Notes From An Artist
227 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsGet in on the conversation with hosts David C. Gross and Tommaso Semioli! These veteran journalists / musicians / authors delve into the lives and careers of senior and approaching senior artists who continue to thrive in various musical genres spanning rock, jazz, blues, folk, Avant Garde, experimental, classical, and permutations thereof. Notes From An Artist exudes intelligent and insightful peer-to-peer conversations, coupled with thematic playlists, offering a refreshing alternative to the youth-oriented content prevalent in mainstream media. It's not only fun, informative, and entertaining... it's a lifestyle!
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Episodes
A Conversation With Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher, Band of Friends)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBThough he never achieved the commercial success of his contemporaries Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page – the late Irish blues master Rory Gallagher was among the most lyrical guitarists of his era. The bassist for Rory’s entire recorded solo canon was John Gerrard “Gerry” McAvoy. Unlike traditional blues rock players, McAvoy rendered contrapuntal melodies, chords, and counter rhythms which afforded Gallagher an expansive platform for his improvisational forays on stag...
A Conversation With Michael Manring (Windham Hill Records)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBSend us a Text Message. To paraphrase Dr. Winston O’Boogie (John Lennon speaking of Chuck Berry and the art of rock and roll) – if you want to call solo bass by another name…call it… Michael Manring! A fretless virtuoso, Manring brings the instrument to places hitherto unknown, unexplored, and untried – until now. Working his virtuosity on the fretless with a myriad of tonal and textural effects and alternative tunings, Manring is a genre unto himself. Self-effacing, gracious, insightful, h...
A Conversation With Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Suzanne Vega)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBSend us a Text Message. To rock bass players who came of age in the late 1970s and early 1980s Bruce Thomas was the main Attraction! He is among the outstanding bass players of Britain’s golden era of singer-songwriter “pub rockers” – which somehow got categorized as “punk.” Akin to Norman Watt-Roy (Ian Dury & The Blockheads), Graham Maby (Joe Jackson Band) and Andrew Bodner (Graham Parker & The Rumour) – Bruce Thomas exuded a forceful melodic style and sound that made him instantly recogni...
A Conversation With Rick Wills (Peter Frampton, Foreigner, David Gilmour)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MB“I always try to play with feel…” You’ve heard him on the radio…you’ve heard him on the juke box on the song “Juke Box Hero” among many others….and you’ve likely seen him on the concert stage. Rick Wills commenced his remarkable chart-topping career as a bassist with British blues rockers Jokers Wild in 1965 – which also featured future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. Wills anchored many a platinum rocker: Peter Frampton, Gilmour, Nicky Hopkins, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Foreigner, post-B...
A Conversation With Rick Wills (Peter Frampton, Foreigner, David Gilmour)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBSend us a Text Message. “I always try to play with feel…” You’ve heard him on the radio…you’ve heard him on the juke box on the song “Juke Box Hero” among many others….and you’ve likely seen him on the concert stage. Rick Wills commenced his remarkable chart-topping career as a bassist with British blues rockers Jokers Wild in 1965 – which also featured future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. Wills anchored many a platinum rocker: Peter Frampton, Gilmour, Nicky Hopkins, Roxy Music, Bryan...
A Conversation With Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher, Band of Friends)
June 08, 2021 22:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBSend us a Text Message. Though he never achieved the commercial success of his contemporaries Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page – the late Irish blues master Rory Gallagher was among the most lyrical guitarists of his era. The bassist for Rory’s entire recorded solo canon was John Gerrard “Gerry” McAvoy. Unlike traditional blues rock players, McAvoy rendered contrapuntal melodies, chords, and counter rhythms which afforded Gallagher an expansive platform for his impro...
A Conversation With John Regan (Frehley's Comet, Peter Frampton, David Bowie, Rolling Stones)
June 08, 2021 19:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBSend us a Text Message. Sideman, bandmember, producer, composer, arranger, vocalist, recording artist, and bassist, among other titles, if we were to list John Regan’s entire curricula vitae we may break the internet. A master pocket and melodic player, among John’s credits include his extensive tenure with Peter Frampton, along with his work on stage and/or in the studio with Ace Frehley’s Comet, Dave Edmunds, Stephen Stills, John Waite, Patty Smythe’s Scandal, Rolling Stones, David Bowie,...
A Conversation with Bassist Benny Rietveld (Miles Davis, Santana)
June 08, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBSend us a Text Message. “With great powers come great responsibilities!” Benny Rietveld is the longest tenured bassist in the matchless history of Santana. He followed the footprints (Miles pun intended) of Michael Henderson, Dave Holland, Darryl Jones, Marcus Miller, Harvey Brooks, Foley, and an electrified Ron Carter, among others as the voltage enhanced anchor of the Miles Davis band in the 1990s. Recalls Benny of hist tenure with Sheila E. and touring with Prince “that extra level of st...
