Opinions of Bass Players.

Subject: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Rodney Goldlips
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 05:05 PM

Hey there Bass Players and Fans of the world! Just want to get some lists going, what are all your top 10 Bass Players?

This is not a competition, just a personal list. Mine is no better than yours, yours is no better than the next guys.

1: Noel Redding
2: Paul McCartney
3: Andy Rourke - The Smiths
4: Roger Waters
5: Gary (Mani) Mounfield - The Stone Roses
6: Billy Cox - Band of Gypsy's
7: Ben Kenney - The Roots and Incubus
8: Paul Ryder - The Happy Mondays
9: Ash McCormack - The Solar Vibes
10: Bill Wyman

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Girl Friday
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 06:08 PM

Do dead ones count? What about John Entwhistle in second place?

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 06:27 PM

For me certainly Jack Bruce at number one. And another vote for Entwhistle.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Chris Green
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 06:36 PM

For sheer ability and technique, Jaco Pastorius was the best. John Entwistle should be on there as well, definitely. But BILL WYMAN?! He was only marginally better than Sid Vicious!

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Bob Hitchcock
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 06:56 PM

OK here are some of my favorites,

Lee Sklar
Jack Bruce
Jorge Calderon
Jaco
John Entwistle
Victor Wooton
Keter Betts
Ray Brown

Give me a few days and I'll come up with a few more.....


Bob.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 07:03 PM

Renaud Garcia-Fons
Barry Guy
Charles Mingus
Peter Eri (the only folk bass player mentioned so far)

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 07:12 PM

Any good player is an artist of highest esteem on upright bass!

The best acoustic instrument in the world!

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 08:12 PM

In no particular order...

John Entwhistle
John Paul Jones
Jaco Pastorius
John Pattituci
Flea
Mary Kaye
Tony Levin
Leeland Sklar
Tommy Shannon
James Jamerson
Ray Brown
Charles Mingus
Victor Wooten
Duck Dunn
Bill Wyman

Some because they were amazng improvisors, composers, and well rounded musicians, others because they did so much with so little.

The guy [Pederson (sp?)] who played with Oscar Peterson for a time really turned me on in my teens.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 11:03 PM

James Jamerson...at least I think that was his name. He did all the bass on the early Motown sessions. Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, etc. He's playing on 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'...one of my favorite bass lines. His son put out a book of his parts about 20 years ago. May still be in print.

Fred Martin...plays w/the Famous Unknowns. Formerly of the Tommy Riggs band and Exile. Longtime top-drawer Nashville/Branson session guy. Lives in Arkansas. Kills, absolutely kills.

John Paul Jones...the bass line in 'Ramble On' is another favorite of mine. Have always thought he's very underrated.

Stanley Clarke...just the name is enough.

Alphonso Johnson...saw him w/George Duke, Billy Cobham and John Scofield. Have been a fan ever since.

Bill Wyman...always in the pocket, always chewing gum, always thumpin' on the 1 and 3 w/Charlie. Less is more.

Chuck Sanders...played w/Maynard Ferguson, Don Ellis and in later years Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass. Very melodic, fluid, almost sinewy style. Kinda like Mark Knofler's guitar playing. A total original and a gifted musician.

Erin Snyder...Bass player in the all female bluegrass band 'The Bushwackers'. Also, plays cello. 6 ft tall and plays 'doghouse bass' the way it's supposed to be played. Fell asleep in her bass gigbag at a party once w/her bass laying next to her on the floor. She's a legend in western PA.

Irma...don't know her last name, but she's at least 85 years old and plays w/the Retreads every Thursday night at the Senior Center in Dickson, TN. Rock solid and never smiles...just holds it down for the fiddler and the caller. I think she's a national treasure.

Paul McCartney...his early keyboard training had a huge impact on his overall musicianship. Nobody played bass like him until...well him. Didn't really appreciate his playing until my son got me the BBC cd set and you could really hear the bass.

Honorable mention...Dave Burke of 'The Choir'. They had a regional hit w/a song called 'It's Cold Outside'. Get a copy and listen to the bassline...he was 16 at the time.   Ray Brown, Will Lee, Jaco, Noel Redding...there's a ton.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Muttley
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 12:53 AM

Well,if you can't play music - you play drums - if ya can't play them: pick up a Bass!!!

