Fame Bass Cover (Not David Bowie😢)
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- Опубліковано 29 січ 2021
- I set this video as a "Premier" to give myself a little time to get caught up on some things (see below). I'm wondering how could someone "Dislike" the video before they even watched it?😂
I’m way behind in responding to comments and I wasn’t going to upload anything this week, but a couple of interesting things came up and I thought I use this upload as a vehicle to let you know about them.
In no particular order…
A few weeks ago a fellow who lives in The Netherlands reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in being the subject on the maiden voyage of his podcast. His name is Richard Morris and the podcast is called “The Jack”. I was a bit skeptical at first, but figured, “Why not?” It was not at all an unpleasant experience and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed talking about myself… haha. Anyway, it’s either the best thing you’ve ever heard or a surefire cure for insomnia or something in-between.
Here’s the link - anchor.fm/thejackwithrichardm...
Also, the 4th installment of the Kansas/Leftoverture transcription project I’ve been doing with Tim Fletcher is up on No Treble. This episode we tackle "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Download the transcription/tab and follow along if you desire.
Here’s the link - www.notreble.com/buzz/2021/01...
The song is “Fame” which was the theme song for the movie as well as the television series and it came out in 1979. It was written by Michale Gore and Dean Pirchford (music and lyrics respectively) with vocals by Irena Cara and featured Neil Jason on bass… oh, and Elliot Randall on guitar😮!
This was one of those songs that came on the radio and I stopped Lynn from changing the station. There was something about it that I always liked, especially the recurring turnaround line during the guitar solo which I hear as half-Blues and half-Classical. Man, it was a tough one to learn and to play. It's got a ton of slight variations and much of the song is played down low on the neck which becomes a bit fatiguing for me. I was all miked up and had planned on doing a little extended play along and talk-through, but I was too worn out and decided to quit while I was ahead. One of the reasons I rarely ad-lib during my covers can be heard during the outro. I’m playing the 83’ Aria Pro II SB Elite I.
On a related note, our young friend, Ellie Kim and her Mom, Julie, came up for a visit not too long ago and we spent the day playing a bunch of basses. Ellie is (or will be) attending the high school that the movie, "Fame", was based on - Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. How cool is that?
Always loved this song and this bass line. Thank you for using your amazing ears and talent to show us how it’s played.
Glad you liked it!
I "Remember" this song vividly but, as usual, I hadn't noticed the awesome bass lines... until now.
Wonderful job with this!
Haha! Thanks a lot Craig.
Lol I couldn't believe you did this. Man that opening riff!! 🤪😵😲 Very dynamic.
Believe it!
Great to see this covered. Whenever it has come on the radio, I've thought what a great bass performance, and not one you ever hear anyone talking about. You did a great job - there is almost no rest in this one!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
You may have melted a few faces with the tone of that old Aria bass. Love it.
Thanks!
I can't stop watching your wall... I LOVE IT!!!
Awesome... Most of the masks are from DeathStudios.
@@TJH3113 thank you for the information! By the way, your performance is amazing an emotional! I did appreciate so much the video and watched it a lot of times! Thank you for sharing!
This is my favorite bass cover of "Fame". Thanks :).
Wow, thanks!
Hah! When I read "not David Bowie" I figured out that it must be Irene Cara's _Fame_ 😁
Great cover, man! You nailed it, and I love the sound!👍🏼
Wow, thanks!
Can’t wait to hear this! Thanks for everything you share, not surprised people become so interested. I’m a huge grateful fan, when I started following you, I didn’t even play the bass, I just stared in awe. Life is so different now that this is an active part of my life. Thanks Troy!!
Thanks for the very kind words. You're so welcome!
@@TJH3113 Sounds like me! I still stare in awe
OK. I'll admit it. When the video came up on my alerts I first thought Bowie, but I do LOVE me some Irene Cara. 🥰
I loved this song & the movie itself. Thanks for the trip back in time.
No shame in your game, Poky. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Looking forward to the video/song and also checking out the podcast! That’s awesome about Ellie. It’s really nice that you both have stayed in contact and that music can connect so many people this way. Hope you and everyone here is doing well!
Hope you enjoyed it! Yes, it was a wonderful visit with them both. I actually talk a bit about it in the podcast. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well as well. Take care.
Fantastic 80s bassline beautifully played 👏
Thank you Alan!
I am exhausted just watching you play this! Great job, as usual! I've been listening to this since, well, 1979 and I don't think I've ever heard the full version, only the radio edit.
