Bassline of the week!

I heard this song on a run today and realized what a great bass part it has. That's Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads' playing on "Born Under Punches." Tina, in my opinion, is a consistently underrated bassist. She really has such a minimalist style.

This bassline does exactly what it needs to and nothing more, simple and effective. It definitely gets bonus points for being in such a quirky time signature as well! She also uses space and air between notes to provide extra, er, punch.

It's such a strange song frankly, with typical Talking Heads bizarre lyrics, seemingly random guitar licks and synth for that matter.

Tina's part could've fallen through the cracks and her slap-and-pop style on the track helps the bass break through the mix a bit.

This song is a great example of bass parts that just groove and are perfect in their simplicity.

Enjoy and thanks for reading!

The milk of human kindness isn't spoiled

Something wonderful is happening. I am being serious. For the past year or so I've been developing this sense of love and compassion for humanity. That sounds like a really broad, general statement but it's true. I'm becoming more perceptive of others and more forgiving. I believe we're all doing the best with the hand we're given. I use these words because I don't know how else to describe this very subtle feeling. It's a swelling in the heart and a sense of well-being and contentment. Some days it borders on joy. Sure, I still get irritated with nuisances like drivers when they tailgate me or cut me off in traffic but overall, I am developing something here. Maybe my soul is expanding. I'm beginning to feel as though I'm finally a part of the human race. In the past, I've felt so aloof and misanthropic so this is strange for me. I can't exactly pinpoint when it began. I wonder if it's just part of the maturation process but I hope...

Thundering Silence: Backpacking on the Appalachian Trail

Ventured out on my first backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail, or AT as its known in the hiking community. I hadn't been backpacking since I was in the Scouts, when we did a 10-miler at Kennesaw Mountain. My wife Renee had never been backpacking although we had both been primitive car-camping before and we each share a love of the outdoors. This trip had been in the making for a few years with us sharing a "Wouldn't that be awesome," conversation or two. I also recall my dad saying how neat it would be to hike the entire AT when I was a kid, a lofty goal to be sure. Renee and I are both in pretty good shape from running and bicycling so we figured that a 2-night trip on the AT would be feasible. We were right...mostly. We purchased our backpacking and camping gear the week before and took a practice hike at a local trail. We did a trial run at Sutallee Trace in Canton to test the waters and get the packs dialed in. I felt some new muscles being wor...

Hump busted

3rd blanket's ride of the week and boy was I a tired pup out there. Did South loop (for starters), Dwelling, and 2 VMTs. Dust was getting in to my lungs also, always fun. Need rain! . Felt like hell and no gas the whole time. Backpack + singlespeed + no legs equals sufferfest. Still, a ride is a ride.

Mountain Bikes, Bass Guitar, and other stuff I like

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