I definitely get where you’re coming from… And I think there’s a great many places that applies. In Adam’s case though, to me it feels perfectly natural. A self accompaniment, derived from necessity if you will.
You can tell his mind is racing 120mph, and it’s like he’s struggling to let every last bit and piece of what he’s hearing (mentally) reach the light of day. To that end, I think he’s executed quite admirably!
But yeah, I’ve seen plenty of musicians try similar and it comes across contrived. Because they’re reaching outside their element to make something happen artificially. And that usually sticks out like a sore thumb to me. YMMV
I fully agree with your sentiment that “real musicians” often feel the need to reach into a “bag of tricks” to capture the initial following. But, I think the two biggest things that caused that are the decline in focus on being “a well rounded human being” (the education system in the formative years), and corporate radio (and the supporting industry; “molding” artists into the latest moneymaker, and then dumping for the next ‘new thing’).
Thankfully though, we’re in the dawn of a new Era, and real talent has a worldwide stage like never before, and they don’t have to be “molded” by a defunct process anymore (if they don’t want to), while still having a good chance of being heard!
I hope you’re right. I see some hopeful signs out of Europe from time to time. I agree, he appears to be crystallized to me as apposed to what I’ve been watching on stage for the last 50 years where I kinda get that they are trying to signal that they are “getting into it” but look more like they’re trying to shit their pants but the damn thing is stuck in there.
I’m fortunate per having to “entertain”. Per my instrument, I’m not expected to act like an ass on stage and two of the band members are really into that and have that aspect covered. The only time I played solo was when I was very young like 8 to 10 and that was another instrument. Even then I felt like a organ grinders monkey. It always hit my as absurd when someone who couldn’t even tap their foot told me how good I was. That has pretty much carried on through today. When I take a break and go out into the crowd the last thing I want to talk about is the music. I’d much rather talk about something they knew something about.
Too sweet! Every piece of that puzzle is exquisite! I absolutely LOVE playing bass to something like that. Just groovin and holdin down jam while others take side tracks. The space is just gorgeous. I can feel every note just floating through space with it’s own sound. Working back and forth. Amazing articulation. That is just HOT in my books.
This one goes out to those who’ve been so focused on the task at hand that they left the house without checking to make sure they haven’t forgotten to grab their “mod”… or “juice”… or… Yeah. I’m gonna stop there.
