I've been hearing a quite a bit about this guy lately, and I'm wondering who he is. Albums, background, influences, gear, etc...It's all welcome.

This is quite a good site: <a href=http://www.jonashellborg.de/>www.jonashellborg.de</a>

Jonas is for real. A serious m-f.
He played with John McLaughlin in the 80's, has gone on to do lots of solo work and sideman stuff in the fusion area.

I have a great album he did on his Wechter accoustic w/ Tony Williams and a string quartet -- all middle eastern influenced. It's called "The Word", and I recommend it for some very interesting bass playing.
Also some several discs of the more recent Hellborg, Lane and Sipe stuff -- really badass if you like the improv jazz rock scenario; maybe straying in to Wank Country a bit, but still cool.

My favourite Jonas Hellborg album is "The Silent Life" (1991). It's a solo album on which he plays his Wechter ABG exclusively, and without overdubs. The song "Roman" might be one of the most beautiful tunes ever.
Apart from that one, "The Word" (1991) and "Ars Moriende", on which he plays with the percussionist Glen Velez (the cover doesn't say when it was released, but IIRC it's sometimes early-mid nineties) is great. I also like "Aram of the Two Rivers", which was recorded live with local musicians in Damascus 1996. All of these albums, on which Jonas plays his Wechter, lack the kind of fast superhero playing he's well known for, and which I personally couldn't care less about. But if you like your music to be fast, busy and electric, by all means, check out his work with Shawn Lane and Apt. Q-258 a.k.a. Jeff Sipe. It's impressive allright.
If you want instead want your music to be fast, busy and acoustic, try his release with Buckethead and Michael Shrieve: "Octaves of the Holy Innocents" (1993). That one is actually quite cool.
And for more info, check out http://bardorecords.com/.

im a big fan of jonas playing style and music albums - i have them all, even the hard to find ones. i must say that i love these the best :
1) the word
2) Elegant Punk
3) Abstract Logic
4) Silent Life
5) GOOD PEOPLE in Times of Evil.

you can divide his stuff into 2 : the ones he plays his acoustic stuff and the ones he plays electric.
on both instruments he has his unique sound.

he also has 2 instruction books : one on chord playing and the other is about slap style i think.
i have only the one about the chord playing and it's nice.

Great fusion bassist, I recently just got into his playing a few months ago.

There was this site with a lot of the media files he did with some indian percussionists and vocalists. Although i cannot find that site anymore

this one has some webcasts

http://www.abstractlogix.com/webcasts.php

BassAche this is Jonas Hellborg, Jonas Hellborg this is BassAche

the silent life and temporal analogues of paradise are my two favorites of his.



http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?style=music&HT_SEARCH=XARTIST&HT_SEARCH_INFO=Hellborg%2C+Jonas&cart=183744238&altsearch=yes

"Aram of the two rivers" is one of my favorites album... also check out "The Word"

He has a live dvd coming up... check out:
http://www.abstractlogix.com/index.php

Seems like I've had and lost them all at one time or another...

I saw Jonas in Winston Salem with Shawn Lane when I was in college at Wake Forest. I'm so glad I caught that show, especially given Shawn's passing. It was crazy! They didn't stop playing for two hours, but the most memorable moments for me were "Time is The Enemy" (also called Deep Umbra I think) and a really fast "Teen Town" at the end. Jonas played a Vigier Excess through an ART DI box with no amp...I think he had just flown in from somewhere exotic that day. What a cool guy. Drab clothing -- almost military fatigue like -- and the cropped hair and sqaureish glasses and beard. I think I have subconsiously been affecting that style ever since.

I also remember seeing him affectionately greet a beautiful Asian woman at the show. He was just cool in every way. But I digress.

My two favorites I no longer have, but they're:

1. The Word. Just an amazing record that's totally different and more complex than everything else he's done. The concept is awesome, the compositions are phenomenal and the bass playing is excellent, excellent. I think it's the best and most serious thing he's ever put out, a really heavy record that fuses Bartok, Mahavishnu, Lifetime. I can't say enough about it...man I've got to get it again. Acoustic bass guitar, string quartet, Tony Williams? Come on. It's high minded, but it draws you in and kicks your ass!

2. Not a Jonas record, but Two Doors by Michael Shrieve. Out of print, too.
The is the record where the power trio of Lane and Hellborg originated, but with Michael Shrieve instead of Sipe. This record is by far the best studio recording by those two, and it crystallized the ideas that they jammed on for years after. Jonas is mainly supporting, but Shawn Lane is awesome on it...it doesn't meander at all like so many of their later things. I also prefer Shrieve to Sipe...he's not as heavy handed, lighter and crisper. Sipe is a rock fusion drummer, Shrieve a jazz fusion drummer who has a legit world music background (Lane and Hellborg). Every tune is great, excellent focus. A classic. Needs to be in print again.

