"Ebony & Ivory" bass?

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Tue May 18, 2004 9:22 pm

Would anyone know whether or not this bass here is like the one Macca played in the "Ebony and Ivory" video with Stevie Wonder?

It's been floated over on the bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3725124320)and it seemed really familiar.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Tue May 18, 2004 9:30 pm

Here's another view.

In this photo, it looks to be a long scale instrument.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Wed May 19, 2004 12:29 am

Yes Alvaro, it's the same kind of Kay bass guitar that Paul used in the "E&I" video. He actually used that bass back a couple times during the early days of Wings. I have a foreign 45 picture sleeve with him using that bass.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed May 19, 2004 7:11 am

Many thanx Jeff!

The seller has now added a link provided to him by a "kind soul" that shows Macca playing his Kay during the Wings University tour back in the early '70s, just as you stated.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon May 24, 2004 4:44 pm

That song was in the top 50 all time worst songs recently somewhere or other, I tend to agree with that assessment.

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:54 am

I wouldnt. I think anyone who calls any song "worst" isnt a songwriter and shouldnt be given time to speak on the tele. Its like when people call others "one hit wonders".....how many hits do you have?........see what I mean? There was another worst songs list that had "I'll be there for you" (friends theme song) by The Rembrandts. Which is a song I happen to think of as well crafted......from a songwriters point of view....The guitars dont sound bad on it either.....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:00 am

Well, it seems to be a matter of opinion here as to the quality of E&I...

But, putting it into a cultural context and adding a touch of cynicism, to me it's sonic wallpaper. To take all that supposed talent and end up with such a trite ditty...

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:02 am

but is it a trite ditty? Some people love it....Some people hate it....Its like any song. I could name a million other songs to go on that list, but there can be a million other people that like those million other songs. Its just a matter of oppinion.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:09 am

Alex, you're getting opinion confused with taste, which is why I inserted the phrase "cultural context". There was some great music happening the year "E & I" was released. Compared to it, "E&I" does seem trite.

However, there were a lot of cool commercial jingles too, and "E&I" sounds like a good commercial jingle, which is what I thought it was the first time I heard it.

Then we could also mention "The Girl is Mine". Utter dreck. What could P and M have been thinking, except "gotta make some more money, fast."

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 am

IMHO it's impossible to be objective when discussing the 'best' and 'worst' of anything.

I hated Ebony and Ivory and still do. But I appreciate that there are many who like(d) it. I'm not interested in it from a songwriter's point of view. My ears tell me what I like and vice versa.

One thing's for sure.... the Trebant is the 'worst' car ever made (IMO). Closely followed by early model Skodas

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:04 am

I agree on the Trabbie. But Skoda has had a nice learning curve. Current models are quite nice--I rode in one while in the UK last summer and it was a nicely styled and engineered vehicle.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:30 am

I did say 'early', Paul. As far as I'm aware they aren't imported into Australia any more but the more recent models were quite well made and comfortable. The early models have a cult following as do the early model Lada Nivas (1600 donk).

Still don't like E&I, though!!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:36 am

I was just listening to "Tug of War" this morning. E&I is definitley the weakest link, but its harmless.

I think he played the Kay bass in the video only, from photographs of "Tug of War" sessions Paul is playing his Yamaha. I'm sure the Kay bass just matched the Ebony and Ivory theme. I'm certain we are hearing his Yamaha.

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:49 am

"I think I told you, I'm lover, not a fighter..."

Paul's craft cannot be judged by us mortals.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:59 am

Indeed, Ethan. It is instead our role to mindlessly consume "product" without employing what meager critical faculties we do possess!