I saw Yes for the first time this past April. Squire was great and fun to watch. What an odd stack of speakers he had behind him. I'm going to see Rush for the 10th or 12th time next month. Both are great and their styles are so different. When I heard the opening bass line to Cygnus X-1 as a 13-year-old I was hooked for life.
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Chris Squire vs Geddy Lee
- Thread starter theobass416
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Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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I love Geddy but I really doubt that he could play "Sound Chaser" or any of the really tough Squire parts. Squire's lines are far more complicated and intricate than Lee's, on a rhythmic level, on a melodic level, and on a harmonic level. And you know, he can just play faster! 
For me Squire has always been in a class by himself. Entwhistle and Wetton had similarly awesome tone and fantastic technique and taste but not the inventiveness. They were great in their own ways.
I've never enjoyed Rush. Their "kind of metal/kind of prog" pose didn't work for me even though I like a lot of metal e.g sabbath, zeppelin and prog e.g. Yes, Crimson and Floyd from the same era or a little earlier. And yes, his voice annoys me.
I've never enjoyed Rush. Their "kind of metal/kind of prog" pose didn't work for me even though I like a lot of metal e.g sabbath, zeppelin and prog e.g. Yes, Crimson and Floyd from the same era or a little earlier. And yes, his voice annoys me.
I love Geddy but I really doubt that he could play "Sound Chaser" or any of the really tough Squire parts. Squire's lines are far more complicated and intricate than Lee's, on a rhythmic level, on a melodic level, and on a harmonic level. And you know, he can just play faster!
You MUST be shrooming! He could play that, sing, and work the pedals all at the same time! Dont speak ill of Gary Weinrib!
Me again- had a chance to think about it some more. Ready?
Geddy Lee is one incredibly talented musician, but YES have always had better SONGS.
Yeah, i went there. Start hatin'...
Geddy Lee is one incredibly talented musician, but YES have always had better SONGS.
Yeah, i went there. Start hatin'...
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.
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.
I love that this thread is still going. I don't really see how we can diss on either guy.
These are two rock guys that really put the bass in the forefront, and did it in a classy, and melodic way!
These are two rock guys that really put the bass in the forefront, and did it in a classy, and melodic way!
- Oct 18, 2012
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Both are great players buy I'm going to have to go with Geddy Lee only because I have never liked Yes.
bill reed said:
What was that thing he was playing at Royal Albert Hall in 2005? I couldn't hear it in the recording!!
This is a joke and a clear troll job. Listen to Squire from the 70's and he had WAY more chops than Geddy has ever had. And I bet you Geddy would admit to the fact that he can't play a lot of Squire's stuff. He's said in past interviews that his style is a simplified version of Squire's.
This is just as unfair a question for as "What is your most favorite Rush album?"
They are both such great players in their own rights that I would have never thought to compare them for a "who is better" situation.
I do feel like I listen to Rush way more of the time...it can listen to Yes in small doses, albiet great doses. I guess I find myself "pretending" to be Geddy more than Chris though
They are both such great players in their own rights that I would have never thought to compare them for a "who is better" situation.
I do feel like I listen to Rush way more of the time...it can listen to Yes in small doses, albiet great doses. I guess I find myself "pretending" to be Geddy more than Chris though
its a gibson EB1 and my recording is fine and i make out the EB1 ok before he changes to the fretless Warwick. maybe you need to boost you bass when he's playing,
much better recording that the first Royal Albert hall.
you should try and listen to disc two "crossroads" on the 2005 dvds I think his bass playing is great on that, Brian May seemed to think so as he is sitting with a big smile on his face.
I like that this thread is purely opinion-based, and therefore everyone is accepting of everyone elses posts (for the most part, anyway).
Both Chris and Geddy are obviously fantastic musicians, and I like both of them a lot.
But since the OP asked for a selection, I would have to go with Christopher Russell Edward Squire.
I have been a YES fan since 1971, and I finally got to meet them 30 years later, in 2001. I was in a YES tribute band at the time, playing mostly their 70's material. Chris plays a lot of notes! And when you combine that with his contrapuntal harmonies, the guy is a machine! He and I chatted about the sound of the Ric 4001CS I had at the time.
