Entertainment For Lively Minds
Play that bass guitar
Posted by bargepole on 10 January 2010 - 6:04pm.
Waist deep in snow at his Peak District bolthole, Bargepole has been considering the best bass parts in rock!
What say you?
- More from bargepole.
- Login or register to post comments
-
McCartney..
is hard to beat for sheer quality of bass output: I'd nominate Paperback Writer,
She's so Heavy, and
Rain.
For starters.
Indeed
Someone later in this thread is going to mention Colin Moulding of XTC (The Making Plans for Nigel Hitmakers) but, as good as he is, he's just a Macca-alike.
Listen to...
What In The World by the Dukes.
I'd add just about all of
I'd add just about all of Sgt. Pepper. Amazing bass lines start to finish.
Another vote for Macca
Thanks to a recent "re-evaluating Wings" thread on this website I'm currently enjoying his excellent bass riff on this :
Macca thumbs up here too
Macca is one of the most melodic and inventive bass players without being overtly flash - although, of course, back in the day, he was frequently criticised for his octave leaps and other jiggery-pokery.
I recently had to figure out the bass part for Two of Us - I'd never even particularly noticed it - it's actually a fairly challenging and very creative part that on closer inspection is integral to the whole song. I'm not a bass player - and no fan of this insipid song - but I can't imagine anyone else coming up with such an inspired yet melodic bass part.
Not rock I know
but 'A remark you made' by Weather Report contains the best bass ever courtesy of one Jaco Pastorius.
Jaco is the one
For those who appreciate a truly musical bass player. I've said this before but it's worth repeating because it's an under-appreciated album: Check out Joni Mitchell's album Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. Jaco's playing on it is outstanding.
And here's a good example of his beautiful playing
and, for once, not playing 'THE' Jaco bass
surely one of the most iconic instruments in modern music?
Andy Rourke
of The Smiths.
The master of the song within a song.
While I admire
all the above and would include Bruce Foxton. If you're talking bass guitar there really is only one.
Hmm...
If we're talking sheer technical ability, I concur. But I don't like his music.
The Clash's finest four minutes
Have a listen to the bass line next time you hear Rock The Casbah. Fabulous.
You're all on the right track but wrong: watch Stu Hamm
play this unbelievably brilliant bass solo. It starts slowly but watch it through and then pick your jaw off the floor and close your agape-in-amazement mouth. He was part of Joe Satriani's band and it appears on Joe's Live In San Francisco dvd.
Bah
Can't stand Satriani and his ilk.
Music as sport.
Quite
A bass player writes...
All well and good for this lot, but most people go to the bar during solos. The Andy Fraser playing in the lead post is more of a part, involving the whole band and building.
My vote:
With Norman Watt-Roy on Reasons to be Cheerful a close second.
Reasons to be Cheerful - basis
Didn't Dury admit that the tune itself was inspired by a bass solo - Charlie Haden's on Ornette Coleman's Ramblin' recorded in 1959. I think Haden didn't mind as his solo in turn was a variation on a traditional tune. It's here after about the fourth minute. (Hope the Spotify link works, I haven't tried it before)
http://open.spotify.com/track/2pImPndG2OefK9n5kDVRWB
Yes but....
....it seems as if it's "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll" that is being prefigured in the Haden solo. Sorry for the pedantry.
I was playing a...
jazz gig recently, and during my solo somebody came up and started asking could the band play a request for them. Needless to say the band thought that this was hilarious!
Foggy Mountain Breakdown??
Played on slap bass? Quite something..
Derek Forbes
from Simple Minds, as underrated a bass player as can be! He has produced some grand bass lines, esp on the 'Sons and Fascination' lp.
Also, quite parcial to a bit of Mick Karn, during his Japan period. The fluid, sinewy lines heard on 'Gentleman take Polaroids' and 'Tin Drum' are something else!
McCartney, yeah he's alright i suppose
Agree on Forbes
Going back to the Simple Minds canon not so long ago I was able to scientifically pinpoint the moment they "lost it" as the day Derek Forbes left. Well, perhaps not the entire truth, as there are a few stinkers on Sparkle in the Rain, but the bass lines on Empires and Dance, Sons & Fascination and New Gold Dream are top drawer.