Old saying

Muttley

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 03:04 AM

Danny Thompson
Duck Dunn
James Jamerson
Charlie Mingus
Bill Black
Colin Hodgkinson
Sam Jones

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: jiva
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 04:17 AM

Danny Thompson
Leeland Sklar

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 06:48 AM

I went to see Toto in concert last night & their regular bassist Mike Porcaro was unable to play due to a hand injury so Leeland Sklar filled in! What a replacement! As Steve Lukather said "If you think his beard's rough, you ought to see his anal hairs!"

Apart from the above pair(both amazing players) I very much enjoy the bass work of Bruce Hall, Dave Pegg, John Wetton, Rick Kemp & Tony Rogerson.

I was thinking about Ashley Hutchings, as I read this thread. I'm a huge fan of pretty much everything he's done, but without recourse to a music machine, I can't recall much about his bass style. Isn't that dreadful?

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:14 AM

Tea chest bass - guy in the Please yourself Skiffle Band
Also - the guy who recorded with Geof Muldaur - Fritz Richmond?

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:19 AM

Dave Bowie - once of my band Pearl Divers, now playing with Burden of Paradise (with Helen Watson, Snake Davis and Mark Creswell) and Sketch (with Maggie Boyle and Gary Boyle).

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Bee
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:19 AM

Last summer, late at night in the far reaches of a Bluegrass festival field, I saw and heard a collection of Cape Breton campers playing together. The upright bass player was a smallish woman around thirty. She played that huge instrument like it was her dancing partner, leaning in, then away, giving it a little twirl, stepping around it. I've never seen such an energetic interaction with a bass - hope to see her and her crew again this summer.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: bassen
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:32 AM

Mooh: That would be Niels Henning Ørsted-Pedersen. And I might be so bold as to toss in the name Arild Andersen just to increase the European/jazz contingent a smidgen...

Bassen

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:53 AM

bassen...Yes! (I was too lazy to look it up.) Thanks. Somehow he managed to keep out of the way of Peterson's left hand and still play brilliantly.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: dj bass
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 08:01 AM

Danny Thompson, without a doubt, is the best double bass player of interest to most people on this forum although there are of course bassists in other genres than folk who are technically better. I have twice been privileged to spend a few days with him. He is not only a great player, he is a top bloke too.

Ben Nicholls who plays for Seth Lakeman and Cara Dillon is also very good but nowhere near as good as Danny.

Carol Kaye is an excellent bass guitarist, having played on recordings such as Good Vibrations (indeed many Beach Boys records) but she mainly works in pop, rock and jazz.

I am a pretty average double bass player, but I love playing all the same.

dj

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 08:40 AM

Why has no one mentioned Bob Pegg? One of the anchors of the English folk-rock.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 09:21 AM

Dick Kniss and Fritz Richmond (already cited)

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 09:22 AM

2 British blues bassists who haven't been mentioned: George Pearson (Sonny Black, John Pearson etc) and Pete Stroud (Peter Green's Splinter Group, Chuck Farley and Papa George)

RtS

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 09:27 AM

Oh - and of course Miranda Sykes and Vicki Swan!

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 10:38 AM

No bass players have ever offered me their opinion!!!

More seriously...
Many above seem to name bass players from their fave bands etc
Some may not neccessarliy have been 'great' bass players (technically) - but nevertheless made all the right noises to push buttons to suit taste.
One of my fave ever bands was Wishbone Ash - much as I loved their (early) output, I would still hesitate to call Martin Turner a superb bass player - he just did the perfect job with that particular material.
Is this making sense?
But, to stick a few 'faves' up there alongside everyone elses....

Stand up bass....
Danny Thompson
David Bowie (I'm with you on that choice Tom!)

Leccie bass....
Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Hatfield & the North, Camel)
Glen Cornick (Jethro Tull)

Cheers! - Duncan

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 11:13 AM

Remember Maggie Holland of Hot Vultures and Chas Chandler of The Animals......

