The Easy-Going Laid-Back Bongo

[bovinehost]

Last night, my bandmate Brian and I rehearsed without a drummer for the first time in a while - we used to do it quite a bit, but both love the kick in the @ss from being propelled along by a good shuffle.....anyway, we're doing a couple of very quiet and short sets next week and next month to celebrate his daughter's birthday and then my boy Jeremy's fourth birthday.

If you can't play for your kids, who can you play for?

Anyway, we were playing at low volume, working mostly on vocal harmonies and arrangements, and I was thinking to myself, "Is there anything this freakin' Bongo cannot do?"

And while we're pouring a new round of martinis, Brian - no fan of the Bongo look, except for the Logan Flame beast, which he calls the "Cowpilot Bongo" - says, "Is there anything that freakin' Bongo cannot do?"

Now check this partial song list:

1. Over The Rainbow (play it root-five and you'll see how fun it is)
2. I'm A Believer (kids think it's from Shrek)
3. Jambalaya
4. Simon Says (hey, it's for kids)
5. Me and Julio Down by The Schoolyard
6. Bears (the Lyle Lovett tune)

And some other stuff, relatively mellow and low-key.

Anyway, if I have a point, it is that I am usually praising the Bongo in a band context, and often comment on what an angry beast it is, but I am now convinced that I could play jazz lounge gigs with the thing and be happy happy happy.

I just wanted to tell you guys how good my Bongo/Bongos is/are.

I love you, Sterling Ball and Dudley Gimpel.

And no, I'm not drinking - yet.

Jack

 

[phatduckk]

jack im not buying this "the bongo can do anything ever" thing. I think you should send me one on loan to see if you can convince me

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

And no, I'm not drinking - yet.

I just popped my first...come on now..catch up and call me in a few hours.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Jack, this news only makes me want a Bongo even more! And the best part is... I'VE GOT ONE COMING!!!



I've got to PM you about the Sterling I want you to order for me next, so far I'm pretty sure I want a H/S (lefty of course). I'm sort of waiting to see the LE colors, but I haven't ruled out the extra nice natural piece of wood BP has in the trunk of his 64.

 

[bovinehost]

I now have my martini glass filled, Mister Steebo. I'll be calling you in a bit - home or mobile?

jack im not buying this "the bongo can do anything ever" thing. I think you should send me one on loan to see if you can convince me

I'm a bit short on fivers at the moment, but I do have the Desert Gold HH four banger that I'm not playing much (I wonder why).

Pay the shipping, brother, and I'll loan it to you for a while if you want. Hell, I sent one to my pal Bob from the Bears/Psychodots. Why not?

Bob, sweating to the music of the world-famous Pyschodots. BTW, the 'Dots are recording their first new CD in a long, long time. Highly recommended if you like great American (smart) power pop!

 

[bovinehost]

I'm sort of waiting to see the LE colors

I've been thinking about this "waiting for the LE colors" concept all day. You're not the only one to mention this.

Boys, boys, boys. It's going to be at least next year before we even get a clue what the next LE color will be! And I'm sorry, but I just do not GET this idea of "waiting" for a particular color.

Have you seen the currently available color chart?

Buy one now and by the time the next LE rolls around, you'll be ready for the next one.

I'm amazed that I have to point this out.

Jack

 

[shamus63]

Sharin' the Bongo love, Jack!

Tomorrow's my Bongo's seventh anniversary (yes, seven whole days ).

Correction: 14th anniversary...just seems like only seven.

I've taken it to three jam nights and blown everybody away with its ability to drive not only Van Halen songs, but Doobies, blues jams, and whatever other classic rock songs are thrown my way.

Then I sit at home with my Bassman25 practice amp, and pull off Elvis Costello, Madness, Tower of Power, Hall and Oates, and even the original stuff I do with my San Francisco indie guys...all with only a little tweaking of the 4-band E.Q.

Hell, I can even play the Yellowjackets first album with ease; just back off the neck p/up a bit, and let it ride!

Proud owner...you bet your @ss!

