Playing the blues...

Growler · #1 10-07-2005, 10:49 AM

Question for y'all... Why is that when it comes to bassists playing the blues, we always play the 'groove'. Anybody know of any bassists that play lead for a blues track? Could a bassist play like BB King?

-Growler

Michael Jewels · #2 10-07-2005, 11:42 AM

I think The Blues and Country & Western are two genres in which the bass should just stay in the background and play support. If I try to imagine a bass solo, it just doesn't seem to fit in my mind.

Even in Jazz, when Stanley Clarke and David Bromberg go berzerk they lose me.

Or try to imagine someone slappin like Marcus Miller on Hank Williams', "Your Cheatin' Heart."

Some things just don't fit, know what I mean?

Just my view.

Mike

Matt Till · #3 10-07-2005, 11:48 AM

You have to make it happen dude. Have a piano/keyboard hold down the I-IV-V while you shred.

**Adam Barkley** · #4 10-07-2005, 11:54 AM

Jebodiah Covington's 1979 album, "I IV V This", features 56 bar long bass solo on the song, "My baby left me and I couldn't care less." It's a real eye opener if you have never heard a good blues bass solo.

Boplicity · #5 10-07-2005, 06:10 PM

The one who comes closest would be gifted blues bassist Roscoe Beck who has played with blues guitarist Robben Ford and with guiitar virtuoso Eric Johnson.

Having said that, he does not do a B.B. King style of presentation in that King sings then answers with his own guitar. I don't even know if Roscoe Beck does sing, let alone use King's pattern of singing then letting Lucille, his guitar, answer.

Turock · #6 10-07-2005, 06:20 PM

Jack Bruce