On the subject of favorite basslines - rock 'n' roll division:
I love the bass line in Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain". It pops up sporadically and adds forward momentum and then just disappears for several measures at a time. Then, the song stops and an all-time classic bass figure kicks off the breakdown - at which time the bass line carries the band as it goes nuts, pretty close to straight noise when performed live. Usually, Buckingham steals the show for me, but that is John McVie's shining moment.
Marty |
Great choices.I agree with most of the picks in this thread. My personal favorites:
Jazz: Ron Carter, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown. The first time I heard Scott on "Waltz for Debby" I couldn't believe bass in jazz could be played like that. His so premature death was one of the biggest losses in the history of jazz. I love Ron's thick plucking and the weight he gives to his lines. Ray is a just an all-around tremendous player and composer.
Rock: Tony Levin; he's my Ron Carter of rock bass players. Geezer Butler; "War Pigs" is arguably the best rhythm section work in the history of rock music. Cliff Burton; just like Scott LaFaro in jazz music, his premature death is one of the biggest losses in the history of rock music. As great as Metallica is, I cannot help but wonder how much greater the band would have been had Cliff not have got killed. My third favorite is Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. His speed and technical ability is in my opinion unmatched in heavy metal and beyond. The fact that he doesn't use a pick just makes him one of the best ever. |
*Best line: Slave's Slide; Pleasure's Glide; Azymuth's Dear Limmertz
*Old school but still rule: Louis Johnson
*Was good, but have nothing else to give: Larry Graham, Stanley Clark, Mark King
*Song writers pretend to be bass players: Sting, Paul McCartney
*Worst, should take lesson: Benny Rietveld
*Boring: Dave Holland, Anthony Jackson
*Should change to playing guitar instead of bass: Wayman Tisdale
*Funkiest Tone: Marcus Miller, Jonas Hellborg
*Impressive speed and/or technique but that's all: Brian Bromberg, Victor Wooten
*Extraordinare technique, incredible live: Michael Manring
*Musicality: Richard Bona, Doky Minh, Renaud Garcia Fons
***MY FAVORITE BASS GUITARIST: Alex Malheiros of Azymuth (Brazillian group); CDs that are 20+ years still so sound so emotional today. Never play the same line twice.
***MY FOVORITE GUITARIST: no list, just one guy = Nguyen Le. |
how about a shout out for Spooky Tooth and Humble Pie's Greg Ridley,Fleetwood Mac's John McVie,ex Dylan and Mike Bloomfield alum,Harvey Brooks and Blood Sweat and Tears original first album bassist, Jim Felder. All had really good drummers to work with |
Pop/Rock- Billy Sheehan is technically the best. In a group John Entwistle was the best. He was a great antithesis for Keith Moon's erratic brilliance.
Acoustic/Jazz- Scott Lafaro and Eddie Gomez, maybe it's my bias to the Bill Evans Trio. |
Back when I cared to own television, a few years ago, I happened to scroll to a music award program. Maybe mtv awards... Jack Black (actor) was at the podium. He (introduces) says " Paul McCartney is here". Paul stands, and receives applause, etc. Then Jack says " now I will introduce the best bassist in the world, my father in law, Charlie Hayden"! Jack Black dissed a Beatle! Anyone remember this one? |
I agree...Paul McCartney was a great bassist and a songwriter. If you have a chance listen to "Nowhere Man" and you can see how great he was. |
I have to go with Stanley Clarke. |
Chris Squire is the only bass player I know of whose bass line I notice. Somehow he's contributing to the melody. I couldn't tell you what other bass players are doing; somehow they're more hidden in the mix. I don't know if it's Chris' effects or if he's playing higher notes, but he's easier to hear and more a part of the song than most bass players. |
I've started practicing bass and find Chris Squire a great bassist. He supplies solid fundamentals of music and great bass melody. He's one of the best to follow after when learning. |
Flea of the RHCP; Kimo Clark of the Throwdowns. |
I like Chris Squire the best, but I couldn't tell you why. |
My favorite 3 are Jack Bruce and Jaco for their innovative lines and ability to propel the music forward and Tony Levin for his technique and ability to be incredible no matter what group he was playing with. And this will make a lot of you laugh but I picked up a lot of technique from listening to Lee Dorman of Iron Butterfly (I played bass in NJ area bands in the 60's and 70's) . Too bad he didnt have a better band to play with. |
I agree with so many names in this thread, but I'm shocked that Rocco Prestia is only mentioned once. He is one of Jaco's main influences. One of the true innovators of the electric bass.
I love all the love that Chris Squire and Tony Levin get here. |
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Charles Mingus, because he is the most creative. |
Anyone remember the scene from Spinal Tap where they were all playing bass? lololol |
Who ever played bass for Robin Trower because most of the songs really hinged on a bass riff as much as a guitar riff.
Did anyone say John Paul Jones? Some one came close by naming Zepp's drummer. (hehhehe) Anyway I thought JPJ was really great and lent allot to the Zepp sound and I think Jimmy Page at one time addmitted that JPJ had the most musical knowledge in the band, or it was page and jones that did most of the techincal stuff.
