Let's study a bassist

basskababble · #1 04-21-2008, 11:00 PM

I'm watching "Some kind of monster" because it's FREE and on TV. The producer is playing bass for the band. He doesn't seem to be creatively influencing the music. Then comes in Trujillo and he kicks ass. (and he doesn't cry all the time)

All that leads me to think, other than Flea, Jaco, Wooton, Claypool, etc. what under appreciated bassists are out there that we can actively consider? I'm talking about the bassists in the bands that aren't really necessarily known for having a GREAT bassists.

I think it would be cool to really study someone. I know I could do it on my own. But it would be more rewarding for me if it was kind of a surprise. I think it would also be exponentially cooler to study a bassist's influence on a certain piece of music. Pick apart his/her writing style and see how it makes the song better.

Anyone willing to give it a shot? We'll go with the first name until we've exhausted our resources.

Give a bassist with:
Full Name (google-able)
Band
Why

Some tabs would be great. I would go ahead and do it, but that's the point. I want it to be someone i wouldn't have picked.

Parabolic Box · #2 04-21-2008, 11:04 PM

John Deacon

Queen

Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Dragon Attack, Another One Bites the Dust, The Miracle, March of the Black Queen... you name it. His bass lines were always something really cool.

Joe Nerve · #3 04-21-2008, 11:08 PM

Fernando Saunders - Lou Reed
Excellent fretless work.

elpezpr · #4 04-21-2008, 11:09 PM

Robert Sledge-Ben Folds Five

guyh27 · #5 04-21-2008, 11:29 PM

Dirk Lance
Incubus
He had a big part in early incubus' sound, which was pretty funky.

also

Tye Zamora
Alien Ant Farm
He was really good but never really noticed

Ezbass · #6 04-22-2008, 03:00 AM

I would never call him underated, but Tony Levin's work with Peter Gabriel is a masterclass in understatement when required, tasteful fills and super flash when called for (i.e. Big Time). Secret World Live always amazes me

, it would be a totally different recording without him, yet he is technically only a hired gun (if on a permanent basis), Gabriel is always the star of the show. Read TL's book "Beyond The Bass Clef" for some great tips on bass and life in general, it's also very funny.

basskababble · #7 04-22-2008, 07:01 AM

Thanks a lot guys!
I was thinking we'd pick one and go from there. Almost one song at a time.

+1 on Dirk Lance and Tye.

I said we'd go with the first one, so John Deacon is a great choice. I started fiddling around with "another one bites the dust" to help train my ears. He obviously drives that song. Does anyone have any information on who wrote those lines/who started the song?

edit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_One_Bites_the_Dust

• written by bassist John Deacon
• The bass line was inspired by the song "Good Times" by the Disco group Chic
• In an interview with New Musical Express, Chic co-founder Bernard Edwards stated, "...that Queen record came about because that Queen bass player... spent some time hanging out with us at our studio".[1]

That's wikipedia, so feel free to disagree. I don't have time but i'd love to check out the song that inspired it. <---edit: I've more than checked it out. IT's a Saturday morning mom's cleaning up and waking me up to help while "Good Times" is blaring a new hole in my hungover head.

That's a simple enough song, is there another one that really stands out? One that we can go more in depth with? Paraboc's sugestions including...

playinpearls · #8 04-22-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyh27

Tye Zamora
Alien Ant Farm
He was really good but never really noticed

alien ant farm was a highly underrated band...

mattygbass · #9 04-22-2008, 07:33 AM

juan alderete
mars volta

BuffaloBass · #10 04-22-2008, 07:38 AM

I think Tommy Shannon doesnt get the props he deserves. SRV band - any of the tunes.

Higgie · #11 04-22-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezbass

I would never call him underated, but Tony Levin's work with Peter Gabriel is a masterclass in understatement when required, tasteful fills and super flash when called for (i.e. Big Time). Secret World Live always amazes me

, it would be a totally different recording without him, yet he is technically only a hired gun (if on a permanent basis), Gabriel is always the star of the show. Read TL's book "Beyond The Bass Clef" for some great tips on bass and life in general, it's also very funny.

