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Respecting the Music With Phil Baker: I’ve Got the Blues
by Phil Baker –
Things happen when cultures collide–some good, some bad, but always interesting. The Crusades, when medieval Europe clashed with the Muslim world, led to the Renaissance. US soldiers, exposed to early twentieth-century European culture during World War I, produced the roaring twenties. African religion, brought to the new world by African slaves, mixed with Catholicism to form voodoo in Haiti, santeria in Cuba, and candomble in Brazil. The music of Africa and Europe also mixed in the new world to create salsa in Cuba, samba in Brazil, and the Blues in America.
I consider the creation of the Blues one of the most important and influential musical developments of the last few centuries. The influence of the Blues can be found in almost every genre of music. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” and the theme to the television show “Batman” are just a few examples. One could draw a family tree and show how the blues spawned jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, and, more recently, funk and rock and roll. The iconoclast Jimi Hendrix combined the Delta Blues with a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall amp to forever change the guitar and rock. All the great rock guitarists studied the Blues. Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Keith Richards, and Joe Walsh are just a few. What do you think separates Eric Clapton from the legions of fleet-fingered guitar slingers? It is the depth of expression he gained from studying the Blues. I think the golden age of rock, 1967-1972, was epitomized by
the prime of the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream, ZZ Top, and Jimi Hendrix. All were heavily influenced by the Blues. The corporate hair bands that followed were pitiful and soulless. This vacuum of emotion and expression led to the revolt of the grunge bands, full of rebellion and angst but lacking innovation and depth. Woodstock, almost forty years ago, is still the high water mark of rock and pop music and culture. Can you imagine the music and fashion of 1928 at Woodstock?!?
Some of the most easily recognizable trademarks of the Blues are the “Blue notes.” These notes are found between the minor and major thirds and the fourth and sharp fourth. On instruments that can’t play these notes (piano, organ, etc.) there developed licks that trilled between these notes. Guitarists started bending strings to get at these notes! The Blues is the first genre, to my knowledge, that combines minor and major tonality.
Playing over the changes of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” or learning the slap bass part to Larry Graham’s “Pow” can be challenging but you have not had your butt kicked until you’ve tried to solo over a slow blues.
What do you think of when somebody says “The Blues?” John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in black suits? Dark smoky nightclubs? It may be cliché to think that the Blues represents sorrow and hardship but there is usually some truth found in a cliché. I value the time I’ve spent in Blues bands and studying the Blues and would recommend both to any aspiring musician to broaden and temper the depth of their musicality.
The Blues, like pornography, might be hard to define but easy to recognize. Anybody who has played a distorted electric guitar or listened to Elvis’ “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hounddog” has been touched by the Blues.
Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Bassist Graham Stanush…
Return to Dust is keeping Grunge alive and well! They have a new self-titled album that went out on May 3rd, 2024 and will be super busy promoting this project in the near future.
Graham Stanush is the bass powerhouse driving their sound and adding vocals to the mix. Join me as we hear all about Graham’s musical journey, details about the new album, how he gets his sound and their plans for the future.
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Bass Videos
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
CrystalBright Rombo Picks
PR SamplePlaying bass with a pick is still a touchy subject in our community. I believe you should be able to use whatever you need to get your sound. Even though I mostly play with my fingers, I like to check out innovative new picks that might have something new to offer, sonically speaking.
Judith and Carlos from Rombo recently contacted me about a new material called CrystalBright that they have been researching for the last 12 months and offered to send some prototype picks. After trying them out, I put together this video with my findings.
For more info check out @rombopicks
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear
New Joe Dart Bass From Sterling By Music Man
Sterling by Music Man introduces the Joe Dart Artist Series Bass (“Joe Dart”), named after and designed in collaboration with the celebrated Vulfpeck bassist.
Above photo credit: JORDAN THIBEAUX
This highly-anticipated model marks the debut of the Dart bass in the Sterling by Music Man lineup, paying homage to the Ernie Ball Music Man original that all funk players know and love. The bass embodies many of the original model’s distinctive features, from its iconic minimalist design to the passive electronics.
The design process prioritized reliability, playability, and accessibility at the forefront. Constructed from the timeless Sterling body, the Dart features a slightly smaller neck profile, offering a clean tone within a comfortable package. The body is crafted from soft maple wood for clarity and warmth while the natural finish emphasizes the simple yet unique look.
Engineered for straightforward performance, this passive bass features a ceramic humbucking bridge pickup and a single ‘toaster’ knob for volume control. Reliable with a classic tone, it’s perfect for playing in the pocket. The Dart is strung with the all-new Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flatwound Electric Bass Strings for the smoothest feel and a mellow sound.
The Sterling by Music Man Joe Dart Bass is a special “Timed Edition” release, exclusively available for order on the Sterling by Music Man website for just one month. Each bass is made to order, with the window closing on May 31st and shipping starting in November. A dedicated countdown timer will indicate the remaining time for purchase on the product page. Additionally, the back of the headstock will be marked with a “2024 Crop” stamp to commemorate the harvest year for this special, one-of-a-kind release.
The Joe Dart Bass is priced at $399.99 (MAP) and can be ordered globally at https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/joe-dart.
To learn more about Joe Dart, visit the official Vulfpeck artist site here https://www.vulfpeck.com/.
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
Preparing for Performance with Dr. Randy Kertz
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
