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Andy Rourke (The Smiths)
- Thread starter Moonraker
- Start date
Any ideas on why Andy played the BB2000 in the studio but played 64 Precision live (wikipedia)? Was it just because the Precision looks more classic and gets more "respect?"
P.S. Even though I see videos where he is playing with his fingers, the wikipedia says he got his sound from playing with picks. Most of his playing does sound like he is using a pick. Any comments on that?
P.S. Even though I see videos where he is playing with his fingers, the wikipedia says he got his sound from playing with picks. Most of his playing does sound like he is using a pick. Any comments on that?
Many years ago when I was young and even more stupid and when the Smiths had just started to break (sometime in the early 80s - possibly around 82?) I was in A1 Music in Manchester (in the days when you had to go downstairs to the guitars); I'd been playing probably a couple of years and I was widdling away in the corner as was my wont.
Andy came in to try a P-Bass, and I remember his technique seemed extremely limited to me even then, even though I'd been playing such a relatively short time. I remember thinking "how the hell did HE ever get anywhere?", but, like many bassists, it's what he plays in a song that counts. Obviously now I appreciate what he did, how melodic he was, and how well he fit the band. Of course many great bassists aren't so great on their own, but let's face it, that's not really important is it? Well, not unless you're a solo bassist....
Andy came in to try a P-Bass, and I remember his technique seemed extremely limited to me even then, even though I'd been playing such a relatively short time. I remember thinking "how the hell did HE ever get anywhere?", but, like many bassists, it's what he plays in a song that counts. Obviously now I appreciate what he did, how melodic he was, and how well he fit the band. Of course many great bassists aren't so great on their own, but let's face it, that's not really important is it? Well, not unless you're a solo bassist....
there was a really good retrospective about the smiths in Uncut magazine a couple of months ago, mentioning how Andy cut his teeth in a funk band before joining the smiths.
I think Andy is great. He makes a tricky bassline sound interesting and lively without complicating the song. He is, in my opinion one of the best bassists of his generation
Oh man, I was just listening to "Franky mr. Shankly" from The Queen is dea - Rourke is one of my favorites but I have not played too many Smiths songs. Gotta sit down with mr. Shankly soon and figure the bassline out 
Andy Rourke, a fantastic player with the perfect bass line for every song. There are so many songs that stand out for me. A few of my favorites are:
This Charming Man, Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, Still Ill, Heaven Knows I'm miserable Know, Bigmouth Strikes Again, and, yeah there just too many...
This Charming Man, Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, Still Ill, Heaven Knows I'm miserable Know, Bigmouth Strikes Again, and, yeah there just too many...
I love Andy Rourke's playing, and always have since I first heard The Smiths as a kid of about 9 years old, when my mum bought me the Hatful of Hollow album, which I then proceeded to play to death! His style is definitely influenced a lot by funk, I can hear a bit of Jamerson in there as well. Andy's style is very melodic, and absolutely geared around meshing the bass and Johnny's guitar parts as one.
Fave basslines have got to be Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, This Charming Man (both versions) Accept Yourself, Frankly Mr Shankly and Barbarism Begins At Home, which was recorded on a bass tuned up a tone.
Johnny Marr once said that Andy was the best musician he'd ever played with, which is quite an accolade coming from such an amazing musician himself.
Fave basslines have got to be Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, This Charming Man (both versions) Accept Yourself, Frankly Mr Shankly and Barbarism Begins At Home, which was recorded on a bass tuned up a tone.
Johnny Marr once said that Andy was the best musician he'd ever played with, which is quite an accolade coming from such an amazing musician himself.
Oh man, I was just listening to "Franky mr. Shankly" from The Queen is dea - Rourke is one of my favorites but I have not played too many Smiths songs. Gotta sit down with mr. Shankly soon and figure the bassline out
I love that bassline - terrific fun to play!
Great to see a great underrated bass player like Andy Rourke get some respect. Love tonnes of his basslines but for me Still Ill is one of my favourites ever. Did see him a few years ago play bass for fellow Mancunian Vinnie Peculiar and wasn't particularly inspired by his parts, still I guess his Smithsy playing wasn't required for the gig.
Rourke is vastly underrated IMO.
I love the bassline to "Hand in Glove" a lot and have been telling myself for quite some time that I need to sit down and learn it. I'm glad this thread popped up again, because it just reminded me again. I guess I have something to do tonight after work.
I love the bassline to "Hand in Glove" a lot and have been telling myself for quite some time that I need to sit down and learn it. I'm glad this thread popped up again, because it just reminded me again. I guess I have something to do tonight after work.
I've always loved him and found him so underrated! The thing I connected with immediately about his playing (as random as it may sound) is we have really similar styles. The first time I heard this charming man I was so blown away by how perfect the bass was and how it just completed everything making it all sound so perfect, and I thought that's exactly what I would go for! He's a huge influence on me. My favorite is The Headmaster Ritual from Meat Is Murder, everything down to the tone is just so...right
Rourke is vastly underrated IMO.
I love the bassline to "Hand in Glove" a lot and have been telling myself for quite some time that I need to sit down and learn it. I'm glad this thread popped up again, because it just reminded me again. I guess I have something to do tonight after work.
Just a tip on that 'un- Andy tuned up to F# (and Johnny capo'ed on the second fret) on a lot of those early Smiths tunes. You can play them without tuning up but makes it easier.
