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jbpf · December 21st, 2003, 10:16 PM

When asked about popular bass players, the usual people came to mind; Flea, Less Claypool, etc. But my question for all of you is:

Out of all the popular bassists in recent history, which one do you have the most respect for and why?

Just some food for thought....

John Harrison · December 21st, 2003, 10:53 PM

...on one's definition of "recent history".
Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, "Duck" Dunn, John Entwhistle, Jack Cassady, Leland Sklar, Stanley Clarke, and Jaco Pastorius, if we're including 60's and on.
Today's crop of bassists, with guys like Victor Wooten, Michael Manring, Otiel Burbridge, Dave LaRue, Roscoe Beck, Tony Levin, etc. is hard to beat. Manring just did a clinic, here, that left everyone breathless.
I'm also a fan of the less flashy, in the pocket players, like Willie Weeks and the late, great, Allen Woody.
Despite all his obvious chops, Les Claypool is one I just don't get.

Tim Armstrong · December 22nd, 2003, 01:52 AM

John, you just wrote my post for me, nothing to add!

Cheers, Tim

LarryPlayfair · December 26th, 2003, 10:40 AM

The most underrappreciated bassist of the last 25 years has got to be Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello and The Attractions). He comes from a very James Jamerson-esque place, but can straighten it out to actually sound like a rock bassist...as opposed to a funk bassist in a rock band. Pick up "Get Happy," "Armed Forces," and/or "This Year's Model" to see what I mean.

Other than that, check out Willie Weeks. He was another Motown guy that sorta fell into Jamerson's shadows but grooves hard. Best example is probably "Donnie Hathaway- Live." He's also on a number of Stevie Wonder records around the mid-70's too.

Also, listen to Paul Chambers...jazz upright player. He's basically on most of important jazz records throughout the 50's and pre-fusion 60's...notably "Kind of Blue" and "Giant Steps."

Looks like most of these names might fall out the "recent history" category, but you'd be hard pressed to find better bass playing that these dude.

Oster · December 26th, 2003, 02:35 PM

Phil Lesh.

iluvblackfrancis · December 27th, 2003, 06:05 PM

Kim Deal...just a good song writer.

Big Tony · December 28th, 2003, 08:02 PM

Two of my favourite bass players are Willie Weeks (on Donny Hathaway's "Live"), and Johnny B. Gayden (on a number of Albert Collins' CDs). Why? Because their groove is so deep.

Dennis_UK · December 29th, 2003, 08:17 AM

...just don't play bass any more. Stanley Clarke sure doesn't. Spends so much time playing "piccolo bass" (yeah, right Stan...) that he's hired...a bass player to actually play the bass. Now that's losing your way...

Jaco? Wonderful. Flea? Never heard any. Victor Wooten/ Les Claypool/etc? Never heard any. One of the greatest/worst things about bass players is that the ones who are truly the best are very often never heard of by anyone, because 'all' they do is keep the music going!

Don't get me wrong, Stan the Man is a great technician, and his first album is to die for, but all else seems way off the mark to me. But then I firmly believe that bass is not a 'lead' instrument. It's a foundation instrument, to give the rest something good and rythmic to work with and on top of, and the best at doing that rarely get any recognition, even from other musicians.

Do you sense I'm a little embittered here? Well, maybe just a little!
Rant over, and MHO as always!

:)
PS Oh, and by the way, I've never rated Jack Bruce much either, except as a songwriter. Deeply uninspirational bass.

Tim Armstrong · December 29th, 2003, 09:30 AM

Gordon Sumner...also known as Sting! He gets a lot more attention for his singing, but I really dug his playing with the Police. The guy is a hell of a musician (even if his music over the last decade has been a little less interesting...).

Cheers, Tim

Dennis_UK · December 29th, 2003, 02:09 PM

He's a good'n.

December 21st, 2003, 10:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
jbpf NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: MA Posts: 6	Just out of curiosity.... When asked about popular bass players, the usual people came to mind; Flea, Less Claypool, etc. But my question for all of you is: Out of all the popular bassists in recent history, which one do you have the most respect for and why? Just some food for thought.... __________________ "The day that I die will be the day that I shut my mouth and put down my guitar."

