Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks

Subject: Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 05:33 PM

One of my favourite fiddleists for a long time has been Ed Alleyne-Johnson. First heard of him in New Modal Army and then as a solo artist. Pondering what he has been doing recently I decided to take a look at good ol' YouTube and found some clips of him. Brilliant as I remember but as well as sharing that with you I wanted to ask a question.

On another thread someone said a backing track reduced a tune to Karaoke - And Ed A-J uses one here - But seems to record it first himself and then use the recording as a looped sample for backing. Sounds fabulous to me and I don't think all electronic wizardry can be classed in the same way.

Take a look here and here

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 05:35 PM

Sorry - I thought I changed the title but it seems I only changed it on the first post - Can an elf change the thread title to "Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks" so it is a bit clearer.

Ta muchley in advance.

D.

---

Done. I can respond quicker if you send me a personal message or e-mail. I follow most music threads, but not all. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 05:40 PM

New Modal Army? Freudian slip there but at least a musical one :-) New ModEl Army of course

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 08:46 PM

That's a performance using digital looping, which is a new-fangled thing that some folks are very clever with. I'd define a backing track (of the the kind to be derided as karaoke) as having something pre-recorded before you come on stage that doesn't change in the course of the performance. People who are good with live looping use a lot of creativity to create multiple layers of sound in the course of a performance and then make use of the layers in varying ways.

Loop (music) at Wikipedia.

Here's a duo that play contra dance music who use the technique/technology. This page has a mini-documentary that explains it (among other things).

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 03:00 AM

Ah - OK. That makes sense, Becky. Thanks. Sort of like multi-tracking but in a live performance. I always thought of Ed A-J as being a clever musician and I think this is probably a good way of getting the most out of both the instrument and the electronic enhancements available.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 05:02 AM

Two British musicians who use looping while playing in a very creative way are fiddler Nick Pynn and classical guitarist Richard Durrant - who once played together as Nick & Dick.

Richard often loops several instruments - guitar, mandolin, percussion, etc. one after the other and then plays lead over it - all live. I find excessive looping to be slightly boring after a while but, done with taste, can be very good.

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 05:14 AM

Some good stuff about and from Ed on his My Space Page

Quoting from there -

...started to develop the unique style of multi-layered playing which became his trademark. On this subject, Ed says, "It's continuing a tradition really. I've always thought people like Vivaldi and Bach, if digital delays had been around in their day, they'd have used them ...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Tootler
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 01:46 PM

I first came across it when Jo Freya used a looper at Folkworks summer school a few years back. Very effective it was too.

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 02:23 PM

Have look at this website for some explanation of the process from Phil who goes under the name of myonemanband. I've seen him many times in sessions in Hull and Beverley and his feet are a blur as he works the various pedals whilst playing a range of instruments.

http://www.myonemanband.co.uk/about.html

Roger

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 02:45 PM

Joe Craven makes use of looping in his solo shows, without the use of electronic instruments (other than the looping box). It's the first time I saw it and it took me a while to figure out what was going on.

Kevin Spears does amazing things with kalimbas and a looper (and sometimes a midi percussion pad).

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 03:57 PM

Grand stuff - I learn something new every day :-) I definitely like the looping technique far more than the backing track. The former seems to be much more artistic and interpretive while the latter seems a bit of a 'cheat' and somehow inhibits the performer. Still, everyone to their own I suppose.

Thanks all.

DtG

Subject: RE: Is this a backing track?
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 09:08 PM

Pierre Bensusan and Dan ar Bras were each using the looping technique fifteen or twenty years ago, sampling an initial theme or themes and then replaying them seamlessly, overlaying with more and more complex lead guitar. Could produce some fantastic soundscapes - something like this -

Pierre Bensusan ' Agadiramadan'

Ross

Subject: RE: Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 09:08 AM

Thanks Joe - I will try to remember next time :-)

Subject: RE: Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks
From: GUEST,Charley O'Neill
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 10:48 PM

Ed Alleyne certainly ploughs his own furrow. I have seen him busking in chester and york,but not on stage since he was with the aforementioned New Model Army in about 1990.

Another very interesting guy to look out for,very much is own man is ASH MANDRAKE. Wears an array of cloaks and hats, plays guitar with an array of looping and cosmic effects. I have seen him at Bacup folk club and around the Rossendale area, but he plays all over the country.
Has anyone coe across him??

Subject: RE: Ed Alleyne-Johnson and backing tracks
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 13 - 05:27 PM

Nice one, Charlie -

Ash's website is here while you can see some of his stuff on You Tube

Cheers

DtG