In praise of: Colin Greenwood (Radiohead)

comfortstarr · #1 08-11-2008, 07:20 AM

Saw Radiohead Friday night. And, whilst I've always been a very huge fan and I've seen them once before, this time I was really struck by Colin Greenwood's playing. Perhaps it was the tunes on In Rainbows, but he really felt like the heart and soul of the band this time. Part of this is, perhaps, due to the fact that it was hands done the best live sound for that size of a show I've ever experienced. The bass sounded like the bass. It was so clear in the mix. Just amazing stuff.

On a side note, it was a day of p-basses (New Pornographers, Andrew Bird, and Radiohead) for the bands I saw.

TheRagingSwede · #2 08-11-2008, 07:25 AM

I'm going in Boston on Wednesday, and the new album is amazing. This is the first one since probably The Bends where the band functions as a unit, instead of acting as an outlet for Thom & Johnny's musical needs. While I am a huge fan of all their albums, this one is much more of an album as a band and not a song by one of them here, and another one there.

Jigsaw falling into place, although it has a fairly simple bassline, is really driven by the bass. Many of the songs on this album do have a strong bass backbone again, too.

As a side note, last time I saw Radiohead at Bonnarroo in 06, I got adicted to P-Bass tone and have not been able to strive for otherwise since.

barbarbass · #3 08-11-2008, 07:27 AM

Saw them Saturday night -- at APW (after Kings of Leon and Animal Collective, awesome). Yeah, he's definitely come to the fore in each successive album. You could argue that "Pablo Honey" was a "guitar rock" album -- the bass, while solid, follows the guitar lines. But by "The Bends", Colin's parts are making a difference -- take "Planet Telex", for instance. How huge is that line?

They played "Where You End and I Begin" -- probably my favorite song by them, and it's basically a workout for the rhythm section.

P.S.: The Roots played (on one of the other stages) with a live tubist. I think I want a tuba, now. Talk about bass sounding like bass. Juicy.

Deluge Of Sound · #4 08-11-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRagingSwede

I'm going in Boston on Wednesday, and the new album is amazing. This is the first one since probably The Bends where the band functions as a unit, instead of acting as an outlet for Thom & Johnny's musical needs. While I am a huge fan of all their albums, this one is much more of an album as a band and not a song by one of them here, and another one there.

Jigsaw falling into place, although it has a fairly simple bassline, is really driven by the bass. Many of the songs on this album do have a strong bass backbone again, too.

As a side note, last time I saw Radiohead at Bonnarroo in 06, I got adicted to P-Bass tone and have not been able to strive for otherwise since.

Yeah, I'm going to the Tweeter show too. I saw that they played 'The Bends' on the 9th, I might just die in my seat if that happens.

TheRagingSwede · #5 08-11-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Yeah, I'm going to the Tweeter show too. I saw that they played 'The Bends' on the 9th, I might just die in my seat if that happens.

The Bends will loosen my bowels a bit, but Jigsaw is going to be the final release.

Uncle Ernie · #6 08-11-2008, 01:51 PM

Saw them last week in Indy. I agree with the comment on their PA, amazing! Really really noticeable. I don't think I've heard such a good live sound since Pink Floyd's 1994 tour.

Colin's sound and choice of notes is great, and was a nice contrast to Grizzly Bear's sound, who opened that night. The BP had a Ric that sounded great too.

Malpractice · #7 08-11-2008, 04:34 PM

Colin is good. His tone is great......warm P tone

.

P.S. The Roots tuba player is Tuba Godding,Jr.

THAT IS AWESOME.

Ben Lesser · #8 08-11-2008, 04:39 PM

I saw Radiohead last Thursday in Montreal, and I have to agree with everything stated above. I've always been partial to the role that Colin plays in the band, since he has a lot of awesome driving lines (The National Anthem, Myxomatosis, etc.).

