So what's the opinion of Talkbass about Michael Rutherford as a bass player?

Blazer · #1 01-19-2012, 07:45 PM

Rutherford will probably never be known for a Bassline that can be sung along to, like for example Roger Waters who had plenty of basslines like that "Money" for example.

What he IS known for of course are rocking riffs, ("Abacap", "I can't dance", "Land of confusion") and unusual time signatures (How does one come up with the main riff of "Turn it on again" which is in 13/8 ?)

But let's talk about the guy as a Bassplayer because, let's be honest he truly shone in that role.

Rutherford playing what is arguably his best known instrument, his Shergold double neck.

Genesis - Get 'Em out by Friday - YouTube
"Get 'em out by Friday"
This is a track that shows Rutherford at his most driving, he does those little lead lines on his Rickenbacker. Iron Maiden Bass player Steve Harris has named Rutherford as a primary influence, this song shows where the connection lies.

Genesis - Live in 1973 - YouTube
"I know what I like"
SMOKING live version and Rutherford's bass line is hopping and swinging with a vengeance.

Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - YouTube
"The Lamb lies down on Broadway"
Again a very driving bass line but with a good dose of fuzz and 'tude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIC9muS2Yuo
"No reply at all"
Overlook the song's pop credentials and you'll find that this song has all the makings of a great Prog rock song: Unusual time signatures, tricky keyboard work and most of all that simply fantastic bass line.

Genesis - Squonk - Six Hours Live - YouTube
"Squonk"
Now much of early Genesis work had Rutherford and Steve Hackett playing guitar in tandem ("The Musical box" is a great example of that) with Rutherford using Moog Taurus Pedals to supply the low end. In this song he uses both the Moog pedals as he and in this case Daryl Stuermer (Hackett on the recorded version and the pre-1978 live versions) play guitar in tandem and plays bass during the song's interludes, but hear him go on those.

Chrisk-K · #2 01-19-2012, 07:57 PM

He is criminally underrated. Because he also plays guitar a lot, I guess most bassists don't consider him a *true* bassist.

I'd rather listen to one note played by Rutherford than million notes played by Wooten.

dhsierra1 · #3 01-19-2012, 08:03 PM

tasteful, melodic, great tone, what's not to like?

**JxBass** · #4 01-19-2012, 08:37 PM

As stated, not just melodic but some really cool tricky time signatures. I've always enjoyed The Battle of Epping Forest.

jaywa · #5 01-19-2012, 08:40 PM

If he's the guy that played on "Just a Job to Do" ... he has my total respect.

That bass line kicks azz.

mccartneyman · #6 01-19-2012, 08:44 PM

Great in Gabriel-era Genesis and the first two albums after Peter departed. After the hit machine kicked in, not so much. But a talented player.

C.Linton · #7 01-20-2012, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

Great in Gabriel-era Genesis and the first two albums after Peter departed. After the hit machine kicked in, not so much. But a talented player.

Agreed, 100%. Thought he was great, until Genesis went big.

Blazer · #8 01-20-2012, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Agreed, 100%. Thought he was great, until Genesis went big.

What most people overlook here is the fact that Rutherford WROTE the majority of those hits and people just blame Phil.

And people forget that even their most "pop" sounding albums still had their fair share of Prog going on with Rutherford's driving Bass lines intact.
Genesis - "Behind The Lines/Turn It On Again" (Live Earth, Wembley 2007) HD - YouTube
"Duke" for example had songs like "Behind the lines" and the earlier mentioned "Turn it on again"

Genesis - Dodo / Lurker (Three Sides Live) HQ - YouTube
"Abacap" had the title song and this excellent Prog jam "Dodo/Lurker"

And here's the big one. "Invisible touch" the album where most prog fans wrote them off completely, had THIS...
Genesis - The Brazilian (Invisible Touch Tour) - YouTube

hrodbert696 · #9 01-20-2012, 04:06 AM

Mike Rutherford...Great bassist?

Mike Rutherford of Genesis

I agree, he's one of those under-the-radar bassists that people don't often remember. Done some great stuff over the years. But he was focusing on guitar when Genesis got huge in the 80s.

jeffwo · #10 01-20-2012, 09:10 AM

The old stuff was awesome, I am a huge fan, and absolutely not much of a fan of the pop-era Genesis. BUT you absolutely cannot deny the fact that "No Reply At All" is simply a smoking bass tune!

Blazer · #11 01-20-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffwo

The old stuff was awesome, I am a huge fan, and absolutely not much of a fan of the pop-era Genesis. BUT you absolutely cannot deny the fact that "No Reply At All" is simply a smoking bass tune!

Genesis - No Reply At All (Three Sides Live) HQ - YouTube
Listen to this SMOKING live version where Rutherford WORKS his Alembic.

Bassmunnky · #12 01-20-2012, 10:40 AM

I'm a huge fan..of his solo work too. Get SMALLCREEP'S DAY if you can.

NO REPLY AT ALL sounds like he's playing fretless..

woodyng · #13 01-24-2012, 04:14 PM

huge fan of his work,his bass tone on some songs was almost hard to hear,but you could tell he was doing some really unusual,cool things. one of my favorites is the live version of "the lady lies". i also really like his ascending lines on the last part of "cinema show". his bass lines really make up a huge part of why i still enjoyed listening to Genesis up to "calling all stations",a pretty lifeless album,that.

Duke21 · #14 01-24-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

He is criminally underrated. Because he also plays guitar a lot, I guess most bassists don't consider him a *true* bassist.

I'd rather listen to one note played by Rutherford than million notes played by Wooten.

+1

I love Rutherford's bass playing. Old Genesis, newer Genesis or his solo album. Lots of great bass Lines by him. My absolute favorite is his bass line leading into the firth of fifth guitar solo, specially when Collins and Chester are on the drums. His playing is so effortless and he can do some very impressive passages.

Duke21 · #15 01-24-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer

Genesis - No Reply At All (Three Sides Live) HQ - YouTube
Listen to this SMOKING live version where Rutherford WORKS his Alembic.

Great playing.

electracoyote · #16 01-24-2012, 04:23 PM

Meh. He's pretty average.

KIDDING!

There are bass players who play bass lines, and there are players who compose bass lines that become an integral part of the song.

Rutherford is obviously in the second group.

tangentmusic · #17 01-24-2012, 04:25 PM

Love Genesis' early prog stuff. M.R. is a great player.
Gotta agree that after Genesis became the hit machine I lost intrest.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #18 01-24-2012, 04:31 PM

One of the most outstanding bassists in rock history for me. His playing is flawless, melodic, speedy, complex, and always interesting. Especially early Genesis. In the Cage, anyone?

Blazer · #19 01-24-2012, 05:02 PM

Listen to him here: he plays in unison with Tony Banks' keyboard lines during the verses and just hops and skips between the octaves during the choruses.
Genesis - a trick of the tail. - YouTube

And another underrated gem with very inventive bass work. I also love that typical Yamaha Cp-70 sound.
Genesis 1980

And a peek behind the scenes.
Genesis on A Trick Of The Tail - YouTube

TRichardsbass · #20 01-26-2012, 06:08 AM

How come none of you site his solo album "Acting Very Strange" ? All Mike. Some of the basslines are really interesting, and his tone is killer, Ric like but I think he recorded it with a Steiney.

Check this out:

Mike Rutherford-Acting Very Strange - YouTube

Also, the drummer should sound very familiar....