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GibsonBass The songs contain lyrics inspired by very personal experiences you have had and overall the record has a very positive feel. Has there been any other music you have listened to that influenced the overall sound of this record?
Andy Fraser I haven't specifically tried to make it sound a certain way, more tried to do what comes naturally. Over the years, listening to say, Stevie Wonder - Music of my mind /Talking book period, Marvin Gaye -What's going on, Bob Marley, so many people, I have just tried to learn what I could from them, and that also, we are all unique. If you just be yourself - you are original! Coming to terms with being gay, while still being a father - and what a couple of beauties my daughters are, (they did website, CD artwork and video) dealing with AIDS, cancer, and all the other hurdles we all have to overcome, I feel freer to be myself comfortably, and I think that is reflected in the music. You can also hear I had some incredible guests on the tracks, and I allowed them them to just do their thing, which really inspired me to dig deeper, reach further. It is the first time I have actually gone so far as to mix it myself, so I am to blame or credit for the overall tone.
GibsonBass You play bass on this record but it is not a prominent instrument on the majority of the songs. However on All I Want Is You I think the bass really shines and the song has a nice groove because of this. Did you enjoy recording that bass part?
Andy Fraser I did. But it's also true I enjoyed doing the other less prominent things too. I don't need it to be featured to feel satisfied. I try to be appropriate, and only do what is called for. If nothing is called for, that works for me too. As in All Right now. There is no Bass in any of the verses. Sounded cool to me. Why do something unnecessary? The bass these days is something I don't spend a lot of time on. I'll be working on the song, everything else, when it needs some bass, I'll do a couple takes, and go back to the song.
GibsonBass Can you tell me about the bass guitars you currently use, a Tobias, a Warwick and a Peavey Midi bass?
Andy Fraser The Tobias, I really do love. It is small, easy to play and very like the EB3 in that sense. The Warwick I use, basically because it is a 5-string and it's great to be able to get those extra low notes. But I have to confess, with the extra string I have to think about it, with a 4-string I can do it half-asleep. The midi-bass is what I was dreaming of 20 30 years ago, listening to Stevie Wonder get those Moog Bass sounds, but now being able to play in on a bass, and trigger that kind of sound, like a midi keyboard. This one actually records your slides and slightest intonations making it very natural..
Thanks Andy!
The album Naked and Finally Free is available at the Andy Fraser website
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Bassists
