Paul McCartney

[Omer]

Okay, so I'll start this one by admitting: I DON'T LIKE THE BEATLES. Here, I said it . I keep hearing about how great they were, but I just don't get it. Sometimes I feel stupid for it, as if I can't appreciate some musical rarity that all true musicians should. Other times I hear other perfectly devoted musicians who admit that they don't like them as well, even though they know one or two things about music theory, and appreciate other acclaimed bands.
(I think I messed this post with my English, sorry for that)

But anyway - this post is not a Paul-bashing thread, and not a Beatles-bashing thread. I mean, I'm not a 14-year-old boy, and even when I was a 14-year-old, I thought it was silly that my friends argued about "who's the best". GOD GAVE YOU EARS, GODDAMMIT, USE IT TO DECIDE FOR YOURSELVES!!!

However ,
Since many of my friends who share my musical taste still insist that they were true greats, and that as a Bass-enthusiast (even before picking up the bass, I played guitar horribly but was all over the basslines) I should appreciate them for Paul's work - I sincerly ask: What was so great about him?

Notice: This is NOT meant to be a stupid discussion about taste. I'm just willing to hear about new playing techniques, or writing styles, or whatever, that make you - the Paul fans out here - appreciate him as a bassist. Moreover, it is meant for you to recommend me some of his best bass works, according to your opinion - because I'm simply not going to go over all of the Beatles discography. I know the hits, but I'm not going to start gold-digging

Just keep in mind - this thread was TRULY opened in order to be convinced. Just as I was sceptical about the greatness of other famous musicians, and then I was shown their true materpieces - namely the Clash, one of my favourite bands today - I didn't appreciate them before I knew them too much, only the hits. I thought they were an OKAY band, but then I got into their music, and found out that I really like them. And Paul Simonon to be specific - especially regarding the fact that he improved his playing and bass parts so much over time!

So please - show me Paul's true greatness!
I'm sure that he's not deified for nothing, and I don't want to dismiss one of the world's most appreciated bassists and say "I don't like him" while I don't know him too much. So if you can recommend some of his works that are not in any hit collection, and that most "average listeners" don't know - I'll appreciate it.
Thanks!

[Matt R.]

The Beatles are my favorite band. Paul had a keen sense of melody in every sense and he used it in his bass playing as well as singing and everything else he does. I also love his Hofner tone. He's simply brilliant.

[Hutzbordello]

play day tripper

the way he wrote it is like...........classical feel but with 50s rock

also, I wan you (Shes so heavy), sick line


btw nice timing on the post matt AND thats my name also, wierd times

[Ric5]

He can play bass, guitar, keyboards, drums, write #1 hits, sing lead, sing harmony ... He can do it all and do it well ... plus he was in the most influential band of the 20th century ... that puts him in a pretty exclusive club.

[bassbrad]

I have the same answer when someone does not get Paul, Jaco, Entwistle, Jamerson or any of the other true greats. It's almost like saying i like automobiles, but that Ford guy really sucked. In many ways I am almost sad that you missed the genesis of the lexicon of bass, looking at from a contemporary perspective those players might well pale in comparison to more contemporary players. The thing is those same contemporary players would not be where they are as players had they not had the influences of the greats.
Paul was just so tastefully melodic in his playing, before him pop bass lines were either all roots with occasional passing tones or riffs that copied the guitar or piano parts of a particular style. Some of his early stuff is just that but he soon developed his own melodic sense of bass that supported the song and melody but also drove the harmony in unexpected ways. One song example "With a Little Help From My Friends" shows all the things he does with a bass line. He starts the verse so simple and sparse and then drive the line thru the chorus, adding a few fills on the next verse and then he continues to develop the part.

[Omer]

Originally Posted by Ric5

He can play bass, guitar, keyboards, drums, write #1 hits, sing lead, sing harmony ... He can do it all and do it well ... plus he was in the most influential band of the 20th century ... that puts him in a pretty exclusive club.

I appreciate him as a musician, don't get me wrong here. I mean, as much as I'm not a fan of his music that I know of, I appreciate him being proficient playing that many instruments, writing, singing, all of that... But I just don't know the Beatles too much except for their famous hits (which I mostly don't like), and I realise that they had more than that.

I like Come Together, let's say. I'm sure that he had more great works that I don't know of, so I'm searching for them

Day Tripper is not my cup of tea, but I've checked out I Want You (She's So Heavy) - again, I can't say that it's exactly my taste, but I can appreciate the bass part, and how it fits the song. I hope you know what I mean... When on the one hand you listen to a song and you're not THAT into it, but on the other hand, you can't dismiss the player. So that's what I feel about this song. Actually it's funny, as I didn't like most of the song, the other instruments and vocals - but I liked how the bass fits them... And if I focus on the bass alone, it's very nice. I'm sure I'm going to play it for myself in the next days.

