“Christ the Lord is risen today. Halleluiah!”
Tonight, I’m featuring a unique bit of low end talent. Jeff Schmidt placed 1st in the 2005 Bass Extremes International Solo Bass Competition – The judges were Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Will Lee, Anthony Jackson, Jonathan Herrera (from Bass Player Magazine) and drummer Gregg Bissonette. He has a unique style that combines beautiful melodic passages with tapping ala Preston Reed. Look carefully at his method as he plays a right-handed bass left handed with the strings upside down, that is, on a four-string fretless, the top string is the D string rather than the low E. He’s also the only bassist I know who uses a capo. Jeff is one of the few solo bassists to whom I can listen for hours. Hope you enjoy him as much as I do.
Solo on Piccolo Bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF4sJHBIYEo&feature=related
Solo #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWqae9kUD_M&feature=related
Numb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkOaVjW_HFg&feature=related
Seeing is Freeing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkFEtTJoMxA&feature=related
Still Silhouette: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDkVwsepiug&feature=related
Fury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qho18VTWhr8&feature=related
Anticipation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e-0bUAtDc4&feature=related
Mudita: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLNc4SSee48&feature=related
Satori: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNwwxzN11uQ&feature=related
Until you don’t: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZH99St4HGk&feature=related
Jeff’s music is dreamy—but it is, after all, the bass, so I’m pairing him with a rich deep wine. The Bodega Norton 2006 Privada is a blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged for 16 months in new French oak. It’s a deep crimson-color and has a classy bouquet of black cherry, plum, cassis, vanilla, mineral, and pepper. On the palate it has layers of smooth-textured black fruit and raspberry with touches of chocolate and a long finish featuring spice and mocha. Wine Spectator rated it a 92 while Wine Enthusiast gave it a 90. It’s an excellent wine and at $17.00 it’s a steal.
I’m going to enjoy the last of Easter Sunday sipping a glass of Privada, listening to Jeff, and reflecting on what Christ did for me so many years ago. Blessings at Easter.
Cheers!
The Death Whisperer Series
The Death Whisperer Series available at https://www.amazon.com/author/dmichaelolive
1 comment:
I'm amazed at the sensitivity of his instrument to be able to pick up the taps and mutes so cleanly. I watch and think that I would like to attempt that style, but doubt my current bass could respond so well. I need to give it a whirl anyway!
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