Good songs for just drum and bass?

[Lefty Geek]

So far my bass experience has been playing bass like a guitarist (which is what I am). Meeting up with a drummer just to work on playing like a "real" bassist (whatever that is).

Our common interest is bluesy hard rock like The Black Keys and the Dirtbombs. Definitely NOT 12 bar blues. Do not want to play a blues turnaround. We like things on the louder side, but we can practice songs that are not. We both spoke about liking Booker T and the MGs.

What are some good songs were just two players can play and not sound like something is missing? A plus would be a song that I can easily sing as well, since I can't sing!

[Just J]

Originally Posted by Lefty Geek

Our common interest is bluesy hard rock like The Black Keys and the Dirtbombs. Definitely NOT 12 bar blues. Do not want to play a blues turnaround. We like things on the louder side, but we can practice songs that are not. We both spoke about liking Booker T and the MGs.

Irony? Green Onions is 12 Bar blues.

Umm... anything with a cool bassline really. I can't think of anything specific off the top of my head unfortunately.

[Phantopeth]

Anything on Thriller

EDIT: I missed the part about singing... good luck!

[ThunderLizard]

Lefty-
Listen to Got To Give It Up by Marvin Gaye. Bass, Drums and Vocals.
Killer example of what groove is all about.

[djmb913]

Maybe "Money" by Pink Floyd ?

[djmb913]

"Dazed and Confused" by Led Zepplin ?

[Bearded Bugs]

Play some Drum 'n Bass! Bangin chooooons wooo!

[djmb913]

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly ? Alright i'll stop now

[mambo4]

I feel for you if you want to play bass and sing at the same time...much harder than singing with a guitar usually....

how bout "Come Together" by los Beatles...

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by Just J

Irony? Green Onions is 12 Bar blues.

I knew I would get in trouble with that remark! It's hard to use the word "blues" and try to avoid the Blueshammer type of bands. I don't want to play SRV or Clapton. Yes, you read that correctly!

The important part is not the blues or the singing, but a good song. Don't need a killer riff like Under Pressure, just something that moves my playing forward.

[artdrtr]

I've done this -- jam with just a drummer to get some timing down. You'll have to play more of the rhythm guitar parts to carry the melody of the song. We kicked around these:

girls got rhythm - acdc
get ready -- temptations
fake tales of SF -- arctic monkeys
dance floor -- arctic monkeys
its my life -- no doubt
my city was gone -- pretenders
mystery achievement -- pretenders
i saw her standing there - beatles


may work for what you are doings, but it will sound empty without the guitard.....

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by artdrtr

mystery achievement -- pretenders

I love the Pretenders and especially that bass line. Pete Farndon is a great bassist and has a style that I would to replicate. Forgot about that one!

Marvin Gaye, another good call. Keep 'em coming.

[ksandvik]

A lot of funk music should work fine.... Especially tracks with a very definite bass line. --Kent

[jperalta]

Liquid Tension Experiment - Chris and Kevin's Excellent Adventure?

[artdrtr]

Here are few more crossing a few genres:

good times -- chic
low rider -- war
talking in your sleep -- romantics
paradise -- sade
superfreak - rick james
when the world is running down - police
hollywood swingers - ohio players
not your stepping stone -- monkeys
hate myself your loving you -- joan jett
save a prayer - -durna duran
hot hot hot -- cure
boogie oogie oogie - taste of honey
strobelight -- b-52s

[MarkTAW]

Any Duck Dunn stuff is good. Most of that stuff is almost all bass & the guitars just hit accents. Pick up a Blues Brothers disc & the "What Duck Done" book and get grooving.

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

Pick up .. the "What Duck Done" book

I wish. That book is OOP.

[TL5]

SOme Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk Railroad

[drnknmstr]

"Give it to me Baby" - Rick James. The bass and drums are the complete foundation and glue of the song. Everything else is gravy.

Play that at any R&B club during soundcheck and I guarantee you will get some hollerin'!

"Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake. (not too easy to sing, though)

"Blister in the Sun" - Violent Femmes

"Too Young to Die" - Jamiroquai

"Higher Ground" - Stevie Wonder

"Merrymaking at My Place" - Calvin Harris (strongly recommend checking this one out)

"Pump It Up" - Elvis Costello

"Stir it Up" and "Exodus" - Bob Marley

Good suggestions by everyone else!

[project_c]

the album 'mama' by nomeansno, mostly all just bass and drums