The Ox
John Entwhistle - on just about anything.
Particularly notable:
Also:
Bruce Foxton
J J Burnel
Ali McMordie
The 3 best bass players from new wave period
He gets my vote everytime
His bass playing on Won't Get Fooled Again is particularly good/
I was about to post The Real Me
It's the best bass playing I've ever heard. But it's also the best example of the power of The Who I can think of.
This is great...
Is Graceland rock?
if so....
Well it's not really rock, but
Persevere through the noodly stuff at the start - from 1:38 Victor gets onto the harmonics, and I had tears in my eyes by the end. (Helps that I'm a Tractor Boy...)
Steve Currie
A few more worthy of mention
Firstly, the talent that is Les Claypool from Primus - a great player who sings as well!
Then there's the one they all ask for by name - Mr Tony Levin
and the much underrated David Wm Sims from Jesus Lizard and Rapeman
A guy goes on a business trip to Africa...
and as he gets off the plane he can hear the sound of drums: 'Boom, ba ba boom, ba ba boom'. They keep going on and on and on without a pause.
At passport control he can still hear them: 'Boom, ba ba boom, ba ba boom'. He asks where the drums are coming from. The official gives him a hard stare and says "The drums must never stop, must never stop."
He goes to his business meeting and can still hear them: 'Boom, ba ba boom, ba ba boom'. He asks where the sound is coming from and the others at the meeting give him a hard stare and say "The drums must never stop, must never stop."
After the meeting he has some time on his hands and he can still hear the drums: 'Boom, ba ba boom, ba ba boom'. He finds a cab and asks the driver to take him to wherever the drums are. The cabbie fixes him with a hard stare and says "The drums must never stop, must never stop."
The guy says to the cabbie "Yes, so I've been told. Could you just take me there please?"
The cab leaves the city and pretty soon they're driving into the wilderness. The cabbie stops the car and says "This is as far as I can take you. To find the source of the drums follow that path."
The businessman follows the path. Soon he comes to a clearing in the middle of which is a set of drums. Members of a tribe are lining up to play them and as soon as one person stops another takes over without dropping a beat 'Boom, ba ba boom, ba ba boom'.
The guy finds a member of the tribe and asks what they are doing. The tribesman fixes him with a hard stare and says "The drums must never stop, must never stop."
"Yes, I know that," says the business man, "what I want to know is WHY they must never stop."
He is led to the head of the tribe. "Excuse me, sir," he asks, "could you please tell me WHY the drums must never stop?"
The head of the tribe fixes him with a very hard stare and says "Drums must never stop because... if drums stop, bass guitar solo starts."
I love this joke!
(...and I play bass!)
Jean Jacques Burnel
Get yourself a classical guitarist in 1975, get him to transfer to bass and emphasise the blown cone in his amp by playing very loud and agressively. Sounds fantastic. Great bassist.
Carl Dean Radle
My own personal fave, Carl Radle. Played with Delaney & Bonnie, Derek & The Domino's, Joe Cocker's Mad Dog's and Englishmen, JJ Cale, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton's 70's band. Just a great sound and feel.
Carl Radle - future Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
Simon,
Greetings from Tulsa, Oklahoma - the hometown of the late, great Carl Dean Radle!
Thank you so much for acknowledging this wonderful man. On top of being a legendary icon in rock-n-roll and blues history, Carl was a truly beloved human being. I was first and most-inspired to play the bass after hearing the awesome bass lines that Carl laid on the infamous 'Layla' album when he was the anchor of Derek & the Dominos. I remember as a teenager in the late 70's going to sleep each night with that LP turning on my RCA home stereo system and wondering just who that man was that was pumping out those stellar low end grooves. It broke my heart when I learned that he was from my hometown and that he had passed in May of 1980.
On top of his work with the groups you aboved and his decade of loyal work as Eric Clapton's sideman, many are unaware that he was originally a member of the (1965-66) Gary Lewis & The Playboys who had the hit song "This Diamond Ring", and that he was a member of the psychadelic rock band Colours that was heavily influenced by British Rock legends. He also was the bassist on George Harrison's album "All Things Must Pass", some Bob Dylan pieces,
and he recorded work on albums for these folks as well:
Art Garfunkel
Freddie King
John Lee Hooker
Buddy Guy
Rita Coolidge
The Concert for Bangladesh (w/ Klaus Voorman on bass, too)
The Band's 'Last Waltz'
and many others.
