Gallantly Streaming

Well, gallantly trying!
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=188224696&blogID=465500470


Note: the free file storage service I joined seems to be undergoing maintenance, so if the player isn't working, please try again tomorrow. Muchas gracias.

Piano player is good but I don't know about that bass player.
He's got some blue notes in there..........LOL

Thanks, Woody and Ted, for your nice comments on myspace. Thanks for listening. What's life without a witness?

I was all excited about putting together that player only to be disappointed with the file storage service and limited bandwidth, making files unavailable the first day I embedded the player. What a drag. Looks like the days of free unlimited space are gone. I used to upload files to AOL space, but a couple months ago they shut the whole thing down after lots of years. They only gave people a few weeks to get their files downloaded and then poof it was all gone after a decade. So now I'm searching for a good unlimited free solution that probably doesn't exist, so I'll settle for an excellent paid storage site offfering the ability to share files (many don't). Any suggestions are appreciated.

Woodman, yeah, our nearly 72 year old bassist (and rich vocalist) knows he doesn't play "correctly" and this leads to some bad notes. It's a drag to realize this and difficult to rationalize. Isn't life about compromise sometimes? Hey, as you know, I'm quite imperfect behind the kit. Fact is, if I didn't get all the gigs and pay the band I probably wouldn't be playing with our stellar pianist. Were all good friends and that's what keeps it going. Unfortunately, our bassist (the marine) recently told me he may put himself out to pasture due to health issues . . . we talk every day. So, for next Thursday's gig I may need to find another upright player, perhaps permanently. We've been a core trio since 1999 . . .

Yeah, you're only as strong as your weakest link, Keith.
Oh..... former Marines don't die they just fade away....
Well, as long as it works for you guys. I didn't mean to diss your bass player, it's just that his intonation on some tunes has something to be desired.
But, the fact that he is 72 years old does say something. At least he's giving it his best shot.
Hey, you're gigging........ right???

Woodman, our bass player has been gigging for more years than I've been alive (47), starting on clarinet in the marine band, sax, drums and bass. He toured the world in a vocal group as lead vocalist. I'll say one thing, the guy has big ears and can swing harder than bass players I've played with who hit all the right notes . . . a seasoned mofo who knows all the songs. Rest assured, you aren't the first or last to hear a bad note, but that's why they make pitch-changing recording software, right? Even Barbra Streisand depends on it, straight from an engineer on one of her sessions in Germany. Sometimes a "weakest link" actually defines a band for reasons other than musical prowess. And I never say prowess and will spare you the gory details in public. Let's just say it's been a rich an interesting life of learning; someone I'd never hesitate to ask advice from on any subject . . . you know the type, more common sense in his pinky . . . not being defensive here, merely sharing . . . take another listen to him singing what could be my favorite track of the set: "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and you'll hear it all in his voice . . . I'm really glad to have documented that on New Year's Eve . . .

Sometimes the spirit is more important than the notes. Incidentally, I've posted a couple of the tunes on this player within the past year here on Bytes and got rightfully lambasted on both counts. It was as if I had committed a crime to Brazilians everywhere, all in the name of memorial for a friend. I hope I've redeemed myself at least partially with the tracks "The Red Blouse" and "Come Inside", my favorite tracks of the set. Kept the HH consistent in Blouse , but the same HH appears to need a reworking on Inside, but at least on this version you can hear cymbalic intent.

woofus wrote:Well, gallantly trying!
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=188224696&blogID=465500470


Note: the free file storage service I joined seems to be undergoing maintenance, so if the player isn't working, please try again tomorrow. Muchas gracias.

I posted a comment tonight Woofus. Check it out. Now that we're back into the drummer's forum, all you have to do is articulate your appendages to support (or accentuate) what the rest of your body is doing within the music. Particularly the bass drum (or HH) as needed. You certainly flow with a spirit and have the ears to allow others to hear what you are doing.

Thanks for that... it was nice to listen to after my being so long off of any website.

