Andy Pyle, bassist by Tom Semioli

An exemplary pocket and melodic player with a supportive disposition, Andy Pyle’s resume as a sideman, session cat reads like a storied history of British rock and roll, traversing genres spanning blues, pop, and hard rock.

Pyle plied his craft with Bloodwyn Pig, Savoy Brown, Gary Moore, Juicy Lucy, Wishbone Ash, Rod Stewart, and Alvin Lee, among others. In 1985 Andy waxed his sole solo slab Barrier Language. Though he was never an official member of The Kinks, Andy anchored their two most important comeback slabs Sleepwalker and Misfits – and several tours between 1976-78.

Andy Pyle Sound & Vision:

Bloodwyn Pig “Modern Alchemist” https://youtu.be/EqV-uBMPMzA

Alvin Lee “Burnt Fungus” https://youtu.be/yLDvxorMKsE

Gary Moore “Back On The Streets” https://youtu.be/hAi24EF92PI

That’s Andy mugging for the camera on the Kink’s “Father Christmas” video from the winter of ’77  http://bit.ly/2ATS66A

Dig Andy with The Kinks on the Old Grey Whistle Test 1977 https://youtu.be/ZkRXfMj7lk4

An acclaimed British upright jazz cat, session player, bandleader, and member of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated among other noted ensembles; rockers of a certain age revere Spike Heatley’s brilliant artistry in the service of Rod Stewart in the early 1970s.

Spike added harmonic depth and swinging grooves to Rod The Mod’s readings of Bob Dylan (“Mama You’ve Been On My Mind”), Sam Cooke (“Twistin’ the Night Away” “Bring It On Home/You Send Me”), Chuck Berry (“Sweet Little Rock ‘n’ Roller”), and the rooster haired rocker’s choice album cuts composed with Martin Quittenton (“Farewell”) and Ron “I’ve Got My Own Album to Do” Wood (“Dixie Toot”), among others.

Among Spike’s session credits include doubling the electric bass of John Paul Jones for Donovan’s iconic “Sunshine Superman.”

Dig Spike on Rod’s “Twistin’ the Night Away” https://youtu.be/XzpDVPcKD4w

Dig Spike on “Sunshine Superman” https://youtu.be/YsX2FhBf9nY

“It’s like a tear in the hands of a western man… tell you about salt, carbon, and water…”

Pete Sears, who also distinguished himself as an in-demand session keyboardist, was the perfect choice to succeed the legendary Jack Casady in Paul Kantner’s ever-changing Jefferson Starship collectives.  Though Pete’s tone and approach to the instrument were in direct contrast from Jack – he is also an exemplary accompanist, soloist, and improviser.

A prolific plinker, composer, producer, and solo recording artist, Pete forged major contributions on seminal sides by Rod Stewart (Gasoline Alley, Every Picture Tells a Story, Never A Dull Moment, Smiler), Hot Tuna, Grace Slick, Nick Gravenites, Papa John Creach, Robert Hunter, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Kathi McDonald, and Starship to cite a very, very select few.

As a bassist – most notably in Jefferson Starship – Pete’s grooves and upper register forays cleverly merged the band’s multi-dimensional vocal arrangements as rendered by Marty Balin, Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, David Freiberg, and Mickey Thomas in various configurations. Sears’ extended bass solo was a highlight at many a Starship show as I was witness.

Dig Pete’s fingers close up on a modified Fender Jazz thanks to Ruper Coles https://youtu.be/5NH0RgFMdwM

Dig Pete workin’ a funk groove on  “Crusin’ https://youtu.be/BCvX_K_iLBk

Weapons of choice: a master pocket and melodic player Pete utilized a custom instrument created by one of Jerry Garcia’s favored craftsman, Doug Irwin (which went missing for 40 years and was recently returned), along with Fender Jazz and Rickenbacker instruments.

Dig Pete on “Hot Water” https://youtu.be/HIYKpWHnj3k

Pete continues to play his craft(s) in the studio and on the bandstand with Moonalice, and Harvey Mandel, among other ensembles.

Dig Pete with Moonalice “Goin’ Down The Road…” https://youtu.be/1fmRwrMAbHw

Pete Sears – Producer – Kathi McDonald / Insane Asylum

Her stage and studio credits include Long John Baldry, Ike & Tina Turner, Dave Mason, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen, the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street, and Leon Russell & The Shelter People among others.

The late Kathi McDonald’s lost gem of a slab Insane Asylum (1974) is a magnificent mélange of blues, hard rock, and soul. Produced and arranged by renowned keyboardist/bassist Pete Sears, Kathi’s esteemed collaborators include Ronnie Montrose, Nils Lofgren, Neil Schon, John Cipollina, and Papa John Creach.  

Dig the title track to Insane Asylum with Pete cutting the bass and keyboard tracks https://youtu.be/rnI9vUC6FKQ         

Joe Bonamassa: https://youtu.be/B4-QVk-6xUc

Carmine Rojas ZOOM ZESSIONS – 2021