Paul McCartney why he's an Icon.

Vincent P · #1 01-03-2008, 05:56 AM

This is an amazing clip.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3uzC5KC_260&feature=related

Hawaii Islander · #2 01-03-2008, 06:05 AM

Cool clip! Thanks!

GreyBeard · #3 01-03-2008, 06:14 AM

That's great, Thanks.

Vincent P · #4 01-03-2008, 06:24 AM

Anytime. Happy New Years All.

Jason Sypher · #5 01-03-2008, 07:49 AM

Well, I'm not sure that clip says anything to me except that McCartney can't play the upright bass.

Cute for the act but....

On the other hand he is certainly an icon for a number of reasons and really one of the finest electric bass players I've ever heard.

Bruce Lindfield · #6 01-03-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Well, I'm not sure that clip says anything to me except that McCartney can't play the upright bass.

Yup - pretty awful playing, technique and sound...he can still just about sing - although he's not Elvis either!

Jason Sypher · #7 01-03-2008, 08:08 AM

I mean, he's f****** Paul McCartney for chrissakes. I love him....but I think someone might have advised him not to pull out the bass and play with that wimpy little finger! Ha. Paul, I know you lurk here on TB, ....you're still the walrus!

Bruce Lindfield · #8 01-03-2008, 08:19 AM

I suppose it's a good lesson that while a lot of people must have thought - "wouldn't it be great to be playing bass in the Beatles", Paul was thinking : "I wish I was playing bass for Elvis"!!

oliebrice · #9 01-03-2008, 08:19 AM

"pretty awful playing, technique and sound."
I don't know, you try playing a bass strung backwards, on a stand, and see how great you sound...

Bruce Lindfield · #10 01-03-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliebrice

"pretty awful playing, technique and sound."
I don't know, you try playing a bass strung backwards, on a stand, and see how great you sound...

Happy New Year Olie !!

Are you standing up for Sir Paul or are you touting to have the chance to give him some lessons!!??

mccartneyman · #11 01-03-2008, 10:53 AM

To me, criticizing Paul's upright technique is like saying that Charles Lindbergh was a lousy driver. So what?

MingusAmongUs · #12 01-03-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

To me, criticizing Paul's upright technique is like saying that Charles Lindbergh was a lousy driver. So what?

Yeah, except Charles Lindbergh didn't hold a press conference so the world could watch him drive his new Bugatti into a lake. :/

**Damon Rondeau** · #13 01-03-2008, 11:57 AM

I've only watched half the clip and haven't seen SirP play the DB yet -- I fully expect it to be pretty bad, we all know you can't sound good on this instrument without some serious shedding -- but I'm with Sting when it comes to SirP's bass-playing and musicianship. Probably 20 years ago Musician (or was it Bass Player?) mag did a piece on what bass players think of SirP. Sting's response? "Paul McCartney? Why, he's the guv-nah, in't he?"

Beatles music isn't ordinary pop music. Even so, Paul's lines aren't ordinary lines. And he sings lead while playing 'em. To me, he can be the walrus, the tuna fish, the Big Moose Man, whatever...

**Damon Rondeau** · #14 01-03-2008, 12:02 PM

OK, now I've heard him play it and it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Terrible technique, of course. But a pretty decent tone, you've gotta admit, and good intonation. But his line is really sluggish rhythmically. Just like any plank player coming to the DB, he's gotta learn about how these big strings behave...

Twnty1inRF · #15 01-03-2008, 12:04 PM

How is this guys technique?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yI-1sq5dFD4

MonetBass · #16 01-03-2008, 12:17 PM

Let's keep in mind he's essentially playing a right-handed bass. In other words, it's strung backwards from what he's used to. That alone deserves some kudos. Yes, I agree his technique is not great. But then it doesn't have to be. He played well enough for what he was doing, plus he was singing.

I'd love to see some right-handed electric players on here pick up an upright strung G-D-A-E (I've never seen one, but I'm sure it could be done) and play just as well while singing. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Bruce Lindfield · #17 01-03-2008, 01:08 PM

I have no doubt that I would be useless in a similar situation - but then I didn't come on to a public forum and say this is what makes him an icon!!

To me - that would be his songwriting! No argument!

Aaron · #18 01-03-2008, 01:40 PM

I thought he was an icon because he was in the band Wings.

MonetBass · #19 01-03-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

To me - that would be his songwriting! No argument!

I'm in total agreement with you on that one, Bruce.

bassist1962 · #20 01-03-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Let's keep in mind he's essentially playing a right-handed bass. In other words, it's strung backwards from what he's used to. That alone deserves some kudos. Yes, I agree his technique is not great. But then it doesn't have to be. He played well enough for what he was doing, plus he was singing.

I'd love to see some right-handed electric players on here pick up an upright strung G-D-A-E (I've never seen one, but I'm sure it could be done) and play just as well while singing. Yeah, that's what I thought.

In the Hamburg days, just after Stu Sutclff left, Paul played Stu's bass - a righty, strung right - left handed. So this is just rehashing his past a bit as far as that goes. Still takes a lot of talent.