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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Show Reviews and Set Lists → Where's Rick?
With all due respect to Arlan Schierbaum, I can't for the life of me understand why Rick Melick was not playing keyboards on Joe's latest album, Driving Towards The Daylight. Rick's wonderful playing has become such an integral part of the Bonamassa sound over the past eight years. I have all of Joe's albums, and I have to say, Rick is sorely missed on this latest one, in my humble opinion anyway.
According to Kevin Shirley (Producer), different musicians were introduced to mix things up, and 'Challenge' Joe..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw3IBUCs … ure=relmfu
As he says in this video 
It explores his talent even further, and makes things even more interesting..
There's your answer!
Although I've done nothing compared to the scale on which Joe has played professionally, I can understand how it works.. For example, apart from recording with my own band, I've done the odd session here or there with other writers/musicians.. The best example was when recording/writing on the spot with Derrick Mckenzie from Jamiroquai.. Aside from nervous, my playing was completely different to normal!
Rus
Mixing things up can definitely be a good thing in the studio. I imagine the boys don't mind a little time off either. Everybody wins!
Oh OK, so it was Kevin Shirley who made the decision - that explains a lot. I've been in and out of recording studios since 1974, and I understand the whole side project thing, but in this instance I'm of the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' school of thought. That's just my opinion of course.
According to Kevin Shirley (Producer), different musicians were introduced to mix things up, and 'Challenge' Joe..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw3IBUCs … ure=relmfu
As he says in this video
There's your answer!
Although I've done nothing compared to the scale on which Joe has played professionally, I can understand how it works.. For example, apart from recording with my own band, I've done the odd session here or there with other writers/musicians.. The best example was when recording/writing on the spot with Derrick Mckenzie from Jamiroquai.. Aside from nervous, my playing was completely different to normal!
Rus
Perhaps you're not a fan of Kevin's "moves" relative to his partnership with Joe (on multiple projects).
And not that Kevin's decisions relative to Joe need defending, but the moves he has made/suggested since Joe and he have been working together have been brilliant, IMHO.
I respect your opinion. There are folks out there that think Joe should have just kept going with his original power trio, and remaking stuff like "So It's Like That" (over and over and over....). I'm damn glad he didn't, though I love the early stuff, too.
Joe said himself that mixing it up got him back to remembering why he plays, and reignited his inner spark at a time when he needed that.
Perhaps you're not a fan of Kevin's "moves" relative to his partnership with Joe (on multiple projects).
And not that Kevin's decisions relative to Joe need defending, but the moves he has made/suggested since Joe and he have been working together have been brilliant, IMHO.
I respect your opinion. There are folks out there that think Joe should have just kept going with his original power trio, and remaking stuff like "So It's Like That" (over and over and over....). I'm damn glad he didn't, though I love the early stuff, too.
Joe said himself that mixing it up got him back to remembering why he plays, and reignited his inner spark at a time when he needed that.
Very well put and I agree with it all as well.
With all due respect to Arlan Schierbaum, I can't for the life of me understand why Rick Melick was not playing keyboards on Joe's latest album, Driving Towards The Daylight. Rick's wonderful playing has become such an integral part of the Bonamassa sound over the past eight years. I have all of Joe's albums, and I have to say, Rick is sorely missed on this latest one, in my humble opinion anyway.
Arlan brings something extra with his play that seems to challenge Joe and spark him up. I've heard both he and Rick live and IMO Arlan is the superior musician and keyboard player, not saying that Rick is in any way bad though. Joe must have included Arlan in the acoustic tour for a good reason. Time off the regular tour for a breather must be a factor as well.
hindsong wrote:With all due respect to Arlan Schierbaum, I can't for the life of me understand why Rick Melick was not playing keyboards on Joe's latest album, Driving Towards The Daylight. Rick's wonderful playing has become such an integral part of the Bonamassa sound over the past eight years. I have all of Joe's albums, and I have to say, Rick is sorely missed on this latest one, in my humble opinion anyway.
