SeeBeeOne
JamSessionsThree
17th June 2008 This will be the last SeeBeeOne post for a while, until we record something properly over the summer. This post is a bit of a strange one because, after discussing whether we need a bassist or not over the last few months, one fell out of the sky a couple of weekends ago. It was a bright sunny day two Sunday’s ago, if you remember, and so there we were jamming away with the windows open. After three tracks, our drummer’s housemate informs us that we have a fan outside. Our pianist pops his head out of the window. It’s a large guy in a muscle vest with a case. ‘You need bass?’ he asks. ‘You play?’ asks Dave. ‘Yeah, I got bass now,’ he says. So that was that, up comes our new buddy to lay down some low frequencies. His language is no good whatsoever (he’s from Slovakia, apparently), so it’s a bit of a struggle until we decide to just let the music talk. We start playing, and this guy is good, very good. And here are some of the best results from the couple of hours we got with him. So, now you really get to decide whether we need bass or not. I think, on hearing these results, that we do NOT. Nothing against this guy’s playing (he was superb throughout), but we sound more like a generic funk band with a bass involved, whereas we were sounding much more original beforehand. Anyway, not wanting to taint your opinions any further, here you go . . .
TrackTwo
TrackSeven
TrackTen
Matthew Olczak Says:
I think I agree with you. And I agree that these snippets here are good… but it is not half as intriguing as the previous examples. These work and show musicianship but the music does not ask the questions as it did before. I cannot see the individual characters as I could before. [As you have said, this is not a matter of the skill of the bassist involved here.]
As I understand it, you have had this question about whether there could be a benefit to adding another person to your group. Your group is small, but I would say not to worry about your sound being full – your sound IS strong. And I have said before how I find it interesting how an unusual setup can provoke the need for unusual solutions; that maybe the redefinition of standard roles and function could aid the creativity of your group’s output.
That is not to rule out the addition of someone else. But it looks like they will have to be perfectly empathetic of your found philosophies [it seems that your trio has found a special crossing of paths that works for you] or be unique enough to surprise your thinking with something all-together new.
In your position I’m not sure if I would think to playing around with a hundred different musicians or to concentrate your time on developing this arrangement and understanding that you already are confident in. Just enjoy it.
It would be interesting to hear what you, and the other members, think needs to be developed. It would be interesting to see where you are aiming and if you do have conceived plans for the future. Do you think I, as a listener to the samples of jams on here, could imagine what will come out of your group’s writing, playing and future recordings?
It has been inspirational to view your movement on these pages. And while I have again spent this past period preoccupied in professional pursuits, I get prompted to remember how I promised to re-prioritize my program, and philosophized that the prime period is present.
Craig Hitchings Says:
Thank you once again for your comments, Matt. I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your last comment either, although I was so excited by what you’d said that I sent copies off to the other members by email. (They thought you were supremely articulate).
I think your grasp of what we’re trying to do is most encouraging and we’ll definitely let you you know if we ever get around to playing live or recording something a little more solid.
You made a point about enjoying it. I’ve constantly had that in mind, as evidenced by the fact that I’m actually playing something again. As you know, I gave up on music for a few years, precisely because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. Now, after messing around with computer based stuff from around this time last year onwards, I’ve come on leaps and bounds in both technique and love of music again. Playing with Dave and Al has been an inspiration, indeed. I know I will never have their prowess or ability with various instruments, but the one thing I’ve always had is ideas - now they’re making these ideas a reality and easing the frustrations I felt when working alone. This is great.
So, my point, buried somewhere in all that, is that we shouldn’t worry about being unconventional - we thrive on unconventionality. Above all, it’s a chemistry I’ve not had as yet with other musicians and we shouldn’t force someone else into the piece without a damn good reason for doing so. No bass. Wow, that’s a trend bucking idea, especially considering today’s musical climate. But somehow it works. NO BASS.
And, yes, make some music, Matt. NO EXCUSES.