Bass on Flatt & Scruggs "Cripple Creek"

[michaeln]

Folks, have a listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4sqishGuYw

I know, you've heard it a thousand times. But it sounds to me like the bass player got "upside down" (playing V-I instead of I-V), starting at the fifth measure. It's really disorienting to me to listen to that.

Suppose that was a screw up, or do you think he MEANT to play it that way?

[Jake deVilliers]

Well, since he plays it the same way throughout the tune, I'd say it was intentional.

If you want to hear mistakes, listen to Bill Monroe's bass players in the fifties...

[wdave]

Not a mistake at all (IMO). This was before the emergence of the bluegrass police.
Dave Little

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by wdave

Not a mistake at all (IMO). This was before the emergence of the bluegrass police.
Dave Little

+1

I don't see what's so disorienting about that.

[michaeln]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Well, since he plays it the same way throughout the tune, I'd say it was intentional.

He doesn't do it throughout the tune, only once for a few measures starting with the fifth.

If you want to hear mistakes, listen to Bill Monroe's bass players in the fifties...

I don't need to do that, I can just listen to myself. ;-)

[superman]

That would be Cousin Jake Tullock playing the bass,, he was one of the greatest bass players in bluegras history,, some of his note choices might not seem "correct" but if you will listen to his playing you will be doing your self a favor if your wanting to learn to play real bluegrass bass,,Jake could play out on top of the beat just about as good as any one, and the way he walked backwards into changes might seem strange,,but then again he is one of the men who wrote the book of bluegrass bass,, so if Jake played it that way,,I would say thats right.
Bluegrass bass playing has gotten way too far away from this very kind of playing,,so much of it now is very stale and lifeless,,jazz has seemed to have crept into bluegrass along with the practice of playing behind the beat,,which in my oppinon ruins the drive of the music.You can be the greatest player in the world, know all the fancy licks ,all the way out solos,,but if you cann't get in the grove and play music like these boys did,,It's not really bluegrass.
Just really listen to Jake and you'll hear some real playing,,it's not fancy,,but it's good,,,Kent

[michaeln]

I think he's entitled to play it any way he wants, but I don't like it.

[superman]

I love playing Jake style bass,, it's lots of fun,,not the same ole 1 5 1 5,,you really should try it,,get the Flatt&Scruggs dvds,,thats some really good bass playing on there.

[michaeln]

I have lots of Flatt & Scruggs CDs... I used to play banjo.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by michaeln

I have lots of Flatt & Scruggs CDs... I used to play banjo.

Hey buddy I used to play banjo too. What else did you play?
Me guitar, mando, Bouzouki- big mando, drums and bodahran. Oh yeah Ukulele. Still play guitar, mando and Uke but I added the bass.

[michaeln]

Originally Posted by Nohandles

Hey buddy I used to play banjo too. What else did you play?

Electric guitar
Acoustic guitar
Pedal Steel Guitar
Dobro
Mandolin
Fiddle
Banjo
Electric bass
Acoustic bass

[N.F.A.]

Nohandles... I'd love to hear more about your bouzouki or even see pix. I play one too and a mandola.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by michaeln

Electric guitar
Acoustic guitar
Pedal Steel Guitar
Dobro
Mandolin
Fiddle
Banjo
Electric bass
Acoustic bass

Very impressive list of instruments mahaelm wish we were closer.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by N.F.A.

Nohandles... I'd love to hear more about your bouzouki or even see pix. I play one too and a mandola.

I has a Flat Iron Bouzouki that I play for 8 or 9 year in a group called the Upstairs Ramblers. Also Bodhran too- still play that it drives some Bluegrassers nuts but a lot like it for the drum beat especially with one group that gets off into some pretty funky stuff. My ex wife has all the pictures of that period of my life so I don't know if I can get pictures to post. I've always regretted selling that one especially since my son- a classical guitarist has the started to play Irish music. He plays it finger style and I flat pick guitar or play the bass.
What kind do you have?

Sorry for the hijack of this thread.

[N.F.A.]

Here are mine. I am a bit rusty on them since taking up bass, but they are my favorite instruments.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by N.F.A.

Here are mine. I am a bit rusty on them since taking up bass, but they are my favorite instruments.

Very nice my friend. There is a chance I may get my FI back, keep your finger crossed for me.

[N.F.A.]

Yes, crossing my fingers and muttering a prayer to the Celtic gods right now, for you.

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by michaeln

... I used to play banjo.

Well, nuff said.

I love Cousin Jake's bass playing - he's one of my favorite players of all time. I like how creative his lines are, he created his own style - which is lacking badly in alot of Bluegrass today. He was one hell of a slapper too when he got the occasion to do so.

I'm with Superman - Jake was tops.

[superman]

Jake was really a good player,I got to meet his son this past Sunday at a show at the Country Music Hall Of Fame I played for with Curly Seckler,,I hope too talk more with his son in the future.Uncle Josh told me that he showed Josh how to "chord" the bass, and "he took it and ran",Uncle also said Jakes idol was Joe Zinkan,,and if you listen to Joes playing you will hear where Jake got alot of his stuff,,including the slapping, Kent

[bassistkll]

I think that bass line worked just fine. Great performance by all the players and a really good recording for the time IMHO.