Agreed, and again, invoice me for listening! You nail it regarding bass drum especially. I've been trying to reawaken that particular appendage. Trying some heel down work for the first time, especially advantageous for latin beats (heartbeats) I'm finally discovering . . . it's the pulse I've been missing in that and other forms such as 3/4 time where I'm neglecting eighth notes on the ride. So, I feel I've learned from this recording. A bandmate used to say recording yourself is The Great Equalizer . . . where I have been less than equal . . . and you have been doing more than your share keeping us all safe . . .

woofus wrote:Agreed, and again, invoice me for listening! You nail it regarding bass drum especially. I've been trying to reawaken that particular appendage. Trying some heel down work for the first time, especially advantageous for latin beats (heartbeats) I'm finally discovering . . . it's the pulse I've been missing in that and other forms such as 3/4 time where I'm neglecting eighth notes on the ride. So, I feel I've learned from this recording. A bandmate used to say recording yourself is The Great Equalizer . . . where I have been less than equal . . . and you have been doing more than your share keeping us all safe . . .

Keith,

You told me by your phone call this week that you wanted my honest opinion and that by giving it , I would not offend you. So hooray it is:

Work simply and lock into the flow of music as a percussionist and not just as a drummer. I love your playing when free. Yet you need to focus on indendence in structured flows: Namely "Lock and Load!" with support for the others that are playing with you. If I was your percussive mentor, I'd say you are trying just what you must; yet sounding too soon. You have the spirit and freedom in jazz, but frankly compromise what should be the seamless idioms between genres. Clean up you high hat: make it crisp and articulate: namely as if every pulse of the foot is as if you are speaking a "WORD " You treat the HH like so many other's I've heard here on the site: like a wall to put the fist through. NO!!! The HH is the most sensitive instrument in our kit. It requires responsiveness. If you don't get it to your satisfaction, then get another set of pairs for the sound.

But then think about technique... do NOT BASH the HH cyms. Though in "Liver" I loved this for a certain "market," here it is unsuitable.

Listen to how you play free-style and conform the attitude toward any other genre/idiom. Then ask YOURSELF the question if you are up to par. I've always loved your playing, but I am not a seer.

Suss wrote: Yet you need to focus on indendence in structured flows: Namely "Lock and Load!" with support for the others that are playing with you. If I was your percussive mentor, I'd say you are trying just what you must; yet sounding too soon.

That's for sure, very accurate and a huge weakness. Sometimes I'll figure out what to lock. If I can do that, I know I can load it. I think that's a combination of natural ear, but perhaps more so a developed skill. I'm conscious of it and will try harder by putting more time into composing for a song before playing it so I'm not hunting around sounding like I'm building a house with a hammer instead of a song. As I've said, I've admired your strength in composing at the kit. Some people sound naturally rehearsed which isn't always a good thing, but it's a skill I lack and can ruin a tune. Some of that may have to do with playing just a few times/month . . . and never rehearsing. But there is no substitute for inventing/finding the essence and locking into it . . .

Regarding the hats, please know the mic was right under them so they really stand out in this recording; totally naked. Not sure if getting a new pair would change my compositional skill, but a better/louder chick just might help in that regard. I've had the same pair of Paiste Rude hats (stamped/hammered, not wound) since 1987 and have been shopping for a nice pair of wound hats, Zildijan or Paiste, but probably Zildjian. Never tried Constantinoples, but hoping to . . . I'd fork over the bucks for a pair I loved . . .

Come Inside on that recording is an original that is improving and marketable. I'd like to see this tune go places, perhaps a film soundtrack.

Nice review in the Palm Beach Post last Friday:
http://www.pbpulse.com/music/2009/05/08/jazz-stream-stays-united-despite-2-soloists-deaths-scarcity-of-gigs/

woofus wrote:Nice review in the Palm Beach Post last Friday:
http://www.pbpulse.com/music/2009/05/08/jazz-stream-stays-united-despite-2-soloists-deaths-scarcity-of-gigs/

Now this IS NICE! I posted along with Charlie!

Thanks Keith!

Keep on keepin' on Jazzstream!