Interviews
The
Chuck Rainey Interview
[photo courtesy the Chuck Rainey Website]
October
2001
Mike
Visceglia: How do you view the changing role of the studio bassist
and is this change for the better or worse in your opinion?
Chuck
Rainey: The role is still the same. Read the part, or create the
part, or improvise the part according to the situation.
MV:
Of all the recordings that you've done, is there any that you
feel captures the essence of Chuck Rainey? If so,why?
CR:
Aretha
Franklyn/Till You Come Back - Holy Moses - Rock Steady, Les Dudek/Les
Dudek, Steely Dan/Kid Charlemane - Josie - Aja - Peg, Gary Mcfarland/America
The Beautiful, Allan Tousaint/Just A Kiss Away, Bobby Humphrey/Harlem
River Drive, Jackson 5/Dancing Machine.
I chose these right off the bat because I feel `rhythm' before notes
in my playing.
MV:
You seem to have a way of creating wonderful bass parts that
sometimes have a lot of notes without ever feeling too busy. Is there
any advice you have as to how to create a part without it feeling
"overplayed" or is this an intuitive process?
CR:
Every player is a product of his or her spiritual and physical environment.
Each individual player comes to the playing table with an individual
personality, attitude, and skill in what they are doing. I believe
that it is an intuitive process based on one's listening habits during
the beginning years of interest in music.
MV:
How important is the bass drum to you in helping to direct your
playing?
CR:
Basically, the bass drum is no different from any other instrument
in the ensemble. All instruments should be directing each other mutually
on behalf of a rhythm and/or melody direction of the music.
MV:
What do you feel is the best way to develop a good sense of time?
CR:
Playing with musicians that have good time.
MV:
As one of the most respected and influential players in the history
of the instrument do you sense your influence on any younger players
today?
CR:
Yes.
[Chuck's newest CD, Available at Amazon.com]
MV:
How important do you feel it is to study? (learn to read, theory,
improvisation)
CR:
It
all depends on what, how, when and where a musician wants to perform
in the industry.
MV:
A lot of players to me seem to rely too much on equipment to
define their sound. How much importance is equipment to you as opposed
to other factors in contributing to one's sound?
CR:
Equipment is very important to me and always has been. However, the
equipment only magnifies the actual sound and feel of the player.
MV:
I would be remiss if I didn't bring up your work with Steely
Dan. It's some of the greatest music ever made on the bass guitar.
Do you have any particular reflections or feelings about them or their
music?
CR:
Steely Dan's recorded success is due to the `continuity direction
of musicians' by Gary Katz their producer. Walter and Donald are truly
great song writers, but their music became special when a selected
crew of sidemen were hired to musically improvise their great songs.
MV:
Are you optimistic about the future of popular music?
CR:
Of course!
MV:
Do you have any business or creative advice for the up and coming
bass player?
CR:
A musician should play as much as possible - a business person should
do business as much as possible. We are all only as prepared as our
experience allows. Doing both only happens if it happens, wherein
choosing one or the other allows for a better opportunity to survive.
MV:
100 years from now, what would you like the legacy of Chuck Rainey
to be?
CR:
It`s
not up to me so I have no idea or request, however I am elated and
proud to be involved in music making and I am equally elated to have
arrived to a point in my career wherein someone deems me worthy this
question.
~
A special and HUGE thanks to Mr. Rainey for his generosity in participating
in this interview! We hope you all have enjoyed it! ~
FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON CHUCK RAINEY
For
more information on Mr. Rainey, please visit the following websites:
You
can order his CD, "Sing & Dance" at Amazon.com.
His
instructional videos, "Bass For Beginners" and "The
Legendary Bass Of" are available at HotLicks.com.