Wow, thanks! It definitely consumed a lot of energy. Maybe I should have taken it easy on myself and gone with the radio-edit.
i love this song and bass line!! tysm for playing it so beautifuly
I'm glad you liked it. Thank you!
Man, how much fun was that!?! So awesome watching and listening to this song from my childhood. One that made me hear and love the bass as a young man way back. Take care until next time.
Glad you enjoyed it
i think this bass line/arrangement is pop-bass perfection.
Me too!
Super dynamic line & you nailed it... fantastic!
Thanks a lot!
I love it when you cover little gems like this. I've never really "heard" the bass line, even though I've heard the song a million and a half times! Keep doing what you do!😁
I'm glad that you've gained a deeper appreciation for it! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Patrick.
Outstanding! Another that you really look like you loved to play. Was never a huge fan of disco but for the bass lines that some of these guys and gals hammered out.
Thanks so much. It was sort of a love/hate thing going on with this one. I hear you!
That was unexpected! The song brings back good memories. And a superfun bass line too. Thanks a lot, man! Hope your mother is doing well.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you very much.
Wow, what a workout!
Great song choice Troy and that bass sounds so good.
Definitely! Thanks a lot, Ray.
Again excellent. Keep playing sir. You have it.
Thanks again!
Very good cover and very interesting bass line! Especially during the chorus. I like the energy you put into your playing! Keep on moving those fingers!
Thank you, I think so too. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
This song is a banger! Always liked the bassline too, but didn't expect you to cover it, so I'm pleasantly surprised.
I agree, Kennet! Glad I could surprise you.
Congrats Troy, Very “energetic bass line”, you are great, cheers !
Thank you! You're right about that! Take care.
Great work, Troy! I’m embarrassed to say I never realized how great that bass part was. Thanks for spotlighting it!
Thank you, Geo. I'm glad you liked it.
I was looking forward to your next cover and ...what a pleasure and inspiration! I think my brain is changing as when I listen to a song now I don't listen to the melody but "da da da" along to the bass which irritates my manager. Good to hear you are continuing mentoring Ellie who has an awesome talent. Cheers mate!
Wow, thank you Geoff!
Hello Mr Troy.. I listened to your pod cast have to say it was really cool..I said it before and I’ll say it again I love listening to your stories..it’s so great your getting the recognition I believe you deserve..I’m pretty sure I have mentioned this before but you are the one that got me back into playing bass and for that I will always be grateful.. you did a awesome cover of this song.. I really hope you continue doing these videos for a long time..hope all is well and have a great day..
Hello and thanks for listening. I try my best to support people's endeavors whenever I can. That's wonderful to hear that I played some small role in bringing you back to the bass. I hope you are enjoying yourself with it. Thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it. Home today... big snow storm. I was surprised they told us to stay home.
Dig it! This looks fun to play. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great job man!! My new favourite bass line is whats going on over the guitar solo.
That stuff is from another planet!!
Thanks so much!
OMG!! Love it!! Serious flashback!! Started singing right away😂.... Faaaame!!!!👍
Haha!
I love how we don't just get a brilliant bass cover played on beautiful basses but also a little story. Cheers mate and keep em coming 🤘
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great job! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Very good job ! It's a very busy bass part. Thank you for this awesome job ;-)
Thanks a lot!
Every single time I have heard "Fame" since the day it was released I have played the bass along in my head.
You just played it a little better. VERY fun.
Great job!
Haha... thank you very much.
you are a true teacher
on the bass , thanks !!!!!
Aw, you're too kind, but thank you Karen !!!!!
Amazing job!! Excelent groove, man!! Greetings from Buenos Aires.
Thanks a lot, Jorg!
Great job as always when I recognise your songs . Been friends for over ten years!
Thanks Sue. Wow, time flies, doesn't it? Hope you are all well.
What an incredible workout there, Troy. Holy smokes! My hands hurt just watching this one. Heh heh. Great job, as always, sir. And another excellent song selection. And in the key of F? What a wacky key for a pop song. But, of course it works and we've loved it all these many years. Thank you again!!
Thank you, Tony. I hear you. I was thinking the same thing... "This would be so much easier if it was in E."
Que tocabilidade....parabéns 🎶
Um verdadeiro espetáculo.
Sucesso.
Muito obrigado!
love this song. always wanted to learn the bass line. as soon as a buy a bass it will be the first one on my wish list
Awesome! Best of luck to you… Enjoy!
