Favorite Power Trios?

[bassvi]

Thought it may be interesting and informative to collect some data on TB's favorite power trio's. I did a search, couldn't find if it's been done before. Perhaps if you could list your favorites and maybe give a reason that would be a good reason to check them out-

My favorites- not necessarily in this order but kind of-

1. Cream (in the 60's)- the reunion was awesome to see but they were really on fire the first time around- listen to "Crossroads" or the live version of 'Sitting on Top of the World' from Goodbye Cream. Amazing Chemistry, talent, on the verge of exploding at any time. Pretty impressive and diverse output for the short lifespan.

2. Rush-great muso chops like Cream, but survived long enough to develop songwriting and evolve further musically. Pushed the envelope at their apex but seem to be playing it safer these days. Still a great, great live band.

3. Hendrix- Band of Gypsys is my favorite incarnation, the Experience had amazing energy but Noel never really impressed me that much as a bassist. Of course, he was playing with God on guitar so you do what you do in that situation, (see: Michael Anthony). Billy Cox was funky, and it worked. Hendrix=Genius.

4. ZZ Top- Like Rush, amazing they survived the 70's when you either had to play disco, punk/new wave, glam or some sort of Zeppelin clone stuff. ZZ broke through and took the blues to a new level. Excellent stuff , great ensemble rhythm section. Guitar playing extraordinaire.

5. Grand Funk Railroad- great little band that sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles at their peak. Rocking, Funky, great vocals, energy and attitude in their heyday.

6. The Police- helped save the power trio by making it hip again in the late 70's. Apart from that incredible voice, Sting could just play the perfect simple bass lines that worked so effectively in the context of that band. It didn't hurt that he had an incredible drummer and a highly seasoned and imaginitive guitarist to round out the little combo.

So there are so many more- I'd like to hear about some groups like:
UK
Eric Johnson Band
Primus
Stray Cats
the Jam
Triumph
Raven
Blue Cheer
Talas
Dust
Tribal Tech
Steve Morse Band
Concrete Bonde

Add and discuss if you like. I just have always enjoyed a good three-piece band.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by bassvi

Thought it may be interesting and informative to collect some data on TB's favorite power trio's. I did a search, couldn't find if it's been done before. Perhaps if you could list your favorites and maybe give a reason that would be a good reason to check them out-

My favorites- not necessarily in this order but kind of-

1. Cream (in the 60's)- the reunion was awesome to see but they were really on fire the first time around- listen to "Crossroads" or the live version of 'Sitting on Top of the World' from Goodbye Cream. Amazing Chemistry, talent, on the verge of exploding at any time. Pretty impressive and diverse output for the short lifespan.

2. Rush-great muso chops like Cream, but survived long enough to develop songwriting and evolve further musically. Pushed the envelope at their apex but seem to be playing it safer these days. Still a great, great live band.

3. Hendrix- Band of Gypsys is my favorite incarnation, the Experience had amazing energy but Noel never really impressed me that much as a bassist. Of course, he was playing with God on guitar so you do what you do in that situation, (see: Michael Anthony). Billy Cox was funky, and it worked. Hendrix=Genius.

4. ZZ Top- Like Rush, amazing they survived the 70's when you either had to play disco, punk/new wave, glam or some sort of Zeppelin clone stuff. ZZ broke through and took the blues to a new level. Excellent stuff , great ensemble rhythm section. Guitar playing extraordinaire.

5. Grand Funk Railroad- great little band that sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles at their peak. Rocking, Funky, great vocals, energy and attitude in their heyday.

6. The Police- helped save the power trio by making it hip again in the late 70's. Apart from that incredible voice, Sting could just play the perfect simple bass lines that worked so effectively in the context of that band. It didn't hurt that he had an incredible drummer and a highly seasoned and imaginitive guitarist to round out the little combo.

So there are so many more- I'd like to hear about some groups like:
UK
Eric Johnson Band
Primus
Stray Cats
the Jam
Triumph
Raven
Blue Cheer
Talas
Dust
Tribal Tech
Steve Morse Band
Concrete Bonde

Add and discuss if you like. I just have always enjoyed a good three-piece band.

Well, I can't argue with your choices, so I'm not going to. They would be my choices, too! I'd probably include Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Robin Trower's 70s 3-piece and Rory Gallagher's 3-piece as well.

[eggfan]

Some folks think The Who were pretty good.

Oh, check them out because they pretty much set the bar for everyone else. I think their bass player was pretty good, too.

I like UK a lot, but their best incarnation, IMO, was as a quartet - they became a trio after Holdsworth and Bruford left and Eddie Jobson figured out he could make it work by adding Terry Bozzio and not another guitarist.

[J. Crawford]

Cream
Muse
Rush
John Mayer Trio
The Who

Those come to the top of my head.

[Datsgor]

Well, if you are gonna count the Who as a power trio, then I gotta put Sabbath in there as well. So, I say Black Sabbath is my favorite "power" trio.

[eggfan]

Originally Posted by Datsgor

Well, if you are gonna count the Who as a power trio, then I gotta put Sabbath in there as well. So, I say Black Sabbath is my favorite "power" trio.

Singers don't count, do they?

[gjbassist]

I'm gonna have to say that if there are four people in the band then it is not a trio! Doesn't matter if they are only the singer.
That being said I think the OP covered everyone I could think of as a true power trio. Rush is my favorite band overall so they would be at the top of the list. Only other trio that I can think of not on the list would be Los Lonely Boys.

[eggfan]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

I'm gonna have to say that if there are four people in the band then it is not a trio! Doesn't matter if they are only the singer.

OK, I give.

But The Who at least deserve an honorable mention for the extent to which their instrumental style, in particular the way they combined the roles of rhythm and lead guitar and their having a very active bass player, influenced the genre.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by eggfan

Singers don't count, do they?

I believe they stamp their feet, like Mr. Ed.

[bluesbasshound]

Stevie Ray & Double Trouble! Powerful, Soulful, Tight, and ya gotta luv Tommy Shannon!

[eggfan]

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

I believe they stamp their feet, like Mr. Ed.

Plus play the crucial role of making sure your wild-man drummer gets to the gig.

[MattAT]

fIREHOSE

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by bluesbasshound

Stevie Ray & Double Trouble! Powerful, Soulful, Tight, and ya gotta luv Tommy Shannon!

I am a big SRV fan so I can't believe I forgot them. However, they were not a trio for the last several years once Reese Wynans was added to the lineup.

[bluesbasshound]

Johnny Winter And .... btw, did I mention Tommy Shannon?

[bluesbasshound]

still drinking my coffee and waking up... but I believe Trapeze was a trio. Glenn Hughes!
Good bass chops and a hellava singing voice!

[Kromwarp]

Budgie

[eggfan]

In reference to the OP's list, Tribal Tech is/was a quartet, with Scott Kinsey, who I knew at Berklee, on keys.

[Simon Langley]

Them Crooked Vultures

[dblbass]

oysterhead

out there... but awesome

[bluesbasshound]

Recent incarnation of King Crimson ( 2 "trios" in 1 ) with Trey Gunn & Tony Levin holding down Bass/Stick duties.