"Tightest" Band ever? - Page 2

jhundt · April 8th, 2007, 03:57 PM

when does 'tight' become 'anal retentive' ? and where does 'tight' stop being good and start becoming annoying?

Ben Harmless · April 8th, 2007, 04:14 PM

I gotta go with Tower of Power too. One of the absolute joys of my time in live audio was working with them one day last summer. Whew. Sounded like a high-school band when warming up individually, but when the soundcheck started... You know those cartoons where someone gets blown up or something, and their shoes are left in place? It was pretty much like that.

Gotta give Booker T and the MGs props here too.

As far as AC/DC, I absloutely tip my hat to one of the finest rthym sections in rocknroll music. Without those guys to play off of, Angus would just be a sloppy lead player - which is not a bad thing, 'cause he does that well, but in front of the rest of the band, it's just magic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soltwanger

the dillinger escape plan. Hands down, no other band even comes close, just listen to '43% burnt'

Sorry, I just can't agree. Stopping on a dime and hitting all your notes may be "tight" in a literal sense, but you've got to be expressive too. I find bands like DEP to be as predictable as a drum machine most of the time. Also, without passing judgement on you as a person, and with all due respect, to say that no other band comes close really indicates a need to be exposed to more good music.

Fourth Feline · April 8th, 2007, 04:15 PM

Be-Bop Deluxe ...

AJ Love · April 8th, 2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Muddy Waters touring band of the early 1950s' - Jimmy Rogers, Otis Spann, Little Walter, Ernest Crawford - Nuff Said.

That is indeed the band that came to my mind when I read the thread title.

chipl · April 8th, 2007, 04:40 PM

There was never a more solid rhythm section than Little Feat's Ritchie Hayward, Kenny Gradney and Sam Clayton . When those guys locked in on the groove, it had a back beat that well, ya just couldn't lose it, no matter how out there Lowell George and Billy Payne could go.

I'd also add the original Allman Brothers.

With Duane as the bandleader, the ABB was among the tightest bands ever. With those twin harmony lead guitars, and the double drumming of Butch Trucks and Jai Johnny Johansen, and Berry Oakley on bass...man those guys always hit the note. And the tension between those two lead guitars was something that has not been matched ... ever.

I just read Skydog, a bio of Duane Allman, and the book makes clear that
Duane was clearly the ABB bandLEADER, and he utterly took over that band and shaped and directed its sound into the sound we hear on the Fillmore East, Eat a Peach, Ludlow's Garage 71 CDs. Totally in control, but improvisational at the same time.

I just saw the Allmans at their annual stand at the Beacon Theater in NYC. It was great show, and while I would not consider this version of the band as "tight" as that first lineup way back when in 69-71, the current ABB lineup is a much freer, more improvising band now with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, and that's not a bad thing either.

But in terms of the tightest band I ever heard, got to be Little Feat. No doubt about it IMO.

Then again, whoever said Booker T and the MGs...well I'd be hard pressed to
argue with that call, but I think Booker T and the MGs were better known as a studio unit than a live band. Still they can serve as my backup band any old time.

Mark Davis · April 8th, 2007, 04:48 PM

James Brown's bands circa 65-75

Frank Zappa

Chick Corea and Return to Forever

Zappa · April 8th, 2007, 06:22 PM

I'll add King Crimson and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band.

Zappa · April 8th, 2007, 06:38 PM

For the Zappa fans: check the new Roxy (yes, Roxy) video on the official website...

http://www.zappa.com/stufftoget/video/index.html

It's incredible. As tight as it gets.

Geo · April 8th, 2007, 06:42 PM

For ones I've seen live
Country - Emmylou Harris Hot Band in the late '70s
with Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, Emery Gordy and
other members I can't remember now (feel bad on that)

Pop rock band - Toto
Amazing live and much better than on recording which is
a compliment and also goes for Emmy Lou and the hot band.

