Nathan Watts

jamh2000 · #1 12-11-2004, 04:56 AM

Anyone else think this guy is a phenomenal player who has never got the credit he deserves? He was and has been Stevie Wonder's bass player since Song in the Key of life and done some really amazing bass work over the years. It amazes me how perfect the bass parts on 'songs in the key..' are- the height of inventiveness, pocket and unselfishness- check out any of his live work as well -'natural wonder' is a good example- he just lays it down like no one else- one of the best soul bass players in the business, the live versions of 'love's in need of love todays' and 'you are the sunshine of my life' are good examples.
Anyone else a fan?

Lyle Caldwell · #2 12-11-2004, 08:58 AM

Absolutely! I was playing along (poorly) with "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" last night, thinking about how bad Watts is.

ElMon · #3 12-11-2004, 11:40 AM

Try on "Do I Do" for size. It's a beast.

pyrohr · #4 12-11-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyle Caldwell

Absolutely! I was playing along (poorly) with "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" last night, thinking about how bad Watts is.

Sir Duke is one of my favorite warmups, He covers a lot of real estate on that one.

Fire-Starter · #5 12-11-2004, 10:56 PM

Yes, Nate is all that, I love to listen to him with Stevie Wonder, his bass lines really smoke

Lyle Caldwell · #6 12-11-2004, 11:16 PM

BTW, if anyone tries the Stevie Wonder tabs on Talk Bass, while most of the notes are right, the tabs are written much harder than the parts actually are. Most of his lines on the songs tabbed here are straight pentatonic blues boxes with some passing tones added. Any big leaps are usually along the string rather than across the strings.

mike sancho · #7 12-13-2004, 02:29 PM

Been a big fan of Nathan's playing forever. He sits so far in the middle of the pocket it's frightening. Solid and Tasty.

FreeSpirit · #8 12-13-2004, 02:46 PM

yeah, i really like what he ahs doen with Stevie WOnder. i enjoy playing with "I Wish" and "sir Duke" but my favorite bas sline that ive heard of his is " Master Blaster(We Be Jamming)." it might just be because i like the bridge part its sorta a solo. yeha its cool

Mojo-Man · #9 12-13-2004, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Big fan here! Anyone who can hang with Stevie's left hand is alright in my book...

Second it!