give the monkey less choice?

Was emailed an interesting Peter Gabriel interview about the new music software called the Filter and came upon this quote:

"...he was saying that everyone thinks that what the revolution in computers has provided us with is of freedom of choice. But maybe what people want often is freedom from choice. If you look at a lot of religions, all the spiritual seekers like a monk in a cell are removing choices from themselves voluntarily. What I would like to end up with is less angst from choice and too much research, but still being able to dig deep whenever I want."

After a little hesitation, I realized he's totally right. When you go from a passive TV-watching society to an active user-driven internet world, you kinda miss someone giving you the good stuff, um, like this blog.

Low End Theory

As I said, Jeff, your list of the top three from the previous post is pretty durned tight. I’m struck by a couple of things, though. First, you ignore Geddy Lee—are you afraid of what Alex would do? Also, two of the three you mentioned, and the sample you've provided, demonstrate what I think might be an anomaly in rock bass playing. What Is And What Should Never Be features a way-out-in-front fluid melodic line…sorta like McCartney’s work on Something. I’m not convinced that bassists get that sorta line, that sorta prominence often. What’s pretty nice about Aston Barrett is his rock(-steady)-solid holding down of the band, selfless musicianship so tasty you don’t even notice it most of the time. You don’t listen to the bass playing with the Family Man…you groove to the song—like the band is one big instrument. That’s the quality I like in a lot of bassists—Cachao, countless anonymous township jive players, among others. So I’m posting a song that bridges those two possibilities in bass playing—the selfless anchor and the surprising flash usually reserved for guitarists.

Mike Mills…oh, how should I begin singing your praises? For the harmonies, for the Nudie suits, for not quitting the band to run a farm (NOT rock-n-roll), for never confusing yourself with Bono, for holding your liquor on transatlantic flights, for writing (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville but not taking credit…for rocking that muthafunkin’ Rickenbacker! For all of these things, I’d have to place Mike Mills—and bass players of his ethos—among the top.

Can't Get There From Here

Bassists that I resisted talking about in my snarky way:
That guy from Trout Fishing In America
That guy on “Duke of Earl”
Bernie Worrell’s left hand
Stevie Wonder’s left hand
Britta Phillips (HOT)
Sid Vicious
Keith Richards (see, cuz Bill Wyman was, y'know, like, [ahem] still in the band...and that’s funny…[insert nervous tugging at shirt collar])

Bassists so annoying that they are beyond snark:
Tony Levin
Sting
Ray Manzarek’s left hand (you're welcome, Alex)
Jack Casady (for Jefferson Airplane)
Jack Casady (for Jefferson Starship)
Jack Casady (for Starship)
Bruce Thomas (for slamming Mr. Macmanus in a book)

Joel Loves A List! (just like me)

An open letter to Joel,
Obviously Alex and Glycerin don't like to make out, at least not with us.
But I know that you would love to make some lists, so let's start with Bass Playing.
What is your all time favorite Bass performance?
Basically my top 3 favorite bass players are McCartney, John Paul Jones and
Aston Barrett. All the other greats fall into lower ties for me. Those 3 really cover all the basses!!
If I had to pick one performance above all others it would be Jones on The Lemon Song from Zeppelin II.
Unfortunately, I only have that on LP and don't feel like hooking up a bunch of wires to transfer it to the www.
Here is another great song from the same time frame...

MP3: What Is And Should Never Be

Does anyone know why Plant and Page hate him now?