John Patitucci - upright, electric, or doesn't matter?

peteroberts · #1 10-12-2006, 07:29 PM

I just saw John last night (I always have to look up the spelling of his name...it's J-O-H-N!

)

Anyways, I had not seen him outside of Wayne Shorter's band, where he exclusively plays upright. He played some electric last night, but I am really more impressed with his upright playing. I'm not saying he's not killer on electric (he does lots of stuff I can't), but I think he's one of the best upright players out there, and maybe a little farther down in the electric category. I think the same thing about Chris McBride (although Chris is really a smokin electric cat).

You have a preference when it comes to Patitucci?

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #2 10-12-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteroberts

I am really more impressed with his upright playing. I'm not saying he's not killer on electric (he does lots of stuff I can't), but I think he's one of the best upright players out there, and maybe a little farther down in the electric category.

I've always thought exactly the same about him. He's an awesome BG player, but his DB playing simply leaves me like

.

bassteban · #3 10-12-2006, 09:06 PM

I also saw him last night- the 8:00 show- & was thoroughly floored. He smokes me bad on BG; on DB he's from another dimension. Mind you I am pretty uneducated in jazz, but that was the first time in years I walked away thinking, 'If I sold the Stambaugh I could probably find an older Yamaha JP...
..dump the Eden rig for an Aggie, get some D'Addarios...
..let's see- Planet Waves cables...'

I probably will not try to duplicate his setup. Probably...

Brad Johnson · #4 10-12-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

I also saw him last night- the 8:00 show- & was thoroughly floored. He smokes me bad on BG; on DB he's from another dimension. Mind you I am pretty uneducated in jazz, but that was the first time in years I walked away thinking, 'If I sold the Stambaugh I could probably find an older Yamaha JP...
..dump the Eden rig for an Aggie, get some D'Addarios...
..let's see- Planet Waves cables...'

I probably will not try to duplicate his setup. Probably...

John would most likely sound like John on your bass using your rig.

SuperDuck · #5 10-12-2006, 09:42 PM

I am really jealous. I missed an opportunity to see him a few years back, and he hasn't been around anywhere near me. I would really, really like to see him live.

Lorenzini · #6 10-12-2006, 10:11 PM

Don't have a preference.

Pruitt · #7 10-13-2006, 09:41 AM

My favorite Pattitucci is with Chick Corea's Electrik Band where he plays his 6 string. I have the dvd that came out a few years back and watch it all the time. I can't count how many times I've watched that and yet, everytime I do watch it, I sit there with my mouth hung open drooling. lol.

He's an amazing bassist on his 6er or on his upright (I also have the Chick Corea Acoustik Band dvd where he plays his upright. Amazing stuff!!). Easily one of my all time favorite bassists!!

The Owl · #8 10-13-2006, 09:48 AM

I think John's equally great on both instruments, not just playing wise but has managed to develop very distinct, unique personalities on each one.

Baryonyx · #9 10-13-2006, 09:59 AM

I much prefer to hear him on the Electric bass. He's a great DB player on the electric he can really cut loose and express himself!

malicous · #10 10-13-2006, 09:01 PM

I like his electric playing more. His tone is my favorite. I do, however, prefer his sound on some older stuff (like the 1998 bass day video and the cd he did with Earskine, Abercrombie, and Mintzer) with his first signature bass than with his new bass (like the Elektric band video from the 2004 Montreux festival).

Mojo-Man · #11 10-14-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

I've always thought exactly the same about him. He's an awesome BG player, but his DB playing simply leaves me like

.

Me to. His DB work kills.

Larry99 · #12 10-14-2006, 01:26 PM

I saw a very young JP with the Elektric Band in 1986 during their first tour. At that time, you didn't see many cats playing 6 stringers and I myself had never even dreamed of a bass having six strings!?! ...needless to say I was blown away by Johns performance at that gig. I had NEVER seen anything like it and even today he always impresses me on electric.

I'm not a DB player but have seen John on DB a few times and have always been impressed, so I guess it doesn't really matter to me.

jerry · #13 10-14-2006, 03:09 PM

He's just plain sick on both, but I seem to be a fan of his upright work little more lately. It's probably because I'm getting older though.

Mike Flynn · #14 10-14-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

Me to. His DB work kills.

+3 - I think his upright sounds nicer too - his improvising on both instruments is top, top notch but I think I still prefer a 'fretless' sound when the bass plays jazz - or at least not such a bright sound as he gets on the Yammy. He's a great guy too I've been lucky to interview him twice - he's a duuuud.

M

Aaron Saunders · #15 10-14-2006, 04:55 PM

Unquestionably his DB playing. Just absolutely ridiculous.

RHFusillo · #16 10-14-2006, 05:20 PM

John sounds good on whatever he wants to play. I listen to recordings of him on upright most often, but I just picked up a John Scofield CD called ScOrched. The music alternates a German orchestra with the trio of Scofield, Pattitucci on electric, and Peter Erskine. JP sounds great.

Mike Flynn · #17 10-14-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHFusillo

John sounds good on whatever he wants to play. I listen to recordings of him on upright most often, but I just picked up a John Scofield CD called ScOrched. The music alternates a German orchestra with the trio of Scofield, Pattitucci on electric, and Peter Erskine. JP sounds great.

I was lucky enough to see Scorched live this year - it was amazing - Sco on guitar, Erskine on drums and JP on both basses with a 35 piece orchestra - which was utterly amazing - but then Joe Lovano steps in for a 40minute quartet set - the music was some of the best jazz I've ever heard. 'Scorched' the album is well worth getting BTW - the music is by Marc Anthony Turnage.

M

Essexbass · #18 10-17-2006, 03:05 PM

Was lucky enough to see JP play with Chick Corea's Elektric Band in 1989 at The Royal Festival Hall in London.

Great doubler on both basses - I really can't decide which one he smokes on more (one of the best in the post Jaco era IMO).

Cheers,
Essexbass.

Jake · #19 10-18-2006, 03:30 AM

I like his upright playing, particularly his comping (walking, latin, Shorter stuff), but there are so many other great jazz upright players. I think his electric, particularly his soloing, is really unique. I haven't heard anyone with that kind of originality and style soloing in jazz on a bass guitar, so I have to say I am more impressed with his 6-String playing.

64jazzbass · #20 10-18-2006, 09:49 AM

He's great on both, but I prefer his upright playing. What a great musician!!