Common Pitfall: Listening to music only because it has a good bass part

sigmafloyd · #1 10-03-2011, 02:19 PM

One of the mistakes I make time and time again is listening to music that I really don't care for only because it has an interesting bass part. I think we here at talkbass also elevate some music higher than it should be because of the basslines.

I've been listening to a fair bit of motown lately to get a better feel for Jamerson's bass parts. My biggest take away, so far, is that as nice as his playing is, I just really do not care for 99% of motown songs. They are pleasant enough, but they don't do anything for me beyond a surface level feeling of 'oh, that's a catchy tune'. This is just a recent example. In the past I've suffered through listening to Marcus Miller albums, solo Victor Wooten stuff, etc. I haven't really found a 'bass album' yet that I've liked and I'm not a huge fan of the Miles Davis era that Marcus was a part of.

Are there any albums that you've really tried to love because of the bass parts but finally realized that you just didn't care for the music?

TomA1234 · #2 10-03-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigmafloyd

Are there any albums that you've really tried to love because of the bass parts but finally realized that you just didn't care for the music?

Yes. Rush (flame on

)

renobassman · #3 10-03-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomA1234

Yes. Rush (flame on

)

I actually agree with you on that. I do like some of Rush's material, but I find myself appreciating the musicianship more than actually enjoying the music.

bassboysam · #4 10-03-2011, 02:46 PM

I totally agree with you, I don't really buy albums because of the bass playing. If I like a band its because I like them as a whole. Jamerson is one example of a good player where I really don't care for the songs.

I'll throw Rush in there as well, aside from some of their very early stuff I just don't see the appeal. So you can play the bass really well, that doesn't make you a songwriter that I as a bass player neccessarily want to listen to.

Zoa · #5 10-03-2011, 02:51 PM

Rush. I love Motown though. Marvin Gaye especially.

Stumbo · #6 10-03-2011, 02:55 PM

Motown...like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, etc? Just curious...which bands/genres do you hold in high esteem and that we'll be listening 50 years from now?

JonahTheAmazing · #7 10-03-2011, 03:00 PM

I listen to music with lots of good bass, but it is out of enjoyment as a whole. I like every part of Rush. On the contrary, I'm not the biggest Yes fan, even though I admire Chris Squire (and the rest of them). I totally get the bass album not clicking. I prefer Bela Fleck with Vic rather than Vic alone.

tangentmusic · #8 10-03-2011, 03:06 PM

Every genre of music has it's bass heroes.
That does not mean we personally like music of all styles.
I was raised in the city. I never listened to or got into country music.
That does not mean there werent any outstanding country bassists - there were.
We didnt get into Motown that much here out west. No denying Jamerson is a bass hero.
You love what you were around growing up.
For me it was Progressive music.
I have loved Rush since the '70's - everything about them, songwriting, lyrics & musicianship. I love Yes for all the same reasons.

Dont listen to a particular music because you think you have to.
Listen to music you love listening to.

sigmafloyd · #9 10-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

Dont listen to a particular music because you think you have to.
Listen to music you love listening to.

Well said