Snarky Puppy

[ChrisXymphonia]

I have been listening to this band for a little while now and I found I like them. Would love to see them live. Interesting what Baribrotzer said about the revolving line up of musicians. Makes me wonder about cohesiveness and such, but I am sure that they make it work somehow. I think a lot of modern day bands/musicians have that capability and adaptability and are able to adjust. Maybe it is the evolution of music or just the younger generation's mindset and openness, IDK??

Based on the few albums I have seen / heard from them that revolving door thing is way overstated. There is a core to this band that is always (or almost always) there. Micheal League on bass is the bandleader and major composer and has no replacement with SP, percussionist Nate Werth is also almost everytime present as is at least one the guitarists. Bill Laurance is the main keyboardplayer and unless they have other engagements also either Shaun Martin or Cory Henry is present. The one time I saw them at least 2 of the hornplayers where the ones I have seen on both dvd's. The drumstool is usually Robert "Sput" Searight but he seems to alternate with Larnell Lewis (the drummer on We Like It Here). The thing is though that when necessary they can add multiple other players to the group and work them into the fold pretty quickly.

[HONDO]

^^^ Oh thanks Chris for letting me know this. So kind of like a Zappa situation where plenty of capable musicians are always available if need be, although Frank did not really have one set 'Core'. I don't know if that makes sense at all

[aplodon]

too smooth

That's what I thought when hearing the samples. Still enjoyable, in a way. Would do for good background music.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

check out the Funky Knuckles on Snarky's label, too.....another great band.

I love FK but SP seemed to be a bit too Horn heavy for my tastes... which is odd since I love Chicago and Mandrill and Matrix
I'm going to hafta just take the plunge and get an album by SP. Too much good stuff being said about them to pass on.

Definitely check out Funky Knuckles though. Excellent composing there!

[proggy_jazzer]

First full video from the upcoming release...
http://www.vevo.com/watch/snarky-pup...l/US8JA1508005
Not a note of "jazzy noodling" to be heard, for those not so inclined

[ProgUK]

MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER i am amazed this band has not resonated with you. Buy "Tell Your Friends" and dont look back. They can do no wrong. And live.....nothing like it!

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

well, the thing is that I am not a fan of Jazz. Even though I think that when Jazz musicians incorporate Rock, the result is some of the best Prog ever made.

so, when things get too close to Jazz... they lose me

but I *will* get that album you recommend David. I'm sure I can appreciate it on some level.

[ProgUK]

There are many elements of rock, funk and soul as well as jazz!

[proggy_jazzer]

Another preview video:
https://youtu.be/jLRw-Ahq22k
Definitely more "jazz" soloing, but a very cool, long (ca. 15 mins) track with some really nice writing for the orchestra. This is definitely shaping up to be not just "Snarky Puppy plays their hits with some incidental strings and winds." The compositions are brand new and make excellent use of the high level of skill the Metropole brings to the table.

Also, there are tour dates announced, with the month of June being entirely in north america:
https://www.facebook.com/snarkypuppy...23966167614127
I already snagged tix to see them in Chicago; psyched to hear them live for the first time!

[aplodon]

They will play in my home town soon, together with the local symphony orchestra. Tickets are quite expensive, so I'm hesitant if I will go see them or not. I find them a bit too smooth sounding much of the time and even slightly cheesy in between. Maybe I will appreciate them live, or I might just get bored.

[Jerjo]

Snarky Puppy on NPR

http://www.npr.org/event/music/46811...rain-and-booty

[nosebone]

Great band that could use some edge.

[Staun]

Great band that could use some edge.

Maybe a sprinkle of Seven Impale? Doesn't matter, they are making great sounds.

[NogbadTheBad]

Great band that could use some edge.

I tend to agree, but I'll grab the recent one, it sounds pretty good.

[Sean]

What would provide the edge? Grittier guitar?

[NogbadTheBad]

What would provide the edge? Grittier guitar?

Angrier tone? A little less smoothness? The occasionally squonky sax? A feel of a little more out of control? Fuzz bass? Distortion?

[Scott Bails]

[Svetonio]

Have you prog-jazz heads found these guys yet? I picked up their recent album "We Like It Here" recently and I can't get enough of it. I definitely need to hear more. It seems like they like to record in a live setting, so all their albums ought to have a great amount of energy coming through.

What think you, fans? Who else have you heard like this?

I was on this concert in Romania:



Awesome live band.

[Jimmy Giant]

Mind blowing stuff. The video I saw floored me. Did it come with We Like It Here? I forget. Been a while.
Kills me that they're actually popular. I mean popularity has been inversely proportionate to talent for some time now!
Can't wait to catch them live sometime.

[aith01]

Angrier tone? A little less smoothness? The occasionally squonky sax? A feel of a little more out of control? Fuzz bass? Distortion?

Might alienate people who like their current sound.

In other words, people like me.

[NogbadTheBad]

Might alienate people who like their current sound.

In other words, people like me.

I'm not complaining, I like their sound a lot, it's just a personal taste thing

[aplodon]

Kills me that they're actually popular.

They are kind of slick and smooth enough (and maybe hip) to be liked by people with a fairly mainstream musical taste, I guess. Too much so for my taste. Like Nosey said, they could need some (or quite a lot) more edge.

[aith01]

They are kind of slick and smooth enough (and maybe hip) to be liked by people with a fairly mainstream musical taste, I guess. Too much so for my taste. Like Nosey said, they could need some (or quite a lot) more edge.

Yep. I like mainstream stuff too, and I'm not ashamed of that. Personally, I wouldn't want to see them introduce some "edge" into their music just for the sake of having edge, as then it wouldn't be natural -- and it wouldn't sound like Snarky Puppy anymore.

To me.

[aith01]

I'm not complaining, I like their sound a lot, it's just a personal taste thing

I get what you're saying.

[adap2it]

It seems to me that they don't need to change anything. To be able to play what you want to play without compromise and be successful, is what most musicians dream of...