I also enjoy playing Rush material, especially after Geddy brought his vocals down in the early 80's so that he didn't sound like a cat stuck in barbed wire. Moving Pictures is a good example of Geddy's vocals that are more pleasurable to listen to, IMO.
Both Chris and Geddy are obviously fantastic musicians, and I like both of them a lot.
But since the OP asked for a selection, I would have to go with Christopher Russell Edward Squire.
I have been a YES fan since 1971, and I finally got to meet them 30 years later, in 2001. I was in a YES tribute band at the time, playing mostly their 70's material. Chris plays a lot of notes! And when you combine that with his contrapuntal harmonies, the guy is a machine! He and I chatted about the sound of the Ric 4001CS I had at the time.
I also enjoy playing Rush material, especially after Geddy brought his vocals down in the early 80's so that he didn't sound like a cat stuck in barbed wire. Moving Pictures is a good example of Geddy's vocals that are more pleasurable to listen to, IMO.
Jaco Taco said:
Why is this a "troll job?" I directly gave my opinion. And it's an educated one, too.
I studied with Jerry Jemmott from 1986- 1987 in Harlem. At that time, Jaco was quoted as saying he was merely an imitation of "one Gerald Jemmott." Jaco had multiple times more chops than Jerry, of course. But it was a sign of respect, like Geddy to Squire.
I try to imagine a bass talent contest with the two bassists in their prime, but undiscovered. They're auditioning for Frank Zappa, who's know to have the bassists compete side by side for his honor.
Geddy would eat Chris Squier up in a blues rock jam.
Geddy would eat Chris Squier up in a blues rock jam.
Most of these replies are ludicrous. I am by far a Geddy fanatic but undoubtedly, Chris Squire ALMOST matches him. If not for Squire, Geddy wouldn't have his tone, style, and most of his chops. If not for Geddy, Chris Squire would be the best on Earth.
As far as bass creativity and melodic playing, Geddy=8/10 , Squire=10/10. I know 20 songs from Moving pictures to Fly By Night and about 6 Yes songs from Fragile, 'Yes', Tales..., etc on bass. Geddy's most Squire-esque line is Closer to the Heart. Squire's most Geddy-esque line is Siberian Khatru.
Geddy's leg up is his extremely great sense of emotional writing. His following of Neil's syncopated and inhuman drumming is unparalleled, his high range vocals (usualy syncopated with bass as well) is unique, and his ability to play 2 instruments and sing at once is genuine. Geddy as a musician=10/10 , Squire=8/10.
The argument of Squire being 'better' or 'worse' is invalid because they are so distinctly unique. Squire writes melodic, thoughtful, complex lines. He adds a whole new layer to Yes songs that Geddy can't emulate. He can be the left hand of a piano and the harmonizing voice and the root of the guitar chord all at once. You can't replicate this.
Geddy= emotional, unorthodox, thoughtful
Squire= musically aware, unconventional, diverse...
and all in all, they are about tied, as if counting really matters, again, because they are completely different and unique in their own sense.
As far as bass creativity and melodic playing, Geddy=8/10 , Squire=10/10. I know 20 songs from Moving pictures to Fly By Night and about 6 Yes songs from Fragile, 'Yes', Tales..., etc on bass. Geddy's most Squire-esque line is Closer to the Heart. Squire's most Geddy-esque line is Siberian Khatru.
Geddy's leg up is his extremely great sense of emotional writing. His following of Neil's syncopated and inhuman drumming is unparalleled, his high range vocals (usualy syncopated with bass as well) is unique, and his ability to play 2 instruments and sing at once is genuine. Geddy as a musician=10/10 , Squire=8/10.
The argument of Squire being 'better' or 'worse' is invalid because they are so distinctly unique. Squire writes melodic, thoughtful, complex lines. He adds a whole new layer to Yes songs that Geddy can't emulate. He can be the left hand of a piano and the harmonizing voice and the root of the guitar chord all at once. You can't replicate this.
Geddy= emotional, unorthodox, thoughtful
Squire= musically aware, unconventional, diverse...
and all in all, they are about tied, as if counting really matters, again, because they are completely different and unique in their own sense.
