Again you are making a mistake here, with technical ability and its effect on the quality of music produced.

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:04, 1 reply, 12 years ago)

It's called 'Emerson Lake and Palmer Syndrome'

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:08, Reply)

Ha!
Also known as "The Satriani Effect" in some circles.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:11, Reply)

Don't get me wrong
It is entirely possible for highly technically accomplished musicians to produce worthy music, but it is most definitely not a pre-requisite.
And anyone who tries to use a band or musician's virtuosity on their instruments to prove their musical worth is probably already losing the argument.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:16, Reply)

Oh, I agree entirely
Moving Pictures by Rush is a great example of a technically accomplished band recognising the need to write enjoyable songs as opposed to just demonstrating their virtuosity.

Dreamtheater, on the other hand, are impressive for the first 30 seconds before you realise the whole fucking album goes on in that vein.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:18, Reply)

Also, while you're about: Reggae question
I'll be honest, I know bugger all about reggae, never really been able to get into it. Can you recommend any decent-but-not-too-obscure reggae tunes with good basslines?

One of my students wants to learn about reggae basslines, and I'd prefer not to have to trawl through "no woman no fucking cry" with him.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:14, Reply)

I can offer you a layman's advice, if that's any good?
I've only really dipped my toe into reggae, but if it is bass you are after then dub is probably the place to look.
The best two dub records I know of (Monty, with his greater knowledge of this genre may disagree) are Augustus Pablo/King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown and Lee Scratch Perry/Super Ape.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:23, Reply)

That's certainly a good place to start
Cheers!
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 12:25, Reply)

I would start with
Jimmy Cliff... Firstly by watching The Harder they Come, this has music from Jimmy himself along with Desmond Decker and The Slickers
(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Thu 29 Mar 2012, 13:52, Reply)