The only reason I say this guy is underrated is because I never see anybody talking about him. I just started listening to this group after having lost interest in them a few years ago. But now I'm totally into them again. The player: Dean Dinning. The band: Toad the Wet Sprocket. I don't know why nobody talks about him, he's fantastic! Listening to a Toad album is like a seminar on rock bass. He does everything right. Are there no Toad fans out there? What's up?

Yeah, you know, I hate to admit it but you're right. I have a good friend who was into metal and hard rock with me back in college, and a few years later he's telling me about Toad. I just ignored him, but then one day I was in the Gap, and a Toad song was playing on the store PA system, and Dean was harmonizing this guitar lick a third above, it sounded really nice. I still haven't bought any of their stuff but I know he's a good player. He plays great parts for the song.

I've always thought that Dinning was a sharp player
from day one. Nice tone, too. There's sooo many underated
players out there. Sometimes, man, I get tired of talking
about Flea and Victor. My point is proven by the fact that
I only have to use first names!
Most of my favorite players are underrated. I really like
Mario Cippolina(ex Huey Lewis), Lee Sklar(The guy with
the long white beard), and Alain Caron-although he's
popular in Canada. No one ever gives Anthony Jackson any
props, either. Not just for his playing, but for the fact
that he popularized the low "B" in the early eighties.He
got a lot of heat for it too-a lot of jingle and record
producers thought the notes on the "B" string wouldn't
be heard. 5 and 6 string basses had to be made custom at
great expense back in those days. I'm glad to see him
occasionally mentioned in this forum.

Tony746, any idea if Mario Cippolina is any relationship to former QMS guitarist John Cippolina?
There are probably tons of bassists that could be named; I always hit on my faves, Martin Turner and Gary Thain, but you could include people that have turned up in David Bowie's band, Kasim Sultan (sp?, but from Utopia and now Meatloaf), Hunt Sales (or is it Tony?), Rick Grech, Joey Dimaeo (sp?), Gerry McAvoy, Chris Glen, and on and on.

It seems to me that most of the players people talk about a lot are "soloist" types, like Victor. My favorite guys, though, are the guys who toil away namelessly in a good band. Guys like Bobby Sheehan from Blues Traveler, or Dinning, or Stefan Lessard. They're out there coming up with some very creative stuff, not just bass lines, but songwriting also. Bobby Sheehan wrote one of Blues Traveler's big hits, "The Mountains Win Again." You can tell he wrote it, too, because that song starts with the bass.

I think the bass player from the Doors is underrated, as well as the guy who played bass on the Superfly album by Curtis Mayfield, very funky stuff.

It's probably because The Doors didn't exactly have a bass player. It was either Robbie Krieger or Ray Manzarek dubbing the bass, and Manzarek usually handled it live on the key bass (if I remember). They did add a regular bassist, Jack Conrad, post-Morrison era.

>It's probably because The Doors didn't exactly have a bass player. It was either Robbie Krieger or Ray Manzarek dubbing the bass, and Manzarek usually handled it live on the key bass (if I remember). They did add a regular bassist, Jack Conrad, post-Morrison era.

I could be mistake about this but I think on the first album Ray pretty much did everything with the Fender piano bass, with the exception perhaps of 'Break On Through'. After that, they used studio guys for the records and Ray continued to handle everything on the piano bass live.

Well whoever wrote those lines is cool, like Riders on the Storm is pretty sweet, simple, but cool, and they've got some other ones.

hey don't feel bad, there's no crime in being inspired by non-bass basslines. sh!t, stevie wonder's left hand is one of my favorite bass players :D

The Doors used several bassists on their studio albums(Jerry Scheff, Harvey Brooks, etc).
LIVE...Ray Manzarek played a Fender Piano bass(got a picture of one in a '70s Fender catalog that I still have); the piano bass has/had the EXACT same range as an early Fender bass(low "E" to a high "D#").

Can anyone believe Mario Cippolina actually played on a '70s Fusion record? I think it was Tony Williams' JOY OF FLYING album...weird!

One name that never comes up in these lists is Norman Cook. He was the bassist of a british band called the Housemartins in the mid-80s and the band broke up after two albums because they were too controversial. After the break up, the guitarists formed the band Beautiful South and Cook formed a band called Beats International. His playing with the Housemartins was very economical and tasteful, but quirky and angular. Very musical but economical. I think B.I. broke up. I wonder what he's up to now...

Will C.:cool:

You must be joking or smth. His stage name nowadays is Fat Boy Slim.
the most underrated bass player for me is Aston"Family Man" Barrett.Very lazy and warm picking and velvet tone.

