Dead Wax

[Botch]

This is a Ewetube channel that I recently discovered, hosted by some guitarist I'm unfamiliar with, and the husband/keyboardist of Pomplamoose (and is also, I did not know this, the CEO of Patreon!). They invite one or two musician "specialists" and go over an old, classic recording, and discuss the structure and special features of that particular tune. Here they dissect Fleetwood Mac's Dreams:

They had a very interesting take on why, just maybe, so many people prefer the "sound" of tape/vinyl over digital; it may not be the "sound" at all! Really good insight into how the song never really resolves, and how Stevie's vocals reflect not only her sadness, but her sarcasm. Other recent Old Wax videos I've really enjoyed were on Silk Sonic's (I'ma Leave the Door Open), EW&F, and James Jamerson (the Motown Sound bass player). I think a few of you here would enjoy some of this; enjoy.

 

[Botch]

This channel discussed The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun. There's a video online of the string and synth parts, isolated (also some handclaps). This stuff is fascinating to me, so many layers in a record we all know like the back of our hand.

 

[Botch]

Here they go over how Silk Sonic changed the recorded and live versions of Smokin' Out the Window, and they don't really get past the intro! So many details packed into these recordings, absolutely love it.

 

[Botch]

I'm changing the title of this thread to the actual title of the channel, which is "Dead Wax" and not "Old Wax". d'Oh!

This one showed up this afternoon that you may enjoy, Paulie. They spent about 40 minutes going over two tunes by Victor Wooten, SW's "Overjoyed" and a VW piece. Not familiar with the bassist they had sit in, but he's a monster!

 

[Botch]

Here they interview Wendy Melvoin, guitarist who joined Prince at the ripe old age of 19 (and, today, she reminds me of... my Mom!). They start out discussing the funk of Earth Wind & Fire, talk a lot about how it was to work with Prince, and also bring up the exact same artists that I've held dearest thru my own life (Vulfpeck, Miles, Joni Mitchell, The Meters, Tower of Power, Kool and the Gang). I never got to the proficiency of any of those folks, but they were what I listened to and I guess I was raised right/lucky!
Cool discussion about what makes funk, "funk" (dragging but not pushing around the One), Prince's grueling rehearsals, and the distinction between an Artist, and an Entertainer.
I'll be watching this a couple more times.
(oh, and if you've never listened to classic Earth Wind & Fire thru headphones, do yourself a favor...)

 

[Botch]

Today they did an hour interview with Anthony Marinelli, who programmed the drums (LynnDrum machine) and the synths for all the parts on Michael Jackson's Thriller. (all the parts were played, one at a time, by Greg Phillinganes, over the course of two days). Fascinating discussion covering how Thriller was made, how technology threatens musicians and then is adopted, really fascinating if you're into that kind of stuff:

Think after the news tonight I need to dig out Thriller and slap on a pair of headphones...