Perfect anchor for a song with high melody.
Truth.
Fantastic job, you always have the greatest music.
Thank you very much!
Great job Troy I always loved this song and I remember watching the TV show as a kid..........it definitely has an interesting bass line alot going on actually I think what would make this better is if you'd jump up in the air at the end........lol
Thanks Marco! Why didn't I think of that?
When I was a kid growing up in Westchester County my dad had a music store/recording/rehearsal studio. The recording engineer that worked for him was a guy by the name of Chuck Irwin, who happened to be the head recording engineer for the Fame soundtrack. In there was the first platinum album award I had ever seen in real life, and growing up around Chuck and a ton of great artists really influenced me into playing bass. I mean, Tommy Wolk used to come and hang out in the store (he and my dad had played together since they were teenagers. He played guitar at that point, and was really good as I recall). Incidentally Chuck has long since retired but still lives in Nyack with his wife so he's a somewhat local guy to you.
Wow, that's very cool! Perhaps you or your Father knew Ed Solan? He had a pretty busy recording studio in the Bronx for quite a while and I know he was friends with T-Bone as well (Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards too). One of his favorite T-Bone stories was once, when Daryl Hall asked him to pick him up at the airport, T-Bone showed up in an old station wagon that had no A/C and looked like it had been painted with a paintbrush. Daryl wasn't overly thrilled... haha. Speaking of Nyack, NY, I was actually born in Nyack hospital.
@@TJH3113 I didn't but I'll ask my dad. Let you know.
Amazing as always!
Thanks again!
That tone is perfect for this track.
I am glad its this 'Fame' and not Bowie's. Nicely done!
I wasn't a disco fan until long after it was done but it was a vibrant musical time with much to teach.
Thanks Dave.
On the list to learn! Thank you!
Very cool!
@@TJH3113 your version is, as usual, so cool. Full of funk :) I started deciphering what you actually play and like all your root-5th-octave licks in between. Thanks!
Not an easy song. Great work!
Thanks!
I was singing this song where I work last week and since then I've been singing it during the week because it reminds me of a funny day where I work. I was singing a Brazilian version of this song by a famous singer from here in Brazil at a relaxed time at work and my colleague was doing some crazy very funny dances! A colleague joined the company recently and has the same name as the Brazilian singer and then we kept singing her songs to play with her colleague and relax at work. What a coincidence to see this video on your channel with the original version I didn't know about! Thank you, Troy!!!
Wow, what a coincidence! Thanks for sharing your story.
RIP Irene Cara, another reason the 80s were fun.
Yes... very sad.
Well done!!
Thank you Derk!
Rest In Peace Irena Cara!
💔
They were probably annoyed that it wasn't the David Bowie song :-)
Nice one Troy. I remember this from my youth, but I don't recall listening to the bass line much at the time. It's actually pretty good, and very well played. Thank you.
That could be. That's part of the reason I put it in the title... didn't want an angry mob on the video. Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. Take care.
Whatta' a sound... LOVE IT!!!
Thank you, Vincent!
Kick Ass, love this song. Never quite got around to working thru it. I was stuck On the Grand Funk Live album and Mel Shacher's work, burned thru 3 LP albums to figure it out. Love this digital, it's right there.
There should be no problems getting this one into my fingers. Thank you so very much. Charlie
I'm glad you appreciate the song as much as I do. I hear you on the wearing out of albums. I've got a few notches on my belt as well. Enjoy! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Charlie.
Nice!!!! I used to watch this show when i was a kid..lol Disco was made for bass guitars..love it!
Thanks! I don't think I was a regular viewer, but I'm sure I caught a few episodes back in the day. Truth!
I always liked that guitar Solo and Irene Cara her vocals. Now my ears will forever be focussed on the bass. Well done again ! JJ
Can you believe that was Elliot Randall? Thank you.
@@TJH3113 Yes I can, there have been stranger combinations.. Gene Simmons - Bob Dylan. In our head we devide everything in categories, radio does that too. But you yourself proves a musician listens differently. Like you said ABBA is a good example, it is not cool and might not make you cry, but if you’ve got good ears you’ll hear it’s pretty d*mn sophisticated. If you dont hear it, try to play along.
Great job bro. Awesome sound with that Aria bass. Didn't know you were a Disco fan lol. Cheers all the best!!!!
