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Who's Your Favorite Bass Players; Why?

I like Paul Chambers for his groove and arco. Sam Jones for his Time. Rufus Reid becaues he taught me. Jaco because of the absolute passion. Christian McBride because he's the MAN righ now--and he's the director of the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific, which is my Alma Mater; Ron Carter because of everything he's recorded; George Maraz because of his soul; Richard Davis because of his intensiity; Reggie Workman due to his authenticity; Lonnie Plaxico because of his work with he Jazz Messengers; Scott LaFaro--BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST! (Eddie Gomez and Chuck Isreal are cool, too!). Who're you 'un?
crazy4blues

Showing 1 response by steveott

steveott
54 posts
 
Comparing Paul M., Geddy L., Ray B., et at, isn't very useful; different genres. When I was playing in rock bands in the 60's, Jack Bruce was my favorite. He didn't sound like the others. His lines were ahead of their time. Then, in the 70's it was Chris Sqiure of Yes. Rarely did he play on the beat, though his lines were always interesting (Rick Wakeman said that he (Sqiure) couldn't play a "straight" baseline if his life depended on it!). He was the "Jack Bruce" of 70's rock. But I never heard a bassist quite like Jaco Pastorius. The alternate growling, punchy, lovely portamento of his lines were something to behold. Listen to "Portrait of Tracy"; a piece he wrote that is almost all done with harmonics (I busted a gut figuring that one out). Simply beautiful.

Steve O.
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