To those of you who mentioned Bobby Sheehan of Blues Traveler and no relation to Billy SHeehan of Mr. Big and Niacin, I can't tell from your posts if you realize that Bobby Sheehan is deceased. In fact he passed away about a year ago. When I read about his death in Bass Player Magazine, I was genuinely stunned. Sheehan was one of my favorite bass players. I was priviledged to see him play at the H.O.A.R.D. festival in 1996, plus I've played some of his songs over and over and over. To have him die so young just magnifies the tragedy.

He is being "replaced" by Chad Chinska's brother. (Forgive me misspelling the guitar player's name.) But it will be very hard to fill Bobby Sheehan's shoes, not unlike the challenge Jason Newsted faced filling Cliff Burton's shoes. Jason Oldsted

I just recently learned Bobby Sheehan was dead. And it happened 2 years ago! It truly is a great loss for the bass world and the rock world in general. I always enjoy listening to his playing.

Bobby was working on a solo CD when he passed away. Does anyone know what became of that project?

Originally posted by john turner
hey don't feel bad, there's no crime in being inspired by non-bass basslines. sh!t, stevie wonder's left hand is one of my favorite bass players :D



Mine, too.

Originally posted by Big Wheel
One name that never comes up in these lists is Norman Cook. He was the bassist of a british band called the Housemartins in the mid-80s and the band broke up after two albums because they were too controversial. After the break up, the guitarists formed the band Beautiful South and Cook formed a band called Beats International. His playing with the Housemartins was very economical and tasteful, but quirky and angular. Very musical but economical. I think B.I. broke up. I wonder what he's up to now...

Will C.:cool:

The previous comments are right - Norman Cook has had far more success since leaving the Housemartins under various pseudonyms. He has had a string of number one hits in the UK & Europe, mostly now as "Fatboy Slim" and has achieved the ultimate "star" status of marrying a TV presenter!

Norman (not his real name either!) actually lived around the corner from me in Brighton and I used to see him most days walking his Papillon dog in the local park (Preston Park). He has now moved but still lives locally.

I must say that the Housemartins were hardly "too controversial" - I think that Norman saw them as too "middle of the road" and he wanted to do more dance-oriented stuff which was the main reason for the split.

The HouseMartins were pure pop and as you say most of the rest of the band went on to become "The Beautiful South" who have also been very successful with well-crafted pop songs and one of their albums was a best-seller for a long time in the UK.

This is going WAY back to the early days of Motor City rock. But there was a bass player with the original Amboy Dukes, who seemed to be always underrated. He name is Greg Arama... and he played some pretty neat basslines back then.

Stevie Wonder Percy Jones Mike Gordon Mick Karn Berry Oakley Bill Laswell Alphonso Johnson...

I'm a younger member of talkbass so i don't know half the blokes you're talking about but i know one man who nobody ever talks about. He's in one of the greatest bands out today. His name is Dirk Lance and he's in Incubus. He's such a good bassist. Also Stuart from Jamiroquai is amazing. These are both well underrated. I also notice a few local bass players from where i live are amazing.
you probably all know Dirk but nobody ever speaks about him, And Stuart.

Russ

You've never heard of Norman Cook - "Fatboy Slim" where have you been living - in a Monastery? ;)

Stuart Zender left Jamiroquai quite some time ago and was replaced by Nick Fyffe who is from my home town - Brighton, where all the best bass players live!

Apart from getting one of "All Saints" pregnant (so he's now a new father!) Stuart is working on a solo album apparently for release soon.

I'm a fairly new member to talkbass but i just wanted to say that I totally agree with your view on stuart zender!!! he's a fantastic bassist, very musical, and has chops to boot.Everybody should check out his work on Emergency on Planet Earth, Return of the Space Cowboy (my fave!!!), and Travelling without moving. jamiroquai really isnt the same now without him, although i did have a chance to check them out last year with their new bassist nick fyffe (sp?) who is a fine musician in his own right...anywayz i just thought i'd like to share that w/my bruthas of tha bass!!!

Yeah, I knew Stuart had left Jamiroquai but i stopped listening to them after they brought out travelling without moving. I like his bass playing on 'the kids' and also 'light years'.

Still nobody talks of Dirk Lance. I suggest you all check out 'Enjoy Incubus' and 'S.C.I.E.N.C.E'

They are both great...i have listened to Incubus since i heard them for the first time :rolleyes:

i think brian marshall of creed is underrated. the bassline for "higher" is so cool, but you can hardly hear it unless you crank the bass boost. the bassline for "with arms wide open" is cool too. real simple, but sounds nice.

I still don't think Mike Watt gets his props.
I think this guy is deserving of the best compliment you could ever give to a bass player, which is: without his bass lines, the songs would completely fall apart.
Recommended listening: Minutemen, "Double Nickels on the Dime"; fIREHOSE, "Ragin', Full On," "If'n," and "Flyin' the Flannel"; and his second solo album "Contemplating the Engine Room."
This guy is a true master.

