Bassy Ballads

'something' by The Beatles, on Abbey Road album

 

I had to learn Leo Sayer's version of When I Need You for a wedding gig once. I was surprised by how much I actually liked the bass line.

 

I think that on SOMETHING it is Paul McCartney's best bass playing ever. I don't know a lot about bass, but the melody he created on that is about equal to George Harrison's own melody, even a non-bass player can hear that very beautiful bass playing by Paul. It's one of the reasons I picked up a bass so I could play that eventually.

 

I think "Something" is one of the best lines EVER.

A nice easy one is "Wonderful Tonight" by Clapton.

 

"Every Time You Go Away" by Paul Young has some absolutely killer fretless work by Pino Palladino.

 

I had learn "Ascension" by Maxwell and "Heart to Heart" by Kenny Loggins for a wedding reception. I was pleasantly surprised by the basslines. Very good. Especially "Heart to Heart's".

 

I'm normally not to into ballads, but here are some examples that I can actually get into:


Jaco's haunting line on "A Remark You Made" with Weather Report is a masterpiece.

"If You Leave Me Now" with Pete Cetera of Chicago on bass (it's a pretty schlocky song but I can get into what old Pete's doin' on bass).

Flea's part to "Soul to Squeese" is pretty soulful.

"Cryin" with Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith is actually pretty charming; give it a chance.

I love Paul MacCartney's tongue and cheek line on "Need a Little Help From My Friend's" off of Seargent Pepper's.

I also really like most of Rocco Prestia's lines on Tower of Power ballads. Even though he's famous for sixteenth note bombast, his sensitive side is cool too.

 

drift away by dobie gray

 

Besides Something, my favorite bass line in a ballad.

This is the song that convinced me that Flea is a real bass player, not just someone who slaps fairly well.