Richard Bona kicking back

[DocBop]

One of the things I did about Richard Bona is he is Musician first and monster chops player second. Here he's backing up Janis Ian and just laying it down with a few harmonics and then hangs a great chordal ending on the tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEYepr0Zm1E

That's what makes Marcus, Victor, Richard, Patatucci, Flim Johnson and others great is they have all the chops, but play what the music calls for. Marcus' work with Luther Vandross are great lessons in playing bass lines that make the song. Sure as bass player checking out some bass pyrotechnics is fun, but to me gets old quick. Rather listen to a great bass part or a solo that says something.

[jerry]

+1 on all the above! These guys play music first, that's why Marcus became such a good producer. Both guys have all the musical headroom in the world, but don't use it unless it's needed. I love Bona's solo albums, they are not chop-fests, just beautiful music.

[scotch]

Allright. Now I'm a Richard Bona fan! That was great. I generally dislike the "fusion" scene (to each their own) but it was great to hear Richard playing so exposed while supporting a classic song. He did a great job of supporting the tune & not railroading over it! Whatever "hiccups" may have occured in the arrangement & changes were dealt with so musically. Nice.

Now I'm ready to give some more of his music a chance. I guess I'll have to get a Bona solo record. That's what I get for turning up my nose at music I don't like right away - left behind.

Thanks for the post!

[jongor]

AFter looking at that video I found my way to he and Metheny doing Bright Size Life.

He kills on this. What's that bass he's playing? He makes it sound great.

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by jongor

AFter looking at that video I found my way to he and Metheny doing Bright Size Life.

He kills on this. What's that bass he's playing? He makes it sound great.

Janis was digging it.

On Bright Size Life.
Richard is playing his fretless Pensa-Shur.

Richard is the only player i've seen that took the Jaco thing.
But made it his own.
Great player.

[Jeff Moote]

I really don't care for the song, though Bona's playing is top notch as always and of course is very tasteful. Perhaps too "tasteful", in this case? I lost interest part way through...

[gkbass13]

he is hands down one of my favorite players ever. and hsi voice is so beautiful.