Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Jul 10, 2014 20:56:44 GMT
I had a good look at the Fleck concert in 'Concert Corner' today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the jazz stuff and it's just played so well. You'd never associate a banjo with jazz really, but it works well.
The big problem with a banjo is that it doesn't sustain well at all. what that means is that it doesn't hold any long notes whatsoever; a bit lke playing a piano all the time without a sustain pedal. That means that movement is the banjo player's friend ... they need to keep plying notes and so have to learn a great variety of patterns. It's also a sound that really stands out within a band because it's so distinctive.
The sound reminds me of a guitar that became really popular in the 70's or early 80's. It was a silver metal bodied guitar ... was it called a Doplar? It was featured on the famous Dire Straights album cover and went through a real wave of popularity at that time. It had a similar type of sound to the banjo and whenever I heard it live, I always thought of banjos!!
Lovely music, enjoyed it a lot and the thread is worth a listen. I'm going to look for some albums. I think that board is going to cost me!!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2014 12:54:40 GMT
The sound reminds me of a guitar that became really popular in the 70's or early 80's. It was a silver metal bodied guitar ... was it called a Doplar? You mean a Dobro which is a brand of 'Resonator' guitar. The other company that makes them is 'National', which is how you get the first two lines of Paul Simon's "Graceland" :- The Mississippi Delta was shining Like a National guitar The guitar on the Dire Straits cover is a 'National' resonator. Don't know which model.
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Jul 11, 2014 16:01:21 GMT
Thanks Jeff. I knew it was something like that. I remember it's distinctive sound and how it looked. Onstage, it really reflects light big time so it really sparkles when it's released!!
I've got Fleck's 'Hippo' album now!!!!
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Jul 11, 2014 18:57:53 GMT
'Flight of the Cosmic Hippo' is a really great album.
The opening track Blu-Bop hits you from the start with its walking bass lines and the amazing improvisation over the top. It also has an unusual time signature and is also very fast so it's really virtousic sounding. Lots of interplay between the players and some amazing unison sections with piano and guitar absolutely together.
It kind of reminds me of Weather Report.
'Flying Saucer Dudes' introduces the banjo more clearly. It's a sound that really stands out and I can also hear a little electronic manipulation going on with its sound. It's not an 'electric' banjo is it?
I have to say, this is a wonderful jazz album, beautifully played and so controlled as well.
All Ipods loaded with it now!!!
|
|
|
Post by drumdrym on Jul 11, 2014 23:08:24 GMT
Hi Ian, glad you like the Flecktones, sadly they have been in limbo land since 2012 and all Bela Fleck's tour concerts are Stateside well into 2015. Alan
|
|