Rotosound | 4 years ago

George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, and Cliff Richard's bassist of choice, Steve Walters, talks with Evander Swaby (Jay Prince, Mansur Brown, Vanessa White) about life as a sideman. Steve shares the important lessons he's learnt from working with the likes of Lewis Taylor and Dylan Howe and recalls how he winded up in Jaco Pastorius' apartment for a bass lesson.

Both Steve and Evander use Rotosound Swing Bass 66 and Jazz Bass 77 strings.

00:00 Intro
00:27 "The best flatwound strings in the world"
00:51 Deciding to become a professional bass player
02:32 Bass lessons from Jaco Pastorius
07:18 Make everything sound musical
07:40 Practice as if you're performing
08:57 Adapting to different styles and adopting new skills
10:36 Working with Dylan Howe - "Learn the part"
11:57 Working with Alan Darby - "Just play the song"
13:53 Working with Lewis Taylor - Importance of The Groove
15:47 Working with George Michael - Exposing yourself to a variety of music
17:14 Understanding your influences
18:11 James Jamerson and Willie Weeks to Pino Palladino
20:14 "Play and observe as if you're listening to the record"
23:21 Working with Mansur Brown - supporting the lead instrument
25:29 Moulding yourself and your abilities
26:17 Tips on learning songs on bass
31:10 How to approach adding your own ideas
31:48 A challenging session
35:00 Staying professional when working with different characters
38:12 Living with the band and crew on tour
41:32 Adapting your sound for the style you're playing
44:10 Know what technique fits the song
46:48 Playing bass for Amy Winehouse
47:41 Rehearsing at show volume and show intention
48:33 Amy Winehouse gets her way with the AR guys
49:40 Steve's proudest moment playing with George Michael
52:19 Evander's proudest moment playing with Mansur Brown on live TV
55:00 Outro

• Links:
https://www.rotosound.com
https://www.instagram.com/stevewalters664
https://www.instagram.com/swabyldn

• About Rotosound:
Rotosound are manufacturers of the World’s Finest Music Strings - a legacy which goes back to the birth of Rock n’ Roll itself. Since 1958 Rotosound strings have been an ever-present on some of the most famous recordings ever heard.

Developed in conjunction with some of the world's top artists, Rotosound strings are synonymous with unbeatable tone and longevity and are manufactured in Great Britain.