picker Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 THIS is a bit of a disillusionment for me. I love this song and bass line, always have. But taken out of the context of the song, wow, what a crapola performance! Some the little in-between licks are so ridiculous they made me laugh, the timing is sloppy in places, and I think the low E string is out of tune! Not to mention, that is one of the least appealing bass tones I've ever heard. Even more amazing is how good it sounds in context with with the song. I wonder if that is due to George Martin's mixing, or just the rest of the instruments masking the parts I'm talking about? After seeing the rehearsal sessions in the Let It Be film, I said "if the Beatles can all sound that bad, there's hope for me!" After hearing this, I'm saying that again. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plangentmusic Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 THIS is a bit of a disillusionment for me. I love this song and bass line, always have. But taken out of the context of the song, wow, what a crapola performance! Some the little in-between licks are so ridiculous they made me laugh, the timing is sloppy in places, and I think the low E string is out of tune! Not to mention, that is one of the least appealing bass tones I've ever heard. Even more amazing is how good it sounds in context with with the song. I wonder if that is due to George Martin's mixing, or just the rest of the instruments masking the parts I'm talking about? After seeing the rehearsal sessions in the Let It Be film, I said "if the Beatles can all sound that bad, there's hope for me!" After hearing this, I'm saying that again. Yeah, except that it all works and sounds great because they know how to blend tones, they're incredibly talented, are amazing composers and understand melody, harmony and commercial appeal far beyond most everyone. You may want to take that into account the next time you compare yourself to them. : ) JAZZ UN-STANDARDS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vE4FoJ4Cr4&feature=related DON'T FEAR...THE REVERB! 60's Instrumentals with MORE BASS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plangentmusic Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 THIS is a bit of a disillusionment for me. I love this song and bass line, always have. But taken out of the context of the song, wow, what a crapola performance! Some the little in-between licks are so ridiculous they made me laugh, the timing is sloppy in places, and I think the low E string is out of tune! Not to mention, that is one of the least appealing bass tones I've ever heard. Even more amazing is how good it sounds in context with with the song. I wonder if that is due to George Martin's mixing, or just the rest of the instruments masking the parts I'm talking about? After seeing the rehearsal sessions in the Let It Be film, I said "if the Beatles can all sound that bad, there's hope for me!" After hearing this, I'm saying that again. Yeah, except that it all works and sounds great because they know how to blend tones, they're incredibly talented, are amazing composers and understand melody, harmony and commercial appeal far beyond most everyone. You may want to take that into account the next time you compare yourself to them. : ) Seriously, I think it's just all from a time where little inconsistences weren't as big a deal. Then again, they had great songs. That helps too. JAZZ UN-STANDARDS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vE4FoJ4Cr4&feature=related DON'T FEAR...THE REVERB! 60's Instrumentals with MORE BASS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 You can say that again. Oh wait, you did. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Sounds like a short scale Hofner to me. You know it's funny I've heard a lot of isolated tracks from a number of people and they all for the most part sound a little unimpressive. Even some of Jamersons lines. These weren't meant to be solo pieces though. You hear them with the song and thats when the genius of these lines and the the mastery of the engineering shines! One piece of a puzzle is unremarkable but you add the rest and you have the complete picture. Same thing. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I just listened to it--one of my favorite lines--and I don't really understand your visceral reaction. Is it perfect? No, but so what? It's like criticizing Jackson Pollock because he spilled a few drops of paint. Haven't you ever heard an isolated vocal track and thought it was a little off? The line isn't a bass solo, it's supposed to be heard in the context of the mix and the song. I think it works great. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 My Jazz Bass sounds like "meh" all by itself, but when you hear it in the mix it fits so good. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 The backstory I've heard surrounding "I want you" is that it was one of the songs that came from the Let it Be sessions, but it didn't make the album. The Beatles had been rehearsing the song along with a couple of others from Abbey Road like "Octopus's Garden" and "Oh Darling" which you can see in the Let it Be film. Ultimately that album was nearly abandoned, but Phil Spector was brought in with the hopes of resurrecting that record which would later be released after Abbey Road. For pretty much all of the Let it Be sessions McCartney was playing the Hofner when he played bass, even though you can see his Rick in the background in some shots. The Hofner was somewhat notorious for having intonation issues, and it's very likely the bass that Macca used to record "I want you". For the most part, the groove and riff are easy to play. But the fills are pretty insane. I honestly don't think the bass part would hold up well to being soloed. It works really well in the context of the track though. And that's what recording is ultimately about: where does the bass sit in the mix, and how does it work in the context of the overall arrangement? Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russkull Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I've always thought of this song as intentionally gritty and kind-of sloppy anyway. It's like they worked hard to make it sound like they just threw it together. Or maybe they did just throw it together... But the fills are pretty insane. Agreed. That's Mr. McCartney for you. "Of all the world's bassists, I'm one of them!" - Lug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 FWIW: I Want You analysis. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Hey Plangent, ease up, buddy, we got it the first time. You're a troll who enjoys condescending to others. No need to belabor the obvious with repetition, intended or otherwise. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 This hearkens to a quote I recall hearing from (I want to say) Roger Waters, to the effect of... "We could release a country and western record and people would buy it because it's Pink Floyd." A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred TBP Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 most people don't realize the influence George Martin had on Paul McCartney's sound. His trick was to mix Paul in through a early tube DI unit onto the outer tape tracks and to pan him away from the center. I confess I haven't listed to "IWY(SSH)" in awhile (and it's probably time to replace those old CDs) so I can't really attest to how Martin mixed the bass on this track. PS: Waters' comment helped me to recall the first 7-8 minutes of the "Rush: Time Machine" DVD. I really enjoyed all the variations they did on "Spirit of Radio" from polka throuh disco, country and rap. They're definitely the Three Stooges of rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffk Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I think Geoff Emerick had a much greater influence on McCartney's bass sound than George Martin. I don't believe DI was used very much outside of the Pepper record. Since they mostly used 4 track during the majority of their career I'm not sure about recording to the 'outside' tracks and I don't know how much panning is used when mixing to mono-the standard they used until Abbey Road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Another interesting analysis of how the song was recorded. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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