the new face of live

john gordon · Post by **john gordon** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:00 pm

music sounded tight pops.big up to you......

corygilbert · Post by **corygilbert** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:52 pm

just for the record, I never meant this thread to be about ridiculing anyone.
I just thought it was a bit funny, the music is surely tight.
We all wear different hats at different times, and that surely doesn't matter one bit to the music.
Plus I've looked pretty silly at times myself.
So, anyway, sorry to make a well-intentioned, but somewhat ill-advised, poke at fun.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:09 pm

Anderton wrote:I just got turned on to this thread...cool, now I can add "controversial" to my resume!

Seriously, I've been playing music professionally for close to 50 years (which kinda makes me freak just seeing that in print)...for my bio, check http://www.craiganderton.com. That's also where those with Windows machines can download various pieces of music that I've done.

I am what I am: I'm not going to pretend I'm 25, I'm not going to stop playing guitar or harmonica just because I like computers, and 99% of the time what I wear on stage is a black T-shirt with black pants (pretty much what I wear at home). But the day that video was shot I was at a NAMM show, mostly to shoot videos for Harmony Central, and I was dressed like...well, like I was going to a NAMM show to shoot videos. I'd rather be honest and ridiculed by some, than pretend to be someone I'm not...which would deserve ridicule from all.

I do the music I feel like doing, and some people like it, and some people don't. To the people who do like it, all I can say is: Someday, I really am going to put out the "Sexy World" CD I promised to finish (some of the tunes on my web site are from it). To the others, all I can say is...if you see a CD called "Sexy World," don't buy it!

Anyway, it may seem strange to see an old guy pushing a mouse and a bunch of faders around, but that's what I do, and I hope to do it (or whatever comes next) for a lot more years. And I don't really care what people think. I don't mean that in an arrogant way at all; I've just been doing this for long enough to know that the people who like it will find it, and the people who don't will avoid it, so I don't have to take any extraordinary measures to attract or repel people -- simply being myself takes care of that. Sometimes even at the same time! As one producer said to me after a feedback-drenched guitar solo that involved something possibly illegal with a rotating speaker, "I can't decide if you're the best or worst guitarist I've ever heard."

So, yeah, I didn't go out of my way stagecraft-wise to do a NAMM show demo. But to me, it's all about the music. And I love playing music, and the four gigs I did at that show got a really good response. Luckily, my music appeals to enough people that I've been able to put together a pretty good career and play with some amazing musicians over the years. I'm very grateful to those who support what I do, because it's enough to let me be me. And I'm also grateful for those who took their time to post critical comments, because as the old saying goes, "I don't care what you say -- as long as you spell my name right." Maybe because of this thread, people will be more curious about what I do, and may want to find out for themselves whether my performance is cool music or a train wreck. Although given that it's pretty much improvised, the train wreck option is always a possibility anyway

Anyway...thanks for the comments, and may Live always inspire you as much as it inspires me -- regardless of how you use it.

(BTW, if you're late to the thread, none of the Winter 2006 NAMM videos are currently available so you can't see the video. They'll be re-posted sometime after the 2007 Frankfurt Messe videos are done. Meanwhile, there's a recording of a gig I did at a previous NAMM, although without vocals and guitar, at http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Show/audio/130.)

all publicity is good publicity my friend, were it not this thread i'd have no idea who you are out of the 6 billion other people in this world.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:16 pm

Craig is one of the greatest personalities in the music industry. So many thousand of musicians benefited from his tips and tricks.
Nice to see that apart from all the knowledge and expertise he actually loves to play and have lots of fun with it.

I dont agree the notebook performance is always lame (even if it mostly is but so is in the case of any other instrument, the only difference with other instruments lack of skills is instantly exposed)
What about Kid Beyond or Ellis ? Boring personality will be boring with any instrument.

It was just booth presentation, Craig is writer not a performer. Few hours with image consultant could make him 100% media ready. It does not work other way round, no coach can turn masters of hair gel , fist in the air or "where is the next record" into interesting musician

timothyallan · Post by **timothyallan** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:47 pm

Ha, good on him. I'm a bit jealous my chops aren't as good though.

EDIT: HAH! Just saw that he responded to the thread! That'll teach me for just reading the first page

Anderton · Post by **Anderton** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:56 pm

As this whole topic seems to have struck a nerve, I thought you might be interested in an editorial I wrote for the March issue of EQ magazine.
---------------------------------------------------------
Talkbox: Age as a Weapon

Before signing on as Executive Editor at EQ, I’d been talking with a media company about joining a project that covers the groove/DJ scene. Several people at the company wanted to get me involved in a big way, but the gig fell through. When I talked to someone “on the inside” a while later, he felt pretty sure that the problem was age discrimination — that I was older than the intended readership.