And of course the man.... Jet Harris of The Shadows

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,guest Tim
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 11:35 AM

Hasn't anyone on this board heard Bob Moore, legendary bass man in Nashville for 50+ years? Has played about every kind and style of music there is. Still going strong.
I would rate him in the top 5 bass players of all time.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 12:05 PM

Carole Kaye, that's how I meant...LOL. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,M.Ted
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 12:10 PM

Larry Graham, who pretty much invented slap bass, Jimmy Blanton, who made the bass a solo instrument in the first place, and Brian Wilson, who Paul McCartney copied--

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 01:39 PM

I was going to be the first to name the great folk-music icon Fritz Richmond, but he finally got a mention, and quickly a second, about 3/4 of the way down the list. He could take either the jug or the washtub and play as musicianly as bass part as anyone else could produce using a "real" instrument.

Fritz, who only recently passed away, also gets points for having been the first public figure to sport "granny-glasses"-style shades, creating a very striking bit of bohemian sartorial style that was later popularized world-wide by John Lennon and others.

Of course, the washtub bass is a string instrument, roughly equivalent to a bass fiddle or bass guitar, while the jug is a wind instrument not terribly unlike the tuba/sousaphone. Fritz could lay down an irresitible groove with either one.

And speaking of the bass horn, I have to mention the many terrific sousaphone ("tuba") players working in the reborn New Orleans brass-band tradition. Phil Frazier (co-founder of the Dirty Dozen) was the first real innovator to emerge back in the 80s, and today there are too many outstanding "sousaphunk" players to count.

Also from New Orleans, James Singleton is a master of both the (jazz) acoustic bass fiddle and the (jazz/rock/funk/world) elecric bass guitar. Some of his most outstanding jazz work can be heard as a member of Astral Project, but he has always done a lot of outside "sideman" work with all kinds of musicians of every genre. Often, but not always, his Astral Project bandmate, drummer Johnny Vidocavich, goes along with him as a "package deal." Professor Longhair's posthumous "Crawfish Fiesta" album is a good example of this peerless rhythm section at their best.

The other great contemporary New Orleans master bass player, a little more on the rock/funk/soul side, is George Porter Jr., of the Meters ~ both the original quartet and the reborn "funky Meters" ~ and countless other projects including his own eponymous band.

Finally, mention of the Meters reminds me of their better-known contemporaries, another studio-based "house band" quartet with the same instrumentation (organ/guitar,bass/drums), Booker T and the MGs. Bass players don't come much better than Donald "Duck" Dunn.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 08:02 PM

Many a recording and music session has been ruined by the bass player in my opinion. Someone who really adds to a performance with a bass is Missy Raines.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Riverman
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 11:19 AM

OK, I'm a bass player and I'd have to give honourable mentions to

Macca (Listen to 'Rain' [although much of that sound has to do with the tape being slowed down]);
Victor Wooton for sure;
Les Claypool (done some downhome stuff with Tom Waits as well as his Primus bass fireworks);
Jaco is the man;
Carole Kaye, winner of best CV.
Danny Thompson without question
Edgar Meyer, really really amazing double bass player of Jerry Douglas fame.

And some unsung sessioney type people...

Alan Thomson (John Martyn, Then Came the Wheel)
Michael Brook (great guitarist, great bass player. So smooth)

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: oggie
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 01:06 PM

Most of mine have been mentioned but here's a couple :-

Brady Blade, bassist with Emmylou Harris' Spyboy and for Daniel Lanois. He and Darryl Johnson form an awsesome rhythm section.

Billy Sheehan - I know he gave us Mr Big and bass histrionics but his jazz work with his trio "Niacin" is worth listening to

OK - not a couple but a trio - Matt Bissonette. Sessions muso played with loads of different people of different genres as diverse as Joe Satriani and ELO (often forms a rhythm section with his brother Greg). Thanks to the wonders of the Internet he'll even do basslines for your CD if you meet his fee (serious enquiries only acoording to his website)

All the best

Steve Ogden

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Les from Hull
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 05:02 PM

I was thinking only of bass guitarists (of whose illustrious number I am but one). I'm still with Jack Bruce on that one. His 'Songs for a Tailor' with its ridiculous time signatures showed what the instrument is capable in the hands of a master. And I remember listening to Cream with friends who would say 'amazing Clapton guitar solo' and thinking 'no, all three are playing solos together'.

But for string bass I really like Danny Thompson's playing. He's always been brilliant, especially in Pentangle bouncing around with the other instrumentalists.

