Very Cool Surprise Last Night - EBMM Content

[Moondog]

Like a good jersey boy, I went and checked out Springsteen
who had a pre-tour show w/the Seeger Sessions band in
Asbury Park. Amazing 17-piece band playing some atypical
stuff. Anyway, after the show we went out for a couple drinks
and as we walked into a crowded bar, there was Tony Levin
on stage with a Stealth-4 Bongo. He also played a black SR5H
fretless and some wierd, awesome sounding 12-string stick.
It turned out to be a late night, a pleasant surprise for me not
knowing or ever listening to his work. TL is a very talented dude -
check him out if you can.

SOB makes me want a stealth Bongo now

 

[Randracula]

Wow! That was a pretty cool surprise.Did you get any pics?

 

[Moondog]

Wow! That was a pretty cool surprise.Did you get any pics?

Unfortunately no, I wanted to get a pic w/him after the
show but it was late, beer was going down too ez, I had
to work today, yada yada yada . . so I left before the end

 

[Bill]

Cool, Ken!

 

[adouglas]

He's going to be up in Schenectady tomorrow night. Thinking about going (it's a hike...165 miles one way), and if I do, I'll take pics.

It would be awesome to hear him playing a Bongo!

 

[WillPlay4Food]

That 12 string thing is known as a Chapman Stick.

Just thought you might like to know.

I have a question about Levin as well, what are those weird long things he puts on his fingers when he plays? I saw a Peter Gabriel DVD over my friend's house and he was using these finger extension things to play some kind of MM bass.

 

[Moondog]

That 12 string thing is known as a Chapman Stick.
Just thought you might like to know.

Yup, that's it - the 12 string tapping bass
Thanks.

 

[Mobay45]

I have a question about Levin as well, what are those weird long things he puts on his fingers when he plays? I saw a Peter Gabriel DVD over my friend's house and he was using these finger extension things to play some kind of MM bass.

I believe those are called Funk Fingers. He got the idea of combining drums and bass and developed those. He used them for a while at the EBMM Open House concert.

 

[dinosaur]

I have a question about Levin as well, what are those weird long things he puts on his fingers when he plays? I saw a Peter Gabriel DVD over my friend's house and he was using these finger extension things to play some kind of MM bass.

They were born out of the bass part for Peter Gabriel's 'Big Time' where Jerry Marotta played with drumsticks on the bass strings and Levin did the fingering - it's near the beginning of the track. In order to replicate the percussive effect on his bass when playing the part live he developed 'Funk Fingers'.

One of the greatest tracks which feature them is King Crimson's 'People' from the 1995 album 'Thrak'. Now that is a fat bass line ...

james.

 

[0557]

Its about time!

Its nice to hear that Tony is actually playing a Bongo. He's the man.

 

[Psychicpet]

good God man!

way too cool.

 

[maddog]

I wonder what happened with the red 5'er he had. Check out Dudley and TL under the June 7th entry:

http://www.tonylevin.com/pgsummer03-1.htm

 

[kakobass]

That was like this one time I was touring and had one night in NYC. The drummer had to drag me out to go get a beer, and we go by chance to Bar 55.

To my surprise, Anthony Jackson was playing with an electric/eclectic trio. What a surprise to see the man in person, so close. Massive 6-string Fordera, high action . . . he was working it.

BTW, Tony Levin kicks ass. I went to the last Peter Gabriel tour and also met him at the Bass Day conference a few years ago (at the Manhattan Center, anybody?). Nice guy - and a genius of minimalistic bass playing.

 

[pattiejay]

Its nice to hear that Tony is actually playing a Bongo. He's the man.

i crave that man's tone - i guess it's all in the fingers

 

[bovinehost]

I was wondering if he'd ever get around to putting the Bongo in the rotation.

To me, he defines the Stingray 5. He was why I bought one. Hell, he was why I thought I might try something more than four strings!

If you get a chance, check out Tony's work with Jules Shear. Some truly great American music.

 

[SteveB]

I believe at the EBMM Open House, Tony said that he tried selling those "Funk Fingers" via his web site or something, but they weren't a big seller and it sounded like he stopped, or intended to stop.

He used them a bit at the concert at the Madonna Inn during the weekend of the Open House, and they sounded really cool! And from out in the audience, they looked like really creepy long fingers! Extra cool!

 

[maddog]

I believe at the EBMM Open House, Tony said that he tried selling those "Funk Fingers" via his web site or something, but they weren't a big seller and it sounded like he stopped, or intended to stop.

Tony had a bunch made up because everybody kept telling him it was a great idea. Then they took forever to sell. He decided to exit the funk fingers business. Somewhere on his website he gives some details/advice on how to make your own. I'll try to find it again later today. I wanna say he did this in the mid-90's maybe early 90's.

 

[ras1983]

Its nice to hear that Tony is actually playing a Bongo. He's the man.

and a stealth one at that!

 

[adouglas]

Went to the Schenectady show last night (and didn't get home until 3:30...I'm getting too old for this &**^).

Yes, he was playing a Stealth Bongo 4HH (the usual Barbie Flesh SR5 nowhere in sight). That man has serious voodoo. I've got a Bongo 5HH and mine doesn't sound that good (or maybe it does...I'm just too busy having fun playing to notice).

Yes, I took photos and will post them once I wake up (maybe Tuesday)... If you ask real nice (or if you abuse me enough).

The new album (which this tour is all about) features a lot of vocals. Tony is one of the best bassists ever, but as a lead vocalist....well, he's a fine bassist. Leave it at that. The music kicks butt anyway.

Hear it for yourself...the album is called Resonator and is on iTunes.

Two special treats during the show...he pulled out something he did in an early band he was in with his brother Pete called The Clams: A joke version of the Carpenters' (yes, those Carpenters) "Close to You." Hysterical.

They also ended with an acapella version of "Don't Give Up" that was awesome.