Thanks a lot, Jack. I'm glad you liked it. There was a time when I was definitely not a fan of disco but, these days, I appreciate anything that I think has a cool bass-line. Take care!
Great cover ! One of the fine examples of the so called disco era. All-Star lineup on this recording. Elliott Randall of Steely Dan shines here with an amazing solo that lasts almost 1 minute: rarity in such smash hits
Thanks. Well said!
Thanks Troy🔥🎵💯
You bet!
OMG Troy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goose bumps!!!!!!! Simply the Best!!!!!!!!!! Wickedly awesome!!!!!!!!!! A blue ribbon winner. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was oout of the ball park!!!!! Just sent you a comment because I hadn't heard from you in a while. Hope everybody is fine. Your fingering on this is remarkable. Than ks for the joy Troy!!!! Marvine :-)
Thanks Marvine! I'm very glad that you liked it. It was a tough one.
@@TJH3113 Even though it was tough, you mastered it. I could tell it was very complex. You nailed it. So glad to hear from you. i no longer receive notifications from you on my UA-cam listing. i was afraid I had lost you. ;-):-)
@@marvinewilliams8281 Hi Marvine. Not too long ago a subscriber told me that they were no longer getting notifications. Can I ask, “Are you not being notified about videos, or about replies to your comments?”
I will ask the other subscriber what they did to correct the issue. Maybe you could try unsubscribing and re-subscribing?
I'm dancing on my imaginary high school cafeteria table right now with my Peavey grind
You too? Right on!
Excellent work! And if I haven't already asked, here's a request for Bruce Thomas' line on Shipbuilding
Thanks Bertis. I don't think I've ever heard that one. I'll check it out.
Dude...! suh-WEET! Love it!
Thanks a lot, Forrest.
Nice job. As others have said, I never noticed the bass in this song much at all.
And have mentioned before this is not the first song this has happened with that you played. Having the bass at the forefront brings it out, and then when you listen to it later on the radio, you can hear it so much better because you know what to listen for.
Thanks. I'm very happy to hear that you've gained a greater appreciation for some of the songs that I've covered.
I remember this song well - '79 was the year I started paying serious attention to the top 40 countdown every week. Irene Cara was also known for "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" from 1982. The sounds of my late childhood and early adolescence. 😊
That reminds me of my wife's brother, Danny, who would carry around a pocket transistor radio and keep a log of the weekly Top 10 Hits for many years. Irene was a fine singer and I understand that she is still musically active, living in Florida.
WOW,that's VERY COOL!!! (her going to the same school!!!) Anyway,Yeah,I'm glad You said "NOT David Bowie!" cuz the second I read that title,that's immediately what I expected!!! Lol. But this is a very nice change of pace!!! I enjoyed watching You play this one,along with reading your story on it (Congrats on the podcast too Troy!!!) Anyway,Great cover as always Troy!!! :-)
Isn't that wild? I pulled up my video when she (Ellie's Mom) brought that up and we were laughing and singing, while Ellie just stared at us... haha. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to watch and comment.
@@TJH3113 And as always,Your very Welcome!!! :-)
Your tone is perfect
Thanks so much
Love the unaccompanied coda! For a "dumb" disco song, the bass line is sure complex.
Thanks. I'd planned on doing more, but, this wasn't the first take and I was pretty worn out.
Great song, great playing (as always). Could we have High Fidelity or Desdemona from the TV show? 😁👍🏻
Thanks Jon. I don't think I've ever heard either, but I'll try to check them out.
Another great performance. I’m glad you left the little mistake in there, it proves you’re human! Great tone btw
Thanks a lot! Yeah, I'd done a few previous takes and was running out of steam. This was as good as it was going to get. Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
👍👍👏👏 very good bass beatful
Thanks ✌️I'm glad you liked it.
I lovit!!❤ 👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you!
A great Bass cover by you as always! David Bowie or not haha
Aw, thank you very much.
@@TJH3113 My pleasure!
Troy... you are a very, very talented player.
That was very kind of you to say. Thanks Gerald.
The show and song was part of the landscape in my junior-high years. Radio on the school bus playing as we traveled to our involuntary school resulting from mandatory integration of the late '70s/early '80s. "I already get along with everybody, just give me back my stolen sleep and let me go to the school down the street." Gonna look for the chance to sit and learn this. Thanks!
Very cool. Our school busses definitely did not have radios playing on them. Enjoy!
Great bassline and great performance on your part. I’m playing this song live soon and would love to mimic the tone you have in this video. Any tips?