Here's one for everyone to chew on. I'm talking about not only an underrated bassist but an underrated band. "Living Colour" was amazing. Everyone thought they were one hit wonders who just did "Cult of Personality". They are, in actuality a great band. The problem is that their bassist, Muzz Skillings, was buried beneath layers of Vernon Reid's guitar.

-S

i gotta say stephan lessard from dave matthews is pretty underrated, it seems liek if you play in a modern popular band you can't get to much credit, esepcially for a bassist, but lessard has some pretty tasty lines, also the chick who played bass with black flag whose name escapes me- and i don't even really like that style of music. by the way does anybody knwo who did most bass for marvin gaye, i'm to damn lazy to look it up, but i'm starting to have some fun with those lines.

I always thought Badfinger's bassist, Tom Evans, was sorely underrated. He really started to show what he could do on the Wish You Were Here and Head First albums, and some of his lines on his solo release "Over You" are incredible. Unfortunately alot of his stuff is difficult to find.
Sad too, that he felt the need to follow the band's guitarist's example and take his own life.
Maybe VH1's upcoming special on the band will renew interest and make some of the stuff available again :)

Originally posted by soundofphysics
by the way does anybody knwo who did most bass for marvin gaye, i'm to damn lazy to look it up, but i'm starting to have some fun with those lines.


C'mon, dude...you're killin' me! :D
It's James Jamerson.

Living Colour, IMO, sounded pretty decent on RECORD. Muzz sounded "OK" in the mix(to me). LIVE,...man, what a mess of sound(Vernon); definitely no seperation between the instruments...AT ALL!
Not that we're counting hits, but LC had more than one("Glamour Boys", "Love Rears Its Ugly Head", "Pride",...).
VIVID is a baaaddd record, the TIME'S UP is cool, too! I haven't listened to STAIN(no Muzz)in awhile.

When I think underrated (and I mean _really_ underrated) bassists, I think of three in particular: Cliff Williams of AC/DC, Rick Savage of Def Leppard, and Ian Hill of Judas Priest. I have a lot of respect for these guys, not so much for there blazing chops (let's face it, if they had any, they certainly didn't show it on any of there albums), but rather in that, more than anything, these guys understand what the _essential_ role of the bass in a band is, and that is to keep a solid, strong foundation that prevents the bottom from falling out. I groove just as hard to the bass on albums like theirs as I do to any RHCP, Rush, Primus, M.Miller, or Bela Fleck albums (although I love all of them).

Whady'all think?

GB

i totally agree with savage, but i've never spent much time wiht the other 2, but i was lsitening to def leppard the other day and i can really groove to the bass.

isnt that from a daft punk song?

I thought Doug Wimbish was in Living Colour by the time Cult of Personality came out!

Was that Muzz in the video?

Muzz was in Living Colour for the first two records(VIVID and TIME'S UP)...Muzz was in the "Cult Of Personality", "Glamour Boys", & "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" videos.
Wimbush joined LC on STAIN.

Another cracking but underrated bassist is the dude who plays in 'Simply Red'

No idea who he is though, Anyone help???

OK, I'll play along :D

I saw a couple of my "unsung heros" already, Stephan Lessard, Muzz Skillings & Doug Wimbush (Living Colour, RIP...though you're right JimK, they were kinda "rough" live...), and Brian Marshall (had to learn "Higher" on my last gig, drove me nuts for a bit :) ).

Here's a couple I didn't see:

Roscoe Beck - (always see stuff about his bass up in the Bass forum...), he's just great, wonderful combination of good tone, chops, and the taste to use it wisely. Check out the Eric Johnson stuff or the Robben Ford and the Blue Line stuff. Well worth the effort to find and listen to. Bluesy but refined and "intelligent" (not that blues is dumb mind you :D)

Jimmy "Flim" Johnson - Last I heard, he's working with James Taylor, filling the very large shoes of another "unsung hero", Leland Sklar. Before that he worked a great deal with Allan Holdsworth, did some amazing stuff with him. Managed to create a groove with the angular music that Allan tends to write, took some nice tasty solos too. Also of note was/is the "Flim and the BB's" stuff, there's a real cool solo bass piece (2 tracks) on the "Tricycle" CD called "Fish Magic". Great stuff, from a great player. Met him once, and he's a real mellow guy, very outgoing too, he spent almost an hour after a Holdsworth show just BS'ing with me and my roomie. Funny too :D.

George Porter, Jr.
Tony Hall
Prince

That's off the top of my head.

