Bruce Thomas Master, Madman, or Hack?

[Fender2015]

All I have been challenged by a friend of mine to say whether Bruce Thomas of Elvis Costello fame Genius, madman or a hack. What are y’all think?

 

[Bad Bob]

Genius. Master of movement whether progressing through chord changes or making hanging on a particular note interesting. Also proficient in many different styles. Like Graham Maby, Bruce Thomas made his parts interesting and always tasty.

 

[Dluxe]

I was lucky enough to see the band the summer of '82. Amazing show with The Fabulous Thunderbirds opening..

 

[Bad Bob]

Was he playing his salmon colored P bass?

 

[SteveCS]

Genius. Master of movement whether progressing through chord changes or making hanging on a particular note interesting. Also proficient in many different styles. Like Graham Maby, Bruce Thomas made his parts interesting and always tasty.

Agree. Here in the UK at least, the late 70's to early 80's was a true golden era of inventive, original and highly skilled bass players (and imaginative producers willing to push the bass in the mix) that re-wrote the electric bass rule book, IMHO.

YMMV

 

[Bad Bob]

While Bruce Thomas was a perfect fit for Elvis Costello and Graham Maby a perfect fit for Joe Jackson, imagine if Thomas played with Jackson and Maby played with Costello! No doubt both situations would have worked well as each bassist, in slightly different styles, was able to propel the front man’s music so forward. Two bass geniuses.

 

[GtenderG]

Well, if Bruce Thomas is a hack then sign me up for Hack classes. Honestly, what would prompt that question?
While music is absolutely subjective (one persons noise is a symphony to another) I've always found his bass lines to imaginative imaginative and integral to the songs movement. I love listening to the guy play!

Here is one of my faves.. This Years Girl

 

[dalkowski]

Only a madperson would call BT a "hack."

I could cite myriad counterfactuals ("Watching the Detectives" live @ Hollywood High, "Lipstick Vogue," the entirety of Imperial Bedroom) but what would be the point?

Between him and JAE the "I'm not worthy" seed got planted deep in my low-self-esteem teenage psyche.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Agree. Here in the UK at least, the late 70's to early 80's was a true golden era of inventive, original and highly skilled bass players (and imaginative producers willing to push the bass in the mix) that re-wrote the electric bass rule book, IMHO.

YMMV

Yeah UK bassists were the best. Of course John Entwistle and JAck Bruce paved the way but the 70's generation with JJ Burnell and Bruce Foxton carried the torch and than of course Graham Maby, Peter Hook, Colin Moulding, Bruce Thomas, Paul Simonon, and Leigh Gormon were just a league of legendary New Wave bassists. I'm sure I'm missing some big names too.

 

[Jjacks651]

Definitely Genius!

John

 

[ELG60]

I believe him to be largely unappreciated. Genius . . . I'm not qualified to say, but inventive, quite talented and fun to hear? Most certainly for me he is.

To answer your question, he certainly is a master of his instrument.

 

[Konza]

Another vote for genius.

 

[9M2E]

If you think Bruce is anything but a master genius, you are the hack. This coming from a 36 year old who taught himself bass at age of 13 with this years model, green day dookie, rancid and out come the wolves and RHCP's BSSM. Oh here's my BT profile bass with Guitar Fetish Empress Body

 

[Matthijs]

Yeah UK bassists were the best. Of course John Entwistle and JAck Bruce paved the way but the 70's generation with JJ Burnell and Bruce Foxton carried the torch and than of course Graham Maby, Peter Hook, Colin Moulding, Bruce Thomas, Paul Simonon, and Leigh Gormon were just a league of legendary New Wave bassists. I'm sure I'm missing some big names too.

Norman Watt Roy of Ian Dury’s Blockheads!

 

[jwoiton]

Elvis Costello's original backing band The Attractions were all top notch players. Check out this live version of "Watching the Detectives", it is Genius.

 

[HolmeBass]

Another vote for “genius”.

 

[ellipsis]

Absolute genius. The Attractions, collectively, are one of the most under appreciated bands ever.

 

[FunkHead]

Genius!

 

[Bad Bob]

So far unanimous for Genius, and for intelligent and incisive reasons. OP - could you please check in and explain why anyone would feel BT was a hack?

 

[Drucifer]

Genius, one of my favorites.