Tom Hamilton: Give him the recognition he deserves

[Music_for_life]

In my opinion one of the best subtle player in rock. His fills make the song, very elegant playing and tone. Knows when to slide, when to throw an octave or a fifth, when to play streight eights or when to leave space. His bass lines are complex. give them a listen.
I like his work in Get a grip the ballads, amazing, cryin`, crazy, living on the edge, full circle, gotta love it, sweet emotion.
What do you think about him???
Are his early basslines so tasty as his work in Pump, Get a Grip, or nine lives ???

Only one thread about this underrated bass player! Him John Deacon and Cliff WIlliams are my top 3 bass players in rock.

[JimmyM]

i agree. tom's great. and from what i just read, it looks like hsi cancer is in remission, which is also great.

[cassanova]

I like Tom's playing myself. I think my favorite bass line of his is "Eat the Rich." I'm glad to hear his cancer's in remission also. He seems like a pretty decent guy.

[Schlyder]

+1 I also like his playing. I prefer Aerosmith's earlier work. Live Bootleg is my favorite album of theirs. All their classic tunes. And lots of great bass playing.
I particularily like the tracks Mother Popcorn and I Ain't got You.

[jaywa]

"Toys In The Attic" rips. "Walk This Way" is a nice little riff-fest as well. And always seemed to get good tone on record, especially the 70s stuff during a time when many other albums lacked pretty badly in that department.

Big Tom Hamilton fan here.

[tangentmusic]

I too dig Tom's playing. Really like the early stuff off "Get Your Wings", "Toys" & "Rocks".
He's a good solid player. He obviously has been overshadowed by bandmates Tyler, Perry & Whitford. He would stand back and hold down the fort while the others tore it up onstage.

[groooooove]

good rock players gennerally dont get recognition unless they display virtuosity..

wich isint whats wanted of a "good rock player." so a lot goes under the radar.

[EdHunter]

I reckon he's a better bassist than Perry is a guitarist. My little brother does not agree...

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by EdHunter

I reckon he's a better bassist than Perry is a guitarist.

Yes.

[Double Agent]

The bassline in Cryin' is very nice. It has always been one of my favorites. A very good player.

To me, not everyone has to be Jaco, Victor, or even Geddy. As long as your basslines bring something interesting to the party, that is all I ask/expect from any bass player. A lot of rock and pop bassists have made themselves interchangable....the rhythm is from the kick and the note is the root of whatever chord the guitarist is playing. Anyone can do that. Just come up with something interesting to put your own stamp on whatever song you are playing. Tom H has always done this with Aerosmith and I have a lot of respect for him.

[bucephylus]

There are periodically threads on TB as to whether it is possible to play funky lines with a pick (which, of course, is a silly discussion). Sure, Aerosmith is Rock genre pigeonholed, but Tom is one of THE funkiest pick players I've heard. Great feel, very musical, and his lines, while supportive, really make the tunes move. Walk This Way is a great example. Fantastic player, IMO.

[bucephylus]

Originally Posted by Double Agent

To me, not everyone has to be Jaco, Victor, or even Geddy. As long as your basslines bring something interesting to the party, that is all I ask/expect from any bass player.

Excellent point

Originally Posted by Double Agent

A lot of rock and pop bassists have made themselves interchangable....the rhythm is from the kick....

For the sake of discussion, I take exception to this. Pop music rhythms for me emanate from the back beat, and that is the snare. The thing about Tom's playing that makes it work is that he plays around that backbeat. I don't really hear a lot of focus on the kick beat. But, maybe that's just me. YMMV.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Music_for_life

Only one thread about this underrated bass player!

Nope. I created another one before. Of course, I agree: Mr. Hamilton is a terrific bassist.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

For the sake of discussion, I take exception to this. Pop music rhythms for me emanate from the back beat, and that is the snare. The thing about Tom's playing that makes it work is that he plays around that backbeat. I don't really hear a lot of focus on the kick beat. But, maybe that's just me. YMMV.

depends on the song. for something like "dude looks like a lady" or "the other side," the accents are on the 1 and 3. for something like "walk this way" or "sweet emotion," the accents are on the 2 and 4.

[Selta]

I liked all of his bass lines, personally. And he and I share birthdays (though not years).

[bucephylus]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

depends on the song. for something like "dude looks like a lady" or "the other side," the accents are on the 1 and 3. for something like "walk this way" or "sweet emotion," the accents are on the 2 and 4.

Right you are. We're currently covering Walk This Way, Sweet Emotion, and Train Kept a Rollin; so, that probably colored my comment.

[WJGreer]

In my eyes, a 40-year busy lucrative career playing crazy rock music in front of hot women and admiring young men is its own reward. No additional recognition necessary!

[reno88]

check out his line and tone on "mama kin". th is one of my all time faves and one of the greats.

[steamthief]

Last Child is such a greazy groove!

[pnut166]

I never gave him much thought....until I learned Sweet Emotion.