios in London. Though he has no memory of what they recorded at that session, Foster subsequently contributed one of the most memorable moments to the guitarist’s illustrious career—the fretless bass solo on the song “Empty Rooms” from the Victims Of The Future record. The sessions took place at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, West London in October 1983. “I just used my regular fretless Fender Jazz bass through a little Roland Cube 60 amp,” he says. “We recorded the basic track as a rhythm section first – it was a joy to play with Ian Paice whom I’d never met before – and I then overdubbed the fretless solo, copying Gary’s acoustic solo melody, including the harmonics, as accurately as possible. I used the fretless to make it more haunting.”

Today, Foster is currently promoting a book—British Rock Guitar: The First 50 Years, the Musicians and Their Stories (Northumbria University Press, 2011). “There’s a picture of Gary at eight years old in the book,” he says. “I’ve also been recording a new album with guitarist Ray Russell and drummer Gary Husband (another ex-Moore member), and we’ve been playing some gigs around town too.”

Mo Foster w/Gary Moore, “Empty Rooms,” Victims Of The Future:

Neil Murray

Former Whitesnake mainstay Neil Murray first played with Moore in Colosseum II. He auditioned for the group in 1975 and “didn’t get the gig in actual fact,” admits the 65-year-old Scottish bassist. “I thought I would be pretty suitable for it, but I had to borrow somebody else’s bass guitar and it just didn’t sound very good.” Some months later, Murray got the gig anyhow, and though his tenure didn’t last long, the two would reunite in the ‘80’s on Moore’s Corridors Of Power record (Virgin, 1982).

“It was a bit of a culture shock for me in that it was very much Gary-plus-a-backing group,” recalls Murray, referring to the difference between Moore’s band and his previous outfit, Whitesnake. “In terms of the songwriting the bass was much less important—just either playing the riff or pedaling along, which could be frustrating because Gary very much admired Jack Bruce, but he didn’t want that style of bass playing on his records.” Murray notes that although they often clashed stylistically, they were often very much on the same wavelength. “We always seemed to have the same musical taste at any moment,” he says. “It’s just that what he was looking for in a bass player wasn’t quite me. He didn’t want anything unusual happening behind him, whereas I would prefer something more unexpected from time to time, like what Ian Paice and I did together in Whitesnake.” Murray used a custom-made B.C. Rich Mockingbird with two DiMarzio p-bass pick-ups in reverse position through a Hiwatt bass amp on Corridors.

For the last ten-plus years Murray was the house bassist in the London production of Queen’s hit musical We Will Rock You. In 2013, Murray’s current band, Snakecharmer, released their eponymous debut on Frontiers Records.

Neil Murray w/Gary Moore, “Wishing Well,” Corridors Of Power:

Other bassists worth mentioning include the late Craig Gruber of Elf/Rainbow fame, who can be found on We Want Moore! (Virgin, 1984), Andy Pyle who appears on Gary Moore & The Midnight Blues Band – Live at Montreux 1990 (Eagle Rock Ent.) and Will Lee, bassist for the World’s Most Dangerous Band on The Late Show with David Letterman, who performed on much of After Hours (Charisma, 1992).

Craig Gruber w/Gary Moore, “Shapes Of Things,” We Want Moore!:

 

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Interview With K3 Sisters Band

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Interview With K3 Sisters Band

K3 Sisters Band Interview…

It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.

Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music,  music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.

Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.

Here is the K3 Sisters Band!

Photo, Bruce Ray Productions

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Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole

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Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole

Bassist Danielle Nicole…

Blues music has universal appeal. We all have our ups and downs and this particular musical genre often fits our reality. Just hearing that we are not alone makes us feel a bit better. 

Danielle Nicole writes and sings the Blues. She does an amazing job at delivering both exquisite smoky vocals but plays just the right bass line to drive the tune home. Danielle recently released “The Love You Bleed” last January and will be touring the album this upcoming year.

Join me as we learn about Danielle’s musical journey, how she gets her sound, her plans for the future and more.

