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Are Bass Albums Boring?

#81
Usually I'd say yes, all shredding/virtuoso-type albums are tedious and self-serving. I really don't want to listen to 60 minutes of some guy tapping all over his 10-string bass. I really like bass playing to be within the song and to work as a complementary force to the other players.

However, I have just got the Jaco album and (beyond the production that dates it terribly) I'm loving it. I'll be learning 'Portrait of Tracey' once my masters thesis is finished. Even thinking of getting a fretless. As others have said that is not just self-congratulatory onanism, there is are some fairly strong songs in there too.
 
#82
plangentmusic said:
I think so. I think ALL albums that feature an instrument run the risk of sacrificing composition for showmanship. And in the case of a supportive instrument such as the bass, it just never seems to work out.

Sure, as a bassist I like hearing some fancy virtuosity as much as the next guy. But it grows weary quickly. At some point you need a song! And riffs and licks aren't enough. Jeff Berlin can pull it off, but even then, it's his technique that carries him though. Where are the songs?

I feel this way about the whole modern prog scene. They show off their chops, however, when it comes time for an actual composition, they fall short. Meanwhile, a band like YES, showed off their skills WITHIN the great songs.

Speaking of which, one of the greatest solo albums by a bassist is FISH OUT OF WATER. And...not one bass solo! Just a few breaks and fills now and then. YET, it's a bass masterpiece. THAT'S the way to do it.

On my own CD I originally had the concept of featuring old instrumentals with the bass as the lead, but along he way way I either replaced it or at least doubled it with guitar BECAUSE IT SOUNDS BETTER THAT WAY. The bass is still featured and gets to stand out, but in a more appropriate way -- functioning as a BASS.

The only thing worse than an indulgent bass album is an indulgent drummers album. (Though Billy Cobham did some great stuff beyond his drum features).

Am I alone here? Am I wrong to not show much interest in bass tricks? The way I see it, I'm a musician who plays the bass, not a bassist who plays music. Yes? No? Maybe?

Feel free to give your take. (And no need to attack others). All opinions are welcome.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you posted. I don't like it when one instrument stands out all the time. To me, it comes across as self indulgent and trying to show off. I feel the same way when I go to a concert and each member of a band does their 5 to 10 minute solo. To be honest, solos do not impress me at all. I am more interested in seeing a group of musicians play as a cohesive unit than someone showing off on how fast they can play.
 
#85
My son played a lot of advanced solo bass stuff when he was younger, it was largely because he couldn't find musicians at high school who could keep up with some of his ideas/abilities....and yes, he was indulging himself, happily and harmlessly.
It turned out that quite a few people actually enjoyed listening to this stuff as much as he enjoyed playing it.

This is him live at the age of 13 doing a Wooten thing.-
YouTube - Can't Hold No Groove - Jasper and Gus
 

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