December 21st, 2003, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
John Harrison Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 1,045	Depends... ...on one's definition of "recent history". Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, "Duck" Dunn, John Entwhistle, Jack Cassady, Leland Sklar, Stanley Clarke, and Jaco Pastorius, if we're including 60's and on. Today's crop of bassists, with guys like Victor Wooten, Michael Manring, Otiel Burbridge, Dave LaRue, Roscoe Beck, Tony Levin, etc. is hard to beat. Manring just did a clinic, here, that left everyone breathless. I'm also a fan of the less flashy, in the pocket players, like Willie Weeks and the late, great, Allen Woody. Despite all his obvious chops, Les Claypool is one I just don't get.

December 22nd, 2003, 01:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,151	Yep indeedy! John, you just wrote my post for me, nothing to add! Cheers, Tim

December 26th, 2003, 10:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
LarryPlayfair TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 10	hmm... The most underrappreciated bassist of the last 25 years has got to be Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello and The Attractions). He comes from a very James Jamerson-esque place, but can straighten it out to actually sound like a rock bassist...as opposed to a funk bassist in a rock band. Pick up "Get Happy," "Armed Forces," and/or "This Year's Model" to see what I mean. Other than that, check out Willie Weeks. He was another Motown guy that sorta fell into Jamerson's shadows but grooves hard. Best example is probably "Donnie Hathaway- Live." He's also on a number of Stevie Wonder records around the mid-70's too. Also, listen to Paul Chambers...jazz upright player. He's basically on most of important jazz records throughout the 50's and pre-fusion 60's...notably "Kind of Blue" and "Giant Steps." Looks like most of these names might fall out the "recent history" category, but you'd be hard pressed to find better bass playing that these dude.

December 26th, 2003, 02:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Latveria Age: 40 Posts: 2,855	None More Recent Phil Lesh. __________________ Cassowary!

December 27th, 2003, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
iluvblackfrancis Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: california Posts: 208	Kim Deal...just a good song writer. __________________ Take my hand, I'm shaking like milk.

December 28th, 2003, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Big Tony Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sweden, by golly! Age: 54 Posts: 2,752 29 Photos	Groovin' Two of my favourite bass players are Willie Weeks (on Donny Hathaway's "Live"), and Johnny B. Gayden (on a number of Albert Collins' CDs). Why? Because their groove is so deep.

December 29th, 2003, 08:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dennis_UK Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calstock, Cornwall, UK Age: 56 Posts: 715	Too many of the so-called 'good' bass players... ...just don't play bass any more. Stanley Clarke sure doesn't. Spends so much time playing "piccolo bass" (yeah, right Stan...) that he's hired...a bass player to actually play the bass. Now that's losing your way... Jaco? Wonderful. Flea? Never heard any. Victor Wooten/ Les Claypool/etc? Never heard any. One of the greatest/worst things about bass players is that the ones who are truly the best are very often never heard of by anyone, because 'all' they do is keep the music going! Don't get me wrong, Stan the Man is a great technician, and his first album is to die for, but all else seems way off the mark to me. But then I firmly believe that bass is not a 'lead' instrument. It's a foundation instrument, to give the rest something good and rythmic to work with and on top of, and the best at doing that rarely get any recognition, even from other musicians. Do you sense I'm a little embittered here? Well, maybe just a little! Rant over, and MHO as always! :) PS Oh, and by the way, I've never rated Jack Bruce much either, except as a songwriter. Deeply uninspirational bass. __________________ Fender MIM Precision, all black, 2004. Fender MIJ Precision, '51 RI, Butterscotch, 1996. Squier VM Precision TB, 3TS, 2007 Markbass CMD121H 1x12 combo plus 1x12 ext cab My band: The Rock'nRoll Outlaws

December 29th, 2003, 09:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,151	Gordon Sumner! Gordon Sumner...also known as Sting! He gets a lot more attention for his singing, but I really dug his playing with the Police. The guy is a hell of a musician (even if his music over the last decade has been a little less interesting...). Cheers, Tim

December 29th, 2003, 02:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dennis_UK Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calstock, Cornwall, UK Age: 56 Posts: 715	Yup, Sting. He's a good'n. __________________ Fender MIM Precision, all black, 2004. Fender MIJ Precision, '51 RI, Butterscotch, 1996. Squier VM Precision TB, 3TS, 2007 Markbass CMD121H 1x12 combo plus 1x12 ext cab My band: The Rock'nRoll Outlaws

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