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Photo, Missy Faulkner

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Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists

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Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists

Interview with Karina Rykman…

Karina Rykman…The high-energy bassist discusses her path on bass, her upcoming tour, how she came to find Bergantino through another Bergantino artist, and more!

A lifelong Manhattanite diehard New Yorker, Bergantino welcomes new Artist Karina Rykman. Jim and Holly had the privilege of meeting Karina and her band in Boston to see her perform. She lights up a stage with her charismatic passion as a bass player and singer – a true powerhouse of joy and energy. On stage, she smiles from ear to ear, hopping, jumping, and dancing; the entire room overflowing with positivity! If you don’t know this titan of bass yet, you will soon enough. Karina’s JOYRIDE 2024 tour picks up this month with the debut of her new album. We had the opportunity to ask Karina some questions about her career so far. 

You have quite the career that began at a very young age. You have so much going on!! Can you share some of your musical path highlights you are most proud of?

Oh man, thank you! What a long, strange trip it’s been. I’m proud of still being so absolutely enthralled by music after playing in a million bands and finally ending up at this current juncture: being able to make my own music and tour under my own name. It just seems completely surreal – every gig, every recording…I’m on cloud 9 being able to continue to do this, and we’re just getting started. I’m extremely proud of being so young and being able to learn so much from Marco Benevento, without whom I’d be absolutely nowhere. Being put up to a large task with enormous shoes to fill, and stepping in even though I barely knew what I was doing at the time. Every gig with Marco is extremely special to me. 

Tell us about your new album release Joyride and your 2024 tour.

Joyride is my debut record! It came out in August 2023, and we’ve been touring behind it nonstop ever since. You only make your first record once, and I’m so proud of this one – it’s fun, searing, lush, with chantable choruses and, of course, incredibly thick bass and infectious grooves. It was produced by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who also contributes guitar parts to 5 of the 9 tunes. 

What makes the bass so special to you particularly, and how did you gravitate towards it?

There’s nothing quite like feeling the subs rumbling under your feet in a venue and being responsible for those sounds is thrilling. I played guitar first, at age 12, but essentially completely switched over to bass when I was 22 and got the gig playing bass with Marco Benevento. I haven’t looked back since, except for a few gigs on guitar here and there (notably in the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers and on The Today Show backing up Julia Michaels). 

People hate this question, but: If you were constructing your personal Bass Mt. Rushmore, who are the four players that would make the cut and why?

Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool. The list goes on and on, of course, but those four have imprinted their unique styles upon my brain since I was so young, and I’m perpetually learning from them – even in the case of the deceased Cliff (RIP), going back and watching Cliff ‘Em All videos is something I do all the time. Endlessly compelled by these four players and their original takes on the instrument.

How did you learn to play?

I never took lessons, but in middle school and high school, I just surrounded myself with equally music-obsessed people. All we did was play music and go and see live music, which is wildly accessible when you grow up in New York City. I had a really tight-knit crew of amazing players as my friends, and everyone would teach each other riffs and licks. I was fearless – playing with people much better than me and saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that came my way. I essentially learned from playing in a million bands and playing along to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records. 

Are there any other instruments you play?

I started on guitar, and still love to write on guitar. I can get around on keyboards a bit, but you’d never hire me as a keyboardist. The same goes for drums – I LOVE playing drums but you’d never hire me as a drummer. 

Describe your playing style(s), tone, strengths and/or areas that can be improved on the bass.

I play both with a pick and my fingers, depending on the specific needs of / vibe of the tune. I love playing fuzz bass and writing bombastic “lead bass” moments, which are a staple of my live show. I’d say I’m about the least “traditional” bassist in just about every way – which is both a strength and a weakness depending on how you frame it. I play what I hear, what I like, and I adhere to very few rules. I’ve always hated rules, and I didn’t start playing rock n roll to follow them. 

How did you find Bergantino Audio Systems?

I’m pals with Mike Gordon, bassist of Phish, and his tech is named Ed Grasmeyer. Ed suggested he bring Mike’s Bergantino for me to try out at a show I was playing in Vermont, and I fell instantly in love. 

You have been using the Bergantino Forté HP2 head. How have you been setting the controls on this and what changes to those settings might you make as you plug into your other individual instruments?