I don't know if he's underrated, but the bassist for Rancid, Matt Freeman, is awesome. I'm not really into punk music, but I enjoy listening to Rancid just for the basslines. Check out the solo in "Maxwell Murder"... I listen to it after every practice session just to remind myself I have a long way to go.

Have a listen to the intro to "Forest Fire" by Dead Kennedys. Very Chunky. I can't remember if their bassist was D.H. Pelligro or East Bay Ray.

...and what about Mark Sandman from Morphine?
Some cool sounds from only two strings.

Speaking of underrated bass players, John Myung (Dream Theater's bassist) is way underrated IMHO. Listen to his work on Images and Words (especially his bass solo on "Metropolis Pt.1"), Awake (especially the intro of "Lifting Shadows Off A Dream"), and his Chapman Stick playing on Falling Into Infinity.

Originally posted by Big Wheel
One name that never comes up in these lists is Norman Cook. He was the bassist of a british band called the Housemartins in the mid-80s and the band broke up after two albums because they were too controversial. After the break up, the guitarists formed the band Beautiful South and Cook formed a band called Beats International. His playing with the Housemartins was very economical and tasteful, but quirky and angular. Very musical but economical. I think B.I. broke up. I wonder what he's up to now...

Will C.:cool:

Wow, I haven't heard the Housemartins mentioned in almost a decade, which is far too bad. IMHO, "Happy Hour Again" is one of the best pop songs of the 80's.

I'll throw in someone from that same decade as my underrated pick: Bruce Thomas of Elvis Costello and the Attractions fame. In particular, his work on "Get Happy" and "Imperial Bedroom". But really almost anything he's done.

My vote for underrated player goes to '? and the Mysterians' (Famous for that cheesy but wicked cool tune"96 Tears") and 'Grand Funk Railroads' Bass Player Mel Schacher.

On the 1970 release "Grand Funk Live Album", Mel plays very tasteful rock riffs in a power trio setting. He gets great Jack Bruce 'a la' Cream tone and uses it to full advantage. He plays in a mostly supportive role, often filling the shoes traditionally filled by rhythm guitarists. While guitarist Mark Farner plays some truly heavy Rhodes on "Mean Mistreater", Mel holds together and propels this thrashy tune with his grinding, toneful power riffs. On "Heartbreaker" Mel performs a melodic solo which offers a very nice counterpoint to this hard rockin' power ballad.

"I'm Your Captain ( Closer to Home )" one of 70's Rock better anthems has one of the most recognizable rock riffs ever played by a bassist! This guy has played some of the best 'Rock' grooves ever written!



While certainly not one of innovative bass pioneers or a technical bass superman, Mel is a distinctive stylist that really has left his mark on Rock-n-Roll.

Originally posted by Saint
[QUOTE][i]

Wow, I haven't heard the Housemartins mentioned in almost a decade, which is far too bad. IMHO, "Happy Hour Again" is one of the best pop songs of the 80's.


Yes but Norman Cook is hardly "underrated" now - he is one of the biggest names in the business and is everywhere in the UK. He's had much more success since leaving the Housemartins. In fact I would now describe him, or at least his "Fatboy Slim" incarnation as "overrated".

Originally posted by GaryB
My vote for underrated player goes to '? and the Mysterians' (Famous for that cheesy but wicked cool tune"96 Tears") and 'Grand Funk Railroads' Bass Player Mel Schacher.

While certainly not one of innovative bass pioneers or a technical bass superman, Mel is a distinctive stylist that really has left his mark on Rock-n-Roll.

Thanks for mentioning Mel. I would agree that he rarely gets his due. As one who grew up in Michigan (way back then)
...I got a chance to see GFR quite a bit....and Mel's playing certainly had an influence on me.

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
[QUOTE]
Yes but Norman Cook is hardly "underrated" now - he is one of the biggest names in the business and is everywhere in the UK. He's had much more success since leaving the Housemartins. In fact I would now describe him, or at least his "Fatboy Slim" incarnation as "overrated".

Can't agree or disagree with you, Bruce, since I don't listen to "Fatboy Slim". Besides, I was commenting more on the Housemartins than Mr. Cook.
I continue to insist that Bruce Thomas is one of the most underrated bass players (at least in the rock/pop genre).

Jimi Hendrix :D

I mentioned this in some other thread a while ago, but it probably got overlooked. Thus really emphasizing my point. :)

For a very under-rated bassist I'd have to cite Steve Kilbey of The Church. This guy plays so understated, and yet he plays some great lines that are cool in their odd simplicity, and yet they complement all the dual guitar work going on around him without intruding on it and cluttering it all up. His parts complement the song, propelling it into high gear when it's called for, yet not showboating about it. Other times laying the feel back when the song calls for a dreamy texture. And he is able to handle all the lead vocals at the same time. He's certainly not in the forefront of monster technique players, but I consider that an attribute. He plays for the song, and that's what it's all about.

