Who's your favorite Clapton project bassist that's not Jack Bruce

[TC2112]

I have been really sucked in to the various Clapton projects lately. I already had a pretty serious infatuation for Cream and have for years, but just within the last few years been digging back into the other EC solo and side project records and am finding some fantastic bass playing.

Ric Grech would probably have to be my personal favorite. That Blind Faith record and the subsequent live stuff I have heard is fantastic (although I have heard rumors that it may be Jack on some of that recording), and he gets huge props from me for going on to play with Gram Parsons as well. The Journeyman album has some great bass playing on it too, with (of course) Nathan East, Pino and Darryl Jones all appearing on tracks on that record. I know there will be lots of love for Carl Radle as well.

Who's your favorite and give us some other points of reference for these guys.

Edit* My favorite track from Blind Faith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYp7_...eature=related

[JTE]

As much as I love Carl Radle and Duck Dunm, I'm going with Nathan East on this one. Nathan's been playing with Clapton off and on for over 20 years. He's not afraid to reinvent lines and that's vital to me. Clapton simply has no interest in regurgitating a recording from his past, and Nathan is one of the players who will musically challenge EC.

John

[4-string]

Marcus Miller. Not a Clapton project as such, but the All Stars Band was cool.

Nathan East also great, and despite the muddy rumble Willie Weeks delivered (talking tone here) he was great.

Dunn has never done anything that I really liked, but that's me.

[Tanner5382]

Personally, I would have to go with Carl Radle. I love his style and played the perfect notes in the perfect places. Busy, but still tasteful.

[4-string]

FWIW, Clapton said in an interview that Radle/Oldaker was "probably the best rhythm section I ever had".

[pnut166]

Nathan East for me !

[Hellbastard]

Nathan East.

[TC2112]

Originally Posted by 4-string

FWIW, Clapton said in an interview that Radle/Oldaker was "probably the best rhythm section I ever had".

That's pretty high praise, considering who he has played with

[MrLenny1]

Nathan East

[brianrost]

John McVie back in the Mayall days (just to be contrary I guess)

[faivy]

I love Radle but since he's been nominated I'd like to propose Willie Weeks.The King of Pocket Players!

[Fran Diaz]

Willie Weeks for me.

[TC2112]

Willie, E.C., and Steve Jordan

‪Willie Weeks - Bass Solo‬‏ - YouTube

[Doctor Dirt]

Nathan East is very good with pop players, its nice to hear Weeks add a real Blues type of an approach. Back when Clapton first came to the states I know he met up with Papilardi not sure if they every did anything with a tape on, but I know they played together. Felix was a capable player and had a knack for the pocket and how to add a few things you weren't thinking of and then when he came out he did so with strength and lots of conviction. He was one of those characters that left to soon and would have been a very busy man weither it be playing or recording. His most popular work was probably with Felix Caveleri sp) and the Rascals. A very unique band for the times (any times) with an interesting approach not utilizing a bass player within the personel of the band but just happen to have a whole lotta BASS flying around in the recordings and Felix C. doing a great job on peddles (B3)live. I know personally having done atleast a half of dozen gigs with them just as their recordings were being recorded, then getting some radio play. Both Felix's could add some bass one with a guitar the other with peddles. Fine bassists, Doc

[WoodyG3]

I kind of prefer Radle and Weeks for the old school approach, but Nathan did a fantastic job on the whole Robert Johnson project that Clapton did a few years back. I guess I can't think of a bass player that Clapton has worked with that I didn't like quite a bit.

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by JTE

As much as I love Carl Radle and Duck Dunm, I'm going with Nathan East on this one. Nathan's been playing with Clapton off and on for over 20 years. He's not afraid to reinvent lines and that's vital to me. Clapton simply has no interest in regurgitating a recording from his past, and Nathan is one of the players who will musically challenge EC.

John

+1. Pick up Clapton's "One More Car One More Rider" DVD for some amazing work by Nathan. (Not to mention the late Billy Preston backing him up as well.)

[ugly_bassplayer]

Nathan East sounds good playing anything, that man is a killer.

[TL5]

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

Nathan East sounds good playing anything, that man is a killer.

Agree.

Nathan would be my choice even if Jack Bruce was included in the picks. My favorite Clapton material is the mid/late 80s and early 90s material (August, Journeyman).

[jerry]

I love Nathan East, but I like the grease that Radle and Weeks brought/bring to Clapton's catalog. The bass chair has never been lacking in the Clapton songbook.

[Big John66]

I totally agree witht the Weeks/Radle grease factor. Nathan East is a monster player, but I saw EC with the Weeks/Bramhall/Trucks lineup and that was the most inspired playing I've seen from EC in years.