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Chris Squire vs Geddy Lee

#223
My vote's gonna have to go with Chris Squire. Although choosing between these two is kinda like choosing between taking Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks on a date lol. They're both amazing players, true trailblazers when it came to the rock bass guitar, but I got into Squire first, and I feel that his lines are a bit more stand-out than Geddy's. Particularly some of the stuff he did on Topographic Oceans. Those basslines were completed songs by themselves lol
 
#231
I have thought many times about this post...from long ago. On TB, you are what you type...that said, I am very disheartened/embarrassed about my quote here, it was extraordinarily pretentious.

I am now in a start-up Yes Tribute band (That will also serve tribute to some Yes "dopplegangers" i.e. early Genesis, ELP, prog-era Rush, and mostly Kansas)...but will be about 70-80% Yes. Squire's lines are BRILLIANT; his tone is un-matched. His clever and melodic use of modes is unrivaled. Truly, this gent is a musician that happens to play bass guitar. And luckily for us bassists, he plays our favorite instrument! He would likely excel on guitar (we know he does), keys, vocals (again; he's been a very good vocalist for years), etc. He's a brilliant musician, period.

So...figured I'd both clarify that :-) And apologize for my balderdash of the past.

Cheers!

seang15 said:
Squire quite literally doesn't have chops. Yep, I said it. Ever see a video of him playing I.e. instructional etc.? Like a modern day beginning player.

THAT SAID: he has a unique sense of rhythm and choice of notes. I mean, who in popular music was using phrygian modes and harmonic minor? He and Howe certainly carved their own niche.

Also, his low action smacking against the frets is integral to his sound, and also is or was unique in its time.

Chris is great.

GEDDY IS SUPERB.

There Really is no comparison chops wise, or even musicianship wise. Not even close.

Thanks.
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#233
Funny, when I was just starting out on bass in the early 80s, all my friends would argue over who's better, Geddy Lee or Chris Squire (When we'd talk about bass players). Glad to see they are both still influential enough that the question is still being asked. Both monster players. Love listening to both.

Parallels - Favorite Squire bass line.
Xanadu - Favorite Geddy Lee bass line.

Who do I like better ? After all these years I still can't pick.
 
#234
I don't hear Yes and Rush being in the same ballpark. I guess you could say they are both progressive-rock bands with talented bass players who often sing in the upper register, but beyond that I don't see many similarities. I grew up listening to Yes and love Squire, but Rush always annoys me. And I'm sure there are many who feel the opposite. Those of you who enjoy both are truly blessed.
 
#235
morebass! said:
I don't hear Yes and Rush being in the same ballpark. I guess you could say they are both progressive-rock bands with talented bass players who often sing in the upper register, but beyond that I don't see many similarities. I grew up listening to Yes and love Squire, but Rush always annoys me. And I'm sure there are many who feel the opposite. Those of you who enjoy both are truly blessed.
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Well, count me as one of those guys! Love both Rush and Yes. I got into Rush first and Geddy was the reason I took up the bass. That being said, Squire's bass lines are way more sophisticated, creative, and harder to play then Geddy's lines.
 
#236
Late to the party is better than missing it all together, right? Ok, growing up a I listened to JPJ and Tim Bogert. Tim being a huge influence. At this point I hadnt really heard Yes or Rush. I first was introduced to Rush. Geddy blew me away. As I had been more in the realm of blues rock, listening to Geddy's angular lines was just totally new to my ears. I loved it, but really did not like his voice at all. But Rush have Amazing songs and lots of em. Then someone turned me on to Yes. Chris Squire absolutely floored me. His tone, sense of melody and his counterpointing to the guitars and keyboards was nothing like I had EVER heard. Unfortunately Yes just dont have as many tunes that do it for me, but the ones that do? Id like to be buried with! They just hit me in the right place and it could be Squire's tone that in the end, just maybe the deciding factor.
 
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