You might ask or wonder why I do what I do, meaning why I produce backing tracks? When I was living in Hawaii 14 years ago I had a small production studio where I would help singers and songwriters with their musical path and vision by serving as an engineer, session guitarist and sometimes a producer. I know these days many musicians need to wear different hats so to speak and diversify in a multi tasking kind of service. These are labors of passion and love that we develop. Its a rewarding quality to grow and let our ears evolve.
From Hawaii to Asia
Anyway, I was in touch with a friend of mine who had relocated to Thailand. He was playing all over Asia and also booking gigs. This jazz trumpet buddy of mine had some nice gigs and wanted me to network with my musical community in Hawaii to possibly lure some great talent from Hawaii over to Asia for some tours and also some secure residencies offerings. This of course was alluring to me but it would take a lot for me to leave the beautiful Hawaiian lifestyle I was living for almost 17 years.
I had in 1999 traveled to India to live and to study more about meditation. I had passed through Thailand on my way there and loved the country. You know people really make a country. Thailand is a Buddhist country and for the most part the people are very sweet, chilled and respectful. This made a huge impression on me and I knew for some reason in 1999 I would return some day again but I didn’t know exactly when and also what for. It was 2008 and I felt I needed a change in my life so I decided to take a small trip to get some introspective time and step out of the world I was spinning in. I wanted to discover and travel to other countries in Asia.
Karmasound Studio
Traveling is for me an amazing teacher. Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos were on my list. Before I left Hawaii I had been in touch with my buddy and he shared with me, “ Hey man, if you come over here bring some backing tracks!” I was a bit surprised to hear this…..At that time I really didn’t know many people using backing tracks for live performance, I know that I didn’t. My live performance and gigs were either in bands of course or solo and duo work. I think at that time I only knew one musician buddy that had been using backing tracks for gigging purposes. He had produced a few CD’s and his engineer had remixed them into minus one versions so he could use them in a live context. Back in those days he was using a mini disc player. Remember them? My…. how things have really changed.
Before leaving on my newly planned trip to Cambodia, and scrambling hard to leave, I phoned a few of my goto A level guys and band mates. These guys were the best players on Maui and beyond. I was so fortunate and blessed to gig and do many sessions with them. Danny was the bass player of my first call choice, he was one of the best. He had worked with The Austrian Symphony, Stan Getz, Frank Gambale and subbed for Jaco once! Danny played Upright, fretless and electric bass.
Funk music
Gilbert was and still is an amazing keyboard player that had sick R&B sensibilities and jazz chops. I had played with Gilbert in an amazing 8 piece funk band. In those days we were covering Tower of Power, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind and Fire and Prince tunes and more, fronted by 2 amazing male and female singers. Eric Gilliom and Kelly Covington respectively. Bonnie Raitt came to one of our shows once and said we were the best unsigned band she saw at the time. Those were some very exciting times.
Following the previous advice from my trumpet player friend, I hired Danny and Gilbert to help me lay down the the basic tracks for approximately 30 pop, bossa nova, R&B and Jazz standards. At that time I was using primarily Spectrasonics Stylus for my drums ( which I love) and still is my go to virtual drum engine to get a groove off the ground. After some amazing tasteful sessions and mixing and mastering was completed, I had loaded all my newly produced backing tracks onto my hard drive and Apple iPad. I felt somewhat complete at this stage and was now ready to board my China Air Flight land in Bangkok, then travel to Siem Reap Cambodia and visit the amazing temples of Angkor Wat!
Thanks for sharing!
ciao ho acquistato 2 basi my cherie amour e master blaster , la prima sono riuscito a scaricarla la seconda non riesco mi dice file non trovato.
prego inviarmi master blaster.mp3
grazie
Hey Bobby, thanks for the insight into who you are and what you do! I had to smile inwardly a few times as I found similarity’s to my own life and inner compass. I was close to moving to Tibet when I was 19 and was seeking a monastic path when I decided I needed to immerse myself in the physical world before I turned away from it. Now 45 years later I have returned to the path and integrated it into my outreach. I have had some great experiences and breaks in my career leading to these last few years where I have been playing mostly nylon (which is where I started) using some of your tracks on a show I was doing for KKJZ and a local harbor cruise line. It has made it a joy doing these gigs and getting to blow over cool changes with a great rhythm section. Thank you for elevating the genre with your heart, soul and mastery.