But for most music bass players don't need to be nearly so clever, hopefully just tasteful.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:25 PM

I quite liked Mr Big...

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:34 PM

Phew!!!!!!!


For a second there I thought someone might have an interest in the opinions of bass players ...

I am likewise reassured that pigs don't fly, bears don't hire portaloos for use on open spaces, and the Pope isn't Protestant.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:38 PM

I'm rather surprised, on a "folk music" centred site, no one has mentioned Ashley Hutchings.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Padre
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:44 PM

Oscar Pettiford
Charlie Mingus
Milt Hinton
Ray Brown
Bill Lee

All played the acoustic upright [bass fiddle]

Fritz Richmond - the premier washtub bass player

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 07:56 AM

Lard t'underin' Jay-sus, lads. All this long list of (very fine) bassists and NO-ONE has yet mentioned David Woodhead?! Give yer heads a shake!

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 08:17 AM

Missy Raines, IBMA bass player of the year many times, is the best bass player I've ever heard or seen. Period. She is absolutely amazing.

Jason Moore, of the band Mountain Heart, is also wonderful.

Jonathan Shaw (OK, my son) is unknown but probably one of the best bass player you will ever run into anywhere, acoustic or electric.

Have to agree also about Edgar Meyer and Victor Wooten. When Jonathan first heard Meyer, he said "burn the bass."

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 08:53 AM

Jeremiah...Yeah! Woodhead. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: s&r
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 04:18 AM

Brian Torff blew us away a few years ago, playing in a duo with George Shearing. Best string bass player I've ever seen try this

Stu

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 06:48 AM

I've always been impressed when I've seen Dave Pegg playing with either Fairport or with Richard Thompson. The interaction of the guitar and bass on the Bob Fox and Stu Luckley recordings was something I liked as well.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: BanjoRay
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 07:36 AM

For Old Time music - Meredith Mackintosh of the Rockinghams etc and Janice Birchfield (washtub) of the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers. Both totally Rock Solid.
Also Mark Schatz

Danny Thompson for any genre.

Ray

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:14 AM

An aside here...

I would have killed for a bass player last night! It was a St. Pat's Day pickup gig with a button accordian, fiddle, guitars (me), and occassional percussion. The gig was a huge success, but a tasteful and sympathetic bass player would have been sweet.

Is it just me and my rock sensibilities, or is there a distinct lack of bass in folk/trad music?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Bass Man Dan Conchappie
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 12:03 PM

I'd say my favs are:-

Larry Graham (the inventor of slap bass and the double thump)
Victor Wooten (the perfector of the double thump)
Prince ( the disiple of larry graham)
Jaco pastoriez (the god of bass harmonics)
Stanley Clark ( he's just the man)
Marcus Miller (Genius)
Boosey Collins ( he's Star bass is awsome)
Mark King (Proves that britain is just as good playing slap bass)
Flea (chili's rule)
Steve Bailey (genius at the artifial harmonics)
Daniel Christian (Young but almost a master)

there are many more but i can't think of them at the moment

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 01:02 PM

There are two schools of bass playing: First, the down-in-the-groove bass guys who stick to the basic rhythm line, like Bill Wyman and Mitch Mitchell. Second, the bass soloists, who take the bass out front as an individual sound within the band, like Jack Bruce and Flea. Both groups have their champs, but I'll tell you one thing. Bands with a soloist bass player had better have a rock-steady drummer, rhythm guitar, or both to avoid total confusion.
Here are my ten favorites of both schools

