If you ever have a chance to visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, you can listen to Steve Cropper break down how the Stax sound was different from the Motown sound, complete with a description of the role of bass (Stax's bass tended to be more melodic, whereas Motown had more rhythmic complexity) and drums (with the aforementioned Stax tendency to play behind the beat) and a side-by-side comparison of songs played Stax-style and Motown-style. I already knew all this stuff, but it was freakin' awesome to hear one of the geniuses of sound explain it.

What I need is a course in Music History a la the practical ones you get in Art History that go into the practical details.

Ken Burn's Jazz documentary helped me quantify some things that I'd never put together before that, plus finally got me over my jazz fright.

If you ever have a chance to visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, you can listen to Steve Cropper break down how the Stax sound was different from the Motown sound, complete with a description of the role of bass (Stax's bass tended to be more melodic, whereas Motown had more rhythmic complexity) and drums (with the aforementioned Stax tendency to play behind the beat) and a side-by-side comparison of songs played Stax-style and Motown-style. I already knew all this stuff, but it was freakin' awesome to hear one of the geniuses of sound explain it.

I didn't know that stuff and I'd love to hear it explained with examples. I'll have to listen to iTunes and read your synopsis.

I haven't ever had too much trouble hearing the bass unless it's really buried in the mix or unless things are really symphonic and so integrated that it's like trying to identify different tastes out of a spaghetti sauce. I'm grateful for this because it's what allowed me to finally be able to figure out song chords once I knew basic chord formation theory on the guitar. There are few rock songs where the bass doesn't give you the key to what's going on.

::fondly remembers Mr. Carlson entering a deserted broadcasting studio as the Pink Floyd song with the barking dogs is playing....::

Big Guy: Do I hear dogs barking?

Johnny Fever: (warily) I do.

I'm still working at recognizing 'basslines' correctly, even if they're not played by basses.

When the Lothars had four theremins, my role was "bass theremin".

From the Pernice Brothers newsletter:

Joe Pernice will make his episodic television debut in an upcoming Gilmore Girls. He will play one of several Stars Hollow troubadour-wannabes that descend on the town after the regular troubadour, Grant Lee Phillips, is discovered by Neil Young and whisked off on a tour. Joe will sing a yet-to-be-determined song. No word yet on who the other troubadours are, but knowing the excellent musical instincts of the Gilmore gang, it will undoubtedly be good. I do not yet know the air date, but will post as soon as I do. Joe heads out to Burbank next week to tape. I know I have a proclivity toward making things up, but this is true. I swear to God.

The rider Joe sent me to pass along to the wonderful people at the Gilmore Girls wasn’t QUITE as demanding as the Vice President’s list as reported by The Smoking Gun this week (Isn’t Perrier French?). Says the misanthropic humanist (stolen from Tim Haslett) "Also, I require a new BMW Z3 (six cylinder) to take me from my trailer to the set. And a CA licensed rolfer on call. A six pack of Mylanta and personal dvd player with the following dvds: "Abigail's Party" and "Straw Dogs" and "Glengarry Glenn Ross." I think these will really assist me in pulling off the character I envision. And tell Helen, "No go, no Joe." If I were those people, I’d send his sorry white ass right back to Holbrook, MA. But that would be tough on his parents.

(But I've got a funny memory, which makes it infinitely easier to remember details if I've got something to go on. So if you played me a 3 second beginning excerpt of any of them, I'd have a fighting chance of pulling the title and group out of my ass.)

Used to be a lucrative talent, Theo. Anyone remember "Name That Tune?" Plus, in my DJ days, I remember trying to develop this further to id the tune while spinning the turntable by hand when cuing up a record.

I'm really dating myself with those two references, huh.

One way to gain a better understanding of how music is composed and arranged is to try and pick out a particular instrument and listen to just that part. Try and listen to how it differs from and adds to the rest of the composition.

Oh yeah, Sean. It's fun to follow someone from playing a lead to rhythm and back again. I really admire musicians who can do a strong lead, then fall back with the rest of the band and do the accompaniment well. The mandolin part for my non-guitar/non-piano cut has one of my favorite examples of this done well. t /trying not to give too much away.

Very cool about the helicopter effect. What song is this in?

Ken Burn's Jazz documentary helped me quantify some things that I'd never put together before that, plus finally got me over my jazz fright.

Theo, that's interesting - what's something from the doc that got you over the fright thing?

When the Lothars had four theremins, my role was "bass theremin".

Jon, was there specific technique/rhythm/etc. to this that was different from the other theremin parts? Did the different parts equate to other musical ensembles - choral, string band, orchestra, etc?

From the Pernice Brothers newsletter:

t runs off to Smoking Gun.

Jon, was there specific technique/rhythm/etc. to this that was different from the other theremin parts?

I played in a lower range than the others and sometimes played more rhythmically rather than melodically.

Did the different parts equate to other musical ensembles

Hard to say. We used to say that the woman who played guitar and violin was like our drummer because she was the glue that held us together.

<runs off to Smoking Gun.>

Did you hear Jon Stewart's take on Cheney's rider? Salon has the clip: [link]

Alert for Hayden:

Vintage Record Store to be sold at Austin show

New Flaming Lips album.

We used to say that the woman who played guitar and violin was like our drummer because she was the glue that held us together.

I can see how important that would be. Touch on a string is a definite, deliberat beat for the dance of theremin playing. Is there any other instrument that you *don't* touch to play it?

Thanks for the insight, and the Stewart link. I miss him - my new cable co. doesn't carry Comedy Central. (I had CC there, but kept thinking I was talking about our CC)