Esperanza Spaulding on an Electric Bass

Basseroni · #1 11-06-2008, 01:49 AM

And a Fender Jazz at that. Wow! This is one of my favorite songs from her, too. Although she is primarily an upright bassist she sounds great on electric as well. And her voice? Wow! Love those vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPp5Z1YuJUM

Ampeg SVT · #2 11-06-2008, 01:54 AM

Is that the VM Squier Jazz?

That is also one of my favorite songs by her, actually it was the first song I heard by her.

**Freddels** · #3 11-06-2008, 03:39 AM

I'm still amazed at her ability to sing and play the way she does.

EddieG · #4 11-06-2008, 04:02 AM

I love Esperanza, what a musician.

Vincent P · #5 11-06-2008, 04:42 AM

I was turned on to her by Bass Player magazine, and impressed by her DB playing. Great video, really shows how far her talent spans.

Baryonyx · #6 11-06-2008, 06:14 AM

Not much of a fan of the video. I liked her singing on Stanley Clarke's "The toys of men" album, but her own music, that sort of jazz-lite stuff does nothing for me.

Dr. Cheese · #7 11-06-2008, 07:18 AM

Here is another clip of her playing the same song. I like her tone better here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t64D4...eature=related

Dr. Cheese · #8 11-06-2008, 08:46 AM

I'm pretty sure that is a Fender, not a Squier. The Squier has a black Ebonol fingerboard with no dots. That bass has a pau ferro or rosewood board with dots. I like her electric playing. I enjoy any fretless player who is not going for a Jaco tone although I love the Jaco tone. Although she doesn't sound like him, her playing makes me think of Jamerson since both were mainly acoustic players who sought a similar sound out of the electric.

Dr. Cheese · #9 11-06-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Not much of a fan of the video. I liked her singing on Stanley Clarke's "The toys of men" album, but her own music, that sort of jazz-lite stuff does nothing for me.

Have you listened to her whole CD? I think it is much more Latin Jazz than jazz-lite. I also can't blame her for showcasing her voice, the woman is a beautiful singer, and I enjoy the interplay of her supportive basslines and vocals alot more than I would enjoy another virtuoso bass CD.

fretlessman71 · #10 11-06-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I'm pretty sure that is a Fender, not a Squier. The Squier has a black Ebonol fingerboard with no dots. That bass has a pau ferro or rosewood board with dots. I like her electric playing. I enjoy any fretless player who is not going for a Jaco tone although I love the Jaco tone. Although she doesn't sound like him, her playing makes me think of Jamerson since both were mainly acoustic players who sought a similar sound out of the electric.

I agree - it's as if she has a very precise idea of what the bass should sound like in the music, and regardless of the instrument she's playing, that's what she's going after. Another lesson confirmed - tone is in the Hands First.

dmusic148 · #11 11-06-2008, 09:13 AM

Here she is on AB guitar, same tune. Nice tone here too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rbT5...eature=related

acubass · #12 11-06-2008, 09:16 AM

It is awesome to see something so organic. A bass, a tiny combo amp and talent.

fretlessman71 · #13 11-06-2008, 09:17 AM

That's the ABG she said was just too big for her... yeah, I can see that now. She does look a bit like daddy's little girl trying to play his big guitar!

Sounds KILLER, btw. I love how the bass lines take center stage AND centerfield at the same time!

Caca de Kick · #14 11-06-2008, 09:30 AM

That Jazz Bass is a standard Jaco signature..you know the same one as regular 62RI, just fretless.

I agree, great talent, very nice voice.

CraigG · #15 11-06-2008, 09:54 AM

She's just downright cool! I really enjoy her stage presence and what I have heard from her in her recordings. You go, girl!

JimK · #16 11-06-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Not much of a fan of the video. I liked her singing on Stanley Clarke's "The toys of men" album, but her own music, that sort of jazz-lite stuff does nothing for me.

Dude...speaking as a fan of some pretty outside Jazz, I would say her debut album, Junjo, is not in the Jazz-lite bin.
Not at all.
Check out some samples at iTunes.

Her latest album is maybe more listener/Pop friendly...not Jazz-lite, either, IMO.

fleabee · #17 11-06-2008, 01:28 PM

I like the music but not the bass tone. I cant get into the fretless/flatwound sound{for that kind of music}

Baryonyx · #18 11-06-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Dude...speaking as a fan of some pretty outside Jazz, I would say her debut album, Junjo, is not in the Jazz-lite bin.
Not at all.
Check out some samples at iTunes.

Her latest album is maybe more listener/Pop friendly...not Jazz-lite, either, IMO.

Call it what you will, but it doesn't tickle my fancy, and as a big fusion fan, my toes are often in the jazz pool. Incidentally, my favourite vocal work or hers is on the track "The Toys of men", where there is no spoken word, she just makes a few nice sounds!

Dr. Cheese · #19 11-06-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Call it what you will, but it doesn't tickle my fancy, and as a big fusion fan, my toes are often in the jazz pool. Incidentally, my favourite vocal work or hers is on the track "The Toys of men", where there is no spoken word, she just makes a few nice sounds!

There's nothing wrong with liking what you like!

JimK · #20 11-06-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Call it what you will, but it doesn't tickle my fancy, and as a big fusion fan, my toes are often in the jazz pool.

As a fan of Fusion...hopefully, you have picked up Jimmy Herring's new one w/ Oteil & Kofi Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, Greg Osby, etc.

Now back to our reguarly-scheduled programming.