Nice to see Skillings getting a mention - a true monster bass player (and when Living Colour played Newcastle in about 1990, they were amazing, and the sound was spot on - no problems there...)

My fave unsung bassist is Ewan Vernal from Deacon Blue - a huge influence on me, used a lot of chords, great sound, great chops and wrote such damn fine lines. Definitely should be better known than he is...

If you see it cheap, get 'Fellow Hoodlums' it's a great album...

Steve
http://www.steve-lawson.co.uk

JMX,

Jimi Hendrix? Excellent choice. There is an interesting article I read in which many well known musicians attest to his (Hendrix's) bassplaying skills.

Right!
He played bass on many of his recordings...
And there's this legend that he was able to pull the E-string across the entire width of the fretboard...

[Edited by JMX on 09-23-2000 at 05:32 PM]

I know this is going to bring a laugh from the peanut gallery, but I believe that Yngwie Malmsteen is an underrated bass player (and overrated guitarist). He doesn't attempt to double the guitar line on most of his performances. Instead, he choses to create an idependant harmony line (which I liken to a cello line in an orchestra). I would suggest checking out Heaven Tonight and Deja Vu from Odyssey for the support of my arguements (Especially Deja Vu).

Eric from Sublime is underated. A few of his basslines are simple, but him and every guy from Sublime are brilliant.

Wasn't the Bass player from the Doors..the Organist...Ray Manzarek??

Not always - they did have bass players, but Manzanarek did play a lot of the lines with bass pedals - Larry Young and lots of Jazz organ players do this as well.

I would go along with the Bruce Thomas nomination - I've seen him with Elvis Costello and the band seemed to be able to play any style at the drop of a hat. They took audience requests and turned the songs into their own.

Jimi Hendrix :D

Right!
He played bass on many of his recordings...
And there's this legend that he was able to pull the E-string across the entire width of the fretboard...

[Edited by JMX on 09-23-2000 at 05:32 PM]

Hendrix did some great stuff. A lot of Electric Ladyland was his work.


My vote for underrated player goes to '? and the Mysterians' (Famous for that cheesy but wicked cool tune"96 Tears") and 'Grand Funk Railroads' Bass Player Mel Schacher.

On the 1970 release "Grand Funk Live Album", Mel plays very tasteful rock riffs in a power trio setting. He gets great Jack Bruce 'a la' Cream tone and uses it to full advantage. He plays in a mostly supportive role, often filling the shoes traditionally filled by rhythm guitarists. While guitarist Mark Farner plays some truly heavy Rhodes on "Mean Mistreater", Mel holds together and propels this thrashy tune with his grinding, toneful power riffs. On "Heartbreaker" Mel performs a melodic solo which offers a very nice counterpoint to this hard rockin' power ballad.

"I'm Your Captain ( Closer to Home )" one of 70's Rock better anthems has one of the most recognizable rock riffs ever played by a bassist! This guy has played some of the best 'Rock' grooves ever written!

While certainly not one of innovative bass pioneers or a technical bass superman, Mel is a distinctive stylist that really has left his mark on Rock-n-Roll.

I nominate Mel for the position of underrated Bass Deity.
Mr. Power Trio!

the guy from Dead Kennedys and the dude from Rancid are btoh good, and i quit listening to punk a while ago.

Klaus Flouride is the Kennedys's i think

I like Bruce Thomas, formerly of Elvis Costello & The Attractions. Plays busy lines, but very tasteful & very melodic. They're almost like self-contained little counterpoint melodies unto themselves, in the vein of the best Paul McCartney Beatles basslines...

He's actually not so under-rated in England as he is in the USA; has been right in the middle of the British rock & pop scene since the late 60s...

MM

Edit: Just now noticed the previous reference to B.T. Great minds think alike ;)

I like Bruce Thomas, formerly of Elvis Costello & The Attractions. Plays busy lines, but very tasteful & very melodic. They're almost like self-contained little counterpoint melodies unto themselves, in the vein of the best Paul McCartney Beatles basslines...

He's actually not so under-rated in England as he is in the USA; has been right in the middle of the British rock & pop scene since the late 60s...

MM

Edit: Just now noticed the previous reference to B.T. Great minds think alike ;)

The best part was - those posts are 5 years old!

What about Mel Schacher????
Mr. Big Stomp his-own-self??
What a driving monster...I love his stuff

They (GFR) are still touring (sans Mark Farner) and still laying it down.
In 1996 (I think) GFR did a reunion tour (with Farner) that stopped at my town...I was there ...and I got the Tee-shirt too.
They still kicked as much butt as ever.
And I never heard a Jazz bass sound like that..I mean Jazz basses sound terrible to start with but Mel made it artistry..
Rumble?? From a Jazz...??? How did he do it?? Amazing Cat.

