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Knoxville Show – Last Post – Let’s Move On
I sat close and then moved to the balcony in Knoxville: same results. I too hear Branford on the tape clearly, but the same cannot be said sitting in person. I remember someone at the Cary concert during intermission saying it was very dfficult to hear the piano. Let me explain my thoughts on Knoxville: when the band was really cranking; it was damn hard to hear the piano on several occasions. My wife, 3 teenage children who regularly attend all sorts of concerts, and others (who I did not know sitting around me) said the same. When JV goes hard at it, it is difficult to decipher the notes; instead it is a bone jarring thump rather than a gifted bass player performing. Bass is a driving instrument, but Jaco or Stanley Clarke type talent needs to be heard and appreciated, not just felt in the seat of your pants. (I was lucky enough to see both play, and you could both feel the note and appreciate its complexity). I was especially disappointed to not hear JT but on 2 brief occasions, and that was about it. I would love to hear Bruce with a jazz group with minimal amplification, and will likely wait for that. I hope others enjoy the remaining shows and support this fine group of musicians.
I heard Bruce in 2004 in Cary, NC with Branford M. I could not hear Branford then. I thought the sound was much better in Chattanooga, still the bass and drums were to loud. Same for Knoxville, except the organ could not be heard. I state again, the sound needs to be improved for me to attend again. I have heard him outside twice and inside twice, and sound was subpar 3 of the 4 times. I compare that to concerts of Pat Metheny, Sting, Steely Dan, among others where it was excellent.
Knoxville show: 4th Bruce concert I have heard in the past 3 years. I thought the sound quality was poor. For such as accomplished musician/band, they need to turn down the volume on the bass and drums. Both musicians are gifted, but the volume does not add to the overall flavor of Bruce’s music. I, and others sitting around me, could also not hear JT. 😥 These gripes are the same I have for some of the other shows too. I thought the song selection and sound was so much better in Chattanooga. For comparison, I heard Steely Dan in Charlotte Saturday. It was indeed a different band playing a different style of music, but one could differentiate the notes by both the drummer, who was excellent, and the bass player. Such was not the case with Bruce. I will likely not attend another. Bruce could take a hint from many of the jazz musicians who by-and-large do not play as loudly as rock-and-roll types. Pat Metheny, who I heard last year in Durham, comes to mind.
