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?
Must agree that Manring's Att. Deficit stuff is groovin' as #@^%$***!!! Unfortunately some of his other stuff hits the Kenny G gag reflex. Attention Deficit is as good as or better than any project connected w/these 3 guys. Life is short Att. Deficit never does gigs... it's a crime! Anyone who digs challenging head warping instrumental rock should be nagging the heck out of Manring, Skolnick and Alexander to get out and play or at least record some more. Same holds true for Massacre (Frith/Laswell/Hayward). Both units can crunch through the skull and sear a deep brand into the brain.
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.
There's a couple of great bass players from Brazil that I like, Marcelo Maia, who reminds me of Jaco Pastorius, and Zoos Moussawer, who compares with Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey. I also admire Andre Vasconcello, who plays on Phil DeGreg's album "Brasilia".
There is a very good bass player named Michael Manring that I like
Manring is outstanding in a trio called "Attention Deficit", with guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament), and drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander (Primus). These guys are phenomenal.
Another great band with killer bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose) is Banyan, which includes drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), guitarist Nels Cline, and trumpet player Willie Waldman. Talk about groovin'!
There is a very good bass player named Michael Manring that I like; he started out as the session bass player for the Windham Hill label and has played on several of Patty Larkin's albums among others; I have his solo CD "The Book of Flame" and it is really outstanding. I noticed somebody mentioned John Entwistle; I have a solo album of his called "Too Late the Hero" where he plays with Joe Walsh; he will be sourly missed on the upcoming Who tour. Also love Victor Wooten.
All of the above, but especially Jaco, Jones (Percy too!), Entwistle, Squire, Rutherford, Holland, Levin, Rodby, McCartney, Wetton, McCormick, Mingus, Lake, Wooten, Butler, Burton, Carter, Lesh, Cassidy.
Anders Jormin (Bobo Stenson Trio & Tomasz Stanko Quartet) Try "Xieyi", which is mostly him playing solo. This guy might be the most soulful bass player I've ever heard.
John Deacon. I agree with a lot of the posts already but thought he should be added
John Deacon of Queen fame wrote "I want to Break Free" and I believe was largely reponsible for Queen's ability to produce such very memorable/catchy "primordial rhythmic loops" such as Under Pressure, Another one bites the Dust etc.,all of which provided a great backdrop to Brian May's improvs on lead guitar.
Michel Donato hasn't had a mention and he deserves it. Superb creativity married to technical mastery. Plus, his "Setting the Standards" disc with James Gelfand on piano is demo quality.
My favourites would be Larry Graham and Bootsy Collins.(i like the funky stuff). Also i must admit I'm a bit of a fan of Victor Wooten(was amazing to see live)although he can become a little too technical at times.
also what about anthony jackson...the MAN who laid down the grooves for countless others...especially Herbie Hancock's Headhunters....I love his meaty tone
Benny Rietveld -- currently w/Carlos Santana -- is capable of extremely effective bass playing. Plus, he just looks like a bada** playing. Some of you Miles fans might know of some of Rietveld's work w/him many years ago.
I'm SHOCKED only two people mentioned Les Claypool, as good as Flea is (and he is great) I don't think he can touch what Les Claypool has accomplished with the bass during the 90's. Perhaps not the best recording "quality wise" but if your interested in bass performance pickup "tales from the punchbowl" circa 95'.
Paul McCartney; his work with Beatles and Wings and all his solo stuff has been very rewarding through out my life.
Tommy Shannon; He's filled the holes in not one but TWO three member bands and behind two of the greatest modern day Blues guitarists Johnny Winter and SRV.
Charles Mingus; a pioneer and to watch his hands glide up and down the bass effortlessly he truely was at one one with it.
John Entwhistle; he was as solid as they came and when called upon stepped up to the plate for various solo's.
Normally I don't want to hear the bass player, just notice if he's gone. But there are exceptions:
1. Scott LaFaro - because he is the greatest, most musical, most expressive, most talented player there ever was.
2. Thomas Yearsley (formerly with The Paladins) - excellent player and songwriter, but mostly for his live playing: the most facially expressive person I'd ever seen perform. He is a riot to watch. You go, Thomas!
3. "Pistol" Pete Midtgard (Frantic Flatops; Twistin' Tarantulas) - he can rock (play and sing/holler) like no other. Plays and sings his guts out. He'll beat yer ears with his doghouse bass and switch-blade voice, then kick yer ass in the parking lot if warranted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)...
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
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}
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.
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.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