The Byrds - in the early '70s at a little college hall.
Clarence White was with them then.

Soul - James Brown

Fusion Jazz or Funk Jazz - Larry Carlton with his band
or earlier with the Crusaders.

Blues - B.B. King especially at certain times I've seen his
shows over the last 40 years or more. He never did a bad show
but some were just really on the money.
Ditto - Albert Collins and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Jazz - The CTI artist tour of the early '70s with all the
great solo artists on their roster touring together.
Included George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Johnny "Hammond"
Smith" Airto Morriela(?) Jack Dejonette, Ron Carter, Stanley
Turrentine, and other greats. They performed as a large
band but also broke into solos, duos, trios, quartets and so
throughout the show.
Everything was really right on the money tightness but
still free on the improves and feel.

Rock 'n Roll - Don't gasp now - The Rolling Stones on their tour
in '71 or '72 when they had the "Sticky Fingers" LP out and were
doing some cuts from "Exile On Main Street".
Charlie Watts was really at the helm and they were the best
I had seen them. Charlie had new technology in drums and miking for
the time. The 2 times before were pretty darn good for the times though.

Blues Rock - Climax Blues Band in the mid '70s. Really an underrated
band in many ways.
Allman Brothers - These guys played so many gigs and so much they
were just synchronized.

20texas20 · April 8th, 2007, 06:58 PM

A lot of great tight bands, and a lot from the studio. And a lot toured well back in the day. But I have to say that of the current touring bands, my vote goes to Bugs Henderson. When you're hot, you're hot.

Kurt · April 8th, 2007, 07:18 PM

James Brown. He used to fine the musicians for every mistake. They also practiced right after their gigs just to make sure they got it right.

mudshark · April 8th, 2007, 07:58 PM

The 1946 lineup of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

Califiddler · April 8th, 2007, 10:35 PM

Flatt & Scruggs.

bassbuster33 · April 8th, 2007, 10:54 PM

I will throw in Rush. Very tight.

tele12 · April 8th, 2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigugh

1. The Band - 15 years mostly on the road together when I saw them, several of those years spent playing 300+ one-nighters. It showed.

I'll second the Band, and I saw them without Robbie in the mid 80s, tighter then anyone I had seen before or since.

hollowman · April 8th, 2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzguitar14

James Brown or
The Meters

+1 Love the Meters, for all you folks that have never heard of them you should check em out tight funk at its best

refin · April 8th, 2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Galati

I'd have to say that one of the tightest bands was Captain Beyond:

Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjN5K2aEh3k
Part Two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6cnnx3VRFU

Nice to hear them mentioned.....the first album gets a spin about once a month in my headphones.

Tremo · April 8th, 2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge

There is no question about it , I think that they even own the title!

Tower of Power!

+1.

E.D. Patton · April 9th, 2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge

There is no question about it , I think that they even own the title!

Tower of power!

If you've seen them in their prime it's a wonder to behold.

Airtight, I would say.

RCinMempho · April 9th, 2007, 01:11 AM

I was thinking The Band and Feat, but the mention of Ray Charles band can stand with anything in this thread.

ibobunot · April 9th, 2007, 01:34 AM

James Brown
Prince
Frank Zappa
Dixie Dregs

jjw43 · April 9th, 2007, 02:16 AM

Fleetwood Mac and that moment in time Clapton w/ Mayall on Beano.

EasilyAmused · April 9th, 2007, 02:39 AM

My vote goes to tower of power also!

I got to do sound for a workshop that their drummer did in our city a few years back and I have never seen or heard someone play so perfectly, consitantly or flawlessly as a rhythm section player than him. He had unbelievable control over what he was doing, and simply killer time and chops. He was just playing to pre-recorded backing tracks of tower of power when I saw him but he made that sound so good.

rockawayrocks · April 9th, 2007, 07:50 AM

Surprised no one mentioned the E Street Band.

Bonnie Raitt's backing band on any given tour is worth a nod as well.

