TShakazBlackRoots Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I'm sure many of you will mention Sting and McCartney (sp) HOWEVER, I feel that playing the bass and singing Beatles songs or most Rock in general isn't too hard. When it comes to Reggae and Funk, it's a whole new ball game! Singing lead and playing those 'walking/talking' basslines is an immense feat. In Reggae, I know only three bassists who can do this. Leroy Sibbles (Heptones), Dennis Bovell (Matumbi, Dennis Bovell Dub band) and Tony Gad (Aswad). As for funk, I know Bootsy, Nathan East and Kool Bell can, although I'm sure there are a few more in that genre unlike in Reggae. Your view? It Began In Afrika. https://www.facebook.com/BlackRootsUNLIMITED/ https://www.facebook.com/TanquerayAllMusicSafari/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I'm about as coordinated as a stick. http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2fat Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Phil whats-his-name from Thin Lizzy, the pretty guy in The Eagles, undoubtedly lots more. www.ethertonswitch.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Yeah, you try singing some of McCartney's vocals while playing his basslines. Start with Daytripper or Taxman and let me know how you do. While I'm a great fan of Bootsy, I would hardly call what he does singing. And Kool never sang very much in his own band, I've seen them live. Would you call Mark King funky? Or Jason Sheff? Number one on the list has to be Larry Graham, anyway. Don't forget, he not only played the bass on "Hair" by Graham Central Station, he sang lead as well. And I saw him do it many times live. Monstrous. Oh yeah, and Marcus Miller can hold his own as either a backup singer or lead singer. And there are bassists singing in funk cover bands all over the world. Although I had a very difficult time last night trying to sing the backups for Aretha Franklin's "Respect" while playing the bassline. "Chain of Fools" was a lot easier. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 One word ... LEMMY! Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by Social Critic: One word ... LEMMY!Two words...Les Claypool http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HypnoBassMan Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 This is simply one of the greatest challenges. I'm pleased as can be that I can do a little backup vocal while playing bass, but I still have to simplify the lines sometimes. I have mastered, "Down on the Corner" by CCR, playing and singing it at the same time. I know it is not much but it IS a start. HypnoBassMan The deeper you go the better you feel! (True for bass and hypnosis.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_god_offspring Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 i wonder why bassist are never the front man, even if they sing. -BGO 5 words you should live by... Music is its own reward --------------- My Band: www.Myspace.com/audreyisanarcissist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_god_offspring Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 sorry bout the huge avatar...the previous avatar i mean. -BGO 5 words you should live by... Music is its own reward --------------- My Band: www.Myspace.com/audreyisanarcissist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbojones Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Is'nt there a guy named like, Gaddy, or Geddy something? Geddy Lee maybe? Also, our forum member Mike Bear is a good singer in his metal band Artisan. primus sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61Pbass Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I wouldn't dis Sting a whole lot either - "Every Little Thing" and "Spirits In The Material World" are a couple off the top of my head that are mothers to sing while playing the bassline - he does them live flawlessly. How about John Wetton's vocal/bass work in U.K...or Uriah Heep...or King Crimson? Or you can get really sideways and try to cop Geddy Lee's vocal while hammering bass with your left hand, playing keys with your right and playing a foot pedal synth with your feet. I've seen him do it live several times and have yet to hear him miss a note. There are plenty out there that can play funky and/or syncopated bass lines whilst wailing on lead vocals. Later.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2fat Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Wasn't Greg Lake the singer for ELP? Only three reggae bassists sing lead? Sounds like they need to spend more time wood sheddin' and less time smoking dope. www.ethertonswitch.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 How 'bout Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, or John Entwhistle? blueberryhillbass.com Blueberry Hill Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre Lower Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by 61Pbass: ...Or you can get really sideways and try to cop Geddy Lee's vocal while hammering bass with your left hand, playing keys with your right and playing a foot pedal synth with your feet. I've seen him do it live several times and have yet to hear him miss a note...Hmmm, Yeah, the guy on the picture at your left is just about the state of the art when it comes to BLOWING bass lines along with vocals (OK, I know his voice tone is not to everybody's taste, but you must admit he sings in tune and makes the words loud and clear...), plus some keyboards and, ah, yeah, an occasional Taurus pedal or sample trigger . (try triggering a sample yourself and you will find out what it takes to do it right!). Reminds me of the classic remark (By Jimmy Connors, if memmory serves me right) on Björn Borg: "We play tennis. He plays something else..." . "I'm ready to sing to the world. If you back me up". (Lennon to his bandmates, in an inspired definition of what it's all about). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Entwistle never sang. Except Boris the Spider. Did someone call that thing that Claypool does singing? Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebassman Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Will Lee. He did a column in Bass Player about it. Singing triplets whilst playing quavers, and vice versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by TShakazBlackRoots: I'm sure many of you will mention Sting and McCartney (sp) HOWEVER, I feel that playing the bass and singing Beatles songs or most Rock in general isn't too hard. Hah! I'd like to see you try! Have you not spotted the HUGE reggae thing going on in The Police's music? Alex Barefaced Ltd - ultra lightweight, high ouput, toneful bass cabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shars Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 This is a hard one! i would definatly say Mark King has something because of the way he plays right handed even though hes left handed and sings to. I have seen Level 42 several times and each time the man suprises me with his technique and his solos get better and better i think (can you tell I am a L42 fan?) Funky bassist, i would say yes he is and also I would also put Jack Bruce up there to. Sting, hes a cool player but i think lacks something, not sure what but none the less when he was in the Police, he had that flare for playing and singing. 2 Pennys worth in now over to you bass players... www.myspace.com/yacababy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groovyjazzyfunky Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Victor Wooten. All your bass are belong to us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TShakazBlackRoots Posted June 7, 2004 Author Share Posted June 7, 2004 Only three reggae bassists sing lead? Sounds like they need to spend more time wood sheddin' and less time smoking dope. Way2fat, I doubt you could sing a reggae bassline and walk at the same time! Less time time smoking dope...yeah right! The bassist in Reggae is literally the conductor of the band. You never see conductors playing instruments in an orchestra and conducting at the same time, do you? I'd forgot Mark King and Marcus Miller ofcourse. Brilliant singers and players. There's a guy called Tim Kabali who's 'bad' at this 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...
