Feels like a Saturday...And Bass Blogs!

Good morning, well it is where I am, even though Good Friday always feels like a Saturday. Beautiful sunshine if a little fresh in the breeze, but still it is only 9-30am. I woke early today 6am and I decided to go for a run believe it or not. That's my second in a week as I plan to do a 10k run for charity in September. Early days yet but I reckon if I can keep motivated I should be in reasonable condition to complete it by then. Who am I kidding?

As I was jogging round, looking across the fields, trying in vain to take my mind of the pain. I got to thinking about blogging believe it or not. I've posted a few over this last couple of days and it's nice not to be stuck in Twitter mode with just 140 characters to play with. Also last night I had a bit of fun with 2 of my twitter bass playing pals Alun Vaughan and Trip Walmsley and we decided we'd return to the "Blogosphere" as Alun puts it. Trip also saying he'll "try to bang one out tonight". A lovely way with words these two. Well we are all bass players so don't expect too much. Although we do like to think we are a cut above other musicians, particularly drummers.

Anyway hopefully this is the start of a little Triad of Bassiness and hopefully occasionally we might entertain, inform and definitely have some fun. The Three Bloggerteers or Muskebloggers you might say! Of course other bass playing pals are welcome to join us, or anyone else for that matter.

One for All and All for One!

Until the next time...

Are Musicians Better Language Learners?

Research has shown that children who study music before the age of seven develop bigger vocabularies, a better sense of grammar and a higher verbal IQ. Simply put, children who learn music from a young age find it easier to learn languages even in adulthood.

Even just 1 hour a week of learning music is enough for the full brain benefits to take place.

Here's the science bit - "Training of this neural network may produce cross-modal effects on other behavioral or cognitive operations that draw on this network. Plasticity in this network may explain some of the sensorimotor and cognitive enhancements that have been associated with music training. These enhancements suggest the potential for music making as an interactive treatment or intervention for neurological and developmental disorders, as well as those associated with normal aging."

Interesting stuff, n'est-ce pas?

Read more on the story here

Uriah Heep's new album "Outsider" out soon

Oooh, looking forward to this one! I've just learned that Uriah Heep have a new album coming out on June 6th on Frontier Records. I have been a Heep fan from being at school. They were the 2nd live band I saw at the age of 14 and I've loved their music ever since.

Although their is only one original member left in the line-up, Mick Box (guitar), Bernie Shaw (vocals) and Phil Lanzon (Keyboards) have been ever present since the 1980's.

Relative new comers are powerhouse drummer Russell Gilbrook (5 years or so) and Davey Rimmer on bass, replacing Trevor Bolder who sadly passed away last year.

Heep are still a classic rock band, gigging all over the world, presently touring Russia. If you get the chance, check them out, as they are a superb live band.
Here's some details of the new album. Love the album artwork too. Vinyl version for me I think...

7 Remarkable Robert Fripp moments, not with King Crimson

I'm also a big fan of King Crimson and of course Robert Fripp. Click on the pic and it will take you to some great Fripp moments...

AC/DC not retiring after all...

 Yesterday rumors were rife all over the internet that AC/DC were about to split, due to the illness of founder member and guitarist Malcolm Young.

Today some great news for the fans  of the band, of which I am one.
Brian Johnson front man has been quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

 "We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver. We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."

He continued, "I wouldn't like to say anything either way about the future, I'm not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."

It has been reported that AC/DC are planning a tour to mark their 40th anniversary, which would involve 40 concerts in 40 different venues. "That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye," said Johnson. "We would love to do it. But it's all up in the air at the moment.

"AC/DC is such a tight family. We've stuck to our guns through the Eighties and Nineties when people were saying we should change our clothes and our style. But we didn't and people got it that we are the real deal."