So, still, I guess I won't become a Beatles fan after this topic - but at least I got one good recommendation for Paul's bass writing abilities!

Other recommendations will be appreciated
I realise that they've done different genres of music, but I'm not sure as to how I should define my style... Meanwhile if you keep recommending than I will really appreciate it, and if I tell what I liked and you can recommend more of the same "style", I'll appreciate it even more

Thanks again!

[SactoBass]

Not only can Paul write songs, play all of those instruments, and sing, he can also make one heck of a dish of mashed potatoes! (including "sling the bits" which is I guess British for "toss the unused pieces of onion")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyyEc-GNDfQ

[Omer]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

I have the same answer when someone does not get Paul, Jaco, Entwistle, Jamerson or any of the other true greats. It's almost like saying i like automobiles, but that Ford guy really sucked. In many ways I am almost sad that you missed the genesis of the lexicon of bass, looking at from a contemporary perspective those players might well pale in comparison to more contemporary players. The thing is those same contemporary players would not be where they are as players had they not had the influences of the greats.
Paul was just so tastefully melodic in his playing, before him pop bass lines were either all roots with occasional passing tones or riffs that copied the guitar or piano parts of a particular style. Some of his early stuff is just that but he soon developed his own melodic sense of bass that supported the song and melody but also drove the harmony in unexpected ways. One song example "With a Little Help From My Friends" shows all the things he does with a bass line. He starts the verse so simple and sparse and then drive the line thru the chorus, adding a few fills on the next verse and then he continues to develop the part.

I appreciate that kind of comment. Again, I don't want anyone to get me wrong here, I'm not going to dimiss one of the world's most appreciated bassists as an amateur... I have respect for him. I just wanted to know what EXACTLY people find so great about him.

So your comment here explains his contribution to popular music, besides just saying "he changed it!!! he influenced it!!!", which is what I get usually when I talk to devoted Beatles fans. Actually that's why I opened this topic here, because I read here a lot, and people here are not into that "X vs Y" nonesense, so I can actually get a real answer without being accused of blasphemy. I guess I have to listen to more music of that time to understand it - but at least I get an explained comment that I can appreciate.

A silly question from an ignorant young guy - how common was this thing, of playing your own bassline? I mean, was he really the first, or just the first to make it popular? Were there other bassists at that time who played their own basslines, or was it all just roots, backing the guitar/piano, or a walking bass? Can you give some of the earliest examples of his "own" unique basslines? I'm asking because I like to see the progression of a musician. Like I mentioned Paul Simonon - I like to compare his early work to his late work, and see the differences. Do you think there's some difference between his first own basslines, and the later ones, in one aspect or another?

Sorry if this question is too weird or anything. I'm just honestly interested in the development of music and bass in particular, and I understand he had a part in it.

[Omer]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Not only can Paul write songs, play all of those instruments, and sing, he can also make one heck of a dish of mashed potatoes! (including "sling the bits" which is I guess British for "toss the unused pieces of onion")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyyEc-GNDfQ

Well, if there's one thing that I like more than bass guitar... It's potatoes. I'm sorry that not all people can appreciate their greatness. So nice in the mouth, so tasty, and so versatile! But I'll stop it here

[Noseferatu]

Paul is a fantastic musician an dis a composer. He's a genius. Period.

I guess there's a reason Macca and Gene Simmons are my two biggest influences, and that is that their bass playing is very similar, mostly because Gene's lifetime idol is McCartney.


Macca rocks.

End of story.

[Jonathan1990]

Originally Posted by Omer

I appreciate him as a musician, don't get me wrong here. I mean, as much as I'm not a fan of his music that I know of, I appreciate him being proficient playing that many instruments, writing, singing, all of that... But I just don't know the Beatles too much except for their famous hits (which I mostly don't like), and I realise that they had more than that.

I like Come Together, let's say. I'm sure that he had more great works that I don't know of, so I'm searching for them

Day Tripper is not my cup of tea, but I've checked out I Want You (She's So Heavy) - again, I can't say that it's exactly my taste, but I can appreciate the bass part, and how it fits the song. I hope you know what I mean... When on the one hand you listen to a song and you're not THAT into it, but on the other hand, you can't dismiss the player. So that's what I feel about this song. Actually it's funny, as I didn't like most of the song, the other instruments and vocals - but I liked how the bass fits them... And if I focus on the bass alone, it's very nice. I'm sure I'm going to play it for myself in the next days.

So, still, I guess I won't become a Beatles fan after this topic - but at least I got one good recommendation for Paul's bass writing abilities!

Other recommendations will be appreciated
I realise that they've done different genres of music, but I'm not sure as to how I should define my style... Meanwhile if you keep recommending than I will really appreciate it, and if I tell what I liked and you can recommend more of the same "style", I'll appreciate it even more

Thanks again!