I am slowly compiling historical information on Carl as I would truly love to piece together a 'work of art' book on this man's life and his music. Very few photos of him are out there and many folks who worked with him are still alive and well. If anyone knows of any interesting history on this bassist, I would love to hear from you.
P.S. To really appreciate the permanent mark this man left on Rock-n-Roll History, please visit the web site that pays tribute to him and be sure to view the 'Discography' link as it is unbelievable. After viewing all of the famous rock music he helped create, both live and in the recording studio, I truly believe that most will agree that this man deserves to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If you would like to join me in seeing this come to pass, please feel free to reach oiut and contact me. I can be reached here or thru the email at my office web site. Just Google: 'Dan Howard Aircraft Sales' and you'll find my contact information.
Thanks so much for speaking of Carl Dean Radle. We miss him & his music.
Living on Tulsa Time,
Dan W. Howard
Tulsa, OK
A trivial Carl Radle question
Is it 'Ray-dle' or 'Raddle'?
Chris Squire
Insert song choice......
Don't mind
if I do !
The mighty Squire
used to have the bass parts for a couple of Yes songs on his website - Heart Of The Sunrise was one. That's correct; no other instruments, just the bass. You will be relieved to know his website is down right now so I cannot thrill you with the link.
I can hum it for you if you would like..?
song choice for Carl Radle
My favorites of Carl's music would have to be:
'Have You Ever Loved A Woman' from the 'Layla' album
or
'Little Wing' by Derek & Dominos from the Live at the Fillmore East' album
Bruce Palmer
He's really far down in the mix but if you make the effort to listen to him on Buffalo Springfield's first album,(and some of "Again") Bruce was an astounding player.Somehow he managed to underpin the songs while simultaneously following his own agenda.Saw him live on Neil's "Trans" tour-a mixed blessing to say the least.
not the technical best
but iconic:
and this may be a controversial choice, but this guy defined the 80s bass sound and this is one of his best takes:
That's incredible...
someone has managed to put a photo of my school rucksack up on You Tube.
It's not a over-technical bass part
but it drives the song along perfectly, as much of Kim Deal's bass does:
The Real Deal
OK so I'm a few days late. But i can't believe I had to scroll down this far before Ms Deal got mentioned.
Less is more. The bass is there to kick your heart to the right speed, tell your legs what to do and shake your trousers - not amuse you with harmonics.
Who?
Hooky
No one's mentioned Hooky yet...
New Order's sound
Even though I'm not a major man of NO or JD, I can't think of any bass player who dominates a band's sound as much as Peter Hook does to New Order. If you listen to Barney's latest work - Bad Lieutenant - where just about all of NO except Hooky plays, it just sounds weedy and quite ordinary.
Lemmy?
Jah Wobble
Reliable punk bowel-botherer to early 90s bass-wallah to the blissedout - Orb, Primal Scream etc
The best bass players are jazzers ...
... (IMHO) So this is as close as i could get
great album
best JT period
My favourite too
although I have a very soft spot for 'Living In The Past'
Glenn Cornick!
Excellent choice!
Absolutely!
Underrated too!
David Hayes
Who he? Well, he's the bass player on Van's Common One and Veedon Fleece. Nothing flash and nothing fancy but his bass lines throughout these albums are absolutely perfect.
A girl !!!
Posted this one before. Just in case you didn't catch it, dear massives
I've often wondered
why the top of a bass guitar was shaped thus
An Australian girl no less
Phenomenal talent. Here she is appearing on Aussie daytime TV, along with the great Vinnie Colaiuta
I bet this guy
doesn't have a girlfriend
Or any friends at all.
What a fine demonstration of consumate virtuosity creating a bloody awful racket.
God that cheered me up
So there's at least one other person who's wasting their life more than I am - hooray!
Awww...
bless.
Tony Visconti
On 'Width of a Circle'. Brilliant.
