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?
I agree with everyone that has been mentioned. (Well almost) ;-) In the Pop music world, coming out of the 60's I would have to say the two players I found to be most impressive were James Jamerson and Paul McCartney. Jamerson is a given by now I hope. (!) With the "Standing in the Shadows" movie and all. So would like to say take a listen to the style changes and tone changes bassist Paul McCartney added to many a great Beatle song. I think he showed some of the most creative bass lines of any "pop" bassist with songs such as the wild ride of "Helter Skelter", to the rocking "Yer Blues" to tripped out "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", to the sliding and bouncing "Dear Prudence" and many others. McCartney also put in solid performances on all of the other Beatles material throughout the years of the band while also writing, singing, playing guitar, piano, and even drums on "The Ballad of John and Yoko". Last word. Can I mention Mr.Verdine White bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire? He came up with some of the funkiest, most elegant bass lines to play along with EWF's great chord changes in the mid to late 70's. Any how about the dude Jimmy Williams (not a household name) who played bass on all that Philadelphia International Records 70's stuff. Like Teddy Pendergrass solo albums, Curtis Mayfield, the O'Jays, etc. Not a lot of notes but what a deep, deep pocket/groove! Thank you all bass players! Keep on playing!
Les Claypool has to be mentioned in this thread. I really enjoy his precision player and rhythmic combinations. Primus is the reason I started to listen to King Crimson. I'm going to be dating myself here, but I'll also give a nod to Jason Newstead formerly of Metallica. I've always digged Jason's demeanor. I'm glad that he's out on his own making the music that he likes now. Fieldy of Korn and Twiggy formerly of Marilyn Manson are also mildly assuming. But not because of any technical merit. ;-)
Les Claypool is really a standout in this category though.
John Entwhistle--#1, IMO Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose) Paul McCartney Colin Moulding (XTC) Arthur Barrow (Zappa) Christian McBride Stanley Clarke Tony Levin Graham Maby (Joe Jackson) Les Claypool Bruce Foxton (Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam)
Neils Ostred Henning Pederson who is mentioned above and incredibly well thought of in Jazz circles tragically died yesterday. He died of a hear attack and was 58 years old.
Alain Caron formerly of the jazz fusion band Uzeb (Montreal based band). Alain is a musician's musician and listening to any of his later solo releases will make you realize what real musicality can be extracted from this instrument. Jaco's spirit lives on in Alain for sure.
for a smorgasbord of good rock bass players, check out the two "Deep End" cd's by Gov't Mule, which Warren Haynes and Matt Abts made with a variety of bass players, after their friend and band mate, bass player Allen Woody, passed on. While you're at it, also check out their earlier stuff with Allen Woody on bass.
got to give Michael Manring a shout out here.Not saying he is my favorite but he deserves a mention with some of these greats.He has taken the instrument in a direction i have never heard anyone take it with his solo work.That Government Mule set really is a good smorgasbord Mitch2,i agree.Quick shout out to Chris Squire and Phil Lesh as well.Both of these players added their own voice to this instrument that is unmistakeable most times.Phil has an orchestral sensibility which he intersperses with pure improvisations.Love the things he has done recently with Phil and Friends and the music that has come from him post Grateful Dead(although i loved his playing with them as well of course).Also, way Squire plays some of those lines and sings unbelievable harmony at the same time is astonishing to me.JACO!! had to shout that too -talk about an innovator : ) Oscar Pettiford-just beautifull stand up lines. and the list of jazz standup bass giants could go on and on.Oh and the way Jack Cassidy twirls those lines around a guitar is pure beauty-can't leave him out as a great.alright enough of my opinion next.......
James Jamison of Motown fame is king. He's played on most Motown classics and is considered the "bass player's bass player". Even Geddy Lee and other rockers pay great tribute to him and his work, which, were compositional masterpieces in themselves. Also, Nathan East and Abraham Laboriel. These guys played on many of the who's who in pop music but are not talked about much because they play in the shadow of many great musicians. For an example listen to Abe's work on "New Frontier" on Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" album. Clean, dynamic, expressive and groovin'. For jazz? Ron Carter. Ask the artists at Blue Note why.
Another vote for Dave Holland. An outstanding musician although I have to admit, I'm mildly disappointed with his latest stuff which appears more refined but less interesting.
Fresh er salt? What test line? Live or lure? What kind of fishing chat is this? Never saw any of these money players on espn 8. Usually watch at 4 a.m. on the way to the dock. But I do likes Mark Bernat doing Bach quite a little bit.
John Myung:::i simply love his dedication; song writing abilities ;his style of playing and the way he utilisez his three right hand fingers to the maximum limit..John u will always be my favourite bass player..Hat`s off ..Cheerio. A fan from India,{Darjeeling}
Eberhard Weber, because of of my neighborhood buddys who later went on to become an accomplished bass player & college music professor turned me onto him in 1973 while we ourselves were turned on to something which meant something but I'm not sure now but at the time was very meaningful
Chris Squire, for being a standout bass player in a band of standouts...Brian Bromberg, Stanley Clarke, John Wetton to a degree (he tends to oveerplay, and lately, underplay)...
The base player with Fugazi. Energy. Energizing. Creative. Purposful. Driving. Thumps the breastbone. Love the solo playing he does. Gets the primitive juices flowing and the feets a movin', even if one is not into the heavier stuff. No kidding. Listen to it.
Great player,amazing technique and very talented.You should watch one of his live performances to see what I'm talking about.He plays in one of Ron Kenoly's videos.
While I certainly understand why he's not talked about as often as the big names, I have to say that Paul Jackson is one of the best funk-jazz bassists ever. His work with Herbie Hancock in the '70's is fantastic. If you haven't heard him, try the imported live Japanese concert called Flood.
Check out these guys work with Zappa over the years. These two guys can play rings around any of the rock guys mentioned. And they can actually sound musical, as opposed to Sheenan who is basically the Eddie Van Halen of the electric bass.
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