I love my Forté HP2! The versatility and headroom are incredible, and I’ve been having a lot of fun dialing it in at home. The real fun will begin this weekend when I take it out for 2.5 weeks of tour – dialing something in an apartment just isn’t the same as on a big stage with a PA and subs and all that good stuff. I like to roll my highs a bit and I keep “punch” on all the time. So far, it’s been a dream.

You are the inspiration behind Bergantino cab the new NXT410-C. Can you tell us more about this cab and your experience so far?

Firstly, I’m beyond touched to be the inspiration behind, well…anything! But this is truly insane, and such an honor. I love this cab. Not only is it light and extremely good-looking, it can handle all my loudest, most abrasive and obnoxious effects. My old amp didn’t come close, and could just fart out or I’d have to turn down to appease it. I’m a big fan of playing at earth-shattering volumes, so this is going to be a match made in heaven. 

We all love your custom-made Goldie Hawn bass guitar! Can you share more with us about this bass design and why it is so special to you?

Thanks! That’s made by “Zeke Guitars” – it’s the second custom bass he’s made for me! He reached out in the summer of 2019 and asked what my dream bass would be, and I said it was basically my 1978 Fender P-Bass, but lighter, whiter, with Lindy Fralins, gold hardware, and shorter scale. And, well..he did exactly that! I love that bass so much. And the gold, which is referred to as Goldie Hawn, was born in December of 2022, and has the same specs. I just love it, it sounds amazing and looks, arguably, even better. 

Jim and I were lucky to get to meet you in person when you came to Boston with the band. The members of the band are such a great group of people! Can you share more with all about the band and crew. 

I’m so lucky to keep such incredible company. My bandmates, Adam November and Chris Corsico, are not only unbelievable musicians but also incredible humans. We just laugh and laugh, and we’re there for each other when the road gets tough or we’re exhausted or whatever life throws at us. It’s the joy of my life to get to tour the world with these guys. And the crew! That night was Connor Milton on sound and Nick Koski on lights – we have a rotating cast of people who play those roles based on availability, and everyone who works for us are absolute consummate professionals and the sweetest humans. They are my team of experts and I just adore them so much. Shout out to Zach Rosenberg, Jeff Volckhausen, Dylan Hinds, Dom Chang, for being the best rotating crew a gal could ask for!  

What else do you do besides music? 

Not much! I love going to the beach! I love eating dinner! 

Because I am a foodie, I always ask people what their favorite food is!

Oysters, caviar, sushi. I’m a raw bar fanatic. 

At a very young age, Karina is a diligent hard worker. She juggles many balls managing her business and is savvy beyond her years. We are very happy to be working with Karina and are excited for her continued success!

Follow Karina Rykman:

Instagram: @karinarykman
X (formerly Twitter): @KarinaRykman
Facebook @karinarykman/

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Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser

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Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser

Bassist Ciara Moser…

Ciara and I sat down for this interview a few months after the launch of her debut album, “Blind. So what?”

Blind since birth, she is a powerhouse of talent; she is not only a professional bassist, but also composes music, and is a producer and educator. I am just blown away by her talent and perseverance.

Join me as we hear about Ciara’s musical journey, the details of her album, how she gets her sound, and her plans for the future.

Visit online:

www.ciara-moser.com 
IG @ moserciara
FB @ ciara.moser

Photos by Manuela Haeussler

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Interview With Bassist Travis Book

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Interview With Bassist Travis Book

Interview With Bassist Travis Book…

Bluegrass music has had a very solid following over many years and I am always happy to hear from one of the pioneers in that genre.

Travis Book plays bass for the Grammy award-winning band “The Infamous Stringdusters” and has recently released his first solo album “Love and Other Strange Emotions”. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Travis also hosts a podcast, Plays a Jerry Garcia music show with Guitarist Andy Falco, and is constantly gigging locally in his neck of the woods.

Photo, Seyl Park

Visit Online:

www.thetravisbook.com
www.thestringdusters.com
FB @ TheTravisBook
IG @ travisbook

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