Any bass player in a rock trio (as zepp really was because Plant never played anything) needs to really pull double duty as a rythem and bass player. Like someone mentioned M Anthony from Van Halen who was more like playing rymthem guitar and lead bass allot. imo |
i don't believe anyone's mentioned my fave, andy fraser (free). not the most technically proficient player, but among the most unique--he plays bass like a lead guitarist; more melodic than rhythmic, kinda trebly, fast without being flashy. check out "all right now" or "fire and water". i also think paul simonon (clash) is underrecognized--his style is extremely basic, almost primitive, but he's got the dub/white boy reggae feel down; social context and songwriting smarts aside, the clash records always sound great, and i think that throbbing, pulsing bass is the key. |
Notec, Ballance is a great add to this list. Just saw them play and ohmigod. |
Slightly OT, but related.
Richard Thompson has composed a song cycle call "Cabaret of Souls" that is designed to showcase the double bass skills of (unrelated) Danny Thompson. They are touring with a limited # of performances (LA on Nov 19). Fans of the instrument may want to investigate.
Marty |
Laura Ballance of SUPERCHUNK fame. If you've ever seen her play live you know what I mean - her bounce around is better than a Box Furniture Co. D4A rack! |
kimo clark of the throwdowns |
Jaco on Joni Mitchell's Hejira.
Arild Anderson
Gary Peacock on Keith Jarrett Trio Live at the Blue Note
Chris Squire on Close to the Edge
Jeff Berlin |
Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath only mentioned once?
Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine not mentioned at all?
Both of these guys lay down the foundation of their bands. They're a bit like rhythm guitar players.
Rob Trujillo (current Metallica bassist) hasn't been mentioned either.
Others that have been mentioned -
Cliff Burton (hands down favorite) - YouTube "Cliff Burton For Whom the Bell Tolls" to see and hear this guy play. Everyone I showed it to couldn't believe what they saw.
Les Claypool - YouTube "Les Claypool Master of Puppetts"
Flea
John Paul Jones
Another not yet mentioned - Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead |
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Jack Bruce.
Went through all the posts...maybe 2 or 3 votes for Jack Bruce. Add mine to that sadly paltry number.
Amazing interplay with Ginger on live cuts as on Cream's "Goodbye" and "Wheels of Fire". Melodic, rhythmic, imaginative. Not to take anything away from Eric but to my mind they elevated him to another level. Without them, nothing he has done (with maybe the exception of his work on Derek and the Domino's comes close). After Jack remember Felix Pappalardi. Oh, and by the way how 'bout other bass players that can really sing...add Greg Lake. Independent of vocals, add Chris Squire and John Entwistle. Not to say the many others mentioned aren't superb musicians. Just talking personal favorites. |
JAMES JAMERSON - backbone of the Motown sound and one of the original Funk Bros. He taught Jaco how to play, so that ought to tell something about Jamerson. He played electric bass with only his index finger, and called it his "hook". I've never seen anyone play like Jamerson... a true PIONEER. |
good call on Bootsy!, funky bass...especially during his James Brown days |
I vote for Mike Anthony (Van Halen)+ Prince, these guys can really groove! |
God.....doesn't anybody get it.....Bill Wyman, Paul Samwell-Smith, Jack Bruce or John Bonham.... egads.. doesn't anybody get it.....????? What a laugh......
then again I am drunker than shit...listening to the greatest C&W BAND.....notice not singer...that would be Hank Williams,Sr...not that numbn*ts Jr.....but the Rolling Stones...Sweet Virgina...the greatest C&W song since Honky Tonk Blues |
Mark King- Level 42 Cause he's a groove monster and plays intricate bass lines while singing lead. He's so funky. What a soloist
Tom kennedy-Dave Weckl Band- wow!
Victor Wooten- funky and humble
Francis Rocco Prestia- Tower of Power- King of the 16th note groove!
Scott Ambush- Spyro Gyra- Awesome seasoned player!
Spencer Campbell- Judson Spence debut CD- Love this guy! Anyone know what other albums he's on? Very Tasty
Many more but those are off the top of my head |
Listen to Prince's "I HATE YOU", you also realized he's the most talented lyricist besides the most talented multi-instrumentalist.
Louis Johnson also started another group called "Passage", and came out with only one album. Starting bid for my excellent condition album will be $10K because you can't even Google it :)
Talking about "GROOVE", I got 2 more bassists to name: Tower of Power's bassist and Etiene Mbappe on few of Nguyen Le's CDs. |
When it comes to choosing the "best" bass player, well, there is no better time where the phrase "to each his own" is applicable. I am a thirtysomething funkateer, which means my taste may differ a bit that that of a "student" of the instrument. Sure, Jaco, Stanley, Entwistle and Victor (and some other rockers I may have forgot to mention) are the absolute ELITE of their trade; however, there are cats who IIII grew up listening to who put the "UN in between the "F" and the "K" when it came to getting FUNKY....I will list MY favorite FUNK bassists (duh, what else was the instrument created for besides having someone watch or listen to a funky ass bass line with that "PEEE EEEWWW!!!! SOMETHIN' STANKS UP IN HERE!!!!" look on their face? And I DON'T mean just "slappin' and poppin'!!!!)
