What Goes Beneath – Solo Bass Live Looping version
A solo bass live looping version of my track What Goes Beneath. I’ll use this as the basis for a tutorial on NoTreble.com – This has been great for me to get to grips with performing a fully composed and choreographed track using my EUB and my looping gear. Equipment used: Stagg EUB, Mac PowerBook G4 running Mobius looping software, Behringer FCB1010 Midi Foot Controller … (and yes, I know, my arco technique needs some work! 
RussBass – In The Bleak Mid Winter Xmas 09 ZCC – SoundCloud
A male voice four-part harmony rendition of the traditional Christmas hymn ‘In The Bleak Mid-Winter’ from church Christmas 2009 rehearsals. I’m the very high voice singing the melody!
‘What If’ by Nichole Nordeman – SoundCloud
Me singing and playing acoustic guitar at a recent private party gig, using looper for rhythm. A cover of a song by Nichole Nordeman called ‘What If’. Rough round the edges, but… well, there you go 
New pics of me playing my EUB with The Cohen Brothers
These were taken at the Nick Drake Gathering this year.
Tord Gustavsen Trio live at RNCM Manchester
Tord Gustavsen – piano
Tore Brunborg – saxophones
Mats Eilertsen – bass
Jarle Vespestad – drums
There was a ripple of applause as the bird-like figure of Tord Gustavsen and his new ensemble made up of some of Scandinavia’s finest jazz musicians, took to the stage at the RNCM… then silence. Gently the undulating sound of Gustavsen’s piano taking its first steps emerged from the stage.
From these first notes it was evident that this evening we were going to be taken on an exquisite musical voyage.
Although I had heard some of the Tord Gustavsen Trio’s music, (and loved it), I wasn’t familiar with any of the pieces performed by this ensemble; most of which were from a forthcoming album and therefore completely new, but that absolutely did not take anything away from the evening.
I always love coming to the RNCM, the venues and the ambiance of the college really add something to the concert experience. The packed theatre was alive with beautiful music. Gustavsen’s virtuosity on the piano was evident, so involved with his instrument – feeling every note and savouring it’s meaning. At each interval, he introduced the next piece in a whispered tone, as if speaking of something sacred and immensly valueable.
Eilertson on his gorgeous double bass added so much to the compositions and played a key part in the tonal development of each piece and its musicality. Being a bass player myself, I noticed he was using gut strings. These were perfect for this scenario; the sound of the bass was so natural and woody, and blended so wonderfully within the ensemble… And what a player! Switching between pizzicato and arco sections with ease – beautiful, textural bass.
Vespestad on drums brought an intense sensitivity. Moving with the music – sometimes leading, sometimes following. Occasionally hardly glancing the cymbals with his brushes. Truly melodic playing, the non-dampened toms ringing beautifully as they were played. His solo piece near the end of the set was a joy to listen to; drawing appreciative applause. Nothing heavy here, just great clarity and purposefulness.
Brunborg on saxophones seemed to be given so much space in which to breathe. At times sounding very much like Jan Garbarek. Beautiful soaring notes along with ones which questioned and interacted with the other musicians. At one point walking around the stage away from the microphones creating a sense of spaciousness and open air.
For me this music, and the sounds from quite a lot of the artists signed to the ECM label seem to echo the sound of creation itself. I always see imagery of wide open landscapes when I listen.
I will always be a fan of this genre of music. Artists like the Tord Gustavsen Trio, Jan Garbarek, Arild Anderson, Bobo Stenson Trio and the late Esbjörn Svensson and e.s.t. are typical and yet at the same time unique in painting fantastic artwork in the minds of their listeners.
Generally, European jazz in all its forms fascinates me, and I will continue to be an avid fan and someone who journeys within the soundscapes it creates.
New track – What Goes Beneath
I’ve written and recorded a new piece at long last! It’s called “What Goes Beneath” and features my Electric Upright Bass. It’s available as a FREE DOWNLOAD or for purchase from my BandCamp artist page – http://russbass.bandcamp.com Enjoy!
Procrastination and frustration!
I eventually cut my waist-high grass in my back yard today, and it set me thinking…
Annoyingly enough, I seem to have acquired the ability to ‘put off’. I think it essentially comes from having too much on. Too many things going on all at the same time; juggling deadlines, politics, people, projects, family, music, work, church — it’s all becoming a bit too much!
One of my real pleasures in life is to create … anything … especially musically – I just LOVE to experiment, improvise, compose and the like. I’m missing this at the moment because everything else is crowding … even setting myself up to do what I enjoy seems like a chore.
‘Play’ is so important to me, and what I am missing most right now. Trouble is, it’s all I can think about. I really must drag myself out of this rut. Am I just irresponsible, or too much of a dreamer? I don’t think so. I know I can be an idealist, but I think that sometimes comes from having a creative temperament. No, I think some things are just going to have to go. I need clarity of mind and purpose.
Procrastination is often described as ‘laziness’. I would agree, it CAN be that, but I wouldn’t describe myself at the moment as lazy, but instead ‘lacking focus’. What I need is momentum and that can come from within, or via the encouragement of others. What I need to do is to concentrate on the job at hand, do it and get it out of the way.
I know this is all very self-centred, but writing it out, (even if it is a jumbled mess), has helped. Maybe this will help anyone else in a similar position!
