Michael Been's voice is in my personal "Hall of Fame" for male vocalists. This list is relatively short so Michael is in very esteem company. One of my top 80's bands ever.
One of my favorite bands from back in the day. Almost criminally under rated. Perhaps the religious undertones of the lyrics and band members held them back for whatever reason, but they were fantastic. Carried the show whether they were headlining or under card. RIP Michael Been, he was a musical genius.
Well the religious undertones is one thing, their a bit older than the norm and they made occasionally poor choices..they could've played this themselves in the lost boys movie but turned it down...big mistake.
The religious subtext in the lyrics was not very blatant. I think they suffered from their looks, honestly. It was the height of MTV and at that time (and since) the rock bands that hit big all had handsome/pretty/sexy male frontmen. These dudes all looked like your uncle who worked a shitty job but let you drink a beer with him at family gatherings and who had an AMAZING record collection
Lots of discussion about The Call, and that they were about to hit when grunge took over the country. I think there is some validity to that theory. They were a rock band when rock was being ignored.
One of my best friends, Claire and I both really like the song, Planet Claire. "Some say she's from Mars or one of the seven stars that shine after 3:30 in the morning. WELL, SHE ISN'T" I like Talking Heads a lot, and I will add DEVO to your list. 👍
Michael had an unusual cool voice, he could change in up in so many way's, this group worked very well together as you could see in the video the Walls come down. Another great group coming out of the 80's that was like a finely tuned machine in action.
I remember "walls came down" from the MTV days but I've been a big fan of the call since buying "Reconciled" in a used record store for a quarter back in the 80s. I listened to the whole of "Modern Romans" yesterday for the first time in a few years and as always when listening to the call was challenged to my core and now here I am. I love your videos and wasn't expecting to find this one here!! Awesome analysis!!
Even though I’m more of a hard rock/metal guy two of my favorite bands from the eighties were The Alarm and The Church. Great guitar players in these bands.Not to mention Flock Of Seagulls also. 80’s music was great.
I always liked The Church and still do. They've got a unique combination of the jangly guitar and an ethereal background guitar tone with Steve Kilbey's dreamy/offhand/couldn't-care-less vocals. As you say, the guitarists are fantastic individually and together.
I recall this band from the 80's. "Let The Day Begin" was the first song I heard and loved it. Great lyrics. Also Michael's son Robert is the bass player for The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, another great band!🤘🏻❤️✌🏻 Rest In Peace Michael.
The first time I heard "Let the Day Begin" I was driving on the 101 Fwy in L.A. headed into the city at 7:30 a.m., commuting to work. I was so blown away, I almost had to pull over . . . there was steam coming out of my ears, I think. What a great way to let the day begin. God bless Michael Been and the rest of the band. Sad they are gone.
Thank you for the analysis of The Call-they have such a fabulous sound! I used to think of them as my secret band because it seems like nobody I know is aware of them, even though I realize they have quite a following. Michael Been’s voice really does something for me. ♥️
New to me and I loved it! This was a super interesting video and analysis! The song and sound kept reminding me of Hothouse Flowers, an Irish rock group from the mid-eighties, as well. Many thanks.
Absolutely lovely that you've reviewed this band. I was a big fan of them in the late 80s (still have on all my playlists, saw them live, got invited backstage, and kissed Michael Been!! It's possible I'm Robert's mom. (jk) Very nice you did this group. I hope you do Black Rebel Motorcycle Club soon (if you haven't already.) I'll post a couple good songs by them to check out. Cheers!
Fil, interesting analysis. The Call were one of my favorite bands and Michael Been's bass playing was a tremendous influence on me. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on and Ampeg Fretless Scroll Bass, such a beautiful instrument. I have seen them live many times and can assure you, they did not fake it. Michael developed a unique way of playing - fretting with his thumb, muting with the fret hand and the picking hand, playing with a pick, playing notes just by hammering on the string and while singing - all of which you can see in the live performance. I have seen this full concert years ago on MTV and have since watched this clip on RU-vid. As you noticed, there certainly do seem to be inconsistencies in what he is doing and what is being played. And I have noticed those as well. My personal feeling is that, like many live recordings that were released, there were overdubs in the studio to fix the audio. This was a live concert from The Ritz in NYC. The Call never would lip-sync a live concert. They were talented musicians who gave it their all on stage. Clearly, this video does have overdubs, but those were not done while playing.
You never cease to amaze me. I love these guys, I just didn't think anyone else would remember Them! You REALLY should listen to Let the Day Begin...if you haven't already done it. SUPERB SONG!!!! Honest!
I was fortunate enough to have seen these guys live during this era. They were outstainding and Michael's bass playing was absolutely phenomenal. I never knew how gifted they were as a band until I saw them live. Really great stuff! Another good live band from this time was Big Country.