I don't want to be rude, but what exactly do you want? Is it examples of McCartney's music that reflect his musicality and ingenuity, or do you want examples of his work that suit your musical taste?
I'm not a fan of (modern) rap music, but I can clearly see why Eminem's music video's are broadcast all over the world (just an example of someone who stands out in his genre).

Have you considered the possibility that you don't think his work is brilliant after all?


IMO

-edit- Oh yeah, and don't get me wrong.

[standupbassman]

Paul's basslines were really inovative. Not just the notes but the way he plays them is perfect. There are several songs (not that I remember any of them ) where he'll play the first verse with long connected notes and he'll play the exact same notes very short and detached to give the song a different feel.

[Alex E]

Paul doesn't play super fast like a Geddy Lee or Jaco.

However, what I think is very impressive are the melodic and harmonic sophistication of his bass lines. Especially when one realizes he has no formal music theory schooling. I studied theory for years and still can't come up with bass lines nearly as theoretically complex and good as his are (within the pop/rock medium).

Also, it is well-documented that McCartney is not a practicer! Try to learn some of his medium to fast bass lines and then remember that the guy didn't practice on his bass worth a darn. And because the urgency of the Beatles recording schedule, he HAD to write those lines very quickly. A bunch of his lines are pretty physically demanding to pull off smoothly. How the heck did he do that, except by uncanny natural ability?

Finally, learn these moderately difficult to difficult lines and then sing a different melody line on top of it..... and pull it off live, on-key and with one of the better all-time rock/pop voices in front of 100K people, night in and night out.

If one can appreciate these facts, that is why many view him as an elite bassist. Not saying he's the best, but very skilled.

[plangentmusic]

Explaining why Mac is great is like trying to explain elegance.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Omer

DON'T LIKE THE BEATLES. I should appreciate them for Paul's work - I sincerly ask: What was so great about him? Notice: This is NOT meant to be a stupid discussion about taste. I'm just willing to hear about new playing techniques, or writing styles, or whatever, that make you - the Paul fans out here - appreciate him as a bassist. Just keep in mind - this thread was TRULY opened in order to be convinced. Just as I was sceptical about the greatness of other famous musicians,I don't want to dismiss one of the world's most appreciated bassists and say "I don't like him" while I don't know him too much.

Paul's work doesn't simply involve only playing the bass. It also involves singing, playing guitar, playing piano, playing drums, composing songs, being involved in music that spans or runs across genres, including classical music work. That some of his best work is considered some of that area's best work, by critics, fans and music practitioners alike, AND that he is recognized for his brilliance in more than just one area. Take singing and songwriting, for instance. And that at least one of his songs (if not many) is probably translated into most of the languages of countries that also have a compatable cultural musical language which can recognize and appreciate a song from the Western world. At least one of those songs HAS to be "Yesterday". The longevity of his career, and his continued ability to perform at high levels of ability/professionalism, and his continued energy for the stage, and audience, is certainly to be respected.

If you don't like it, then you don't like it. Can you admit he was great, without actually liking him or his music? Sure. I don't like Beethoven. I know Beethoven is great. I also don't like the taste of broccolli. I'm quite aware it's good for me.

I hope at the end of it all, you can see the greatness, and acknowledge and articulate the many reasons why, but also not be browbeaten into claiming that you like him, his music, or anything he's done. That part, you should come to when you're ready.

[bruiser1964]

I'd have to say that I can't stand the beatles and I have listened - sorry I don't see the talent at all - just over-rated pop - they were the "take that" of the 60's. People liked them because they were too scared to listen to the Stones. (IMO of course)

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by Omer

Well, if there's one thing that I like more than bass guitar... It's potatoes. I'm sorry that not all people can appreciate their greatness. So nice in the mouth, so tasty, and so versatile! But I'll stop it here

LOL!

I don't know if you noticed, but Paul cracked me up in that video when he is pouring the boiling water, he intentionally says the word "water" the way we Americans would say it. 20 seconds later he pronounces "water" his normal way (woah-tah).

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by bruiser1964

I'd have to say that I can't stand the beatles and I have listened - sorry I don't see the talent at all - just over-rated pop - they were the "take that" of the 60's. People liked them because they were too scared to listen to the Stones. (IMO of course)

And since the thread title IS Paul McCartney??? I mention this especially as his career is still ongoing today.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by bruiser1964

I'd have to say that I can't stand the beatles and I have listened - sorry I don't see the talent at all - just over-rated pop - they were the "take that" of the 60's. People liked them because they were too scared to listen to the Stones. (IMO of course)

Hmm, the band that forever changed music and influenced everyone who followed (even you -- whether you know it not, since whomever you like surely was influenced by them)..are overrated?

That's like saying that Bach was overrated. It's just an amazing statement.

[manbearpig97]

Pauls not one of the best bassists ever but he showed that you don't need and extremely complicated bassline to sound good.