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Big Geezer Butler fan

#24
Mitchinboxer said:
I've always really liked the bass lines in Sabbath songs, but I'm not really a huge fan of the music overall. In fact, I forgot about Geezer totally until I saw this thread. Are there any of his bass lines that you guys would particularly recommend studying?
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As mentioned the Master of Reality and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath albums are great. I also highly recommend their first album, Black Sabbath. Loads of great bass lines!
 
#25
I read a great interview with Geezer and he said that a lot of his sound on the first album was due to the fact that he was playing through an amp that had blown speakers. That raunchy distorted sound is very hard to replicate unless you have an amp that has blown speakers - and who does.
 
#26
Definitely a fan here. When I first started playing in the early 90s, I was somewhat disappointed with the bass playing in contemporary rock bands. I wound up exploring older music and fell in love with Geezer's style (as well as JPJ, Allen Woody, and John Entwistle, of course).

Not really up to speed on his more current material, but it's definitely something I need to look into.
 
#27
DavidEdenAria said:
Thanks...no offense intended towards Brad Wilk but even Vinny Appice (who I have met and know) couldn't replace Bill Ward.

I do believe Rick Rubin has been pushing for Bill Ward to record again with Sabbath on the next record which I think they want to do in the very near future.
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Doesn't matter what Sabbath wants, Mr.Sharon Osbourne's wife will not be letting Mr.Ward into the party any time soon. Bill Ward is also not in the condition he used to be.

I love Geezer myself, fantastic player. I saw Black Sabbath a few years ago with Dio, they were fantastic. I have tickets to see this tour but I am not really that excited as I have been avoiding Ozzy shows for the last few years, I really do not want to see a shell of a man struggling to perform at a world class level, Dio on the other hand was a frontman for all times.
 
#28
LOVE Geezer, huge influence on my own playing.

And I've been using his pick in the studio...
 

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#29
Geezer was my first inspiration and still a heavy influence on my playing. My first bass was a Precision because of him and my current favourite bass 18 years later is a P, mind you other influences are now playing a huge part in that decision. Studying the first 4 Sabbath albums, and lifting some of Geezer's signature runs or tricks was how I first learned to "jam" and start attempting to write parts that differed from the main guitar riff.

Great groove, solid stage presence, and found his tone to be just right for that style/sound.

Long live Geezer!!!
 
#32
DiabolusInMusic said:
Doesn't matter what Sabbath wants, Mr.Sharon Osbourne's wife will not be letting Mr.Ward into the party any time soon. Bill Ward is also not in the condition he used to be.

I love Geezer myself, fantastic player. I saw Black Sabbath a few years ago with Dio, they were fantastic. I have tickets to see this tour but I am not really that excited as I have been avoiding Ozzy shows for the last few years, I really do not want to see a shell of a man struggling to perform at a world class level, Dio on the other hand was a frontman for all times.
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Bill has been very public about the fact that Sharon wanted to only give him 5%......He's a founding member for Christ sake...really 5%

On the other hand Ozzy has also been very vocal about Bill not being able to "cut it" behind the kit anymore after his Heart attack..

it is what it is...

For the record it was Brad Wilk in the Studio and Tommy Clufetos on the tour ( Tommy has played for Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie and Ozzy)
 
#33
when i was 13-14-15 back in the early '70's, it was sabbath, heep, deep purple, and santana all the time for me. but sabbath was the one i listened to the most and that Paranoid album, in particular, got into my DNA. his playing on that is blues thru and thru, IMHO.
 
#34
You have to remember that Sabbath originally named Earth started out as a blues band, because blues rock was so popular in the UK in the late 60s. So much of Sabbath's stuff is blues-based.
 
#36
Snakeman1066 said:
Bill has been very public about the fact that Sabbath wanted to only give him 5%......He's a founding member for Christ sake...really 5%

On the other hand Ozzy has also been very vocal about Bill not being able to "cut it" behind the kit anymore after his Heart attack..

it is what it is...

For the record it was Brad Wilk in the Studio and Tommy Clufetos on the tour ( TOmmy has played for Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie and Ozzy)
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how ironic Ozzy would say bill can't cut it on the drums. his vocals are horrible and he needs a monitor to remember the words.
 
#38
I grew up listening to Black Sabbath. Turned 50 this year. Yeah! The music is still fresh and enjoyable. As a bassist it's amazing how much Geezer has influenced me. I haven't really sat down and worked out much note for note but his style has been assimilated and it comes out in my playing. I'll be playing with an acoustic guitarist and out will come some old Geezer line. I'll be thinking, "I know this song, what am I playing here?"

Currently having a lot of fun with the Master of Reality album. I am working on Lord of This World. Great bassline there.
 
#40
My question is..."Who doesn't like Geezer?" Everybody I know LOVES Geezer!!! He is the greatest!!!!

I've NEVER heard anything bad said about the man. Anybody that can write lyrics and play like he does...'Nuff said.
 

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