But seeing the band live really, really reinforced my appreciation for his playing and the role his sound plays in the whole of the band. Absolutely freakin' incredible! The live mix was ridiculous, especially for the venue we were at (outdoors, with 35,000 other people). Immense.

The show in general is amazing, can't stress that enough, either.

BigSlick · #9 08-12-2008, 05:14 AM

Saw them at Lolla, they were amazing, and he really cut through the mix really well. Very impressive all around, I've always felt he's somewhat underrated given that they are a band that has 3 guitarists, tends to focus on Thom and Colin's brother a bit more than everyone else, and they've incorporated a lot of electronica into their music.

He's adapted very well. Comes up with some very fun and interesting lines.

fleamail · #10 08-13-2008, 03:17 AM

Colin's approach to bass playing is very unique. He is totally there for the song and his lines are amazing.

I saw them live in London a month and a half ago and their sound was loud and clear, very very rare on outdoors shows.

KFrost2008 · #11 08-13-2008, 05:29 PM

I saw them at Lolapalooza. Great show overall, and as others have said the sound was incredible.

Steve K · #12 08-13-2008, 05:41 PM

I am going to see them next Tuesday in Vancouver. It's an outdoor venue but now I'm even more excited after hearing how well the sound was, even at outdoor venues. I also think In Rainbows is an amazing album. There are so many terrific tunes.

jenderfazz · #13 08-13-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Lesser

I saw Radiohead last Thursday in Montreal, and I have to agree with everything stated above. I've always been partial to the role that Colin plays in the band, since he has a lot of awesome driving lines (The National Anthem, Myxomatosis, etc.).

But seeing the band live really, really reinforced my appreciation for his playing and the role his sound plays in the whole of the band. Absolutely freakin' incredible! The live mix was ridiculous, especially for the venue we were at (outdoors, with 35,000 other people). Immense.

The show in general is amazing, can't stress that enough, either.

+1 to everything above. I caught them in Montreal and their live show was great, but more than that, they sounded incredible. Colin has long been a favorite of mine that I feel doesn't get a lot of credit, but I've spoken to a few people (non-musicians) who absolutely love his basslines.

Che · #14 08-27-2008, 06:51 PM

i saw them in vancouver last week and i thought they were brilliant. I didn't know a band could sound so great outdoors. colin's bass was right there, nice and clear, fantastic tone, makes me want a p-bass!

B.C. · #15 08-27-2008, 06:54 PM

Saw them in Saint Louis earlier this summer. Absolutly incredible.

They played Airbag and man, that line makes the song.

What impressed me most was probably Phil Segway(their drummer) who never missed a beat, not even on Pyramid song. Those two make a great pair, very very solid drum and bass team.

KennethB · #16 08-28-2008, 06:35 AM

P-bass with distortion is also cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0mtSjQvk3o

nickbear · #17 08-28-2008, 05:38 PM

i am a big radiohead fan. my favourite albums have to be hail to the thief and in rainbows which i think are also stand out albums for colin greenwood as well. his tone and choice of notes plus his note phrasing is awesome

Tel-X · #18 08-31-2008, 03:19 AM

He's a lovely bloke. Had the good fortune to get absolutely hammered with him and the band Gomez (around a campfire) at the St.Malo festival in 1998. I borrowed him my sunglasses for the day (they were pretty cool) and the following day a roadie came up to me and said 'Colin Greenwood's looking for you - he wants to give you your sunglasses back'. Which he did. Such a gentle soul and (you're right) the heart of Radiohead. Quietly intelligent too.

kynoch · #19 08-31-2008, 01:38 PM

I also like some of the lines he creates on Amnesiac....like that line at the end of "I might be wrong".....the Jazz feel of Dollars and Cents....love it!!!!

these_go211 · #20 09-02-2008, 09:08 AM

colin is seriously underrated for sure. great lines, great tone, and he and the drummer are so rock solid together. i'm listening to 'ok computer' right now.