| "best" bassist, a "scientific" approach
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Hi Folks --
I just recently found/joined these forums, and its gotten me thinking about who my favorite bassists are. I know there are many threads already where people have been sharing their views, but I wanted some way to actually back up my feelings. Here, then, is the completely unscientific and open-to-debate method I came up with.
A few weeks back I started a thread on the most recorded bassists. I got some great input, and learned some names that had completely passed me by. I went to allmusic.com and checked out their credits, then tallied up which songs and albums by each bassist I really enjoy. I gave one point for a single, four points for an album, and half a point for theme songs. You can see already how rigorous and well thought out my whole approach is (mild sarcasm aimed at myself, but decisions had to be made somehow.) I didn't count "best of" albums, and my emphasis was on songs where the bass made things work. You all know what I mean. What follows are my point totals. I'd be very interested in what others have to say, but please, no flames. My asbestos long-johns are at the cleaners. What follows is pure opinion, and omissions reflect my lack of background in different genres more than any dislike of them.
#1 Donald "Duck" Dunn -- 110 points
What can I say - I love that Memphis soul. The Duck lays it down smooth and tasty, supporting and moving things along. Truly, this is a man that can "turn goat piss into gasoline".
#2 Paul McCartney -- 80 points
The man can build a memorable bassline, it cannot be denied. Every point I gave him was for albums, but none of them less than 25 years old. Am I dating myself?
#3 Carol Kaye -- 77 points
I LOVE Carol Kaye. She epitomized class, in my book. I acknowledge that she has said controversial things, but everything I've read from people who've worked with her speaks glowingly of her professionalism and mad skillz. Read over her list of credits, and marvel. She's still teaching, and a real inspiration.
#4 Chuck Rainey -- 68 points
Chuck was totally under my radar until folks here pointed him out. The cat has more cool licks to his name than you can shake a stick at. Thanx Talkbass!
#5 James Jamerson -- 67 points
Funk Brother #1 was taken from us way too soon. Just think of all the grooves he still had to lay on us. . . Look up the word "tasty" and Sir James' picture is right there.
#6 Lee Sklar -- 28 points
How did I never hear of him before now? Did I forget to read all those liner notes back in the day?
As I said at the top, this is certainly not a very scientific way to figure out which bassist is best by any means, but these are the ones that have grooved me the most. Please don't ask me to put my money where my mouth is and drag out my crates of LPs to see which bassists are on actual vinyl I've purchased. I need that time to practice.
p.s. note to mods - I posted this same epistle to the "favourite bassists" thread, where is sat unread and dormant for a week. I'm reposting it here to get a little chatter going. Let me know if I'm in the wrong key, so to speak.
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A good bass player can get more butts on the dance floor than BEER!
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