Tribute to Randy Meisner

Randy Meisner Tribute

Thank you for the Music.

 Bear Fax Band -Inaugural Show July 24, 2021. 

Ms. Joy, Bear

and The Guru

Bear Fax opened with a crafted clean sound.

Bear used a compressor with a clean Fender Valve amp to get an Acoustic sound on his Fender Stratocaster. Matched with a fretless Ibanez Bass (Hence the tee-shirt "Don't Fret"), we sounded like an acoustic trio. 

Featuring soaring angelic vocals from Ms. Joy. She has a haunting projection that makes the band just so much bigger ... they still tingle the band to this day.

A fretless bass is a different instrument really. It is non-intonated and lacks the jarring attack of a fretted bass; essentially falling in the same class as a Cello or Double Bass. It features a 2+ string playable octave range vs. 2- in an average fretted bass. Damn heavy too...sigh.

This was a check-out gig (never play too long in a controlled studio environment, the real issues surface on stage). We played for free but amassed $200 + in the tip jar. I felt like a gypsy who had just fleeced the patrons!

Earned us an ongoing monthly contract at the club ever since. Good job Bear Fax!

Bear Fax inaugural show.

 Starting up with a band ..

Bear Fax Band

Budding musicians may say, "look, getting a paid gig is not easy" .. well,  It's kind'a  "you gotta pay your dues first"  performance path. Unfortunately the bottom rung of this ladder does not have a minimum wage.

Listen, ain't no illusions here, okay? The higher rungs don't have a wage band either. 

Here's and example of a performing musician's (https://www.youtube.com/@guitaro5000) tale - From a fired waiter to busker and beyond. The percussion part of his play comes from a sardine can top, from a collection he amassed while fueling his musical path.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fI1Jhka1Y&ab_channel=guitaro5000

Just go out and sell yourselves by performing. No playing wizardry, instead just a good sound, Just be confident of what you can do. Reach out to the audience and they will watch.  Don't trying perfecting execution in the studio - it's a controlled enviroment and not helpful in dealing with live performing. 

Progress Continues ..

Not so easy standing up a Blog.

Given that this site will feature primarily Video and Audio + image content, it was important to establish a content policy. 

Next focus 

• Content build out
• Feedback mechanism - i.e. moderated comments. Spam would be an undesired intrusion.
• Consistent user look and feel

Welcome!

Welcome Dear Readers

My Goals for this blog:

• Share content with you
• Pass on valuable teachable stuff for fellow musicians
• Make you smile!!  That's what entertainment is all about!

Tribute to Malaysian Musicians

P Ramlee

Malaysian Bard  P. Ramlee, a movie star with the Thousand-Watt smile made Shakespearian level tear jerkers and comedies. Many featured simple Malay life  steeped in traditional folklore. An engaging actor, P Ramlee  painted out performances for the common folk.

A wonderful accomplished multi-instrumental musician, composer and a sexy crooner. 

Here's a quick Take on a classic from P Ramlee.

Ahcii Ahcii Buka Pintu     /      Original performance

The Strollers

The Strollers  Malaysia's premier band (still Active), with Front-man the Late Great Nand Kumar were Idols of young musicians like me. 

Breaking out in the 70's when the zeitgeist of the period was moving out of Flower Power, VW vans and getting into sex, drugs and hard rock, they have been heavily mis-labelled as Psychedelic. The Strollers were just simply melodic, relatable and quickly secured a legion of fans. I remember watching them play a mean crispy version of Pick up the Pieces by the Average White Band during college in 1976. 

Gems like Just as I am, Do what you gotta do and Silly joke will be remembered by a Malaysia generation. 

A recent update from a fan indicates that a reunion concert in Mar 2023 was sold out in an hour.  Never, ever underestimate Old Musicians!

Quicks takes:

Just As I am

Do what you gotta do

Links to the Band:

Compilation

2022 Concert with Bassist Billy Chang and Drummer Hassan Idris