Arlan brings something extra with his play that seems to challenge Joe and spark him up. I've heard both he and Rick live and IMO Arlan is the superior musician and keyboard player, not saying that Rick is in any way bad though. Joe must have included Arlan in the acoustic tour for a good reason. Time off the regular tour for a breather must be a factor as well.
I would never say What you just said. Certainly cannot agree on one of these musicians being superior (on an undisclosed level as further comment was not forthcoming), have to ask what are your qualifications as a musician, or the depth of knowledge of these guys' abilities, educations, and credits, Rick? If you are just saying as a fan of both, you preference is stronger and the emotional or personal or whatever connection is stronger towards Arlan, totally different. Arlan is great for recording, recording is taking place again for yet another project, mere fact of back to back projects, recent release (after touring) and current DVD Live project being business, not worthy of much speculation for me, I believe you just need to look at tours (real tours, not mere consecutive spurt appearances, or club shows) vs. Recording.
Personal lives or past, present, or future business decisions....I am not much on speculating well in these areas. This is where the rubber meets the road for troubadours, so taking a different grapple on things such as "pursuit of happiness", "family life", friends and recreational activities removed by light years from "work".....we all need it and cannot explain why and whatfors, or can and don't need to justify to others......Me? Just going with the Fast Sprinting Flow, Joe! Catch your breaths after the race!
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"RickB wrote:hindsong wrote:With all due respect to Arlan Schierbaum, I can't for the life of me understand why Rick Melick was not playing keyboards on Joe's latest album, Driving Towards The Daylight. Rick's wonderful playing has become such an integral part of the Bonamassa sound over the past eight years. I have all of Joe's albums, and I have to say, Rick is sorely missed on this latest one, in my humble opinion anyway.
Arlan brings something extra with his play that seems to challenge Joe and spark him up. I've heard both he and Rick live and IMO Arlan is the superior musician and keyboard player, not saying that Rick is in any way bad though. Joe must have included Arlan in the acoustic tour for a good reason. Time off the regular tour for a breather must be a factor as well.
I would never say What you just said. Certainly cannot agree on one of these musicians being superior (on an undisclosed level as further comment was not forthcoming), have to ask what are your qualifications as a musician, or the depth of knowledge of these guys' abilities, educations, and credits, Rick? If you are just saying as a fan of both, you preference is stronger and the emotional or personal or whatever connection is stronger towards Arlan, totally different. Arlan is great for recording, recording is taking place again for yet another project, mere fact of back to back projects, recent release (after touring) and current DVD Live project being business, not worthy of much speculation for me, I believe you just need to look at tours (real tours, not mere consecutive spurt appearances, or club shows) vs. Recording.
Personal lives or past, present, or future business decisions....I am not much on speculating well in these areas. This is where the rubber meets the road for troubadours, so taking a different grapple on things such as "pursuit of happiness", "family life", friends and recreational activities removed by light years from "work".....we all need it and cannot explain why and whatfors, or can and don't need to justify to others......Me? Just going with the Fast Sprinting Flow, Joe! Catch your breaths after the race!
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
Well, I did say it, stand by it and, of course added it was my own opinion. Based on observation and effect on the overall product. The keyboard-guitar duels are something never heard with Rick, but figure prominently with Arlan both live and on DTTD. Each has his place and is a great musician. Rick tours, Arlan for the most part works in studio though he's on the acoustic tour now. I like to hear the keys and have an aggressive player that interacts with the band loudly when it fits, but that's just me. I've praised Rick in the past and will continue to do so, but I wish he were much louder. Others have said the same.
I have to play devil's advocate here. What I love about Rick's keyboard approach is that he usually stays below Joe and adds fullness, texture and a bit of color. I for one do not like frequent guitar and keyboard interplay. I listen to guitar music to hear the guitar. The biggest thing that drove me crazy in the latter SRV years, and the current KWS days, is the keyboard competition. I don't want keyboard parity. Heck, I don't want bass parity either. I want pure Gibson LP tones front and center along with those golden vocals.
I really like Arlan Schierbaum's playing on DTTD. There's more guitar - keys interaction on the new release and I'm glad Joe is working with him on these dates. I do prefer the keys to be a lead instrument in their own right, rather than layering behind the guitar. This doesn't mean I'm saying he's a better keyboard player than Rick or anyone else as I'm not musically qualified to do so. But I like what I hear of Arlan.
