Best at Playing While Singing?

Dr. Cheese · #1 08-09-2005, 08:41 PM

I was just playing along with some song from the first Graham Central Station CD like "Hair" "Ain't No Fun to Me" and "Can You Handle It?" and it just amazes me to think that Larry Graham played this stuff while singing lead. He has got to be one of the best ever at playing and singing. Who else would you guys list among the all time most coordinated?

JimK · #2 08-09-2005, 08:48 PM

Someone that never gets mentioned arouind here-

George Hawkins of Kenny Loggins' "Feel The Fire" era band. The guy plays some nice syncopated, funky lines while singing harmony...and doing it LIVE!

Bernie Connors · #3 08-09-2005, 09:10 PM

Nathan East for me.

Arthur U. Poon · #4 08-09-2005, 09:22 PM

There's quite a few I can think of, but probably my favorite is John Wetton.

The_Ryst · #5 08-09-2005, 09:36 PM

Geddy, of course:-D

Akito · #6 08-09-2005, 09:50 PM

I don't think he belongs on the "best" list, but I really liked some of Entwistle's vocals on early Who tracks and performances like "A Quick One" from Rock and Roll Circus. I think his voice was pretty shot by the 80s, but in the Who's early career he was very versatile and added alot to the cool Who sound.

Futurebass · #7 08-09-2005, 11:41 PM

McCartney. His vocal lines and bass lines are totally independent. Chris Squire's no slouch in this department, either.

stretchcat · #8 08-10-2005, 06:02 AM

Alan Gorrie from AWB.

Phil Smith · #9 08-10-2005, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I was just playing along with some song from the first Graham Central Station CD like "Hair" "Ain't No Fun to Me" and "Can You Handle It?" and it just amazes me to think that Larry Graham played this stuff while singing lead. He has got to be one of the best ever at playing and singing. Who else would you guys list among the all time most coordinated?

He may not have sang and played at the same time on the record.

Here's two more: Will Lee and Sarah Lee.

Terrorstorm · #10 08-10-2005, 07:38 AM

Check out Nefarious of MACABRE, he plays great and fast lines on his 6 string, while singing.
Such guys are fascinating me. Cause there are so much bassists that are also singers and they play a lot less complicatet than the guitar-riffs really are. For ex. the Carcass singer/bass player or Tom aray of Slayer.

Matt Till · #11 08-10-2005, 07:39 AM

Music is a bit cheesy, but I respect Mark King. He does the pop vocalist thing rather well while laying down some crazy bass.

I say Mark King because Mr. Poon beat me to Wetton.

OOH and Sting... very syncopated bass and amazing vocals... at least in the Police.

**Adam Barkley** · #12 08-10-2005, 08:11 AM

Dude from Big Business is pretty good.
The man who played Derek Smalls
Greg Lake
Nick Oliveri
Dan Rathbum
Phil Lynot
Jason Newsted

Time Divider · #13 08-10-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

Here's two more: Will Lee and Sarah Lee.

Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.

dougjwray · #14 08-10-2005, 08:19 AM

Jack Bruce!! He plays fretless and sings (I mean, *really* sings) and both are always in tune!

spectorbass83 · #15 08-10-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abark000

Dude from Big Business is pretty good.
The man who played Derek Smalls
Greg Lake
Nick Oliveri
Dan Rathbum
Phil Lynot
Jason Newsted

Interesting to see that you mentioned Jason Newsted. Are his back-up vocals/basslines challenging to do? To me he just would not be an obvious choice when discussing bassists who are best at playing & singing. Is there any song(s) in particular that I should listen to?

By the way, no disrespect to Jason Newsted or any of his fans.

If I had to pick I would go with the following -

Geddy Lee
Sting
Paul McCartney

**Adam Barkley** · #16 08-10-2005, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

Interesting to see that you mentioned Jason Newsted. Are his back-up vocals/basslines challenging to do? To me he just would not be an obvious choice when discussing bassists who are best at playing & singing. Is there any song(s) in particular that I should listen to?

By the way, no disrespect to Jason Newsted or any of his fans (me being one of them

)

I've seen him play bass and sing lead on some songs, but I remember what they were. It's relative depending on your style.

Which is "harder" to sing and play correctly? The Great Deceiver by King Crimson or Disposable Heros by Metallica.

It's up to whatever style you are used to playing.

That said, I find the more my left hand is moving is a constant ostinato, that it is easier to play and sing together. Add a rest in there somewhere and I would have to practice it for a few days.

SteveC · #17 08-10-2005, 08:47 AM

Geddy. He's not singing just background stuff or an occasional song. Those are lead vocals with very active bass lines and synth triggers.

JimK · #18 08-10-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretchcat

Alan Gorrie from AWB.

...and Hamish Stuart from AWB.

**j-raj** · #19 08-10-2005, 09:08 AM

Mark King's sense of rhythm is ridiculous, he is able to do very complex stuff at the same time as singing!

Wetton and Sting were runners up, but y'all beat me to it.

I-Love-Ratm · #20 08-10-2005, 09:09 AM

Sting and Phil Lynott.Both have quite difficult lines along with amazing singing