Jake and I have a ongoing discussion as to what makes up a truly great , trancending CD or piece of music.( We are listening to a lot of submitted CD's lately )
Something just clicks when you hear it and you have to say "Wow" and you know it is good.
What are you listening to and what makes so good?

I've spent many hours over the last several months listening to The Derek Trucks Band's cd Songlines.

Almost every song on it makes me say "WOW!".:hyper:

The breadth of musical styles and the stellar playing of every band member brings a special life to each song. Of course Derek's solo's are always face-melting but the bass playing of Todd Smallie (or if you've seen the DVD, Todd 'Smilie') is so in the pocket, so much in the 'groove' I'll sometimes listen to the same song 2 or 3 times in a row.

Jacob Fred Jazz Oddysey

these guys are making new music. Reed Mathis is an amazing bass player who for once is doing something new. It seems like once Jaco came out, the only soloing that people did sounded like Jaco, and when the slappers came out, everybody's solos sounded like all the slappers, and when the tappers came out, everybody's solos sounded like stu hamm or wooten, but Reed Mathis is making his own path in the world of bass solos! And it doesn't hurt to play along with Brian Haas, who is an incredible rhodes player! and these guys can improvise like no other! I really like their music!!

i have been listening to Seth Horan a lot lately. I think he has a great voice and tone. his playing blows me away. I have three of his albums and you can really hear his voice and playing mature.

Brian Bromberg's Metal, and Downright Upright have also been on constant play. these albums couldn't be more different than the other but you can still hear Brian on each of them. I bought Metal after reading a BP mag article in which he diescribes the recording process and instrument selection. Everything you hear on that album is bass (except for drums of course) whether it is 4 string, 5 string, Fretless, or piccollo (which sounds amazing) there aren't any guitars, just bass. it just blows me away that with layering of tracks and sounds that even only using basses the sonic pallette could be this delicious.

I have been listening to a bass line that is amazing but wasn't played on a bass!!
The ever impressive Bobby McFerrin did a version of "the Pink Panther" for the movie
"Son of the pink panther" where he vocalizes all the respective parts ...including the Bass. When he goes into the walking line it makes the tune!
It is worth a listen

back to the "classics" for me...

Led Zeppelin I, II, III, IV and Physical Graffiti

Medeski,Scolfield,Martin,and Wood. IMO are the hottest thing going right now. Chris Wood is an amazing bassist(electric and upright) and is going to get my vote for one of the best.
Also listening to Steely Dan(Chuck Rainey), Jamerson, Jaco,Phil and friends.

Avishai Cohen. MAN! Everything he writes is out of the ordinary but never seems to be difficult for it's own sake. Beautiful melodies and a rhythmic sense that just captures me at every turn.
Also, Rich Brown just sent me a live recording of his band "Rinsethealgorithm". WHOOOOEEEW. I've needed that! Rich was the bass player in Dapp Theory and now in Autorickshaw. The band is amazing and the groove is so THICK! Keep and eye out for those guys.

A lot of the indie/punk rock bands from the 80's are truly great. Minutemen, Meat Puppets, The Replacements etc. I dont know if you are familiar with any of these bands but in my opinion they are the last of the truely new great bands. Nothing recent touches them in creativity.

I can put in Sunny Day Real Estates Diary or LP2 (pink) album and find something new everytime that "wows" me. Rodeo Jones is such a good song (except for the breakdown in the middle that sounds like Journeys "Anyway you want it"). It's 14 years old and still gets a full listen through.

Lots of John Schofield andSteve Swallow.

I am easily amused / entertained and taste wise, run almost the full spectrum of recorded music... depending on mood.

right this second I'm enjoying Shawn Colvin's first release "Steady On". What a well written and played album. John Leventhal & T-Bone Wolk have some real tasty bass work throughout. I actually bought this on cassette back within a month of it's release (I had caught the video for the title track on VH1)... long lost & forgotten, I just scored a copy on CD :bassist:

Listening to:
Trip Wamsley "Curve"
Attention Deficit "The Idiot King"
Tal Wilkenfeld "Transformation"

Try this one (no bass, by the way); http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/releases/default.aspx?pid=9706&aid=2838
Mavis Staples and Lucky Peterson. Holy Cow!

Mavis has one serious voice and Lucky's work on the B-3 is nice.

The review was pretty accurate as well.

Thanks Dave

Lucky is brilliant. I have worked on shows with him before, and he plays both guitar and organ brilliantly. Makes me sick! His dad James is also brilliant, although he's got really filthy lyrics!

I currently am listening to and watching assorted Devo bootleg DVD's. My current favorite is their 3-Devo show, a PPV back in 1982 shot in 3-D. Someone on the video crew turned off an offest in their sequencers, and some of the songs got badly out of sync with the video screen they had behind them, including one that they had to completely abandon because it was so bad. Later in the show, Mark Mothersbaugh started ranting about what a stupid idea it was to do a 3-D show and the people running it were idiots. The lawsuits flew after that show.

