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Not at all. This is TB. When have you ever seen us post anything that the OP requested after the first page?
Ok so I disappear for a day and the thread is full of suggestions, so thanks, but there are plenty of threads already on music books. This was intended specifically for bassist autobiographies only. I don't mean to sound ungrateful but there are a lot of suggestions of books for people I've never heard of (especially if not using their stage name 
). I don't know much about metal so the names aren't familiar and now the thread has gone off topic I've a bit of Googling to do. Having said all that it looks like I've got a couple of years worth of material to get through. Pratt, Sting, Taylor, James and several others are now on the short list. Maybe Mingus too. I've avoided the Wooten book so far as I'm not sure about the narrative but maybe one for the future. Is there not a Stanley Clarke or Bootsy book? I think I'm going to watch the Jaco documentary. Cheers for all suggestions so far.
). I don't know much about metal so the names aren't familiar and now the thread has gone off topic I've a bit of Googling to do. Having said all that it looks like I've got a couple of years worth of material to get through. Pratt, Sting, Taylor, James and several others are now on the short list. Maybe Mingus too. I've avoided the Wooten book so far as I'm not sure about the narrative but maybe one for the future. Is there not a Stanley Clarke or Bootsy book? I think I'm going to watch the Jaco documentary. Cheers for all suggestions so far.
...carry the one.....divided by illiterate bassists.....times .5......
By my calculations the exact number is 11.
(Twofer braces himself while all 11 of them prepare to tell him why he is an idiot.....)
[/QUOTE]
Yes, you are an... Wait, 11? But there's only 10 fingers...
My head hurts...
By my calculations the exact number is 11.
(Twofer braces himself while all 11 of them prepare to tell him why he is an idiot.....)
[/QUOTE]Yes, you are an... Wait, 11? But there's only 10 fingers...
My head hurts...
Ok so I disappear for a day and the thread is full of suggestions, so thanks, but there are plenty of threads already on music books. This was intended specifically for bassist autobiographies only. I don't mean to sound ungrateful but there are a lot of suggestions of books for people I've never heard of (especially if not using their stage name
Just a fair warning. If I remember the Mingus book has at least one instance where there's sex and it gets fairly graphic. I mention it because it seems to bother several people who have reviewed it.
Sort of off topic since you're interested in bassists but another pretty interesting book was Mark Oliver Everett's story. He's basically the Eels, and has a pretty incredible story.
Things the Grandchildren Should Know: Mark Oliver Everett: 9780312429171: Amazon.com: Books
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
There are other threads with loads of biographicals & non-bass player autobiographies.
I also play bass every day w/o any plans to ever join a band or play outside the house. I'm a walking dichotomy, but I'm ok with that.
You didn't find it odd that the OP asked for autobiographies from bass players & the post above mine was for a book by a drummer & another that was not an autobiography?
FWIW, that post started as a buzzkill about the two strange suggestions & then I noticed Jimmy's post & added that to it.
uh-oh, looks like it's time to split
"This isn't what you asked for, but I'm going to post about it anyway..."
I found it odd that I mentioned Guy Pratt and your first comment was that his book was written a decade ago. Relevance?
You mention a guy (literally) that has a book, why is that not relevant?
Actually, I just looked & you asked if Guy Pratt has a book out.
I answered your question, so yes it's highly relevant!~
Actually, I just looked & you asked if Guy Pratt has a book out.
I answered your question, so yes it's highly relevant!~
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Love the Mingus book. Read it when it came out well over 30 years ago and read it again probably 20. Should read it agan, I have a 1st edition. Yes, there is some sex in it... I met him a couple of times in the mid 70's and he was actually nice to a young white long haired wannabe bassist. He was a huge presence on the jazz scene.
Again...
"I found it odd that I mentioned Guy Pratt and your first comment was that his book was written a decade ago. Relevance?".
Meaning what did when he wrote it have to do with anything?
I'm about a third of the way into Guy Pratt's book and it is great! At first I thought it was going to be all road stories but along the way it offers a fair bit of insight into how the industry works from a session musician's point of view. It's also very readable and the casual way he seems to meet Bowie etc is almost comical. He must be a very likeable guy. It occurred to me on a long drive the other day that things like the Scott's Bass Lessons podcast interviews have a lot to offer on this too. Perhaps not as interesting as a book but plenty of current gigging bass players talking about their experiences.
I have several favorites, that I'm surprised haven't been mentioned. "Standing In The Shadows of Motown, is a wonderful Bio of James Jamerson followed by transcriptions of his lines and a two CD playalong
with accompaniment tracks. I just ordered "Soul Fingers" the new Duck Dunn bio and playalong that has the same format. I can't wait to dig into it.
Ric
with accompaniment tracks. I just ordered "Soul Fingers" the new Duck Dunn bio and playalong that has the same format. I can't wait to dig into it.
Ric
Got it a month or so ago but haven't had the chance to read it yet. It's too big to carry around.
Although not an autobiography, you should check out "Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life & Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson" by Dr. Licks. It includes a disk with comments by numerous bass players (McCartney, Gerald Veasley, Marcus Miller, Jack Bruce, etc.) and audio clips of their takes on their favorite Jameson licks.
