Mr B, I'd like to ask a couple of questions in regards to drumming.

You mention on your website that you have an instructional DVD coming out, could you tell us a little bit more about it and more importantly when will it be released?

My other question was have you seen John Blackwell's instructional DVD and if so, was there anything on his DVD that you have picked up and used in your own playing?

Thankyou, much love from Australia.

Playa

Good morning everyone! I gotta admit, I'm a little more than star struck (to say the least) about asking one of my favorite drummers of all time a question or two. I guess it's like the whole Wayne's World "We're not worthy!" schtick. So here it goes, I've been loving your drumming since I bought my first Prince album back in 1991 (D&P, of course). You seem to REALLY be tight with your bassists on tape, but moreso in concert. Is that electric dynamic something you often have to work at, or do you come across people who just click. Both, in my opinion are enormous testaments to the quality of your musicianship.

To anyone who lives in the Minneapolis area, or who ever visits: I've been to 3 of the Combo's shows now, since I've moved to Minneapolis and I have to say that I and my concertgoing companion leave every concert feeling like we've had a shot of pure joy shot into us. There is more talent on that one stage than any in town, I guarantee it. If you like vocals, you have 4 outstanding voices, (my (all-time) favorite male singer Julius Collins, III and female singer Margie Cox will give you eargasms that just won't quit.) Coupled with searing keys, smoking lead guitar, and the other-worldly talents of the rhythm section (but in funk, technically isn't EVERYONE the rhythm section?)...you will leave adding the word "Eargasm" to your daily vernacular.

I hope my pitch wasn't too over the top.

Thank you for your insight, Mr. Bland. I look forward to seeing you all again Monday nights!

dnaplaya said:

i haven't been able to shoot the dvd, yet. it will focus on the sure indstrial uses of the instrument, and how to keep the phone ringing and work coming in..

i haven't seen john blackwell's dvd.. he's quite a different style of drummer from me. he comes from a modern headspace.. i'm old school.. however, i do remember seeing him playing with cameo, years ago. he had to play old school then, man... LOL

michael b.

Greg55403 said:

for me, it's usually instant or not. i have worked with some bass players to get what i need from them. but with sonny, it happened immediately. he came down to bunker's, sat in on "chameleon", and it changed my life. i knew i wanted to play with that dude for the rest of my life..
thank you for supporting dr. mambo's combo.. we're going on 20 years at bunker's. i met prince there. the first time we ever played together was there. right there, those are two major musical influences on me, both of whom i met at bunker's.. so it's very special place for me, and those people mean a great deal to me.. we're like family, me, g, margie, billy, mark, sonny, julius, bill brown...

please visit us again soon, and stop by to say hi.

michael b.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Spill the beans big man!

and I'd like to see you return to P's band ANY day too... you rock!

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Love the quote about Sonny. Sounds like fate.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

...we feel your pain! oh and...

I met Mr B. one memorable night back in '91 in The Fine Line and he came and sat with my friends and I for awhile. He's one cool kat peeps

Hope all is good & well Mike.

Wow - very cool of you to come here and chat with the fans!
I'd love to get to MPLS and check out the Combo - one day, one day.

Does anyone have a direct link to "the great tribulation" on Electric Fetus? I can't find it there

gsh said:

Yeah, looks like they're overhauling right now or somethin' If all else fails, maybe ask Mr B nicely and he may be able to hook you up or point you in the right direction (I couldn't seem to find anywhere else online either)

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

im sure it is you man, its Finess what it is Big man

MartyMcFly said:

no beans to spill.. we're all cool, but nobody has really brought it up, in an official or direct manner...

michael b.

gsh said:

it's the other way around.. if you go to www.michaelbland.org
and go to the merchandise page, there's a small picture of the album.. vlivk on it, and it will take you where you need to go..

michael b.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

I own a copy of the "The Great Tribulation" and love it! My favorite cut is "Nothing For You" (sure, I would pick the song with a drum machine when THE drum machine is reading these posts, gah!) Is there any more coming from the SOA?

Are there any recordings available officially, or otherwise of Dr. Mambo's Combo? I found an mp3 of "Proud Mary" for sale, but that was all.

BTW, I listened to a recording of "In Time" from back in the day when you and Sonny Thompson sat in with Greazy Meal, my mouth agape while listening to the blending of my two favorite Minneapolis live bands. What a fun night that must have been! Greazy Meal, R.I.P.

Thank you for all of your insight!

Greg55403 said:

there's no drum machine to speak of, on "nothing for you".. there's a backwards electronic snare sample stolen from a 12rods record. other than that, what you're hearing is a combination of an overdriven compressor in a setting known as "the british setting", and a room microphone on the drums..
that's all..
the combo released one record that is essentially out of print. it was mostly a recording of a live gig, with three bonus cuts we did in the studio.. one of them was "proud mary"..
sonny and i were just leaving a rehearsal with the steeles, and thought to go down to greazy meal's regular gig at the cabooze. we just decided to jump up, at the last minute..

