Rik Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I was wandering around in the drum forum, and I spotted these threads: Ringo: http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001455 Phil Rudd: http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001446 Drummers who, while not flashy or extremely technical, got the job done and got it done right. Drummers who are dismissed by ignorant people. What about similar bassists who are not noted for their chops, but who perform an essential function in defining their band's sound? I'm going to mention Ian Hill, of Judas Priest. When JP is mentioned, everyone immediately thinks of Rob Halford's vocal histrionics, Glenn Tipton's technical, melodic solos & K.K Downing's whammy bar and feedback calisthenics. Nobody ever mentions Ian Hill. Heck, the guy just stands way in the back and plays straight 8th notes. With a pick. But I say, would Judas Priest have defined heavy metal without Hill's 8th notes? Like Ringo's and Rudd's drumming, Hill's bass playing was always exactly what was needed for the song. And the guy does have chops - just listen to Priest's early albums, when they were more of a bluesy hard rock band. He wasn't a root-whacker back then, and while still not flashy, he could come up with some really tasty licks. I love his work on the ballads Dreamer Deciver and Beyond The Realms of Death. And he played fingerstyle. But when the band's music moved into the style for which it's best known, Hill took up a pick and started banging out the 8th notes, in order to serve the songs. Hill's understanding of pedal tones provides a driving edge that isn't heard in many other metal bands. I think that was one of the first things I noticed about his playing. While Glenn and K.K. are changing chords and moving the riffs around, Ian is back there hammering on one note, setting up all the tension & release that is so prevalent in Priest's music. For example, bridge section of Breaking The Law. Hill lays down a foundation with a steady 8th note pattern on a "D", while the guitarists are moving from D to G to C and back to D. Any other thoughts on Ian Hill? How about other bassists who served their bands in a similar manner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Right on the money about Ian. Yep, he's one of the many reasons I grab a pick sometimes, though I'm starting to gain some stamina doing runs like his with the digits. A relatively low action helps if you do it that way, so the amp can do some of the work for you. Hill's style does serve the music well. I'd say the same for Steve Harris of Iron Maiden. His galloping fingerstyle runs also helped define metal bass. Steve's fills are tasty, too, as it acts as a call-and-response to the guitars' rhythm attack, as well as locking to the drums at certain points. "Run to the Hills" and "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" come to mind for me. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 John Deacon of Queen. There were so many people playing very technically edgy stuff while Queen was in it's heyday, but John Deacon was like a rock in holding those grooves together. He is VERY overlooked in my opinion. 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...
davebrownbass Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I'm rackin' my brain. This here forum is populated by guys who know virtually all solid basses there are, and bang their virtual drum to announce it. Trouble is, every bassist in recorded music is solid, or they'd never make it to vinyl (plastic?) Lessee....Mike Rutherford of Genesis? He held up to Phil Collins drumming pretty well. Even Harry Shearer has proven to be a solid bassist. Even Penn Jillette has proved to be solid (right Adrian?) Want more? Check out this thread. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 P Bass Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Originally posted by davebrownbass: Even Harry Shearer has proven to be a solid bassist. Ah yes, Sir Derek Smalls! "Start listening to music!". -Jeremy C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 P Bass Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith is a solid player, with usually an incredible tone. "Start listening to music!". -Jeremy C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeronyne Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Originally posted by 73 P Bass: Originally posted by davebrownbass: Even Harry Shearer has proven to be a solid bassist. Ah yes, Sir Derek Smalls!He played decent upright, too, in "A Mighty Wind" if you get the DVD, the entire concert is on a bonus disc. "For instance" is not proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edendude Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 How about Stevie Ray's Tommy Shannon? My Last Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundWrangler Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Dee Murray created some classic, unforgettable rock bass parts. Overplayed as the songs may be, Dee's bass performances on early-period Elton John still reach out & grab you - the perfect tone & part for that song/time; what more could you ask? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Originally posted by Edendude: How about Stevie Ray's Tommy Shannon?And don't forget the work Mr. Shannon did with Johnny Winter, wayyy before SRV came along... How about the late great Carl Radle (Derek and the Dominoes, Joe Cocker). And it came up on the guitar forum when we were discussing the late great Terry Kath, that that bastion of syrupy ballads himself, Peter Cetera, was a very handy bassman in the early days of Chicago. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Besides the bassists already mentioned. I think Pino Palladino didn't get the props he deserved until recently. Theres many an unsung upright player who do not get the props they deserve in this day and age of the electric bass. RobT Famous Musical Quotes: "I would rather play Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve" - Xavier Cugat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 This is one of those threads where eventually every bass player in every famous band will be listed. It would actually be unusual for a band to be successful without a solid bass player. How about listing people who haven't been recorded? Someone in your town who knocks you out and is deserving wider recognition? Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Originally posted by jeremyc: This is one of those threads where eventually every bass player in every famous band will be listed. It would actually be unusual for a band to be successful without a solid bass player. How about listing people who haven't been recorded? Someone in your town who knocks you out and is deserving wider recognition?Good point, Jeremy. And then along come the inevitable "I can't believe" posts...the "I can't believe no one's mentioned Joe Doaks from the Flaming Habanero Buttholes" yada yada yada... Don't know his name, but the guy who plays the Blayney's Jam on Wednesday nights with "Cobalt Project" is a good solid bass player. Tom Capasso's heard him. Hey, for that matter, I'll nominate Tom! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DONUT Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 One of my favorite guys is Paul Raven from Killing Joke. His parts are always grooving and make their songs move in that quirky way that only theirs can. Its part punk,part dub,part new wave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re Che Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Stu Cook of CCR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cozmicslop Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by jeremyc: This is one of those threads where eventually every bass player in every famous band will be listed. It would actually be unusual for a band to be successful without a solid bass player. How about listing people who haven't been recorded? Someone in your town who knocks you out and is deserving wider recognition?Sam Cockrell of Sam Cockrell and the Groove. Awesome bassist with a really nice voice. He sounds a lot like Robert Cray. They were the house band for the Cubby Bear. I'm wondering if any of the Chicago LowDowners have seen him? http://www.myspace.com/2coolplay http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=89641 http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=89684 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2fat Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Good idea Jeremyc. Here in Carbondale, IL- population approaching 20,000, there is a guy named Jim Wall who can play it all, 4,5, or 6 string electric and upright. Rock, blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, you name it, he can play it with taste. Never get tired of hearing him. Another fellow name of Geoff Maring plays upright in a (red-hot) family bluegrass band. They got a gig at the Station Inn in Nashville. Enough said. A lot of young chop meisters don't seem to take country or bluegrass seriously because the playing isn't all that flashy and there aren't a lot of notes. www.ethertonswitch.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassplayer5217 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Not surprised that no one has mentioned him, but consider the bassist for Jamiroquai. On their album Travelling Without Moving, he uses a wide-range of styles and techniques very well. - Germain .~. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzCat Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I've probably butchered the name but Elvis,Doors bassist Jerry Scheff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TShakazBlackRoots Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Dennis Bovell (Dennis Bovell Dub band) and a Jamaican guy called Michael Washington Fletcher (plays for Shaggy these days as musical director). Superb tone and ability not only in Reggae, but Jazz and Soul too. It Began In Afrika. https://www.facebook.com/BlackRootsUNLIMITED/ https://www.facebook.com/TanquerayAllMusicSafari/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cup Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by bassplayer5217: Not surprised that no one has mentioned him, but consider the bassist for Jamiroquai. On their album Travelling Without Moving, he uses a wide-range of styles and techniques very well. - GermainSurely Jariroquai's bass player (Zender or the newie) can't be included in the "solid overlooked" category? The bass in J's music plays a bigger role than just supplying bottom end! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBoneJones Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 afddasfasdf Nothing annoying here...yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCunha Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I'm gonna mention Amy from Clatter. I've listened to the CD several times and I think she has excellent grooves and a great voice to boot! I wish they would come to the Chicago area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWBass Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 John McVie from Fleetwood Mac! www.myspace.com/thefunkfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba upright Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by DWBass: John McVie from Fleetwood Mac!You beat me to that one, DW. How about the late Doug Stegmeyer from Billy Joel? Held his own with Liberty D and check out "Zanzibar" from 52nd Street. Very cool "Study, study, study...or BONK BONK bad kids!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWBass Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Mario Cipollina, original bassist for Huey Lewis & The News was pretty damn solid as well. Haven't heard the new guy John Pierce. www.myspace.com/thefunkfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted February 29, 2004 Author Share Posted February 29, 2004 Erm... what I was kind of looking for were bassists who, like Ian Hill, are not noted for their technical brilliance. Like the comments in the Ringo and Phil Rudd threads. Bassists who play bare minimum, rudimentary lines that provide exactly what their band's songs need. Bassist who get the job done brilliantly by playing one-note lines. Like Ian Hill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWBass Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 In that case, sorry I don't know any. www.myspace.com/thefunkfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Genesius Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I'll go with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and Danny Faragher: three men who aren't Bruce Thomas who have played some very tasty bass on Elvis Costello records. For sale: 1992 or 1993 Carvin LB20F fretless 4-string with lines. Black with black hardware. Good player, fair amount of wear. $250 shipped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Originally posted by jeremyc: This is one of those threads where eventually every bass player in every famous band will be listed.Don't believe him? I refer you to this thread: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Surely there is not a page 6?! Oh, but there is! That said, I gotta agree that Joe Doaks was definitely da man. Still, I think down deep we all know that it's really all about Geezer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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