You Ever Have the Pleasure of Playing With Really Great Bandmates?

[TSJMajesty]

Speaking in the context of their musicianship, that is.

I've had a few.

One was a bass player, who could sing anything, had great pitch, and knew that bass like the back of his hand! He'd lock in so tight with our drummer (also awesome) that it gave me almost total free-reign. That was a good band, even though I was definitely the weakest link!

Had a drummer (different guy) who learned all his parts perfectly, and his timing was impeccable! Didn't have a lot of flair of his own, but that was fine, since it was all cover songs.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Definitely!
My first band, 3pc, the other guitarist/bassist (we switched duties depending on tunes) was 10 yrs older and taught me that every now and then you just have to let loose and take a risk when playing live. Improv for us was a big chunk of the performance and we thrived on it. That still sticks with me today, trying to balance spontaneity with arrangement, that's my happy place musically. He also wrote (and still writes) a lot, some serious stuff, funky stuff, and even parody. So that left an impression on me to just write what's on your mind regardless of genre.

Another band I was in, most of the guys grew up playing gospel and country so they pretty much all were accomplished multi-instrumentalists.
The drummer was also a killer bassist. The bassist, a killer pianist. The keyboardist, also an incredible singer/arranger. The vocalist/guitarist, killer writer and saxophonist. All of them could sing harmonies very well. And then there was me.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Yeah, I was in a couple of great bands.

One band lasted years with my best bud Mick. We only did originals and he was an amazing player/writer. He made me better.

One only lasted as long as the audition. They offered me the job but i couldn’t meet their requirements (i didn’t have a car at the time and I lived 50 miles away was the biggest issue). I regret not taking that one, the drummer (Bill Haller) was absolutely incredible. I should have lived on the street just to be in that band.

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Yes.

But nothing lasts forever, plus when things get serious, you really find out who you can rely on...

 

[FuzzyAce]

One band lasted years with my best bud Mick.

Is your name Keith by chance?

 

[HomespunEffects]

Is your name Keith by chance?

No.

 

[FuzzyAce]

No.

Ronnie?

 

[HomespunEffects]

Ronnie?

My name is Mark.

 

[FuzzyAce]

My name is Mark.

A pleasure Mark.
Ace. Fuzzy... Ace.

(some call me mike)

..

 

[JiveTurkey]

 

[JiveTurkey]

Also; yes. A number of times. Gladly with people that tolerate my unique set of "skills" and allow me to share the stage with them.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I posted about the other guy in the entire world named Mick (the one in the band with me) but he’s a political figure and thought it best to delete the link. Sorry about that.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

No, they've all pale in comparison to my skill and grace

 

[FuzzyAce]

I posted about the other guy in the entire world named Mick (the one in the band with me) but he’s a political figure and thought it best to delete the link. Sorry about that.

Oh, I missed it?
I get it though... the guy I mentioned (still one of my best friends) in my first post is somewhat of an online celebrity. If I post his "link" it would more than likely spawn some interesting, political discussions.

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

I am lucky enough to play with great musicians, all pro, and even within that classification on the top of the pyramide. Even “inhouse”, my girl..absurdly musical, records with grammy winning producers and global top of jazz. She can sing complex s**t that makes Donna Lee sound like Mary had a little lamb.
A local player I do a monthly with..toured with Micheal Mac Donald, all Jarreau..got calls from David foster cause Stevie wonder couldn’t make it…crazy resume, and incredible player.

Sadly, even with these people it’s mostly clubs/small concerts for beer money in my country

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Oh, I missed it?
I get it though... the guy I mentioned (still one of my best friends) in my first post is somewhat of an online celebrity. If I post his "link" it would more than likely spawn some interesting, political discussions.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Not ready to open that can of worms yet. It might turn into TOP real quick up in here.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Not ready to open that can of worms yet. It might turn into TOP real quick up in here.

Yeah, but, we're all better than that place.

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Not ready to open that can of worms yet. It might turn into TOP real quick up in here.

Yeah, over the years I've been tempted to drop names, only one I have is my former friend/guitar mentor Mark Norton (St. John).

At the end of the day, we're all the children of The Loving, Healing, Creative Power of the Infinite, which *humans* can only experience, but not fully grok within our *finite* being.

I have a good friend, whose literally an icon, that I shared a musical journey with in the 80s, but was dam' near impossible to be in a band with due to all the drama from groupies, stalkers, gold diggers & such, not too mention I couldn't deal with the stigma attached to his former mates...

He's one of those 70s hard rock/metal drummers from a band that defined the genre ~ When he powers the snare it sounds like a .44 mag going off, freaked me & my musical partner the hell out the first time we jammed with him.

Playing with seasoned pros is a whole 'nuther level, hangin' them & writing songs is another

Looking back I'm glad that I didn't "make it", being a rock star would have killed me, it almost killed him.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Yeah, over the years I've been tempted to drop names, only one I have is my former friend/guitar mentor Mark Norton (St. John).

At the end of the day, we're all the children of The Loving, Healing, Creative Power of the Infinite, which *humans* can only experience, but not fully grok within our *finite* being.

I have a good friend, whose literally an icon, that I shared a musical journey with in the 80s, but was dam' near impossible to be in a band with due to all the drama from groupies, stalkers, gold diggers & such, not too mention I couldn't deal with the stigma attached to his former mates...

He's one of those 70s hard rock/metal drummers from a band that defined the genre ~ When he powers the snare it sounds like a .44 mag going off, freaked me & my musical partner the hell out the first time we jammed with him.

Playing with seasoned pros is a whole 'nuther level, hangin' them & writing songs is another

Looking back I'm glad that I didn't "make it", being a rock star would have killed me, it almost killed him.

Yeah, I get it. I still would have liked to have experienced a real national tour though. I didn’t fit in with those guys though. I was too straight edge and never gave in.