I have to play devil's advocate here. What I love about Rick's keyboard approach is that he usually stays below Joe and adds fullness, texture and a bit of color. I for one do not like frequent guitar and keyboard interplay. I listen to guitar music to hear the guitar. The biggest thing that drove me crazy in the latter SRV years, and the current KWS days, is the keyboard competition. I don't want keyboard parity. Heck, I don't want bass parity either. I want pure Gibson LP tones front and center along with those golden vocals.
Good point. In most songs, the layering backup keys fits just fine, but others are enhanced by a lively interaction with the keyboard player. I've heard Arlan play with Joe live about 10 hours and it is a joy. He sits back and adds the layers when appropriate, but can jump up and challenge Joe in a duel. Joe seems to revel in these interactions. Watch this from the 3:00 mark as Arlan and Joe trade licks to their obvious mutual pleasure. Tell me you wouldn't love to see some of this on tour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
I'll edit an add that the guitar-drum duels on tour in Young Man Blues are very well recieved.
An interesting back and forth. I'm in the Queen's court, on this one.
I like Rick, but Arlan provides a different flavor. I grew up in a family that liked a good buffet, so I'll always take a little from this, and a taste of that.
It's all good.
For me, the Tal/Joe interaction was definitely a highlight of the Chicago Theatre show, last year. Joe's the star, sure. But he shines all the brighter because of the constellation in which he's located at that moment, IMO.
EDIT: Had to add the video makes RickB's point quite well, at least for me. I've always liked those sorts of moments. Particularly when you can see both "combatants" rising to the friendly challenge.
It will be interesting to see if any of these songs with so much keyboard work show up in the fall setlist. Rick is more than capable of handling keyboards for any of Joe's songs. Try listening to some old stuff without him - such a huge difference, sounds empty sometimes. I noticed that Rick's playing was up in the mix a lot more at this years shows. He does what he is asked to do, and he always does it well. I enjoyed Arlen's playing on the new CD, but I am sure Rick is just as capable.
The previous comments about mixing up the band for recordings, and the comment about buffets being so enjoyable are great. I don't think any of Joe's current band played on DTTD, correct?
Sandy
I don't think any of Joe's current band played on DTTD, correct?
Sandy
Carmine plays bass on "I Got All You Need," "A Place in My Heart," "Heavenly Soul," and "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go."
I have to play devil's advocate here. What I love about Rick's keyboard approach is that he usually stays below Joe and adds fullness, texture and a bit of color. I for one do not like frequent guitar and keyboard interplay. I listen to guitar music to hear the guitar. The biggest thing that drove me crazy in the latter SRV years, and the current KWS days, is the keyboard competition. I don't want keyboard parity. Heck, I don't want bass parity either. I want pure Gibson LP tones front and center along with those golden vocals.
Not me. I want the best band I can get. Playing piano, I can tell you that Reese Wynans is one of the finest keyboard players there is. Stevie got someone who matched up well to his abilities.
And KWS had a keyboard player from the start.
It's all about how you arrange a song with the interplay just as there can be the wrong kind of background texture too.
Perhaps you're not a fan of Kevin's "moves" relative to his partnership with Joe (on multiple projects).
And not that Kevin's decisions relative to Joe need defending, but the moves he has made/suggested since Joe and he have been working together have been brilliant, IMHO.
I respect your opinion. There are folks out there that think Joe should have just kept going with his original power trio, and remaking stuff like "So It's Like That" (over and over and over....). I'm damn glad he didn't, though I love the early stuff, too.
Joe said himself that mixing it up got him back to remembering why he plays, and reignited his inner spark at a time when he needed that.
I am sorry.,He had 4 prior solo albums before Kevin Shirley and he only made 1 type of "So It's Like That" album in his career. The other 3 albums were completely different so I don't know where this statement comes from. Let me explain, we didn't necessarily want Joe to continue with the power trio if it couldn't happened. Although the Power trio is one of the best bands ever.
Some KS moves are good and some KS moves are bad. He sure left Anton Fig in there.
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