I've also been watching some more recent shows as well, including a show they did at Central Park in 2005 where they completely botched the ending of "Jocko Homo," their signature song. Devo isn't exactly known for their note-perfect renditions, and they can be downright sloppy at times because they're always jumping around the stage. But this was one of the most horrible clams I've ever seen, and I love to watch it over and over!

I've also been listening to Gogol Bordello, the kings of Russian gypsy punk, and this super-gay band called Of Montreal who have some of the coolest McCartney-esque basslines out there.

Sorry to disappoint everyone that I'm not listening to more highbrow bass-oriented stuff. Not a huge fan of it.

Thanks for sharing that with us JimmyM!
The key here is that we all will listen to something that speaks to us for some reason or another. I don't think " Highbrow" is the strongest motivator. Sometimes a simple but appropiate bass line wil make me listen to (and play) a Particular song or style... Like Motown stuff... groovin, funky, and driving that makes you want to stand up and move with it.
If you add the feeling you get when the notes you play resonate in your own chest...... Now that is what I an talking about :)

Here we are again!
If you are interested in a solo Bass effort catch Aram Bedrosian's CD.
You can find it on Our Worldwide review!

A 3 disc "The Band" anthology.
and the X Bolex

Not that it matters, but I just got a Tuner that hooks up to an Ipod in my car. Now I can listen to almost unlimited music without lugging a case of CD's.
Any way, I am giving a good listen to the CD's sent to us by our readers that are in this months Worldwide Review. Lots of great performances..... Make sure you go to the Mag and Check them out! :) (Also, please support your fellow bass musicians and leave them a comment after you enjoy their music!)

Many bass fans (mainly kids and highly sophisticated alt-rockers that like Flea, Geddy, Geezer, and Jaco) have illegally downloaded "The Jesus Fist Tapes", for free:

http://www.ruinerseverhead.com/

You all should download this free record too!! Let's make your iPod melt with the greatest low-end sonic mayhem since Jaco's first record!!

Add the FIST to your MySpace friend's list:
http://www.myspace.com/jesusfist666
http://www.myspace.com/demondwilson69
http://www.myspace.com/ruinerseverhead

I am listening to Alberto Rigonis' "Something Different".
Check it out on Bass Musician Magazines Worldwide Review! Don't forget to leave a comment if you dig this CD!
:)

Ojos de Brujo. Check this modern flamenco band out. The bassist is Javier Martin, and he plays beautifully. The percussion arrangements, hip-hop influence, and flamenco roots, make this some very exciting and unique music.

New York Dolls

New York Dolls

hail to the "king - Mr. Johnny Thunders"

what i am listening too:
Stevie Wonder, the meters, SRV....lots of old blues and Motown. for me lately

an EX+ AUD source of the 4/13/08 Rush show in Sunrise, FL

Sean Malone's "Cortlandt" - Just listen to it.

wow. I mean, holy **** wow.

Also been listening to Porcupine Tree's later stuff a lot lately.

Doc Kupka presents Strokeland Superband: "Kick It Up A Step!" (Francis Rocco Prestia on bass)

Scott Martin's Latin Soul Band: "Menudo & Gritz" (Rene Camacho on Bass)

Mic Gillette's "Ear Candy" (Francis Rocco Prestia, Rick Hendricks, Rick Duncan, Bernard Hairston, Paul Jackson, and Victor Little on bass)

Return to Forever has returned! They are going to be touring and doing it all while recording it in audio and video. Small sample on the website. I'm droolin' !!!!!!!!!!!!

Earl Greyhound's "SOS". Most rocking song I've heard in soo long. Best drumming too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4HEXWLZJ_U

This week I'm listening to a lot of songwriter John Gorka (amazing songwriter) with Michael Manring playing really open, beautiful stuff underneath.

I listening to Dub Trio "Another Sound is Dying". It's good because it's heavy yet still has a dub/reggae vibe even on the tracks that don't have reggae parts. I'm also listening to Nirvana "Bleach" because it's the best album Nirvana made. Dang it's heavy and groovy.

sly.

The Raconteurs - Counselors of the Lonely

Hey buddy,

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The Raconteurs - Counselors of the Lonely

I caught their live web feed from Bonnaroo and went right out and snagged that and the first one. Good band!

Currently this morning I was listening to both Gordian Knot discs and right now I've got Brand X's "Do They Hurt?" playing

Walter Trout's new album; The Outsider

Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen

The Yellowjackets 'Mint Jam'

Bad Brains- the whole discography, various John Coltrane, Easy Star All Stars-Dub side of the moon, and Lamb of God. :D

The Raconteurs - Counselors of the Lonely

Big +1 - this album kicks a**.

Down III is getting a lot of play time at my house, as is Ozomatli (Signs).

PINK FLAG from WIRE.
Over and over lately. I don't really know why, but it sure is good.

Bruce Springsteen's "Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ"

I've been listening to A Day To Remember's For Those Who Have Heart.

I saw them play recently and they were absolutely SICK.

Mark Selby - More Storms Comin'

The Kingsnakes - Snakes Alive (this is the Syracuse band)

Static Age- Misfits

Rob Gourlays first solo album "Lets do it!" and Journeys greatest hits!