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Bruce Thomas

#2
I like his work as well. I've brought some of his works to my bass lessons in the past...really great stuff.

He has a website that I think is really interesting about his work as a bassist and writer. Aside from being an excellent bassist, he has also been extremely generous and kind-spirited about folks who have done bass covers of his work.
Here's the link to his site:
http://www.brucethomas.co.uk/
Check out his "Wall of Fame" somewhere in that site. It shows folks he thinks do good covers of his stuff. A real gentleman.
 
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#7
Sometimes I think about bands or people you wouldn't go see without their band. Like the scene in the Sting documentary Bring on the Night where Miles Copeland is interviewed and said that no one is coming out to see his band, they're there to see Sting.

But there's an exception to that rule I think. And can think of three really good examples...the Heartbreakers, E Street Band and the Attractions. All of them, in my opinion are subpar when separated from their core unit. Don't get me wrong all of these artist made/make great music without their bands, but lose some of the magic in my opinion.

All of them define the artist they support and vice versa. Just interesting to think about how a great band can bring an artist to the next level. I guess the Mellow Mafia too, but they're a little different.

I know I got a little off topic but its players like Bruce that really make me love being a bass player. Don't really know why...
 
#10
Funny you mention Graham Maby; I always associate the two, Maby and Thomas. They both played in a somewhat similar style at around the same time and they both had a huge influence on me. Graham Maby's playing has actually changed quite a bit since then, as it happens.

I think part of the reason Bruce Thomas is not better known is that he had a reputation for being a prickly character and not easy to work with. I have no idea whether or not that's still true. A lot of time has passed and people change....

Bruce Thomas' playing on Suzanne Vega's 99.9 Fahrenheit Degrees album is worth seeking out in addition to all the stellar sides he cut with EC. Very cool.
Maby played some cool stuff with Marshall Crenshaw (very different than his Joe Jackson stuff) and some others. It's all worth seeking out. These are two very talented bassists.
 
#14
theretheyare said:
Great tips Lo-E, I'll check 'em out. Maby/Thomas (and Bruce Foxton and Andy Rourke, Colin Moulding) sort of define this energetic pop bass style that I love. Started with McCartney I guess...it is always about playing the song through countermelody first and foremost.
Click to expand...

All great bass players,let me just add Andrew Bodnar to that list. 2 of my favorite bass tracks of his are "breaking glass" by Nick Lowe,and "the Mona Lisa's Sister" by Graham Parker.
 

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