Such a great band. I saw them live in 1989/90 in Bloomington, Indiana. I had just graduated music school and my roommate was/is a bass player. We were both in awe of Michael's technique and that voice was so unique. Good to see him making fun of having to mime to his own bass backing track. So glad that they are releasing an album of previously unreleased new songs. I can't wait!
Afternoon Fil. Lucky song to check all "your" boxes. lol. You know your stuff. 👏 Oh Fil I try to understand but I guess my brain doesn't comprehend not being a musician. You make me wish I was. I usually watch more than once to try & get some of what your explaining..and of course to see that oh sweet smile of yours. Have a good, rested, healthy day, love ya❤😍😙
I never thought I'd see The Call get an analysis vid from anyone! Thanks! Having this song covered the way it was in The Lost Boys seemed perverse considering what the song was said to be about.
Geez, how did I miss this one? How are you doing Fil? I enjoy 'The Call's' songs. They sort of remind me of 'Triumph' with how uplifting their lyrics are. Michael's vocals are great here too. Have a blessed weekend...
I had the extraordinary pleasure of seeing The Call playing backup for Harry Dean Stanton, at the UT Austin Student Union Pub, in 1988. I still have the t-shirt: Harry Dean Stanton and The Call - You're the Broken Lightbulb At the End of the Hallway of My Heart Tour! And if you can find any live performance video of HDS singing and playing, that should really go on your list for analysis!
Fil, I have tapped the strings with my fingers on my left hand without using my right hand plucking, in the past, it is very easy to do. The bass also sounds very loud in the beginning, in order to achieve the single handed playing. But maybe you are correct. Good analysis Fil. Edit: You are correct, I commented too early, after continuing to watch, I saw him with his cuff-links. lol
Nice job on the analysis of The Call. Strange decision on the backing tracks. It seemed to me that band was as much about energy as talent. Fave of mine was " When the Walls Came Down" Tons of energy and ability.
Great band, with the always wonderful vocals by Michael Been, his intense songs & powerful performances. I miss them. I have all their albums including Been's solo album & his work with members of Moby Grape on a separate album. The vocal nuances that he adds are something you don't often hear in the way today's vocalists sing. The Call had instrumental additions on some albums by the actor Harry Dean Stanton & The Band's Garth Hudson.
Thanks, I never really listened to their music, so I can't say what they've done for me. But your analyses of the situation is always worth the watch. And I pick up on the history of musicians.
I remember listening to this song by The Call in the 80s....great band! I also really enjoyed Tim Capello’s cover of this song in The Lost boys! Brilliant Fil! Cheers Mario! 😀👌🤘
Interesting. There's so much to learn. Ah well, I've got the rest of my life to do it in. I hadn't heard of this band but they're quite good and the singer has a great voice. I saw the 'Lost Boys' when it came out too but don't remember this song. PS. I was asking you about left-handed guitars. I saw another Curt Cobain video and he was playing an acoustic upside down this time.
The late great Michael Been was such an underrated bassist. Watch a live RU-vid clip of The Call playing "Let The Day Begin" on the Arsenio Hall show of all places, to show this very same Alembic bass being played to great effect by Michael Been. Trivia fact: his son is Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
YES! YES! And YES. I have requested for Fil to analyze ELP, especially Greg some time ago. Being the 50th anniversary, it is appropriate. Also suggested Knife Edge. 🤘🏻❤️✌🏻
Michael didn't like faking it out. I saw them in Dallas in 1989-1990 I believe. Fun to watch live. Their sound was spot on. I didn't catch the solo career for Michael though. Thanks for the review and the memory
Couldn't figure why I knew the song but not the band. The Lost Boys was a movie my daughter and i rented often back in the day. Favorite part was tim cappello but that's another story ;). Recently, I have being wondering if a bass has ever been used by a band for playing lead. Justin Johnson plays papa was a rolling stone on a bass and it sounds awesome. Thank you, Fil
Fil I notice the lack of bass playing, thought it was ninja picking, Don't recall hearing the Call at all, Great one Fil expanding music appreciation word wide, Jeff in LA USA
Hi Fil! This band would have been more my daughter’s music, but then I influenced her music! I remember a lot of the music she followed in college. I have come around to even like a lot of it! I have to admit this band isn’t bad! Thanks for allowing me to learn even more about all music! Much appreciated! I do remember this being out! Have a great week! My daughter will pay major bucks to see bands like U2...I seem to remember her following bands like Cranberries, B52, Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews....that type of music...I know some I do enjoy! ✌️. Btw...I did go with my college age son, and his buddy to see Insane Clown Posse in concert...does that count with me being flexible!? lol
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! FiLLLLLLL! I love you SOOO much!!!! The Call is one of my FAVORITE bands! Oh my golly gosh!!!!! Woooo! Michael Been makes me go crazy! I have always been in love with him. Everything about him is just phenomenal. His intense writing, his powerful singing, his fabulous,unique style of bass playing. All of those messages he puts in his songs have had such impact and influence. I am a Christian with a strong faith. And I know that The Call didn't want to be very public that they were a Christian Alternative band in the beginning. But it's pretty obvious if you listen to the lyrics closely and you know some bible verses. Michael Been died way too young. It makes me very sad. Because I think about all of the grand, brilliant music that he could have gone on to write for us. At least he left a musician son behind. And for the people who don't know, when Michael's son Robert was a little boy, he was in The Call's video "The Walls Came Down" as was Michael's Father-in-Law.😊👍 Thank you Fil. Another fabulous analyses. And when it's one of my favorite bands, it's even better! Much love to you my friend. Sending lots of hugs and kisses to the UK!😙😽💖🙏🍀🎸🎶🎼🎧🎤🎵
This video is a doctor'd up performance with a backing track, but I would like to point out that there are no frets on his "fretboard" and he did perform live with his fretless and can been seen in other videos!!!!!! Singing and playing fretless so effortlessly is AMAZING! Unfortunately, I did not get to see them live back in the day.
