I want to introduce you to this guy

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

At long last I've found a live video of one of the most acclaimed bassists from my country (on an specific musical genre) and I want to share it with all of you. First off, what you are about to see/hear is an example of a musical genre from my country called Vallenato (which I've mentioned in the forums before). The player is one of the true pioneers and developers of Vallenato bass playing, and for a real long time he was a member of the most renowned (and definitely best) Vallenato band, called "El Binomio De Oro". His name is José Vásquez a.k.a. "Quevaz".

Perhaps many of you won't be impressed by the music style, some of you probably will hate it (warning: Lots of accordion here), maybe some of you won't be impressed by the guy's playing since he mainly uses an apparently simple pattern, but in spite of that, I think eveybody will agree that he has something. The video is fairly recent and "Quevaz" looks old there. Well, take into account that he appeared in the recording scene in 1976 and has been active since then. He was the first player I saw in person playing a Steinberger XL2 in Dec. 1991, when I had the pleasure of sharing stage with "El Binomio De Oro" and that experience was what made me fall in love with the all-composite Steinies. You won't see this guy's full potential in the video. I will never forget him playing a "call and response" stage show with the accordion player. Simply awesome. BTW, his right hand technique is a must for anyone who wants to be recognized as a "true" Vallenato player. That way of playing the instrument comes from the fact that every Vallenato bassist has been a guitarist first (and many of them still play both instruments - Vásquez has recorded guitar tracks as well) and they simply translated their technique to the bass.

Watch it through the end. I don't think anybody will get bored in spite of his/her more or less "chemistry" with the music style. here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpHTxrHim6Y

[Roy Vogt]

Thanks for posting this! It's a big world out there, and I learn so much of what's possible from checking out bassists from outside the US.
Abe Laboriel, Sr. grew up in Mexico City. You can see some similarity between the style of the two bassists.
We hear so much of great Brazilian bassists (Arthur Maia, et. al.) and Uraguay's Fattoruso Brothers (OPA) and Samba Doido like Azymuth, but there are a score of countries in Central and South America whose music we don't hear in the States.
Columbia Rocks! And you guys have Shakira besides.....

[Slax]

That was great! Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed that vid.

I've actually been working on a similar right hand technique recently. I'm going to search more videos of this guy to and try to learn some songs!

Thanks again!

[20db pad]

I like his playing!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Slax

I'm going to search more videos of this guy to and try to learn some songs!

Good luck in your search. It will take you a while, but anyway let me know if you find more live videos of him. I know there are some old Binomio De Oro videos with Vásquez on bass, but most of them are lip-synched performances.

[bass12]

Thanks for that post, Alvaro - that was really refreshing! I played in a vallenato band for a very short period a few years ago and it was a great experience. I got to hear and play a bunch of classic vallenato and cumbia that I otherwise would probably never have had the pleasure of encountering.

[j-raj]

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Thanks for posting this! It's a big world out there, and I learn so much of what's possible from checking out bassists from outside the US.
Abe Laboriel, Sr. grew up in Mexico City. You can see some similarity between the style of the two bassists.
We hear so much of great Brazilian bassists (Arthur Maia, et. al.) and Uraguay's Fattoruso Brothers (OPA) and Samba Doido like Azymuth, but there are a score of countries in Central and South America whose music we don't hear in the States.
Columbia Rocks! And you guys have Shakira besides.....

Yeah that act has some great feel and groove.

Francisco Fattoruso has been living in Atlanta for a few years and he is a fantastic player. Here is a cool clip of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKVPnERZ-4g

[Phalex]

Nice!

[lowendfriend]

As Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose used to say,

"ladies and Gentleman...now here's something that's really different!"

Thanks for the post... we grow by expanding our experience.

[Bassman7PM]

Originally Posted by Slax

That was great! Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed that vid.

I've actually been working on a similar right hand technique recently. I'm going to search more videos of this guy to and try to learn some songs!

Thanks again!

+1 Dude that guy is hot, thanks for sharing. Yet another style to practice.

[James Judson]

I thought I made up that style. Turns out I'm wrong (usually am). Some finger style guitar players use the planted little finger and thumb and forefinger in a claw type config. I use this style for some solos, mix that up with some slap and your S**t don't stink.

I see some elements of guitarone style here as well.

Go take some finger style guitar lessons and your bass playing will improve 100% or more.

Thanks for sharing, this guy us truly awesome.

[THand]

I enjoyed that, thanks for posting!

[Art Araya]

great feel. a fun style of playing. looks easier than it is.

[onosson]

Very cool - reminds me of some music I got when I was in Korea, from a guy who bought it in New York. I think it might have been Puerto Rican music, but the bass style was quite similar to this.

[N.F.A.]

Great playing. Love the positive energy!

[MikeBass]

Interesting stuff!

[electracoyote]

Great vid, thanks for sharing.

I find the bass playing in many Mexicano/Latino/Hispanic stylings to be very good indeed. It's a central element of the music, usually very prominent in the mix, and therefore the bassist really has to deliver.

[Chowowbus]

My fingers would catch on fire sliding that much!
That guy is great! Very unique..

[XavierG]

I was waiting for Paul Simon to jump out singing....

"I know what I know
I'll sing what I said
We come and we go
That's a thing that I keep
In the back of my head"

Not sure why.

[Mike M.]

I really enjoyed that because it's so unlike anything that I normally listen to. Lots of spirit in that by all. Thanks for sharing.