 

[phatduckk]

I'm a bit short on fivers at the moment, but I do have the Desert Gold HH four banger that I'm not playing much (I wonder why)

really? i was 1/2 way joking but 1/2 way serious! woah ... alrighty then. ill email you tomorrow to discuss. thanks a lot!

re: its a 4 banger .... sweet!
what's that other string for again? LoL id get lost on a 5 anyways. only played a 5 for about 6 minutes of my life.

woah! what if i end up buying a Bongo instead of a Sterling. Jack is this your secret plan to kill my mission before it begins? im scared of the Bongo ... im scared ill love it. hmmm, lets see

Honestly Jack ... youre a great guy for considering this my friend!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Well Jack you have a point, it's hard to imagine a cooler color than ButterCream and I'll have two of those. I'm a sucker for natural anyway... hmmmmm.

Perhaps I "should" wait till the Bongo comes, I may just have to have more of those. Here's an idea, if I order a bass every two or three months I would never have to wait too long for a new bass fix!

 

[tkarter]

I am going to go to Texas and find a Bongo 5 string and play one. If I could buy one it just may be the first in Kansas. LOL


Of course the SR5 is capable of killing Kansans.

tk

 

[shamus63]

really? i was 1/2 way joking but 1/2 way serious! woah ... alrighty then. ill email you tomorrow to discuss. thanks a lot!

Hey Duck and Jack ~ If you guys actually go through with this, and the B4 DG doesn't float Duck's boat, let me know if you're willing to part with it permanently.

I'm only four miles from Duck, and there's a check with my name on it in the mail from L.A.

 

[bovinehost]

woah! what if i end up buying a Bongo instead of a Sterling. Jack is this your secret plan to kill my mission before it begins?

Nosirree, no way. I think your dedication to Sterlings is just fine. I support your stated goal to own more Sterlings than I own Bongos! I salute you!

But WTF, I have some Bongos and when I want a four, I'm reaching for (to no one's surprise) the Biffster. I wouldn't do it for just anyone, so don't you newbies get all fired up and PM me or anything, but I'd do it for you.

It's got LaBella Flats on it! That might scare you a little bit.

 

[shamus63]

Think I'll go play my Bongo now...

...back in about twenty minutes.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I take it that none of us have gigs tonight...

 

[bovinehost]

You guys are FAST. In the time it took me to write my response, there were three of you in there! Whew!

Tom - you want to play one, you come on down to Dallas and you can have at mine for as long as you want. You already know this.

James, that Bongo I'm talking about has seen some 'love'. I dropped it at a jam one night, just let it fall right outta the gig bag while some bonehead was asking "What the hell kind of bass IS that?"

It's got a little ding in the headstock but the main thing is one of the knobs (volume) is no longer exactly symmetrical in its turning radius. It has a little wobble to it, if you know what I mean. It's tight, no loose business, but it isn't exactly right, either.

So if the Duck doesn't fall in love with it and you want it, ah, what the hell, try it and get back to me. It sure works just fine and sounds like....well, you know what it sounds like, I bet.

 

[phatduckk]

well arent we all a collection of super nice MOFOs? looks at us all helping out fellow cult members.

im glad its gotten a ding or 2 ... id be nervous to borrow a mint instrument

 

[bovinehost]

LOL

No, it's not mint and I'm not particularly anal about such things anyway.

Just think of it as having Texas Blues Jam mojo.

 

[hankSRay]

Man, this Bongo talk is gonna keep me up tonight. I thought I was safe because I wasnt a fan of their looks at first, but now I realize, no one's safe. Damn those things just grow on ya dont they.

 

[bovinehost]

now I realize, no one's safe.

Oh Henry, you are showing the early warning signs, brother.

Come, sit by me, let us talk of Bongos.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hank
This is Dr Ball...I've reviewed your history and bloodwork and have decided that you have low grade bongo infection. I am going to prescribe a Single H bongo to play gour times daily....please do NOT operate heavy machinery, and dont think of going to work...Just play the single h bongo and I will schedule a follow up appt with my nurse practioner Jackie...He may require you to move up to a 2h...but we will cross the bridge when we come to it. maybe at the worst you will have to play a ihum i single for awhile....