A Conversation With Benny Rietveld (Sheila E., Miles Davis, Santana)
June 08, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MB“With great powers come great responsibilities!” Benny Rietveld is the longest tenured bassist in the matchless history of Santana. He followed the footprints (Miles pun intended) of Michael Henderson, Dave Holland, Darryl Jones, Marcus Miller, Harvey Brooks, Foley, and an electrified Ron Carter, among others as the voltage enhanced anchor of the Miles Davis band in the 1990s. Recalls Benny of hist tenure with Sheila E. and touring with Prince “that extra level of stage craft…a great theatri...
A Conversation with Bassist Benny Rietveld (Miles Davis, Santana)
June 08, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MB“With great powers come great responsibilities!” Benny Rietveld is the longest tenured bassist in the matchless history of Santana. He followed the footprints (Miles pun intended) of Michael Henderson, Dave Holland, Darryl Jones, Marcus Miller, Harvey Brooks, Foley, and an electrified Ron Carter, among others as the voltage enhanced anchor of the Miles Davis band in the 1990s. Recalls Benny of hist tenure with Sheila E. and touring with Prince “that extra level of stage craft…a great theatri...
A Conversation with Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot)
June 07, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBSend us a Text Message. Among the most prolific, versatile and accomplished bassists on stage and on record, Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont aka Rudy Sarzo has anchored some of hard rock’s most groundbreaking and influential artists: Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio, Yngwie Malmsteem, and Tony MacAlpine, to cite a select few. Along with Tony Franklin, Boz Burrell, Bill Wyman, Kenny Passarelli, and Jack Bruce, Rudy is among rock’s fretless bass pio...
A Conversation with Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)
June 07, 2021 17:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBSend us a Text Message. Sit back and enjoy this conversation with legendary bassist Leo Lyons of Ten Years After with host David C. Gross and Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli. Leo discusses his influences, memorable gigs, Woodstock, his "Ian Hunter" bass, his signature Bass Centre instrument, and reflections on his career and where the art of rock and roll is headed! Leo Lyons Playlist
A Conversation with Freebo (Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur)
June 07, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBSend us a Text Message. FREEBO INTERVIEW: One name, one groovin’ cat! A master of blues, folk, roots music, and a longtime associate of Bonnie Raitt (he anchored her stage and studio band from 1971-79), Freebo was an early proponent of the fretless in a pop context. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording artist, singer, and producer, Freebo has waxed sides and shared stages with a wide array of iconic artists including Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Neil Young, Willy DeVille, John Mayall, R...
A Conversation with Jim Fielder (Blood Sweat & Tears, Tim Buckley, Buffalo Springfield)
June 07, 2021 17:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBSend us a Text Message. “Jim Fielder is one of the pioneers of the Fender Bass. His lines were as important and recognizable to listeners as the melodies and words.” Ron McClure (Charles Lloyd Quartet, Joe Henderson, Blood Sweat & Tears). With host David C. Gross and Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli, bassist Jim Fielder recalls his early years, influences, and evolution of his bass technique, and his work with Tim Buckley, Buffalo Springfield, and Blood Sweat & Tears. Jim Fielder...
A Conversation With Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)
June 07, 2021 17:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBSit back and enjoy this conversation with legendary bassist Leo Lyons of Ten Years After with host David C. Gross and Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli. Leo discusses his influences, memorable gigs, Woodstock, his "Ian Hunter" bass, his signature Bass Centre instrument, and reflections on his career and where the art of rock and roll is headed! Leo Lyons Playlist
A Conversation with Freebo (Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur)
June 07, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBFREEBO INTERVIEW: One name, one groovin’ cat! A master of blues, folk, roots music, and a longtime associate of Bonnie Raitt (he anchored her stage and studio band from 1971-79), Freebo was an early proponent of the fretless in a pop context. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording artist, singer, and producer, Freebo has waxed sides and shared stages with a wide array of iconic artists including Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Neil Young, Willy DeVille, John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills...
A Conversation With Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB“At some point, rock and roll became more intelligent…” Richard Thompson joins hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss his new autobiography BEESWING: LOSING MY WAY AND FINDING MY VOICE 1967-1975 – available now on Algonquin Books. Richard Thompson's widely beloved early work within the band Fairport Convention revived British folk traditions, and his duet albums and performances with Linda Thompson are legendary. His songs have been covered by Elvis Costello, David Byrne, Bonnie Ra...
A Conversation with Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB“At some point, rock and roll became more intelligent…” Richard Thompson joins hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss his new autobiography BEESWING: LOSING MY WAY AND FINDING MY VOICE 1967-1975 – available now on Algonquin Books. Richard Thompson's widely beloved early work within the band Fairport Convention revived British folk traditions, and his duet albums and performances with Linda Thompson are legendary. His songs have been covered by Elvis Costello, David Byrne, Bonnie Ra...