5. Louis Johnson (The bassist for The Brothers Johnson with a 10" thumb!!!!)
4. Mark Adams (of the 70's superfunkyass group SLAVE and the trademark finger slide on that Jazz Bass)
3. James Jamerson (Of Mowtown fame NO ONE has EVER approached the instrument the way he did!!!!)
2. Larry Graham (The Father)
1. Mr. William BOOTSY Collins (The Son, Innovator, multidimentional Funkateer...The SpaceBassed/Mutron sound remains second to none!)
Oh, that was the top five...The funkiest EVER, EVER, EVER...EV-ER...
Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson....THE Holy Spirit of FUNK.
Yep, PRINCE....This guy has his own style of funkyface creating licks...Let's Work? 777 9311? Kiss (extended version)? Alphabet Street? Face Down (live version)? What's My Name? Joint 2 Joint (solo part)? Sexy Dancer (extended with the solo)? 2 Niggs United 4 West Compton (solo part)? DMSR? What do you want me to do, girl? Irresistable Bitch? Crystal Ball (solo)? Lady Cab Driver???? Last Heart? When playing bass, Prince combines a smooth, funky, rhythmic and soulful approach with the most valued instrument throughout the composition of a song: SPACE. Without the use of overbearing or tone-shaping effect pedals, time after time, he makes my nose cringe, head bob, feet tap and spine tingle with each magical note he funkilly creates. I was sure when I listened to his albums and CD's; I was POSITIVE when I slept outside in 18 degree weather with my brother, had front row seats to one of his concerts and he picked up his axe, walked toward me and started doing his thing right above me with a big grin on his face as I bowed to him with my hands gripping his high heels (that was back in '99 and I STILL haven't washed them yet!!!!) (-; |
George Mraz, Dave Holland, Gary Peacock, and Eberhard Weber. They are my favorite because whenever they are in a trio, quartet, or other any other group, they add daring and direction to the music. There is nothing quite as enjoyable for me as when one of these bass players goes off on a solo within the context of the group. |
Her body of work speaks for itself |
stu hamm,billy sheehan,jeff berlin,i was very fortunate to have seen all 3 of them on the bx3 tour in buffalo,pittsburgh and cleveland within the past year,all of the shows were in very small clubs and they all seemed like they were having a great time playing together,hopefully they will decide to tour again in 2007/2008 |
Mark King (Level 42). He was the reason I started playing bass; great rhythmic slap technique, very quick, but also highly melodic player. |
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How about the women? (Past) Carole Kaye - did most of the Beach Boys recordings in the 60's and quite a bit of Motown, some that James Jamerson got credit for. (Current) Lynn Keller - Diana Ross, Rita Coolidge and many more. |
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*Best line: Slave's Slide; Pleasure's Glide; Azymuth's Dear Limmertz
*Old school but still rule: Louis Johnson
*Was good, but have nothing else to give: Larry Graham, Stanley Clark, Mark King
*Song writers pretend to be bass players: Sting, Paul McCartney
*Worst, should take lesson: Benny Rietveld
*Boring: Dave Holland, Anthony Jackson
*Should change to playing guitar instead of bass: Wayman Tisdale
*Funkiest Tone: Marcus Miller, Jonas Hellborg
*Impressive speed and/or technique but that's all: Brian Bromberg, Victor Wooten
*Extraordinare technique, incredible live: Michael Manring
*Musicality: Richard Bona, Doky Minh, Renaud Garcia Fons
***MY FAVORITE BASS GUITARIST: Alex Malheiros of Azymuth (Brazillian group); CDs that are 20+ years still so sound so emotional today. Never play the same line twice.
***MY FOVORITE GUITARIST: no list, just one guy = Nguyen Le.
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Add Richard Bona to the list, right up near the top. Saw him last night with the Mike Stern band (+ Dennis Chambers & Bob Franceschini), and Bona made everyone sound better. First all-star jazz show I've ever attended that sounded like songs, not solos. If Richard Bona is in the band, don't miss it! |
The bassist from Rammstein, because he looks really cool. |
forgot about Renaud Garcia Fons....skills is out of this world |
I'm going to concentrate on the rock spectrum.
Geddy Lee-Rush
John Entwhistle-Who
Geezer Butler-Sabbath |
Stanley Clarke- tone, skills, works (his early and RTF not his later)
Brian Bromberg- tone,skils, a little less impressed w/ works, just less my style.
Bill Laswell- tone(s), works, variety - he must have put out and been on 50 titles since 2000
Percy Jones- tone, skills ,works- but not "his" works - prefer Brand X and Nova Vimana, which is now on CD
Renaud Garcia Fons- tone , skills - only heard him on a few albums but he is unbelievable! Best bowed solo I ever heard on Nguyen Le's "Bakida" album....forget which track....
ET |
Basic choices, nothing too esoteric here. I love "The Ox", Chris Squire, Billy Wyman and one of the guys in the Fab Four. All very melodic. Lesh is really good too-very powerful lines. Berry Oakley was amazing. |
