Bruce Thomas and Graham Maby

Toronto Bassist · #1 07-20-2010, 03:42 PM

So I was eager to check these guys out and I bought Elvis Costello's "Armed Forces" and Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp!". Both have some fantastic bass playing, so I'd like to check out more. Any recommendations on what to get next?

Also, are there any other pop bassists who use catchy hooks in their playing? (other than Paul McCartney of course, who I've heard plenty of)

BigOldHarry · #2 07-20-2010, 03:50 PM

Joe Jackson "I'm the Man". Graham Maby is the freakin' MAN. His playing alone is reason enough to commit the sin of playing with a pick...

lomo · #3 07-20-2010, 03:53 PM

You have opened the door to some serious tunes :-)

If you dig those try:

Joe Jackson's Beat Crazy, I'm The Man and Night and Day
Elvis C's This Years Model, Get Happy

Happy listening-this is some of the best music of my youth and I still dig it heavily (I'm 47 BTW).

GregC · #4 07-20-2010, 03:59 PM

Great choices! These are two of my favorite players. Listening to Thomas, especially, and learning some of his lines helped my playing go up a notch. (I wish I could use a pick half as well as Maby!)

Get Happy might be Thomas' ultimate work for me and my favorite EC album. After that, I'd recommend Imperial Bedroom--a different, more "refined" vibe, but yet another great album and Thomas does some really interesting stuff on it.

I second BOH's recommendation of I'm The Man.

csala · #5 07-20-2010, 04:34 PM

Those guys are two of my favorite bassists. Check out XTC and The Jellyfish as well for some good melodic playing.

Toronto Bassist · #6 07-20-2010, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Another one that comes to mind is Dee Murray...I bought 11-17-70, which is absolutely fantastic. Are there any other Elton John albums with good playing from Dee? Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, maybe?

iamthebassman · #7 07-21-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toronto Bassist

Thanks for the suggestions. Another one that comes to mind is Dee Murray...I bought 11-17-70, which is absolutely fantastic. Are there any other Elton John albums with good playing from Dee? Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, maybe?

GYBR has some great Dee playing, especially check out "Funeral for a Friend" and "Ballad of Danny Bailey".

**TRichardsbass** · #8 07-21-2010, 10:17 AM

Graham lives a short drive from me in NJ...see him often...still great!

deekay911 · #9 07-21-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

Graham lives a short drive from me in NJ...see him often...still great!

That's cool, he's always been a hero of mine.

**TRichardsbass** · #10 07-21-2010, 10:22 AM

Oh, BigOleHarry, it is a sin NOT to play with a pick!

electracoyote · #11 07-21-2010, 10:23 AM

Maby, Murray, and Thomas are three of my favorite and most influencial bassists. Talk about guys who know how to follow, break, and bend rules, all at the same time. If you like their work on one release, chances are you will appreciate it on just about everything they did. I know I really like Murray and Thomas work on early and late releases alike.

Philbiker · #12 07-21-2010, 10:34 AM

Maby plays on a bunch of Marshall Crenshaw records. Highly recommended, the live album "My Truck Is My Home". Check out Jaggedland, his latest.

Graham Maby's wiki has a discography.

emblymouse · #13 07-21-2010, 10:51 AM

I'll add Andy Metcalfe who I've heard with Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians. Loads of fun and fretless too!

onestring · #14 07-21-2010, 10:56 AM

My favorite Bruce with Elvis records: Imperial Bedroom for his most sophisticated, melodic playing, and Get Happy! for pure enjoyment (kind of a punk meets classic R&B album).

Elvis' album Brutal Youth has three bass players: Elvis, Bruce, and Nick Lowe. I did a blindfold test and got 100%. I'm only bragging because I usually can't do that...

This thread is great, all my faves!

MixBass · #15 07-21-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csala

Those guys are two of my favorite bassists. Check out XTC and The Jellyfish as well for some good melodic playing.

Yeah, Colin Moulding immediately comes to mind as another to listen to for melodic bass.
And Spilt Milk is a pop masterpiece.

Mike M. · #16 07-21-2010, 03:31 PM

Back during my full time playing days (late 70's/early 80's) our band played quite a few Joe Jackson and Elivis Costello songs. Yeah, Bruce and Graham's playing is a thing to behold. Great lines, great tones....and I LOVE playing with a pick as much as playing fingerstyle.

iamthebassman · #17 07-22-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixBass

Yeah, Colin Moulding immediately comes to mind as another to listen to for melodic bass.
And Spilt Milk is a pop masterpiece.

That struck me as funny, I thought Spilt Milk was not even close to being as good a record as Bellybutton, mainly because Jason had left the band by then. I've been a fan of his since The Three O'Clock. I got to see Jellyfish in '90(?), opening for World Party, a fantastic evening.

mr.hughes · #18 07-22-2010, 07:48 AM

I had the pleasure of watching Graham Maby with Joan Baez once, beautifuk supportive lines that did exactly what it said on the tin. And then I got to met him backstage afterwards and chat for a little while. Very nice guy, and totally welcoming to a complete stranger. And Joan Baez rocks too - for being the sweetest lady.

Commreman · #19 07-22-2010, 08:07 AM

LOVE both Bruce Thomas and Graham Maby's playing. Both of these players were the perfect foil for their respective front men. Get Happy, Armed Forces, Brutal Youth are among my favorite EC albums. I always thought that Graham Maby was more versatile. Listen to how he changes genres at will throughout his work with JJ on Night and Day, Jumpin Jive, and of course Look Sharp and I'm the Man. All great records!

Bofee · #20 07-22-2010, 08:19 AM

From the same era is Norman Watt-Roy. Check him out with Ian Dury's band, The Blockheads on the albums "Do It Yourself" and "New Boots and Panties".