I know, I posted this in other simular forum too.

Underrated Bassists (pretty subjective):

Let's see,

John Taylor- Duran Duran (easily the most underrated bassist ever)

Peter Hook-Joy Division/New Order
Bruce Thomas- Elvis Costello
Mike Mills- REM
Simon Gallup- Cure
Eric Avery- Jane's Addiction
-all these guys have smart melodic bass parts

Jim LeVerde- Barren Cross (the Christian Steve Harris)


Benard Edwards- Chic (would 1/2 of todays R&B/hip-Hop sound anything like it does w/o Benard, Bootsy and J. Jamerson?) They are so so copied.

the best band no one (usually) knows about: Jellyfish

I know, I posted this in other simular forum too.

Underrated Bassists (pretty subjective):

Let's see,

John Taylor- Duran Duran (easily the most underrated bassist ever)

Peter Hook-Joy Division/New Order
Bruce Thomas- Elvis Costello
Mike Mills- REM
Simon Gallup- Cure
Eric Avery- Jane's Addiction
-all these guys have smart melodic bass parts

Jim LeVerde- Barren Cross (the Christian Steve Harris)


Benard Edwards- Chic (would 1/2 of todays R&B/hip-Hop sound anything like it does w/o Benard, Bootsy and J. Jamerson?) They are so so copied.

the best band no one (usually) knows about: Jellyfish

Heh heh, I already know who you are by your user name. Did a search on Bruce Thomas after a post I just left in unappreciated bassists thread, and go figure your post popped up as last one mentioning Bruce Thomas.

Big + 1 on Bruce Thomas

ps: check your PM

who's yo daddy luke?

you know i love the elvis costello. i even married an alison.

i found a killer tribute band, i've seen them too. top notch:

www.oliversarmyband.com you'd like them.

remember when we did that hack version of "this years girl"? i never could get that casio to sound like a farfisa :)

Norman Watt-Roy. This cat played with Ian Dury and the Blockheads. He played great lines, always solid and he was really funky. Don't know what happened to him.

Some noteworthy, under-rated bassists:

-Les Claypool
-Flea
-Jason Newsted
-Cliff Burton
-Jaco Pastorius

Has ANYONE even heard of these bassists?

To those of you who mentioned Bobby Sheehan of Blues Traveler and no relation to Billy SHeehan of Mr. Big and Niacin, I can't tell from your posts if you realize that Bobby Sheehan is deceased. In fact he passed away about a year ago. When I read about his death in Bass Player Magazine, I was genuinely stunned. Sheehan was one of my favorite bass players. I was priviledged to see him play at the H.O.A.R.D. festival in 1996, plus I've played some of his songs over and over and over. To have him die so young just magnifies the tragedy.

He is being "replaced" by Chad Chinska's brother. (Forgive me misspelling the guitar player's name.) But it will be very hard to fill Bobby Sheehan's shoes, not unlike the challenge Jason Newsted faced filling Cliff Burton's shoes. Jason Oldsted

Yeah Bobby could really tear it up with some soild grrove, i really enjoyed hia playing. Jason Newsted is the man , SOLID. :bassist:

Bryan Beller is really good, I heard him on James Labre's solo album. He's also a superb writer.

I just thought of another guy you don't hear much about. Rob Stoner. Solid player all the way around. toured with Dylan in the 70's and did some things in NY at the same time. Don't know what ever happened to him.

John Taylor from Duran Duran (or was it Andy). Anyway, I spent my middle school years boycotting those guys. Upon further review, there's some good stuff going on in the background.

Muzz Skillings - couldn't agree more.
Dean from Toad - I have a few Toad albums but never much paid attention to the bass. Guess I should re-discover.

These are songs since I have no idea who plays the bass on them, but they're great fretless lines:
Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
New York Minute - Henley
Lady In Red - Deburgh

....but never much paid attention to the bass. Guess I should re-discover.


Hang around here long enough and you will listen with totally
different ears.

I don't care for Elton John much, for example, but the other
day 'Philadelphia Freedom' was on the radio and I thought to
myself, "Crappy song, but that guy is whacking out a wicked
good bass line, and the tone is to die for ...wonder who the
studio guy is.'

Hang around here long enough and you will listen with totally
different ears.

I don't care for Elton John much, for example, but the other
day 'Philadelphia Freedom' was on the radio and I thought to
myself, "Crappy song, but that guy is whacking out a wicked
good bass line, and the tone is to die for ...wonder who the
studio guy is.'
Dee Murray? Just a guess, great player who listens to others in the band.