Mark Andes...pioneering rhythmic bass work with Spirit.
Jack Bruce...his bass became competition for Clapton, forcing Clapton to take some chances he no longer takes. There was also the constant possibility of chaos, as Ginger Baker was also a soloist drummer.
Paul McCartney...Really walked the line between rhythm and solo bass playing, but was a great innovator while always keeping the melody propelled.
Jack Cassidy...his relationship with Jorma Kaukonen in Jefferson Airplane was similar to the Bruce-Clapton dynamic. Cassidy always had just a relentless drive in his playing.
Phil Lesh... a tendency for over-the-edge experimentation to the point that his bass sounds often like some other instrument. Still, terrific and unique.
Kenny Gradney...Little Feat's bass player had a groove second to none, always solid and in the pocket.
Flea...very innovative and rhythmic at the same time. At times his bass sounds trebly like a lead guitar, but without sacrificing the bottom somehow.
John Entwistle...the King of the solo bassists, the perfect counterpart to Townshend and Moon.
Jim Boquist...the original bass player for Jay Farrar and Son Volt always kept the band's sound cemented together, and is as versatile as they come, comfortable with everything from playing a country shuffle to a driving riff.
and finally, Brian Ferry...yes, I know he's not even a bass player, but Roxy Music had the most consistent and effective bass lines in their songs of almost any band, and they used numerous bass players. With Ferry's domination of the group, I have to figure they were coming from him.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 07:22 PM

"a tasteful and sympathetic bass player"

That sounds like asking for "a tasteful and sympathetic bodhran player". They do exist, I know, but...

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:13 PM

can we establish once and for all that there is no such thing as a bass guitar ? (well actually there is, but AFAIK Jet Harris was the only player who ever used one)

if the thing has a long neck, four thick strings, and four knobs at the sharp end, then it is an "Electric bass" and not a "Bass guitar "

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:29 PM

From Google: "Results 1 - 10 of about 32,100,000 for bass guitar."

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:41 PM

32,100,000 to one.

the kind of odds I like ...

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 07:10 AM

What? I've seen a few bass guitars. They were totally acoustic and had 4 thick strings. Not exactly a perfect (or even good, in my opinion) replacement for an upright double bass, but occasionally showing up in a bluegrass jam and played as a bass. Or am I missing the point?

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Mooh
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:31 AM

Murray...I can see your point, but the music industry (it would appear) doesn't agree. Electric or acoustic, long or short scale, guitar shaped, too often played guitar-like, marketed as bass guitar to the guitar-centric world, tuned usually EADG (low-high) is a bass guitar. Just as there are tenor, terz, baritone, and banjo-guitars. It's a guitar centric world! Guitar, guitar, guitar!

As a mostly fretless 5 string electric bassist, it is sometimes tiring to always explain that I'm not playing guitar! But if the same folks actually see me playing guitar (happens all the time) who can blame them for the confusion?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Scoville
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:38 AM

What if it's neither four-stringed nor electric?

"Guitarrón" means "great big guitar" in Spanish, by the way. Since it's not an English term and this is not an instrument commonly--ever?--used in U.S. genres, I'm assuming the mariachis know what they're talking about. It plays the bass part (I've never seen a mariachi band around here with a doghouse bass, and never with anything electric), and it's called the "great big guitar".

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Scoville
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:42 AM

And I don't really follow bassists a lot but

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:45 AM

Paul MacCartney once said, the thing is you grow to look like your dog. That's why its always fat kids who play the bass.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Scoville
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 09:52 AM

Now, around here, my observation is that the mandolin player is always the biggest guy in the band, and the bassist is often smallest (frequently a woman, and never a big woman). The mandolin players are all 300 pounds, have fingers like sausages, and look like they're strumming away on one of those little wooden paddle ice-cream spoons, and half the bassists I know need step-stools.

* * * * *

WTF--where did the rest of my other post go??

That kid on the left is a Hell of a bassist. He's still in college, too, so he can't be more than 20 or 21. Pretty amazing.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: pdq
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 11:08 AM

Tex-Mex fans will recognise the...

"Baja sexto ~ (Spanish) an acoustic bass guitar, with six pairs of strings, that resembles a twelve-string guitar tuned an octave lower. The heavy gauge strings generate a large string tension, yet the guitar is built relatively lightly. The baja sexto began to be used in Texas in the 1920s with the rise of 'Tex-Mex' music. The standard tuning is: E-e-A-a-D-d-G-g-C-c-F-f (capital letters are an octave below the smaller letters)."

There is also a 6-string jumbo-sized guitar that is tuned an octive lower than standard guitars. It can be used in folk and bluegrass, especially if it is not convenient to carry around a full-sized "dog house bass".