A Conversation with Bassist Harvey Brooks (Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, The Doors)
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBSend us a Text Message. “It’s nice to talk with like-minded people…” From the City University of New York, Queens College, session bassist and producer Harvey Brooks was the go-to player on the New York City studio scene in the 1960s and 1970s and helped to establish the electric bass in modern popular music and jazz. Brooks brought his understanding of blues, pop, soul, folk, and jazz to the instrument, appearing on such influential albums as Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, Miles Davis’...
A Conversation With Harvey Brooks (Bob Dylan, Super Sessions, Miles Davis, Electric Flag, The Doors)
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MB“It’s nice to talk with like-minded people…” From the City University of New York, Queens College, session bassist and producer Harvey Brooks was the go-to player on the New York City studio scene in the 1960s and 1970s and helped to establish the electric bass in modern popular music and jazz. Brooks brought his understanding of blues, pop, soul, folk, and jazz to the instrument, appearing on such influential albums as Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” (with Dav...
A Conversation with Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBSend us a Text Message. “At some point, rock and roll became more intelligent…” Richard Thompson joins hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss his new autobiography BEESWING: LOSING MY WAY AND FINDING MY VOICE 1967-1975 – available now on Algonquin Books. Richard Thompson's widely beloved early work within the band Fairport Convention revived British folk traditions, and his duet albums and performances with Linda Thompson are legendary. His songs have been covered by Elvis Costell...
A Conversation with Ron Carter (Miles Davis, CTI, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard)
May 30, 2021 17:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBSend us a Text Message. An icon of the instrument, a jazz giant, and an insightful educator – Ron Carter discusses his latest book aptly entitled CHARTOGRAPHY (www.RonCarterBooks.com) which transcribes five performances of “Autumn Leaves” as played by Miles Davis' Second Quartet circa 1963-1967. Says Ron: "A single, one-chorus transcription of a bass line you admire cannot help you learn to do it yourself. But if you understand all the elements and the context that went into creating it, yo...
A Conversation With George Porter Jr. (The Meters, Dr. John, LaBelle, Robert Palmer, Tori Amos, David Byrne, Allen Toussaint)
May 30, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBYou’ve heard him on “Right Place, Wrong Time,” “Cissy Strut” “Lady Marmalade,” to cite a select few. If you build a Mt. Rushmore of bass players, get to work on George Porter Jr.’s profile! From a February 2021 interview hosted by David C. Gross with Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli, this icon of the electric bass talks about his life, career, approach to the instrument, and favorite recordings among other topics. George Porter Jr Playlist
A Conversation with Bassist George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Dr. John
May 30, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBSend us a Text Message. You’ve heard him on “Right Place, Wrong Time,” “Cissy Strut” “Lady Marmalade,” to cite a select few. If you build a Mt. Rushmore of bass players, get to work on George Porter Jr.’s profile! From a February 2021 interview hosted by David C. Gross with Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli, this icon of the electric bass talks about his life, career, approach to the instrument, and favorite recordings among other topics. George Porter Jr Playlist
A Conversation with Bassist Carmine Rojas (David Bowie, Joe Bonamassa, Rod Stewart, LaBelle, Julian Lennon, John Waite)
May 14, 2021 18:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBSend us a Text Message. Among the most in-demand, versatile session cats since the late 1970’s, Carmine Rojas’ credits on stage and on record span David Bowie, Tina Turner, Joe Bonamassa, Carlos Santana, Nona Hendryx, Ian Neville, Allen Toussaint, Paul Rogers, Rod Stewart, John Waite, Carly Simon, and Herbie Hancock to cite a very, very select few. A composer, producer, musical director (Rod Stewart, Julian Lennon), master of fretless, traditional four, and extended range bass, Carmine’s ca...
A Conversation with Larry Grenadier (Brad Mehldau, Fly, Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, Rebecca Martin, Joshua Redman)
May 14, 2021 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.1 MBSend us a Text Message. “Once you can play your instrument, the next question is ‘are you listening to what is going on around you...” From THE BASS GUITAR CHANNEL RADIO SHOW broadcast in February 2021 host David C. Gross and Know Your Bass Player“honcho” Tom Semioli talk with bassist Larry Grenadier. Larry talks about the merits of streaming and the traditional album format, digging deep into Art Tatum and classical music, his recordings with Jack DeJohnette, Ethan Iverson, David Sanchez, ...
A Conversation with Carmine Rojas (David Bowie, Joe Bonamassa, Rod Stewart, LaBelle, Julian Lennon, John Waite)
May 14, 2021 18:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBAmong the most in-demand, versatile session cats since the late 1970’s, Carmine Rojas’ credits on stage and on record span David Bowie, Tina Turner, Joe Bonamassa, Carlos Santana, Nona Hendryx, Ian Neville, Allen Toussaint, Paul Rogers, Rod Stewart, John Waite, Carly Simon, and Herbie Hancock to cite a very, very select few. A composer, producer, musical director (Rod Stewart, Julian Lennon), master of fretless, traditional four, and extended range bass, Carmine’s canon traverses rock, funk...