The late Allen Woody
of Gov't Mule. No place to hide in a 3 piece. Huge sound.
And how about Gerry McAvoy, who provided such a strong foundation for Rory Gallagher.
Howsabout basssists..
..without whom their bands would have struggled to make music at all ? those that spring to mind immediately are Chris Hillman out of the Byrds and Mike Mills out of R.E.M. Mike particularly provided the entire melodic drive on the first two R.E.M. albums,Buck's guitar being rhythmic at best,sometimes virtually percussive.
I believe it's traditional to unleash the Ox at this point...
The Ox
Playing on the whole of Quadrophenia and Who's Next is utterly brilliant.
Has anyone tried actually playing his chops? Finger shredding madness.
The bit where he unleashes his inner jazz monster...
at 6.43 is extraordinary. As is the rest of his performance come to think of it.
That is wicked
I initially went past this post, thinking oh, well I know he's good on that. Love all the little flourishes
You can see why ...
...he got bored playing "Magic Bus", can't you? Was\is he the most nonchalant musician in rock? I do like it when "silent Roger" pops into shot from time to time...
Have I got my rock gods mixed up or was that Jack Daniels in one bottle and Coke in the other on his mike stand...?
I saw the Ox
do a solo during 5:15 much like this one back in 1997. Absolutley stunning;
Agree with Pastorius
but an underrated bassist who's not strictly a bass player (surely the best kind) has to be Tony Visconti's work on "The Man Who Sold the World", (whole album, not track)
There can be only one....
Ray Shulman of Gentle Giant was a great bass player. Here's a lovely example of what he could do....fantastic, melodic lines that lift the music to greater heights.
(WARNING: readers of a weak disposition might need to fast forward to 4:35 to get to the bass part and avoid the recorder/cello/violin section and the 5-part vocal harmony bit.)
Youth from Killing Joke
you can also sample his skill on Kate Bush's "The Big Sky"
Mick Karn from Japan
John Entwistle from The Who
JJ Burnell from The Stranglers
Oh dear, I can't post the videos from here...will do that later!
Gary Mountfield
Whether it be with The Roses or Primal Scream, you have to go a long way on a cold morning to beat Mani - the outro on I Am The Resurrection is quality.
Not only is his playing great, but he also has a coolness and attitude to rival Paul Simonon.
I saw Primal Scream in Wolverhampton, after the original gig had been rescheduled due the 'unfortunate' dismise of Diana. From the statement that Mani made a couple of songs in, I guessed that it wasn't his or any other member of The Scream's idea to cancel the original gig.
Fine call, Leicester
Mani and Reni were the axle around which Baggy revolved. Consumate musicians both and, as you rightly say, cool as the Carpets would have loved to have been.
I nominate Michael Balzary
Percy Jones
with Eno and Snatch!
Carl Radle Tribute website
By the way, the link to the Carl Radle tribute site with discography is: http://www.CarlRadle.com
The bassline that defined a decade
Step forward Mr. Bernard Edwards.
Carl Radle Tribute website
By the way, the link to the Carl Radle tribute site with discography is: http://www.CarlRadle.com
Here is why I think Carl Radle should be in the Rock-n-Roll Hall
Here's some more videos of Carl and his music for you.