I recently purchased a large but I know if you’re backing tracks which I love it would be awesome if you had chord charts to go along with them thanks and keep up the great work
Yes, Chord charts are very helpful. Honestly if I supply chord charts then publishers could come after me for distributing them. I have checked into this. The truth is there are many sources on the internet for chords. Have you checked out ireal pro? GREAT for all the jazz standards and others as well. All the various real and fake books are out there Chuck Sher as well.. I also own the various Pat Metheny books which are very accurate. I hope this helps 🙂
Hi, and thank you for your honest response concerning the legalities regarding music charts. Not having a chart has stopped me from buying your backing tracks.
I believe this will be helpful for your hesitant clients:
For each song, can you please be specific as to where customers can buy the chart. For example, Cause we Ended as Lovers- Hal Leonard – Blow by Blow book.
This would be incredibly useful and I am sure the publisher would appreciate it as well as potential customers. If you want to make a few more dollars, you can make them as affiliate links.
Is this a lot of work? Yes, but this is a vocation for you so I am sure it will be a labor of love.
Thanks,
Frank
It’s nice to get to know the man behind the music. You’ve had a very Interesting journey!
🙂
Loved hearing some of the history behind your project.
🙂
Hi Bobby, your travels are a dream for most of us. Your tracks sound better than any ones. Plus you’ve got stems now! I hope we get to hear what it was like for you when you started making them.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Part 2 coming soon 🙂
Travel is DEFINATELY the source of inspiration.
🙂
HI, Wow I know Gilbert well here on Maui. The last gig I did with him was a pvt party and he sat in with my Pop band a few times. Gilbert and I go back a long way. I had no idea, Shoots Love the tracks. I have 2 duos we use tracks. Aloha from Maui, ALAN
Hi Alan, Gilbert tells the best jokes 🙂 Please say hi 🙂
Love your Angkor Wat pic; better than a thousand words right there.
Have you thought of a section to post your followers work using your BBTs.
Bet there’s a lot of great stuff out there on BBTs. It would be great to hear what others are doing.
And thanks for your whole thing.
Too much negative vibe in the world; your positive vibes help create balance.
Abso, no words for Angkor Wat. The term “mind blowing” does not come close. Humbling. Here are some vids of some fine passionate BBT appreciators. Have a look and listen.
oh man, those are such wonderful performances over your BTs, must give you a great sense of satisfaction.
Bobby, you know how much your tracks have added to my life here in Tokyo. Especially in lockdown. To feel like you’re on the set with pros like you guys raises your level. A good BBT makes the world go away.
Bobby, thanks for sharing. I spent a few years in the Far East in the later 70’s. Actually started studying classical guitar at the Ryuku Classical Academy after seeing some great players in small clubs in Okinawa, Japan. I play solo electric with your tracks now. Yours are the best! Appreciate you.
Bobby – Thanks for the background – nice to know more about you. Enjoy your tracks a lot.
If you’re looking for feedback on the site may I offer a couple?
I find it difficult to scroll through titles as there are many I don’t know. If your list was compiled with a preview & bpm next to each song, I would have downloaded a ton more by now!
I’m thinking more Traxsource/Beatport approach.
Speaking of which they offer a few .mp4a stems which are awesome for live performing.
Thanks again, I continue to enjoy jamming with you via your tracks!
I have not come across the term “stems”. Can someone elaborate on that: what they are and how they are used? Thanks
I’ve purchased several tracks, and have to say they are the best! Great feel, great musicianship.
Hi George, Stems are simply all the separate tracks that make up a song or tune in a recording session. For example:separate drums,bass,keys,guitars,voices. It allows you to import the tracks (stems) into a DAW ( Digital Audio Workstation) of your choice and further explore different mixes and arrangements for the tune you have loaded. Have a look here for more ideas. This is a good explanation as well.
How can I have a custom backing track done for my performance?
Can I call your company and talk with someone?
Hi Reginald, Thanks for your request. Please email me at custom@bobbysbackingtracks.com with your vision and questions and we can dial into a time to possibly connect by phone (time zone challenge).Talk soon!
Bobby your backing tracks are the best. So cool! I’ve used them for a long time. If anyone cares to watch here’s my performance Jeff Golub’s ‘Boom Boom’…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZdynHyd4oI
Thanks Bobby!