Glenn Hughes, unsung bass god

[mcbassdude]

I just tracked Deep Purples "Stormbringer" CD after not listening to it for many years and was again struck by the great bass playing of Glenn Hughes.
He is Funky, Bluesy and balls out rockin all at once. Great bass lines all the way thru the CD. On top of that he can sing his ass off.

He never seems to make the best bassist lists but for my ears he was one of the tastiest rock bassists ever. He's right up there with Jonesy IMHO.

He really added a funky vibe to DP that Glover in all his glory never did.

Now I gotta dig out Burn and Come Taste the Band....

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Aside from giving a new flavor to Purple's music (not better or "worse" than Roger Glover, just different), I must say that to me he was the real singer of the MK III lineup. I've never understood what's so great about David Coverdale.

[loendmaestro]

Originally Posted by mcbassdude

I just tracked Deep Purples "Stormbringer" CD after not listening to it for many years and was again struck by the great bass playing of Glenn Hughes.
He is Funky, Bluesy and balls out rockin all at once. Great bass lines all the way thru the CD. On top of that he can sing his ass off.

He never seems to make the best bassist lists but for my ears he was one of the tastiest rock bassists ever. He's right up there with Jonesy IMHO.

He really added a funky vibe to DP that Glover in all his glory never did.

Now I gotta dig out Burn and Come Taste the Band....

God bless you dude. He is my ****ing hero. Stormbringer is a criminally overlooked DP album. Sure Blackmore was phoning it in, but that is a classic platter.
Hughes isn't as fluid as Jonsey but a little funkier. And when you dig out Burn & CTTB, "Sail Away" & "Getting Tighter" should be the first tracks you put on.

And lets not forget his work with Trapeze. You Are The Music We're Just The Band & Medusa are lost classics in their own right. His first post Purple solo LP "Play Me Out" is also one of the best blue eyed soul albums you'll ever hear.

Most of his late 70s & 80s work is spotty at best due to his fondness for , er...columbian produce. And some of his 90s solo records are hit or miss, but his recent release "Soul Mover" with Chad Smith from the RHCP on drums kicks major ass.


Glad to see I'm not alone!

[loendmaestro]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

I've never understood what's so great about David Coverdale.

And thank you too!!!!!!!!!!!1!
Think how much better those Purple LPs would have been without Mr. Tawny Kitaen.
In those passages where they do sing together I'm amazed that DC didn't throw down his mic & concede defeat!


Here's a pic of me & him at the Tommy Bolin Festival in 2004. I made the trek to Clear Lake Iowa not only because I love Tommy Bolin too, but mostly because Glenn played 2 nights in a row. Sweet.

I look scared because how often to you get to put your arm around your hero?!?!

[Blunt]

Hughes is a fantastic bass player, but to be dissing that brilliant vocal combo seems way out of line. Coverdale is a singer. Their interplay on Stormbringer is just sublime.
Hold On for example. Dudes get with the flow....

[lug]

Also check out his earlier work with Trapeze. some right tasty stuff there, reminds me a bit of Kings X.

[rulyøngo]

Amazing Bassist!!! check out the latest version of Deep Purple "Burn" cd with extra material... it is amazing... and "Come Taste the Band"!!!

[budman]

This is a fun clip. Check out the bass rig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUvmW...=deep%20purple

[PhR]

Originally Posted by budman

This is a fun clip. Check out the bass rig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUvmW...=deep%20purple

2 200W Hiwatt heads and lots of Martin cabs. Great sound!

Hughes had a good sound on Trapeze albums, he used a Fender Mustang bass. A good player and singer when he doesn't sing over the top. "Play Me Out" is a favourite.

[loendmaestro]

Hughes used a Mustang on "You Are The Music..." but a '61 P Bass on Medusa. Great tones though.

Hughes can get a little over the top, but I stick by earlier Coverdale statements.

I'm with the flow....

[tommyr01]

Thanks Budman for that youtube link!

Very Nice!

[PhR]

Originally Posted by loendmaestro

Hughes used a Mustang on "You Are The Music..." but a '61 P Bass on Medusa. Great tones though.

Thanks for the info. Is it the same Precision that's on that California Jam clip and what he used on "Stormbringer" and "Come Taste The Band"?

[loendmaestro]

Not sure. I simply asked him what kind of bass he recorded Medusa with.

I should have asked so much more!

[vikingraider1]

The Youtube link is from the 1974 California Jam gig. I used to have the video many moons ago and virtually wore it out watching it. Some great stuff on there.