I'll play...

Ken Gradney of Little Feat, just a solid sense of time, truly a funk monster without the pop/slap.

Stephen Stills played a decent bass...

Who played bass for Steve Miller in the late '60's? Left handed black guy... He was awesome.

Michael Anthony......Eddie couldn't do w/o a solid foundation
Jason Newsted......see him live to fully appreciate him
Bobby Sheehan......blew me away live in 1994
Billy Gould..... Faith No More as a band is way underrated
Tom Hamilton....Solid for 20+ years
Chris Wolstenholme.....bp for Muse, excellent band
John Paul Jones......just as important to Zep as Page imho

Some noteworthy, under-rated bassists:

-Les Claypool
-Flea
-Jason Newsted
-Cliff Burton
-Jaco Pastorius

Has ANYONE even heard of these bassists?

Sorry, who? Never heard of them. They sound like they suck though...




:p

felix pappalardi

I just thought of another guy you don't hear much about. Rob Stoner. Solid player all the way around. toured with Dylan in the 70's and did some things in NY at the same time. Don't know what ever happened to him.

Hey Mike -

Rob Stoner is alive and well and living in Rockland County, New York. He's played with everyone from Bob Dylan, to T-Bone Burnette, to Johnny Thunders. He still records and teaches bass. In fact, I take lessons from him.

You may recall (if you're old enough!) that he had an album out in 1980 called "Patriotic Duty." It had a very Rockabilly feel. The single from it "I Came, I Saw, I Left" was a minor hit.

The only reason I say this guy is underrated is because I never see anybody talking about him. I just started listening to this group after having lost interest in them a few years ago. But now I'm totally into them again. The player: Dean Dinning. The band: Toad the Wet Sprocket. I don't know why nobody talks about him, he's fantastic! Listening to a Toad album is like a seminar on rock bass. He does everything right. Are there no Toad fans out there? What's up?

I am a big Dinning fan, great bassist, Deans one of my favorites. I am also a big Toad the Wet Sprocket fan. I just wish they could get their problems solved and reform to make new music. Nothing that the members have done solo approach the music they created as a band.

The only reason I say this guy is underrated is because I never see anybody talking about him. I just started listening to this group after having lost interest in them a few years ago. But now I'm totally into them again. The player: Dean Dinning. The band: Toad the Wet Sprocket. I don't know why nobody talks about him, he's fantastic! Listening to a Toad album is like a seminar on rock bass. He does everything right. Are there no Toad fans out there? What's up?

+1 This guy is really good. I love his playing, very melodical yet he always keeps the bottom end solid. Besides, he sings lead in many of their songs.:bassist:

Adam Clayton - U2

Totally underrated! He's so good at just plowing you down with his grooves.

Paul McCartney - Beatles and Wings

Just listen to anything..... haha

How 'bout Rick Danko from The Band? His style is instantly recognizable and he was among the first to use a fretless, I believe. Great groove- tons of sliding/greeze-ay playing. He's an amazing singer, as well.

I second Ken Gradney (Little Feat)

Max Bennett, Gary King, and Wilton Felder are studio cats that you don't hear much about. Check out some mid/late 70s Joni Mitchell albums for Max and Wilton's great tasty playing.

Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) is one-of-a-kind. His Alembic and Dark-Starred Guilds are simply *the* rock tone- huge and thunderous. Anthony Jackson cites him as a huge influence.

MIKE WATT! (fIREHOSE, Minutemen) - Maybe not underated, but I don't see his name that much here.

Oh, and Ron Wood, while famous for playing guitar with the Rolling Stones, is actually a great rock bass player. Check out the early Jeff Beck recordings.

How 'bout Rick Danko from The Band? His style is instantly recognizable and he was among the first to use a fretless, I believe. Great groove- tons of sliding/greeze-ay playing. He's an amazing singer, as well.

I second Ken Gradney (Little Feat)

Max Bennett, Gary King, and Wilton Felder are studio cats that you don't hear much about. Check out some mid/late 70s Joni Mitchell albums for Max and Wilton's great tasty playing.

Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) is one-of-a-kind. His Alembic and Dark-Starred Guilds are simply *the* rock tone- huge and thunderous. Anthony Jackson cites him as a huge influence.

MIKE WATT! (fIREHOSE, Minutemen) - Maybe not underated, but I don't see his name that much here.

I beg to differ. Mike has his own forum here. Scroll down
the bass forum till you come to 'Ask Mike Watt'.

Casady, agreed.

Joni always had the best people, Jaco recorded and toured
with her as well.

Oh, and Ron Wood, while famous for playing guitar with the Rolling Stones, is actually a great rock bass player. Check out the early Jeff Beck recordings.

