Paul Simon's "You can call me Al"

moog · #1 10-03-2004, 12:48 PM

Hi, does anyone have any idea how they achieved the bass sound in this song? It's been puzzling me for years. I believe the bass player was Mr. Bakithi Kumalo? The bass solo on this song was probably the first I've ever heard.

I-Love-Ratm · #2 10-03-2004, 12:58 PM

The bass solo is a fretless slapped and then played backwards on the record I think

Lyle Caldwell · #3 10-03-2004, 01:01 PM

The descending run was the part played, and the ascending run is the same part played backwards.

But hey, if Paul could play it on a fretted 4 string P (per the video), you can play it, too.

moog · #4 10-03-2004, 02:23 PM

Thanks, I guess that makes sense regarding the solo. What about the sound elsewhere on the song? Does anyone have any idea of the setup they used and/or any effects?

Muzique Fann · #5 10-03-2004, 02:38 PM

I love Jaco's fretless tone and all, but Kumalo's is just so mean. I did a quick search and found this - says he uses Washburn?

http://www.bass-guitar-review.com/ar...splay/381.html

**IvanMike** · #6 10-04-2004, 08:13 PM

when they say played backwards they literally mean that the tape was played backwards for the second half of the solo - dont kill yourself trying to make that sound