Lionel: Doug, you have certainly been a part of the Hartford music seen and the Hartford family of musicians for a very long time. As a result, you have shared a lot of music, and musical experiences with us and we have been entertained and I hope for most of us, uplifted by your playing. Would you start by telling me what lead you to the bass?
Doug: It was always in me from childhood. You can call it Divine Intervention.
Lionel: Was there a particular band, song, bass player or the instrument’s frequency that influence your choice of the bass as your instrument?
Doug: No
I know you’ve played through various musical styles which incorporated different bass playing styles and techniques over the years, like two finger plucking, slapping etc. Is there a particular time period or bass playing style that was more enjoyable to you as a player?
Not really. Whatever style was necessary I played it.
Holding down the bottom is like religion for some players, just feeling those vibrations and anchoring a band with them, can be so rewarding, however there are some players today that have gravitated to the spotlight, not necessarily for those reasons I just mentioned, but for their solo artist status; where high frequency is the sound of the day and some of them have to hire an additional bass player to hold down the bass player’s function. Do you have Any thoughts on that?
They do what they do.
You have played in the New England area quite often but I know you do get opportunities to tour. Where are some of the places you have been able to spotlight your playing? and who were some of the artist you played with?
New York City, Boston, Kansas City, ATL (Atlanta), Miami, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Bahamas and Japan.
Who are some of the artists you’ve played with?
HUBERT POWELL, SASKIA LAROO, KENNY HAMBER, RICK BROWN.
You seem just as comfortable playing Gospel as playing Funk, Jazz or R&B. Is changing styles a major transition for you?
No
I want to go way back, back when we played in the first band together in Charter Oak. First let’s give props to the other players that were in that band; Bruce Lewin on drums, Willie Mann, trumpet and Ernest Cotton on guitar. You had that big Kasino bass amp that we all use to run from when it was time to lift it. I can’t remember the type of bass you were playing then, but I brought this all up to ask if you remember what equipment you were using then and what are you using now, and if you think the equipment makes a difference or is it the spirit of your bass playing that comes through no matter what?
Both. I had an old Japanese imitation fender then. I got the real deal in 1974.
Who are some of the players or bands you have played with over the years that really stand out in your mind?
The SOUND OF SOUL When I was twelve, The Chocolate Soul Machine, Three Years Later, Motivation Factor, Legacy and Espada.
Being a bright star is relative. Some of us shine brightly but unfortunately someone else with a brighter light comes and stands right next to us. This doesn’t diminish our brightness, but gives the viewer the impression that our light has been somehow diminished. Some musicians react to this in a negative way. What advice, if any, would you give to younger players about being the brightest light in the room and about those times that they aren’t the brightest light?
Respect what’s around you.
Do you like playing 4 string or 5 string bass and why?
Either one. As long as it has the sound I want.
Doug. Thanks for taking the time to do this interview.
Inner Views: Up close & personal Interviews with working musicians
Welcome to the Music Village. Here you will meet musicians & people involved in music that I have worked with or had the pleasure of knowing. Feel free to mingle, browse, spend some time in the village, because in the village you never know who you might meet. Thanks for coming.
Music Village
Speaks Short But To The Point
"Respect what’s around you."
Doug Long
Doug Long
(c) 2003-2009 LCM Productions. All rights reserved. No portion of this site may be reproduced without written consent. Contact webmaster : lcm@lionelcrawford.com
This page was last updated on: May 14, 2009