And that got me thinking . . . would their audience actually care? Some people would, I’m sure; and frankly, that’s not entirely without justification. As some people age, at some point they become frozen in time. I know plenty of people who think that music ended when the Beatles broke up. They don’t even know that soca music exists, never heard Public Enemy, and don’t realize there’s a thriving indie rock scene. Some of these people are in bands, and keep playing their hits; some are engineers, using the same mics and EQ settings they were using decades ago, on the same kinds of music.

But then you have a Miles Davis, who wasn’t just on the cutting edge: He often defined it, even after being in the music business for decades You have a guy like Bruce Swedien, who actively solicits the opinions and ideas of people young enough to be his grandkids. And jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli’s life transitioned from the Hot Club de France in the 1930s through Duke Ellington to Jean-Luc Ponty; he was still touring the USA, Europe, and Japan a year before he died — at age 89.

However, the age issue also cuts both ways. Rock and roll was not a passing fad, “what those kids listen to these days” isn’t the dreck some old-timers so firmly believe, and youth is perfectly capable of making grand artistic statements — just ask Mozart. Lack of experience doesn’t preclude creative brilliance.

In the end, we all have something to learn from each other. Youth provides a continuous flow of new ideas and fresh perspective to invigorate those who’ve been around for decades, while the young can learn a lot from those who’ve amassed a lifetime of experience.

“Hope I die before I get old?” No way. I prefer “Hope I die when I run out of ideas.” Because then I really will be old!

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:02 pm

heya

well i wouldnt use public enemy in a passage about current trends or anything, but that article hit home with my first experiences after dropping out of school.

i was given a break by a graphic designer at a tv production company, he was 2x my age at the time and since then i swore that when i become old i wont dismiss what some kids and hold them back if i were in those shoes.

kids are the us of tomorrow

rtopia · Post by **rtopia** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:40 pm

rachmanoff wrote:awesome now that's a real hipster right there.. completely against the grain, and he doesn't give a fuck!

The one thing about Anderton I admire is that: "he hustles"

If you read about all the stuff he does - this is one guy determined to do it "his way".

It's funny (peculiar) that I ran across this thread today.
I just spent the weekend making panels for my home brew modular synth and was reminded of the days when I read his books and built his kits.

big up Craig...

r

Anderton · Post by **Anderton** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:49 pm

sweetjesus wrote:well i wouldnt use public enemy in a passage about current trends or anything, but that article hit home with my first experiences after dropping out of school.

Actually PE is doing some very hip stuff these days. They've really embraced the digital revolution, and have some very interesting side projects...some members are working on a James Brown tribute with DJ Johnny Juice, and bassist Brain Hardgroove does a radio show on a non-Clear Channel radio station in Santa Fe NM. So actually, they're a great example of not getting stale and rolling with the punches. More power to 'em!

funknotik · Post by **funknotik** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:50 pm

On the extreme opposite end of the spectrum. People who take 2 hrs before a show to put on goth make up and do their hair look really stupid behind a laptop. This is guy is just being himself, I'm sure he dresses like this every day..More than anything i commend his guitar skill.

Imagine that behind a laptop..

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:16 pm

Craig, let me tell you , this is one of the best places on the www, there are so many creative, interesting people here- who really make music, not just play with some software ( play in sense of game not artistic ). It is only forum I visit regularly because I can learn and be entertained too. I guess Live attracts very peculiar kind of people.
So while I am rendering or want to take a break, I drop to this "artists cafe"
Having somebody like you here, real Guru of everything electronic is honor and would be so fantastic to have you here more often.

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:33 pm

Craig Anderton... legend! I learned most of what little I know from his books and magazine articles!

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:35 pm

Likewise,

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting mr. Anderton last year when I was at Messe with Ableton, and he really is The Guru.

We are indeed only barely worthy.

Andreas.

rasputin · Post by **rasputin** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:44 pm

...I too am persisting in rocking out at an age where most people would rather have me shut up and get in the rocking chair... Craig Anderton is one of my tech and general music heroes and here's a "me too" post saluting him!

r.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:45 pm

Anderton wrote:
sweetjesus wrote:well i wouldnt use public enemy in a passage about current trends or anything, but that article hit home with my first experiences after dropping out of school.
Actually PE is doing some very hip stuff these days. They've really embraced the digital revolution, and have some very interesting side projects...some members are working on a James Brown tribute with DJ Johnny Juice, and bassist Brain Hardgroove does a radio show on a non-Clear Channel radio station in Santa Fe NM. So actually, they're a great example of not getting stale and rolling with the punches. More power to 'em!

yes they are leading the digital reovlution

i remember in 1999 i had a self contained MPEG4 of them which played a track of theirs without needing a media player. so yeah i do have to agree with you there.

respekt

the new face of live

As a guy probably nearer to Anderton's age than most...