+1. I watched Sledgehammer and In My Eyes from this concert on YouTube earlier

Gasman · #12 04-22-2008, 07:59 AM

The most underrated bass player of all time is James Jamerson. Period. Nobody outside of bass players and musicians really know who he was, but he is the most influential bassist and musician who probably ever lived. His credits extend beyond any single person or band, but he was essential for the Motown sound.

So, google "James Jamerson". Again, too many songs and artists to list here.

WhiteKnuckles · #13 04-22-2008, 08:53 AM

Robert Deleo-Stone Temple Pilots

Especially his work on "Purple" and "Tiny Music". Nothing ultra-flashy like a Wooten or Claypool, just really good lines that drive and give color to every song.

sevenyearsdown · #14 04-22-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman

The most underrated bass player of all time is James Jamerson. Period. Nobody outside of bass players and musicians really know who he was, but he is the most influential bassist and musician who probably ever lived. His credits extend beyond any single person or band, but he was essential for the Motown sound.

So, google "James Jamerson". Again, too many songs and artists to list here.

+1000000000000000 I think we have a winner!

WhiteKnuckles · #15 04-22-2008, 09:01 AM

But would J. Jamerson really be underappreciated...on a board full of bassists?

Gasman · #16 04-22-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteKnuckles

But would J. Jamerson really be underappreciated...on a board full of bassists?

"I'm talking about the bassists in the bands that aren't really necessarily known for having a GREAT bassists. "

You're right, probably not on this board, but I thought we were talking about the public's knowledge.

RED5 · #17 04-22-2008, 09:12 AM

How about John Taylor, Duran Duran? I almost missed him due to an aversion to "Style" over substance. I was wrong, in spite of all the trendsetting suits,makeup and hairspray? He is a monster of a player.Damn you MTV!

basskababble · #18 04-22-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED5

How about John Taylor, Duran Duran? I almost missed him due to an aversion to "Style" over substance. I was wrong, in spite of all the trendsetting suits,makeup and hairspray? He is a monster of a player.Damn you MTV!

Actually that's more like the stuff I was looking for. The bassists who people say "no way, really?" someone out there appreciates them though, and I want for find those gems. Tell us more RED5... what songs stand out?

lamonica78 · #19 04-22-2008, 09:27 AM

I may be in the minority here when I say this, but I always thought that John Paul Jones is a horribly underrated/underappreciated bassist. I've had many arguments with casual Led Zep listeners who do not really appreciate his contributions to the band and think he was the "most expendable" member of the band (i.e., they would have been famous with or without him). Beyond being a monster bassist, he is a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist and song arranger.

Anyway, that was probably stretching a bit, but just my .02 cents

low-endz · #20 04-22-2008, 09:35 AM

Some of my picks: and just some of my underated Bassplayer picks

Mod. Rock:
Andy Rourke of THE SMITHS - his r&b backgound gave allot of great momentum to the band Imo more than Johnny Marr
Brian Ricthie of Violent Femmes- BR acoustic approach gave complimentet the Femmes angst atitute also he really did forge the band more so than frontman Gordon G.
Heavy Metal:
Greg Christian of TesTamenT - recriuted by band for his approach to Metal bass & went well with axeman Alex Sckolnic
Classic Rock:
Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy- Even though he is allways remebered as a great frontman allot
song have wieght of his great bass sound.

what I dont understand is that you placed Claypool & Flea in the Underated, which I agree both offer much to their bands BUT are allways looked on by non-bassist and non-musicians as the difinative "worlds greatest bassist" and especially in Less Claypools Case make me want to vomit. When ever anyone says so & so Is the greatest bassist in general, I just end the conversation by shaking my head & walking away.
You listed Jaco & I take it becuase he deserves a broader follwing than bassists & Mod Jazz Lovers.
Anywho above is my list of underated bassist on a related note Less Claypool is my #1 in overated. Its good to see another Miami Bassist in TB