He definitely played some true legendary rock music:
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (Clapton, Harrison, Radle - 1970)
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour (1970)
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett (w/ Clapton)
Poor Elijah (from Tribute to Robert Johnson)
Delaney & Bonnie w/ Eric Clapton (1970)
Lonesome and a Long Way From Home
Derek & the Dominos (on the Johnny Cash Show - Nov 1970)
Gary Lewis & the Playboys (1966)
Everybody Loves A Clown
Gary Lewis & the Playboys (1965)
...eature=related
Eric Clapton & His Rolling Hotel with Carl Radle (Live - 1979)
Cocaine
The Ban's "Last Waltz" (Live aprox 1976 with Radle on Bass)
Carl Radle Tribute Band (@ Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction - 2006) (Clapton's old 70's band members unite for tribute)
Induction Presentation for Carl - Okla Music Hall of Fame 2006)
...rom=PL&index=9
George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" (with Clapton, Leon Russell, & others - 1971)
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Leon Russell (1971)
Delta Lady
Leon Russell and the Shelter People
Stranger in a Strange Land (1971)
Leon Russell
Alcatraz (1971)
Eric Clapton & Band (1977)
Alberta, Alberta
...eature=related
Eric Clapton & Band (1977)
Living on Tulsa Time
...eature=related
Eric Clapton & Marcy Levy (1977)
Hello Old Friend
...eature=related
Eric Clapton & Band (1977)
Double Trouble
Eric Clapton & Bob Dyland @ Blackbushe (England - 1978)
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour (1970)
Cry me A River
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour (1970)
Delta Lady
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour (1970)
The Letter
...om=PL&index=16
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour (1970)
Space Captain
__________________
from http://www.TalkBass.com
Dan W. Howard
Tulsa, OK
Official Fender Precision Bass Club #243
Blues Bass Players Club #556
dan@howardaircraft.com
Nah,
still prefer Mark King. Have you not heard "Lessons In Love"?
You'll go to hell if you're not careful, Dave..
I'll probably be sitting next to you, though. I had to explain to my nurse why I was laughing so much. She didn't understand.
'I'm not going to change your sheets again ...
... Mr Hastings.'
Fuckin' hell Dan..
OTT or what. I think we might have got the message..
Good deal Declan
Declan,
That was my intent. Yes, glad to hear you got the message!
Dan
Oi! Dan, naaaah!
get a grip dude, or is this another case of an Amerikan's slight overbombing?
any fule kno the correk answer is this chappy - John Wetton in both Family and KC days
I was looking for 'Ready to Go', as it's a particular fave, but just what the hell is going on with this bassline?
No, wait Declan
I was just going to add links to every Paul McCartney bassline I've ever liked. Won't be a sec...
Oh by way, the J word..
Jamerson, Motown bass genius, e.g. on this:
And to drive the point home, this:
Wot, no Bill?
Lecherous Lothario he may have been, but Perks, W. anchored some splendid songs in his time - such as this nugget - check those shuddering bass runs on the fade-out!
Simple Really
For rock it begins and ends with McCartney and Entwistle really, with Bernard Edwards for everything else! Honourable mention though for Mick Quinn of Supergrass, grossly underrated.
Bruce Thomas
There's a great deal...
...of sport-playing wank in this thread so far, I'm afraid to say.
Andy Rourke
Mike Mills
Lemmy
Colin Greenwood
Ego-free playing from all four, which is what you need: being a musician isn't about winning the fucking Olympics, it's about supplying the groove and direction of the song. Especially in rock music. No excuse for wanking about, IMO.
Lemmy? Ego-free player?
Hmmm... I've never yet met an ego-free band leader who is also the lead vocalist AND the chief songwriter.
Bruce Thomas
Yes, of course!
Soul
Bootsy Collins - James Brown, Funkadelic, 'nuff said
Low profile but prolific: Carol Kaye Motown (in the LA days), over 10,000 recording sessions with Beach Boys, Quincy Jones and a host of others
Also teaches bass
Orlando Cachaito Lopez - recently departed, Cuba's finest
Mr Barry Adamson
What a thrill it was to see the great man strut his stuff with the reformed Magazine last year......
Agree with most, but not all of the above....
...but what about John McVie ? Perhaps not the greatest, but damn sight more tuneful and tasteful than many mentioned hereabouts.
Roger Waters
He often kept it simple, but the bass line some of the Pink Floyd stuff is brilliant. An under-rated musician.
He *always* kept it simple...
largely through being unable to do anything else.
He's a fine exemplar of the principle that one doesn't have to be a 'good' player to be an 'effective' player.
Did not..
Graham Nash say of Phil Lesh: "..he's either the best bassist in the world or the worst bassist in the world."
I don't think he's either but he's certainly very good and much better than many of the numpties mentioned above.
The answer is probably Mingus.
For the obvious reason, I haven't suggested Phil Lesh
but he's certainly an innovator and has a deeper understanding of modern music than most other rock musicians through his time studying with Berio and Reich.
The best rock bassist in the world, though? Not so sure about that.