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 06:02 AM

Last week we went to see the Manfreds (Jazz, Blues and Hits tour)and I was impressed by Marcus Cliffe (ex-Mark Knopfler band) playing 5- and 6- string bass guitars (I'd never seen anyone playing a 6-er bass before). Interesting that Tom McGuiness playing guitar (as he does in the Blues Band) played bass in the original Manfred Mann group. Then again Mike Hug, on keys with the Manfreds, used to play drums with Manfred Mann. Paul Jones fronted, still looking 20 years younger than me though we're about the same age. Herself, always a fan, thought his hair colour was sus though!

RtS
PS the usual suspects (Tom, Paul, Manfred, Hughie Flint) cropped up on BBC4 tv last night in programmes on Long John Baldry, John Mayall and Rock Family Trees (on the 60s R& B revival).

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 09:38 AM

....and if we include one-string broomhandle washtub/tea-chest guys how about Dewey Corley?

RtS

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: eddie1
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 11:33 AM

Danny Thompson has laid down a rock-steady bass for a lot of people with just the right amount of ornamentation where appropriate.

Mickey Ashman (Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group) added a lot to Lonnie's earlier (and best) recordings.

Bob Haggart (Bob Crosby's Bobcats) A must hear is "Big Noise From Winnetka" with him and drummer Ray Bauduc(sp?

Eddie

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Den
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 11:50 AM

What no Pino Palladino, Jeff Berlin, Neil Murray, Andy West or Peter "Mars" Cowling. If your going to mention Bill Wyman how can you ignore Geezer Butler. For me its Jaco all the way.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Dave of Mawkin
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 10:20 PM

Jaco!

Some local favourites for me- Seth Govan, Joshua Graham, Danny Crump.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,282RA
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:48 PM

Percy Jones (Brand X)
Mick Karn (Japan)
Pino Palladino
James Jamerson
Les Claypool
Ray Shulman (Gentle Giant)
James Hughart
Larry Graham
Sir Paul
Roscoe Gee
Greg Lake

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,282RA
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:52 PM

Hard to leave out Pastorius and Victor Wooten.

Btw, I play a '77 Fender fretted P-bass and a Schecter fretless 5-string active bass. I've owned other basses but no longer have them. My face was a beautiful fretless 4-string Rickenbacker I got in mint condition but used for $300!!!! Incredible bass, unbelievable. And some rotten sonofabitch stole it. I'd like to kill him except he's already dead.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GLoux
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 09:39 AM

I agree with many of the names posted, but I have add one more...

Tyrone Brown

I saw him with his Big Band backing up a choir with DeVonne Gardner doing selections from Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts and he blew me away...upright bass...truly amazing and tasteful. DeVonne Gardner used to sing with the Duke and his band until his passing.

Check him out...
-Greg

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,rushfan75
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 10:27 AM

Of course, everybody has an opinion, but when a list of greatest bass players comes up, and GEDDY LEE from RUSH is not mentioned, it seems nobody knows what they are talking about........Paul McCartney??????? If he wasn't in The Beatles, he wouldn't be considered anywhere on this list.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 10:49 AM

..Herbie Flowers !!!!!???

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 09:34 PM

I assumed this was either for everyone to give their 'opinions' (ie vent their spleen) about bass players or for bass players to give their 'opinions' of everyone else. Where are the vicious attacks? Where's the musical sectarianism people? Should I start everyone off?

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,282RA
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 09:38 PM

Herbie Flowers is great. I first remember hearing him playing bass on Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into the Fire." Then it was "Walk on the Wild Side" with Lou Reed. As soon as I heard David Essex doing "Rock On" I knew that was Flowers on the bass.

I guess nowadays he only plays jazz. OF course with the rock I hear today I can't much blame him.

>>Paul McCartney??????? If he wasn't in The Beatles, he wouldn't be considered anywhere on this list.<<

??????? Duh.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 09:54 PM

I find Geddy Lee's voice so irritating and his songs so lame that anything he's doing on the bass is buried in the general crappiness of Rush.

Subject: RE: Opinions of Bass Players.
From: GUEST,worker
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 10:26 PM

I recall reading in Frank Zappa's autobiogrphy "The Real Frank Zappa Book" he stated a bass player is a failed guitarist. It was humorous if not outright hilarious reading, but I can't say I agree.

My list on the best bass players are:

Jaco Pastorious
Stanley Clarke
Jack Bruce
Charlie Mingus
Charlie Hayden