The Fabs

[Andy]

Maart, I've just been listening to some old Beatles stuff and wondered if you're a "She Said, She Said" or more of a "Paperback Writer" kind of guy.

Seriously, did you get influenced much by the fabs?  Woody Guthrie? The Beach Boys?

[Maart]

It was seeing the Prefab, sorry, Fab Four on TV when I was six years old that decided my career. Because everything they ever did was documented, I was able to track it down to between 6:30pm and 7:00pm on 19th August 1963. Pauly has always been a bass influence obviously and George was one of my fave guitarists. I have loads of Beatles here and even Sir Paul's autograph from when I met him at Abbey Road once.

I'm more of a I Want You (She's So Heavy) and a She Loves You type. After all it was She Loves You they played that fateful day in '63...

Woody Guthrie passed me by. I suppose I went for the slicker sound. Having said that, I'm only just discovering the Beach Boys. I was put off by seeing them in the Monterey Pop film when I was in my hairy phase. I saw the recent documentary about Brian and Smile and it made me cry.

Maart

[Andy]

I  only came across Woody because I saw "Alices Restaurant" in about 1970, when Arlo visited Woody in hospital. I was so intrigued that I went down to the local record store and ordered an album.

I saw Sir Paul in Raleigh NC a couple of years back and was, frankly, astounded that his voice is still so good. If I can sing like that when I'm 60+ (or even now!!!) I'll be amazed.

Similarly to you, I only really started listening to the Beach Boys a couple of years ago.  Another TalkaWhiler, RandlepMcMurphy, introduced me to some bootlegs of the original Smile album and their close harmony is astounding. On the extended Pet Sounds CD there's some unreleased backgrounds.... just amazing.

I saw the documentary too, the poor sod is quite mad, but a genius nontheless. Unlike any musicians in this country!

[Randlepmcmurphy]

I saw the recent documentary about Brian and Smile and it made me cry.

Come on Maart it wasn't that bad

[Randlepmcmurphy]

H i Maart on the subject of Maccas bass playing from someone who knows his way round a bass guitar was he ACTUALLY any good ?. Im saying this as i am a big beatles fan and have only just lately REALLY listened to the actual musicianship instead of just listening to the songs.

[Maart]

I  only came across Woody because I saw "Alices Restaurant" in about 1970, when Arlo visited Woody in hospital. I was so intrigued that I went down to the local record store and ordered an album.

I met Arlo at Tønder Festival in Denmark the other year. That was the day I played double bass with nearly as many people as I've played with at Cropredy. Allan Taylor, Tucker Zimmermann, Donovan, The Dubliners (makes much more sense with a double bass!) and lots more people I didn't even know ¦:¬) Great weekend!

Maart

[Maart]

H i Maart on the subject of Maccas bass playing from someone who knows his way round a bass guitar was he ACTUALLY any good ?. Im saying this as i am a big beatles fan and have only just lately REALLY listened to the actual musicianship instead of just listening to the songs.

Sir Pauly is a fantastic bass player. I first noticed how melodic it was when I put an EP on the turntable (aged about 8 or something) at 78rpm by mistake. Just listen (at normal speed) to Come Together to name but one. He helped to write the book (except that I'm still waiting for it to be published) on the bass and really is FAB.

BTW, when I was touring with Beth Nielsen Chapman in October we went to John Lennon's childhood home which is now owned by the National Trust. The curator is a Beth fan so we got a private viewing first thing in the morning. I have to tell you that I had a wee in John's toilet. Rock 'n' roll, eh? The glamour!

Maart

[Andy]

Have you listened to much Cream? I saw Jack Bruce in about 1971 at the Kennington Oval for the Melody Maker Awards concert and he was (and probably still is) an amazing bass player. Jamming with Thys Van Leer from Focus (I think), he broke a string and replaced it whilst still playing like a maniac.  His BBM album with Ginger Baker and Gary Moore is also fairly spectacular - "City Of Gold" and "Can't Fool The Blues" for instance.

[Paul]

On the subject of other bass players. Have you ever seen Stu Hamm play? He has a very unusual technique.

Paul

[Maart]

I liked Cream before I read an interview with Jack Bruce. I don't think it's possible for anyone to admire him more than he does...

Stu Hamm I don't know. My fave bassists are on another topic somewhere...

Maart