And though I've never seen them live, I understand Los Lobos is a helluva band in concert, especially very small venues.

Tom

PostoronnimV · April 9th, 2007, 08:34 AM

The Meters
RHCP, RATM

hal · April 9th, 2007, 08:40 AM

I think Earth Wind and Fire has to go on this list. I agree that Little Feat belongs here as well.

April 8th, 2007, 04:15 PM	#43 (permalink)
Fourth Feline Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yorkshire, England. Age: 50 Posts: 669	Be-Bop Deluxe ... __________________ " The blues is the truth : happy or sad - just the truth "

April 8th, 2007, 04:40 PM	#45 (permalink)
chipl Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 740	Little Feat There was never a more solid rhythm section than Little Feat's Ritchie Hayward, Kenny Gradney and Sam Clayton . When those guys locked in on the groove, it had a back beat that well, ya just couldn't lose it, no matter how out there Lowell George and Billy Payne could go. I'd also add the original Allman Brothers. With Duane as the bandleader, the ABB was among the tightest bands ever. With those twin harmony lead guitars, and the double drumming of Butch Trucks and Jai Johnny Johansen, and Berry Oakley on bass...man those guys always hit the note. And the tension between those two lead guitars was something that has not been matched ... ever. I just read Skydog, a bio of Duane Allman, and the book makes clear that Duane was clearly the ABB bandLEADER, and he utterly took over that band and shaped and directed its sound into the sound we hear on the Fillmore East, Eat a Peach, Ludlow's Garage 71 CDs. Totally in control, but improvisational at the same time. I just saw the Allmans at their annual stand at the Beacon Theater in NYC. It was great show, and while I would not consider this version of the band as "tight" as that first lineup way back when in 69-71, the current ABB lineup is a much freer, more improvising band now with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, and that's not a bad thing either. But in terms of the tightest band I ever heard, got to be Little Feat. No doubt about it IMO. Then again, whoever said Booker T and the MGs...well I'd be hard pressed to argue with that call, but I think Booker T and the MGs were better known as a studio unit than a live band. Still they can serve as my backup band any old time. Last edited by chipl; April 8th, 2007 at 04:48 PM. Reason: typo

April 8th, 2007, 04:48 PM	#46 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 13,279	James Brown's bands circa 65-75 Frank Zappa Chick Corea and Return to Forever __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

April 8th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#48 (permalink)
Zappa Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Granada, Spain Age: 20 Posts: 156	For the Zappa fans: check the new Roxy (yes, Roxy) video on the official website... http://www.zappa.com/stufftoget/video/index.html It's incredible. As tight as it gets. Last edited by Zappa; April 8th, 2007 at 06:39 PM. Reason: Who cares?

April 8th, 2007, 06:42 PM	#49 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,502 15 Photos	For ones I've seen live Country - Emmylou Harris Hot Band in the late '70s with Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, Emery Gordy and other members I can't remember now (feel bad on that) Pop rock band - Toto Amazing live and much better than on recording which is a compliment and also goes for Emmy Lou and the hot band. The Byrds - in the early '70s at a little college hall. Clarence White was with them then. Soul - James Brown Fusion Jazz or Funk Jazz - Larry Carlton with his band or earlier with the Crusaders. Blues - B.B. King especially at certain times I've seen his shows over the last 40 years or more. He never did a bad show but some were just really on the money. Ditto - Albert Collins and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Jazz - The CTI artist tour of the early '70s with all the great solo artists on their roster touring together. Included George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Johnny "Hammond" Smith" Airto Morriela(?) Jack Dejonette, Ron Carter, Stanley Turrentine, and other greats. They performed as a large band but also broke into solos, duos, trios, quartets and so throughout the show. Everything was really right on the money tightness but still free on the improves and feel. Rock 'n Roll - Don't gasp now - The Rolling Stones on their tour in '71 or '72 when they had the "Sticky Fingers" LP out and were doing some cuts from "Exile On Main Street". Charlie Watts was really at the helm and they were the best I had seen them. Charlie had new technology in drums and miking for the time. The 2 times before were pretty darn good for the times though. Blues Rock - Climax Blues Band in the mid '70s. Really an underrated band in many ways. Allman Brothers - These guys played so many gigs and so much they were just synchronized. __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

April 8th, 2007, 03:57 PM	#41 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 3,133 9 Photos	when does 'tight' become 'anal retentive' ? and where does 'tight' stop being good and start becoming annoying?