Will

My two favorites I no longer have, but they're:

1. The Word. Just an amazing record that's totally different and more complex than everything else he's done. The concept is awesome, the compositions are phenomenal and the bass playing is excellent, excellent. I think it's the best and most serious thing he's ever put out, a really heavy record that fuses Bartok, Mahavishnu, Lifetime. I can't say enough about it...man I've got to get it again. Acoustic bass guitar, string quartet, Tony Williams? Come on. It's high minded, but it draws you in and kicks your ass!

2. Not a Jonas record, but Two Doors by Michael Shrieve. Out of print, too.
The is the record where the power trio of Lane and Hellborg originated, but with Michael Shrieve instead of Sipe. This record is by far the best studio recording by those two, and it crystallized the ideas that they jammed on for years after. Jonas is mainly supporting, but Shawn Lane is awesome on it...it doesn't meander at all like so many of their later things. I also prefer Shrieve to Sipe...he's not as heavy handed, lighter and crisper. Sipe is a rock fusion drummer, Shrieve a jazz fusion drummer who has a legit world music background (Lane and Hellborg). Every tune is great, excellent focus. A classic. Needs to be in print again.

Will

great albums !! no doubt...

BassAche this is Jonas Hellborg, Jonas Hellborg this is BassAche


ha, I forgot I posted this... I crack me up.

I thought I must've been one of the eight people on earth to dig "The Word". Glad to see others enjoyed it too....

And that was pretty funny, there, SM..... :rolleyes: :smug:

Oh yeah, definitely loved it.

Has anybody checked out the new DVD? WAs this already asked?

Will

And that was pretty funny, there, SM..... :rolleyes: :smug:



I amuse myself, that counts for something. ;)

I recall reading an interview of Jonas from Guitar Player many years ago (before there was a Bass Player magazine). Seems to me he put out an album called Solobass but I've never been able to find either a copy or anyone that has heard it.

Am I making this up?

I recall reading an interview of Jonas from Guitar Player many years ago (before there was a Bass Player magazine). Seems to me he put out an album called Solobass but I've never been able to find either a copy or anyone that has heard it.

Am I making this up?

No, you are not making it up.
I read the exact same thing and have not ever been able to find the album which is long out of print. I did extensive web searches and all I could find was that his very first album was called "The Bassic Thing" with no mention at all of "Solo Bass" (which I know you and I read about).
So I'm as confused as you are about this, and I'd really like to get that one too.

i got it...

Oh yeah, definitely loved it.

Has anybody checked out the new DVD? WAs this already asked?

Will

I have the Paris DVD , from www.abstractlogix.com
Lots of melodic sections which sound great. And a few semi-rockish sections ...though it's quite different with the indian percussion in place of drums.
Maybe it's just me but the closeup on the vocalists face as he is singing get a tad annoying.

The V. brothers have log percussion solos at the end too.

I hope they come out with a DVD of the trio Lane/Hellborg/Sipe that would be awesome.

Jonas is a recent inspiration for me too - he's kinda old school with his slapping but that and his fingerstyle are pure class - he's a musician first and foremost but he gets so much across from what looks like an impossible to play acoustic bass. There's a tune called "Who Would You Like To Be" on Godd People In Times OF Evil - that has this very tricky fingerstyle line - that having now got the DVD (for free!) seems a lot easier to play than it sounds on the original CD - that alone makes him worth checking out. The Paris Live DVD is beautifully done but like the previous poster I'd love to see a trio one with Sipe released too.

I have to admit I am still absolutely gutted that I missed the Indian quartet at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London about two years ago - I had know about Jonas for years then (<b>mainly through a stunning duet gig I saw him do with John McLaughlin on TV where he played his twin necked Wal - one fretted the other fretless</b>) and having been sent all their albums to review for a magazine I was deeply saddened to hear of Shawn's death last year - he was a monster - I hope Jonas can find a worthy replacement because I love what they were doing with both the pure rock/funk fusion and the Asian influenced stuff - all very inspiring music.

Peace to you Jonas you are one heck of a great player.

i have been collecting hellborg's stuff for a good few years, lot of it is out of print and takes a little digging (which is part of the fun i guess/ although sometimes NOT).

from a bassplayers standpoint, i haven't got one cd of hellborg's that didn't have something wonderful to satisfy my bass sweet-tooth. as someone already mentioned, this being alot of improv./jam and so on, it can go a little overboard in spots here and there, but being the over-indulgent bass junkie i am, maybe i want to hear bassists stretch things to their outer limits sometimes, wether it's BASSICALLY CORRECT OR NOT and of all the bassists in my cd collection, i would definately consider his work to be very unique!

my personal fav's:
1. e -this one is bad!!!
2. the silent life
3. octave of the holy innocents
4. good people in times of evil
5. aram of 2 rivers

I am a big Hellborg fan..and he has been a huge influence on my own playing. I own quite a few csd, tapes and even records by him (incl. vynil versions of "Elegant Punk" "Solo Bass" and "The Bassic Thing".