Thank you. Unfortunately, I'm not terribly technical and just play with the knobs on my preamp until I come up with something I can live with.
Way more interesting than Bowie's "Fame". Thanks!
I think so too. My pleasure.
How many frickin' basses do you have?! I see a couple Guilds, Ricks, Aria Pros, Spectors, Fenders, Epis,.....Love that Aria Pro, BTW. I had one back in the 90s, and it played itself. Pickup was a little weak, but man, I've never had a bass that played itself like that. Good job with this, too. I had to play it when I was in the pit for a production of this. It definitely moves.
Quite a few. Yeah, these Arias are very nice... a bit tame sounding, but very high quality instruments. Thanks a lot. Wow, "Fame" was done as a stage production as well?
@@TJH3113 Yeah, I was a little surprised as well. Apparently it's been doing runs since 1988, I think. Don't remember much of the plot, but that's 'cause I was playing the whole time. Lol
good old song
i agree
Hey Troy, i’ve been binging you’re videos recently and i was wondering if you’d ever thought about covering “Les Brers in a Minor” by the Allman Brothers. Cheers!
Very cool! I've never heard of the song, but I'll try to take a listen to it.
Amazing balls of 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thanks.
Hello Troy! Have you played or covered any James Jamerson bass line? For example: ”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, Or ”For Once In My Life” by Stevie Wonder! :)
Hi Julius. No, I don't believe that I have. While I've played some Motown music in the past, it's not the sort of stuff I'd seek out to learn on my own. But you never know.
[read in Obi Wan Kenobi voice] Fame. Now there's a name I haven't heard since...
Haha...
Any comment on the upcoming Jackson chickenbacker basses? I’m in for it.
Nah, I've never had an attraction for Jacksons,, they were always "metal" basses to me. Though I have been eyeballing one of the older ones like Ross Valory sometimes uses live. They really cut through nicely when he played them.
Those were the cats, man! Nice job.
Yes they were! Thank you Anthony.
How do you achieve this snarling sound? Is it mainly the bass / pickups, amp preset, or some post processing effect? Most of your basses have this grungy fatty sound and it's so great, meanwhile my fender just pumps overloaded low sound. Great song btw, never heard it, tho chorus sounds familiar in a way.
It's mostly to do with the way I set my basses up - I set the necks as straight as I can get them (with very little relief). Some basses can be set straighter than others and still have all the notes be playable. Low action. Fairly fresh round wound strings. A big part of what you are hearing is, what I call, the buzz/clack/and grind of the strings interacting with the frets beneath the fundamental note of the bass. It just adds a bit of percussiveness to the sound, although it might not be suitable for all types of music. That being said, I set all my basses up this way, regardless of what genre I may be playing.
Discovered your musical ability last night, just makes me want to learn the bass!
Please, if you have not heard or covered the song then check out Uncle Remus by Frank Zappa, also Apostrophe.
Keep bringing the great music, thank you!
Keep it greasy is also a great Bassline I believe is fairly difficult to play but I couldn’t comment.
Welcome! I'll check out your suggestions. Apostrophe is Jack Bruce, right?
Yes, that would be correct! I like your variety so it would be amazing to see what you think and if it’s fun to play.
Keep it going! From a new fan in Austria but from England!
Show!🤟👏
Many thanks!
Hi Troy, thanks for sharing, did you use any effects on this track?
It was my pleasure. No effects, just a SansAmp Bass Driver Ver. 2 for my EQ, as usual.
@@TJH3113 Thanks!
We remember
Right on!
😍😍😍😍
Thanks Amanda.
The best fingers at YT :D
Haha... thanks a lot.
🎸👌
Thanks!
Definitely picked the right bass for the job on that one.
Thanks!
That bass looks like a cream colored Cliff Burton Bass from Aria!
That is exactly what it is. Aria Pro II SB I.
It is. This is a White and Gold, as opposed to Cliff's Black and Gold.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks!!!
👍🙏
Thank you!
Написано столько похвальных комментариев, даже не знаю что добавить. Отличное исполнение от Троя переходит в категорию "Обычного", настолько уже привык к уровню его игры.😊 Сама композиция не впечатлила. Не смотря на басовые зарисовки как-то однообразно звучит.😐 Мое субъективное мнение.😉👍
Нет необходимости добавлять что-либо в комментарии, но я ценю, что вы нашли время, чтобы посмотреть видео и оставить комментарий. Я благодарю тебя.