April 8th, 2007, 06:22 PM	#47 (permalink)
Zappa Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Granada, Spain Age: 20 Posts: 156	I'll add King Crimson and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band.

April 8th, 2007, 06:58 PM	#50 (permalink)
20texas20 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 142	A lot of great tight bands, and a lot from the studio. And a lot toured well back in the day. But I have to say that of the current touring bands, my vote goes to Bugs Henderson. When you're hot, you're hot. __________________ I'm a sucker for a cheap guitar... My guitars are a platform for experimentation... and, my Tone is highly overrated.

April 8th, 2007, 07:18 PM	#51 (permalink)
Kurt Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MA Posts: 363	James Brown. He used to fine the musicians for every mistake. They also practiced right after their gigs just to make sure they got it right.

April 8th, 2007, 07:58 PM	#52 (permalink)
mudshark Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Groover's Paradise Age: 57 Posts: 926	The 1946 lineup of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. __________________ mudshark Klaatu barada nikto

April 8th, 2007, 10:35 PM	#53 (permalink)
Califiddler Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California Posts: 992	Flatt & Scruggs. __________________ "In the fiddler's house, all are dancers."

April 8th, 2007, 10:54 PM	#54 (permalink)
bassbuster33 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Age: 42 Posts: 183	I will throw in Rush. Very tight.

April 9th, 2007, 01:11 AM	#60 (permalink)
RCinMempho Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 802 2 Photos	I was thinking The Band and Feat, but the mention of Ray Charles band can stand with anything in this thread. __________________ Thanks to sites like the TDPRI, I've gone from pentatonic wanking to vastly more sophisticated wanking.

April 9th, 2007, 01:34 AM	#61 (permalink)
ibobunot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dullsville Posts: 3,456	James Brown Prince Frank Zappa Dixie Dregs

April 9th, 2007, 02:16 AM	#62 (permalink)
jjw43 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ventura Posts: 148	Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and that moment in time Clapton w/ Mayall on Beano. __________________ employee discount?

April 9th, 2007, 02:39 AM	#63 (permalink)
EasilyAmused Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London Age: 25 Posts: 252	My vote goes to tower of power also! I got to do sound for a workshop that their drummer did in our city a few years back and I have never seen or heard someone play so perfectly, consitantly or flawlessly as a rhythm section player than him. He had unbelievable control over what he was doing, and simply killer time and chops. He was just playing to pre-recorded backing tracks of tower of power when I saw him but he made that sound so good. __________________ Check out my bands' sites: Soul/Blues and Brit Pop and Rock

April 9th, 2007, 07:50 AM	#64 (permalink)
rockawayrocks Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: rockaway new jersey Age: 56 Posts: 204 1 Photos	Surprised no one mentioned the E Street Band. Bonnie Raitt's backing band on any given tour is worth a nod as well. And though I've never seen them live, I understand Los Lobos is a helluva band in concert, especially very small venues. Tom Last edited by rockawayrocks; April 9th, 2007 at 08:57 AM.

April 9th, 2007, 08:34 AM	#65 (permalink)
PostoronnimV Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: H Age: 26 Posts: 139 6 Photos	The Meters RHCP, RATM

April 9th, 2007, 08:40 AM	#66 (permalink)
hal Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 860	Tight bands I think Earth Wind and Fire has to go on this list. I agree that Little Feat belongs here as well. __________________ Wherever you go, there you are.