A lot of the newer stuff (with the late Shawn Lane)would be a great intro to his playing (Temporary Analogues, Aram of the Two Rivers, Good People in Times of Evil...the Silent Life is remarkable)

And I have the new "Paris" DVD which shows Jonas both a supportive player, and as a soloist (the one long long solo he takes with slaps, chords, false hamonics and more on an ABG is truely remarkable!)

All of his stuff, which is still in print (Elegant Punk, Bassic thing and Solo Bass are sadly no longer available) are available thru BArdo Records (his label) or the aforementioned Abstract Logix website.

Max

I caught him doing some tunes on acoustic bass with Ginger Baker on drums.

His tone and bass expressions were incredibly beautiful. I could never replicate what he does. The man's mind for bass is exquisite. He can play with beauty beyond compare.

See if you can find one of his CD's with Baker on drums........you won't be sorry.

Does anyone know where I might be able to find copies (ideally in Europe) of some of the earlier (OOP) Day Eight releases?

Have made various attempts lately to get them (am after 'Silent Life' in particular) but so far no luck - a few retailers have taken my money but then had to refund it when they can't find supplies.

Have tried all the major retailers that I can think of (HMV, Virgin, Abstractlogix, Amazon etc.)

I'd rather not pay through the nose for used copies from American ebay sellers. If anyone knows of any decent shops/sites that might have some NOS Hellborg, let me know!

Thanks,
DB

Does anyone know where I might be able to find copies (ideally in Europe) of some of the earlier (OOP) Day Eight releases?

Have made various attempts lately to get them (am after 'Silent Life' in particular) but so far no luck - a few retailers have taken my money but then had to refund it when they can't find supplies.

Have tried all the major retailers that I can think of (HMV, Virgin, Abstractlogix, Amazon etc.)

I'd rather not pay through the nose for used copies from American ebay sellers. If anyone knows of any decent shops/sites that might have some NOS Hellborg, let me know!

Thanks,
DBWell, Jonas' new company Bardo Records (http://www.bardorecords.com) has a webshop, and is therefor the ideal place to look. Sadly, most Day Eight releases seem to be out of print, "The Silent Life" being one of them.

Well, Jonas' new company Bardo Records (http://www.bardorecords.com) has a webshop, and is therefor the ideal place to look. Sadly, most Day Eight releases seem to be out of print, "The Silent Life" being one of them.

I was thinking of getting the octave of holy innocents, it's a new release. i didnt realize he did a project with buckethead

:cool:
Just dove back into Jonas, myself.
What a great player.
Listening to the WORD right now.
Alao dig his solo stuff.
Elagant Punk
E- this is heavy!!

You can get Hellborg cd's on ebay.com I saw "The Word" just a few days ago.

:bassist:

Well, I've had no luck getting any of the Day Eight albums yet, but my copy of the 'Paris' DVD finally arrived today. From what I've watched so far, it's seriously impressive stuff!

PS. The fansite www.jonashellborg.de is back online with some nice videoclips.

I caught him doing some tunes on acoustic bass with Ginger Baker on drums.


I saw him with Ginger Baker a few years ago at the Jazz Cafe in London...
Very disappointing indeed - Jonas was excellent, as was the keyboard player, but Ginger spent half of the gig tuning and re-tuning his drums, which gets a tad dull for folks watching (unless you worship at the altar of His Ginge-ness)....

Anyway, my favourite Jonas album is "Kollektiv", sadly deleted but he has the most fabulous warm and very punchy Wal noise... That's why I bought one, but it doesn't sound quite the same as his :crying:

It's also looking up some of the old Bill Laswell "Deadline" project albums - some interesting stuff with Jonas, and Bootsy!

yippe!!! jonas hellborg, gary husband and steve topping in my city on the 27th! muahahahahahah!

I met Jonas and Shawn lane at a private party about 2 years ago. There where only about 5 of us since it was early. They were both really nice people and seriously "chilled." We talked for a couple of hours. Shawn was very warm and struck me as being for the music only. We had a good talk about Ginger Baker and Kofi his son, since they had worked with both of them. They gave me a couple of their records, but I'm ashamed to say I haven't listened to them yet. After reading these posts, I think I'll see what I'm missing! ;)

1. The Word. Just an amazing record that's totally different and more complex than everything else he's done. The concept is awesome, the compositions are phenomenal and the bass playing is excellent, excellent. I think it's the best and most serious thing he's ever put out, a really heavy record that fuses Bartok, Mahavishnu, Lifetime. I can't say enough about it...man I've got to get it again. Acoustic bass guitar, string quartet, Tony Williams? Come on. It's high minded, but it draws you in and kicks your ass!


Managed to find a mint copy from an American ebay seller and received it yesterday.

:eek:

It is simply one of the best things I have ever heard. End of story.

:eek:

:cool:
Just got the Paris DVD.
Hellborg and Lane Kill.
Jones Slaps the S**t out of an ABG.