That would be Truth and Beck-ola. The cuts 'Let Me Love
You Baby' and 'Shapes of Things' on Truth particularly stand as
a testament to what a fine player Ron was when he was playing bass.
Great artist as well. Very creative guy.

:bassist:

Edit:
Time to drag out the pic Fred Hammon gave me of Casady with the Alembic modded Guild with the Hagstrom pups.

The only reason I say this guy is underrated is because I never see anybody talking about him. I just started listening to this group after having lost interest in them a few years ago. But now I'm totally into them again. The player: Dean Dinning. The band: Toad the Wet Sprocket. I don't know why nobody talks about him, he's fantastic! Listening to a Toad album is like a seminar on rock bass. He does everything right. Are there no Toad fans out there? What's up?


Some of his fretless work is pretty sweet.
Also, a cat who doesn't get a lot of notice is Scott Bannevich from Edwin McCain. Some really cool lines on the first record.

It seems a lot of cool guys from the early 90's seem to get over looked for some reason.

Billy Gould - Faith No More killer sound and plays Zon ;)

Tom Hamilton - Great solid playera ,saw him recently with a Sadowsky Monern 24 .

Sabo Romo - Band called Caifanes (Mexico) , great sound and unique style

Frank Bello - One of the few Metal players to play with his fingers

Robert Trujillo - Not the Metallica Trujillo (Can't wait to hear him playing bass on a Metallica studio album)the Infectious Grooves Trujillo

Eric Wilson (Sublime)
FAmily Man
Hub ( The Roots)
Pino Palladino
Jimi Hendrix - His work on electric ladyland is great and he wrote pretty much all of the basslines you hear on his albums.
NAthan WAtts (Stevie Wonder)
Doug Lubahn -PLayed bass on most of the doors' stuff was asked to join the group many times.
Guy Pratt - I saw him playing on teh new Floyd DVD and was blown away.
Paul Jackson from Herbie Hancock's HeadHunters
Buster Williams acoustic/electric bassist who played on Fat Albert Rotunda with Herbie Hancock.

Tony746, any idea if Mario Cippolina is any relationship to former QMS guitarist John Cippolina?
There are probably tons of bassists that could be named; I always hit on my faves, Martin Turner and Gary Thain, but you could include people that have turned up in David Bowie's band, Kasim Sultan (sp?, but from Utopia and now Meatloaf), Hunt Sales (or is it Tony?), Rick Grech, Joey Dimaeo (sp?), Gerry McAvoy, Chris Glen, and on and on.


In case no one ever answered your query the answer would be YES, Mario is/was John's brother.

Nathan Watts

I still don't think Mike Watt gets his props.
I think this guy is deserving of the best compliment you could ever give to a bass player, which is: without his bass lines, the songs would completely fall apart.
Recommended listening: Minutemen, "Double Nickels on the Dime"; fIREHOSE, "Ragin', Full On," "If'n," and "Flyin' the Flannel"; and his second solo album "Contemplating the Engine Room."
This guy is a true master.

Props on this. His tone in the Firehose album If'n is one of my faves on record. And he absolutley cracks me up on the Rising Low DVD with the "wrestlin' moves thing...

Every time I see a thread like this, I always have to mention Tina Weymouth from the Talking Heads. By no means is she world class technically, but so many of their songs depend on her basslines, and they are so funky for amount of notes she plays.

Tony746, any idea if Mario Cippolina is any relationship to former QMS guitarist John Cippolina?
There are probably tons of bassists that could be named; I always hit on my faves, Martin Turner and Gary Thain, but you could include people that have turned up in David Bowie's band, Kasim Sultan (sp?, but from Utopia and now Meatloaf), Hunt Sales (or is it Tony?), Rick Grech, Joey Dimaeo (sp?), Gerry McAvoy, Chris Glen, and on and on.


Since you're mentioning these guys that played with Todd Rundgren, don't leave out my favorite - John Siegler. He played a fretless P and kicked major ass. Listen to the track for Just One Victory...

Props on this. His tone in the Firehose album If'n is one of my faves on record. And he absolutley cracks me up on the Rising Low DVD with the "wrestlin' moves thing...

Every time I see a thread like this, I always have to mention Tina Weymouth from the Talking Heads. By no means is she world class technically, but so many of their songs depend on her basslines, and they are so funky for amount of notes she plays.

I read an interview with Tina a few years back. She basically
admitted that she knew nothing on bass when she joined the band
and that David Byrne trained her on what to play, note for
note. I think her quote was 'I let him mold me.'

You're right, technically she is nothing special, but she
plays the right stuff for the songs he wrote. Hard not to
since he wrote the basslines as well.