BenLoy Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Sorry TShakaz, but I take exception to your statement about Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney's lines are pretty damn hard to sing while playing. Try playing the bassline to "Lovely Rita (Meter Maid)" sometime while singing the lead vocal. "Daytripper" is a b**ch also. Are your feelings that singing whilst playing Beatles songs is easy from experience? That being said, I echo Jeremy's sentiment about Larry Graham. He's a total freakish mother of a player and a singer. His vocal performance on "One in a Million You" is incredible. Norwood Fisher from Fishbone sings his ass off while playing some pretty freakish basslines (and he's a huge Larry Graham fan...coincidence?). How does he play with his bass hanging so low and still slap like that??? Then there's Jim Creegan from the Barenaked Ladies. Okay, he doesn't sing lead, but playing the crazy, syncopated and melodic lines he does on upright bass and singing in perfect four-part harmony with the rest of the band makes him deserving of mention, methinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shars Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I have to agree about Vic Wooton and Marcus Miller but we also forgot about Stanley Clarke... Outstanding player and School Days...what a classic album! We could chuck in Jaco Pastorious here to for the hell of it. The man had style and finesse me reckons www.myspace.com/yacababy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I have to agree about Vic Wooton and Marcus Miller but we also forgot about Stanley Clarke... Outstanding player and School Days...what a classic album! We could chuck in Jaco Pastorious here to for the hell of it. The man had style and finesse me reckonsBoth fine players... Stanley has sung lead with Return to Forever. You can hear him on their out of print album, "Live!" While he was in tune and whatnot, I wasn't too fond of his singing. Jaco has sung lead on his big band's cover of "Fannie Mae." It was cool, but he's not really known for his lead singing either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Brown Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by TShakazBlackRoots: The bassist in Reggae is literally the conductor of the band. You never see conductors playing instruments in an orchestra and conducting at the same time, do you? The bassist is virtually all modern music is literally the conductor of the band. As a matter of fact, I've seen many players play both solos and conduct a full orchestra. Most impressively was Danny Heifetz (not the drummer for Mr. Bungle, but the violin player.) If you ever get a chance to hear him and the classical band, you'll see someone whose entire body conducts. In fact, the reason a conductor stands up there with a stick is because the lead violin player used to conduct the orchestra with his bow. It was only when music got so complex that the concertmaster couldn't memorize it that the need for a modern conductor (who could look at a score) was necessary. Yep. I'm the other voice in the head of davebrownbass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc_dup1 Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I can't sing and play complex bass parts at the same time but it isn't so unusual a skill that we should be thinking only famous players can do it. I can think of a couple of good local musicians who play complex lines and sing lead at the same time and do a great job. One plays (among other things) in a Beatles tribute band and I've been impressed by his flawless renditions of songs like "Paperback Writer" while playing variations on the funky part. Not my idea of easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by jeremyc: Entwistle never sang. Except Boris the Spider. Did someone call that thing that Claypool does singing?My Wife and another one from Quadrophenia. I got to see him sing My Wife on 4 or 5 separate occasions, and he sang on most of his solo stuff, and with Rat Race Chior. I miss the ox. Grege Lake - Nobody sang like Greg in his prime. He's also the most underated Bass Player in history, Listen to Take a Pebble or 2nd Impression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2fat Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 TSBR- You're right! I probably couldn't sing a reggae bassline and walk. That doesn't mean anything. Now you, on the other hand, who is, by your own admission, a master of the genre, probably just "get it" better than I do. Just like with Elvis, I never saw what the fuss was about with reggae, and I have little interest in the genre or the crackpot religion that is associated with it. For the Carribean stuff, I'll take Osibisa. www.ethertonswitch.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie bass dude Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Mark King of Level 42, I think he plays some kind of funky slappy bass and sings also Tim B Shmit form the Eagles no beer until July 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 TSBR... check out this site for one of our own here at the ldl that is a great bassist and lead singer one bass...three amps If you are in the U.S.A. in July you should do everything possible to be in Boonville MO. on the 10th. Watching Amy and Joe live is something you just have to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shars Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Originally posted by Aussie bass dude: Mark King of Level 42, I think he plays some kind of funky slappy bass and sings also Tim B Shmit form the EaglesYes he does! One of the greatest bassists i think. http://hometown.aol.co.uk/SharminHall/MK1.JPG www.myspace.com/yacababy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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