Agree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pmNorman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pmI'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pmWell I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
Simon Humphries "The Clash"
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia
- Heston
- God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Whoever played it, it is a fucking amazing line. Jerry Green is the unknown quantity but studio technicians are often gifted instrumenalists.Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:26pmAgree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pmNorman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pmI'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pmWell I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Even the bits I've seen Topper play on piano of RTC have been very basic chords. That doesn't mean he wasn't up to snuff back in 82. I finally figured out a bunch of those fills and they aren't too too hard, but I'm also not very good and when I played them at the last Strummerville, they didn't sound nearly as tight as Topper. So yeah, I don't know, but I am similarly suspicious.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:35pmWhoever played it, it is a fucking amazing line. Jerry Green is the unknown quantity but studio technicians are often gifted instrumenalists.Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:26pmAgree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pmNorman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pmI'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pm
Well I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
Look, you have to establish context for these things. And I maintain that unless you appreciate the Fall of Constantinople, the Great Fire of London, and Mickey Mantle's fatalist alcoholism, live Freddy makes no sense. If you want to half-ass it, fine, go call Simon Schama to do the appendix.
- TeddyB Not Logged In
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Busta having played bass in Sharks would certainly be a draw for Mick, considering the same Clash album featured his tribute (SISOSIG) to their song Sophistication. Didn’t Jerry claim he played it though?
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Low Down Low
- Unknown Immortal
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Sure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
- TeddyB Not Logged In
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Yes, I remember reading that too.Low Down Low wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 11:17pmSure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
- Heston
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Yes, forgot him.Low Down Low wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 11:17pmSure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Here's an odditity Busta's real name is Michael Jones.TeddyB Not Logged In wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 8:57pmBusta having played bass in Sharks would certainly be a draw for Mick, considering the same Clash album featured his tribute (SISOSIG) to their song Sophistication. Didn’t Jerry claim he played it though?
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia