Need some Fretless recordings!
 

I want some more albums that have a fretless bass on every song of the album. All I pretty much know of are Jaco's stuff and Tribal Tech (Gary Willis).

I heard some Steve Digiorgio yesterday, but didn't care too much for his work with Sadus, but I liked his stuff with Dark Hall, a jazz album. It doesn't have to only be Jazz. I was hopeful in the metal recordings of Steve, but most of what I heard was like 80's thrash metal, which I am not a huge fan of. I do like it sometimes, but am very picky, and wasn't too moved with what I heard yesterday. But I do like Metallica and Tool, as well as most rock, jazz, and blues.

Thanks,

Matt

For a really unique fretless voice, listen to Mick Karn's work. I read a review once that said he sounded "like he learned to play on another planet". (He was in a sort of experimental-new-wave band called Japan in the 80s, and did a remarkable album with Peter Murphy under the name Dalis Car, which really showcases the fretless bass as a melodic instrument. It sounds sort of dated now, but also quite unlike anything else.)

-NT

Karn's is fantastic! I would also listen to Tony Franklin (The Firm, David Gilmour, etc) Then of course Tony Levin and Jack Bruce!

Look up Cynic, Exivious as well for some badass fretless playing. Love playing me some Cynic covers.

Check out Brand X. Percy Jones is a highly respected fretless pioneer.

Check out Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians. The bass player's name is Andy Metcalfe. He does not play on most of Robyn's solo stuff. Amazing player.

Paul Simon's Graceland is chock full of tasty fretless courtesy of Bakithi Khumalo.

Check out: "Tom Hoven in liquid chaos" (Amazon, iTunes, etc.).
Every track is a fretless.

Josh

Steve Bailey on 6 string fretless is an incredible musician!

Les Claypool for electric fretless..

All upright bass is fretless and their is a ton of material to learn in the jazz catalog

Rob Pagliari with OHM. Ripping instrumental rock.

Alain Caron with UZEB and Le Band, also Bunny Brunel with Cab. They don't always play fretless, but they're smoking on it when they do!

Good example of Percy Jones in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8qz73VZA_Q

http://soundcloud.com/gary-willis All of Willis's stuff post Tribal Tech.

Give a listen to this, and if you like search out more of his stuff. I think it's incredibly simple yet tasteful fretless playing. Lots of heart.

Listen at least up till a chorus :) .

Love the lyrics in this song too. I find myself singing it to myself often.

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

Wrong link?

oops. fixed. I meant this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fafxyFEE_oE

feel like I got caught cheating on learning some mandolin parts. that slip could have been way worse. :)

Pino raised the bar on 2 Paul Young records.
Percy is to this day as distinct of a voice as it gets.

"Takin' My Time" and "Give It Up" by Bonnie Raitt. These are from 1973 and 1972 respectively. Freebo was my first exposure to fretless bass. He gets a great funky tone, and his pitch control is awesome. Often you only know he's playing fretless when he let's you know by smearing a note or sliding . Dig his funky approach on "You've Been In Love Too Long" and his heart-breakingly beautiful accompaniment on "Too Long At The Fair".

John

Anything by Big Sir.