• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Carolkaye.com

#21
plangentmusic said:
Carol Kaye is a strange bird. She played on dozens of recordings and hit songs but somewhere along the way she seems to THINK she played on everything. The truth is she did a few big hits and lots of "B" side recordings. She wasn't quite in the league of Joe Osborne or James Jamerson.

It's kinda like Bernard Purdy claiming to have played on Abby Road. It's wacko. He still insists he did though. And people believe him. They figure that since they're such prestigious personalities, why would they have a need to "pad" their resume'? Who knows? But they're lying nonetheless. Or confused.

I think Carol may be bitter for never getting any royalties for "The Beat Goes On" -- which I think is deserved since that bass line is so much of the song.

And the bass part in Good Vibrations was written by Brian Wilson (he's bass player, you know) but Carol performed it.

She's a competent professional studio player from that era, but honestly ...there's nothing I've heard that suggests she's especially extraordinary.
Click to expand...

I've heard Carol play and her skills are MILES ABOVE the "average" player. I'm not going to compare her to some other nationally know artists because I just don't like doing that, but
let it be known that she can, and has, kept company with some of the best studio players in the industry.
 
#26
bluewine said:
Remarkable lady, her history is so incredible. However I think there is some controversy over some of the things she gets credit for.

Me, personally,I think that bass line in The Beach Boys Good Vibrations is her's
Click to expand...

There is no controversy surrounding that track. She played on it with other bassists doubling (a Dano and an upright, IIRC), and it had been written out beforehand.

Regarding another post in this thread, you can question her memory, her opinions, or her way of dealing with some people, but to question her extraordinary talent, achievements as a bassist, and influence is seriously misguided IMO.
 
#32
She has been a great help to my playing...especially when I wanted to learn how to play with a pick.

She has always been gracious in the little contact I've had with her.

As for those who knock her or call her "cranky"....I think she has had to endure some horrible accusations and insults...something that older generation pre-internet folks are much more sensitive to. Also, I'm sure it must hurt a little to see Jamerson and Babbitt hold status as bass gods while she is relatively underappreciated and unacknowledged.

I don't think most of us can understand how it was to be a woman bass player in that world in that era.
 
#33
BuffaloBass said:
Sly, dude, he's the one with "slap is dead" post. Pure troll-age or terminal myopia. Either way, pls disregard as it feeds the dysfuntion..
Click to expand...


Actually, that post was about the use of slap in a certain context having fallen out of fashion. Sorry that you couldn't comprehend that.

I also presented a little sample of me playing slap to show it isn't a sour grapes issue.

Feel free to present an example of YOUR slap technique any time -- just to show that YOU aren't a troll.
 
#35
Thanks to the OP, I'm going to go look there. I've heard nothing but praise about her from those who took lessons.
I'm thankful it was her and not Jeff Berlin playing extraordinary bass on Good Vibrations.
 
#38
slybass3000 said:
The idiot is not me. Read back what you wrote first. You don't sound to good.
Click to expand...

You're accusing me of being narrow minded simply because I disagree with you. Then you accuse me of calling her a fraud, which I did not do. And then you insinuate that it's because she's a successful woman, which has nothing to do with it. Hence -- idiotic.

And the word is spelled "tOO" -- as in "also."
 
#39
fearceol said:
What I want is for you to give me an example of who you think is an extraordinary bass player or, what would be needed for you to consider a bassist extraordinary.

Simple really. :)
Click to expand...

Who do I think is extraordinary?


James Jamerson

Chris Squire

Steve Harris

Anthony Jackson

Jeff Berlin

Joe Osborne

Scott LaFaro

Paul McCartney

Neils Pederson

Glen Cornick

Stanley Clarke

Milt Hinton

Greg Lake

Leo Lyons

Felix Papalardi

Stu Hamm

Pino Paladino

Gary Thain

John Entwistle

Rocco Prestia

John Onder

Louis Johnson

John Paul Jones

Mel Schacter

Bootsy Collins

About 3 guys in Gentle Giant

Tommy Shannon

Bob Babbit

Billy Sheehan

Jaco Pastorius


To name a few.

Kaye isn't anywhere in their league.

And then there are about a thousand other people no one has ever heard of.

I think Carol is competent, for sure. I'm not saying she sucks. Just, nothing....you know -- extraordinary.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back