HB3: Plays the Piccolo Bass

So you like bass guitar. Well, here is a CD of bass, and only bass. HB3, his real name is unknown to me, plays the piccolo bass. This is an all-instrumental recording of just bass guitar. The good part is this record was able to hold my attention all the way through in part because of some fine melodies and not to mention some fantastic playing.

I was not familiar with the instrument until I heard this album. What really struck me is how the piccolo bass can sound so much like different instruments like the acoustic guitar and mandolin. For those of you who care, this instrument is usually pitched one octave above a traditional bass and one octave lower than a guitar. Now that we have the musical theory out of the way we can talk about the music. I hear a few different styles including classical, folk, East Indian and rock. The playing is dynamic and enthralling and quite beautiful at times displaying some gorgeous melodies along the way.

Favourites include "Haunted Houses" where beautifully melodic rhythms will want to stick in your head long after the music stops and the exotic sounding "Darjeeling Express" with its Eastern melodies and mixture of languid and intense strumming. Acoustic Led Zeppelin came to mind while listening to this one. The funky grooves of "Slap" is also an attention grabber where the song title fits the style of play. "Ariel" is a pretty number where slow rhythms of melancholic beauty create a relaxing atmosphere. "Positive Venus" ends the album in fine style with another melodic feast of chord progressions and meandering bass runs.

This is an impressive album, especially when you consider it contains only one instrument. If you like instrumental music with a penchant for melody you may want to check this one out.

Track Listing:
1. The Umbrellas (6:33)
2. The Kermess (5:15)
3. Haunted Houses (6:12)
4. Darjeeling Express (10:48)
5. Slap (2:40)
6. Ariel (3:29)
7. Positive Venus (5:38)

Added: January 10th 2010
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1969
Language: english

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