SOA has had a record in progress since "the great tribulation" was released.. we've just been too busy with various projects to finish it..

michael b.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Thanks for the reply.
However it doesn't seem to be the case - the album pic isn't a link - the only link is the direct one to Electric Fetus underneath the picture and no amount of searching brings back the album.
[Edited 2/22/06 0:53am]

Hello Michael!
It's so nice of you to post on this forum...
I just wanted to tell you I saw you play in Paris at the New Morning (News fom the Jungle)and I was sooo happy to hear you play you and Sonny!!!
(And, thanks now I know where I can find The Great Tribulation )

See you

Myrto

Damn! Michael B. is posting here!
You and Sonny are the best rhythm section Prince has had, by far. And yes, I have heard a ridiculously amount of tracks that use samples from your "Funky Ass Loops" CD.

By the way, what's Prince's shoe size?
[Edited 2/22/06 7:09am]

It's true...Michael is very approachable. He's a true gentleman to the fans. I've met him a few times here in Chicago.

Michael, I won't go overboard with Prince shoe size questions. Here's a good musician one.

I'm told that P jammed with Steve Vai (and possibly Joe Satriani) one night at Paisley. Were you there that night...did you participate? And if so, can you give me some idea of what you guys played and how P and Steve interacted musically and personally?

I think this is the same night that Vai gave P his Ibanez guitar that he used to record "For the Love of God" as a gift.

Are there any other "special guest" stories you can share? Did P and the rest of the NPG jam with some folks that would surprise us?

gsh said:

oh... sorry...

michael b.

myrtobelly said:

i'm now uncertain about the info i gave.. someone else said that there is a link to the electric fetus underneath the album icon on my merchandise page.. but you still have to look for it, on the actual electric fetus site.. they're probably right..

michael b.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

well, i've investigated.. i gotta call somebody at the fetus, and fix this situation.. i can't find the "sons of almighty"record anywhere!!
be patient, please. i'll get this all straightened out asap..

OH... by the way... i'm on joe kelley's radio show, this sunday night... "the upper room".. please tune in, if you know anything about it..i get on @ 7p-central standard time..

michael b.

Thanks again for the replies - hopefully Electric Fetus will sort things out!
Looking forward to the Joe Kelley show.

Hey Michael .. I check this place out every now and again too but rarely post.

I'm mates with Rick Barron ... he's told me great things about you so I wanted to drop you a line and say hi. He is definitely one of my favourite writers. Not to mention being one of the nicest people going around!

If you're speaking with him soon tell him Neil sends his love to him and the family!

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

There USED to be a working link, that's how I got my 2 copies, but that was months ago...fix it MB, and hook these hungry people up!

Sifi

Firstly, I would like to thank you for so many hours of legendary studio recordings and live performances.

In an earlier post you said "the majority of the material we recorded when we were employed by prince has yet to see the light of day". That's just scary! Now, we all know that Prince records really fast, but was there any track (released or not) that took you guys considerably longer to commit to tape? why?

Oh, and correct me if I am wrong, but how come there is a half missing snare hit on "Dolphin" during the guitar solo ("The Gold Experience" version)???

Thanks,
[Edited 2/24/06 13:52pm]

nusouldownunder said:

i will try to remember, neil..

michael b.

Sifi said:

quit being a smart-alec, angelo!! i'm calling them this weekend.. man... LOL!!

michael b.

BlaqueKnight said:

awright..
the people who endorse me have the products i'm most into..
i usually use a set of yamaha beech customs- 10" 12" 14" 16" 22"-
snares? depends on what i'm playing, musically..
dude, all this crap is documented HEAVILY on my site..and it's all for real.. not just what the companies want me to say, man.. PLEASE don't make me sit here and give you an inventory list.. go to www.michaelbland.org and check out the page with all the technical info.. however, NO i don't use a double kick pedal. i consider it cheating..

as far as bass players, i only had levi and sonny.. which were both guitar players, as well. so they both had a very fluid style on bass. guitar-like.. same goes with prince. sonny was more aggressive, but levi was straight-oakland.. nasty but nice, y'know? smooth.. more function than sonny..
either of them on guitar is an ugly affair.. your face will stay crooked for hours, after hearing that!!

dvd? haven't shot it yet. sorry. been busy making money and music and whatnot.. soon, man..

other instruments? some bass and some keys..

not sure if there's any other living artist i wanna work with, other than sly, of course.. that would just complete my journey.. his music is everything to me, man..

awright, man? thanx.. i appreciate you taking the time..

michael b.