You are right that the bass track and drums weren’t always synced up to the video, I think this bass was over dubbed for the video, I think the video editing was just off on the drums. I have seen them play numerous times in the 80’s and 90’s. In all those instances everything was live, warts and all. Michael’s voice and bass playing were intense for sure. Sometimes he would punch the heck out of that bass. One time his pulling on the strings with his right hand was strong enough to break a string. That is really saying something on a fretless instrument. He played and sang with a passion that’s greatly missed.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PHIL!!! Check out the guitarist in the Celtic Band called IONA. His name is Dave Bainbridge. Check out one of his live solos in the video Live In London. I think you will appreciate his phenomenal guitar work.
This is completely out of context, but I stumbled upon a TV-program the other night featuring the band 10cc. They had several "hits" in the seventies but is today largely forgotten, which I think is unfair. I therefore propose that you analyze a performance of their well know hit "Wall street shuffle", a musically really interesting song IMHO.
Such a cool song! I've honestly only ever heard this song by the Call. I've never actually SEEN them either! Oh my gawd the sax guy for Tina Turner... There was some live footage of him I saw one time, and he romanced that saxophone, lemme tell ya 😂😂 PINK noise?! I have never heard that-- interesting! Excellent lesson! They always are, but I learned a bunch from this one particularly!
Fil, How about taking a look Rhiannon Giddens, an amazing african american singer, song writer and musician. Her slave songs are very relevent to the moment and her voice and songs are powerful. She also sings in gaelic and is wonderful on the kazoo. Grammy award winner and recipient of a MacArthur genuis fellowship.
I thought she was an actress. I saw her on “Nashville” and thought her character was boring. Then someone said she was also a singer. I checked her out and thought she was a better singer!
There are better cuts/versions of the song (I went and listened to a couple.) I realize the request was to explain the odd strumming/bass technique. Does this song sound like the 80's or is it the feel of the 80's that fits this song? In any case the song says "80's" all over it. Michael was only 60 when he died of a "heart attack". I do wonder if he noticed any heart issues earlier in his life? Oddly Michael was previously in a band named "Aorta" (I went and looked at his "Wiki" page.) Thanks Fil.
Fil, you have the best hair, dont forget put Alip Ba Ta on your watch list, lots of song to choose from, jump start with "Black or White" cover. have a great day...
I could be wrong… but it appears Michael keeps adjusting the volume knob on his bass. That would be an instinctive thing when you are playing and can’t hear anything or you lost signal (at least for me). If he’s at a low volume or no signal at all to allow the pre recorded backing track to play… I feel it would be sheer instinct to grab the volume knob out of habit an instinct to turn up! He was great… it was a crime whoever was in control of that performance to have a backing track!
I've got one of their singles. However, I can't remember the name of the song. I haven't played my vinyl for ages I'm always on RU-vid, 😆. They sound good live. (The record I have goes "these are the days ...", I will look it up on RU-vid). Just looked it up and the song I have is 'Let the Day begin'.
The Call were a fantastic band that never hit it big. They had some great supporters behind them like Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, The Band, and U2. I think one thing that kept them back was their image (or lack of one.)
Great band. Curious about the non-live bass and snare though, especially since they were doing a live performance. Or at least they made the video look live...we never saw any shots of the audience although we heard them cheering at the beginning.
The classic 80s snare sound was created by Phil Collins and is referred to as gated reverb. It's just reverb with a noise gate. I'm not familiar with the noise aspect mentioned, though I'm not a drummer or a sound engineer
I distinctly remember the Lost Boys and this song in it but completely missed this band. Have you ever reviewed Ricky Wilson of the B52s? I think you'd dig his sound.
