I think Hungate is a terrific bassist and musician. Toto was based on musical virtuosity as opposed to lots of stage antics and recording gimmicks. Hungate reminds me a bit of Joe Osborn with his (not quite to Osborn levels) significant studio resume in a variety of genres...not even counting his stint with Toto and his television work. My question would be, in the opinion of TB posters, what is Hungates best work in the rock/pop genres??? I love the tech skill he displayed on the Jamerson memorial CD in his re-creation of Jamersons bassline on Home Cookin.
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David Hungates best basslines???
- Thread starter SoCal1
- Start date
Isn't the bass line for "You're The One I Want" from the Grease Soundtrack his? If so, that would get my vote.
SRFSterling5 said:
Great song and steady bassline but nothing TOO spectacular from a bass perspective IMO..
hufe said:
Hungate did the Grease soundtrack and that is a kickin bassline. Musta used clicks on that track for a rock steady tempo like that.
- Jan 27, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
SoCal1 said:
It was actually Max Bennett. Hungate was on that album, just not that song AFAIK. There were a few different bassist on the soundtrack, including Mike Porcaro.
...there's some nice double-stops (overdubbed as we all found out later) during that descending chromatic interlude.
From the same album-
"Harbor Lights" is tasty.
Off the top of my head-
The OUTRO to "99"
"Mr. Briefcase" from Lee Ritenour's Rit album. He has some slap/pop chops, too.
An aside: Every time "Mr. Briefcase" is mentioned...many will say it's Louis Johnson. Johnson is also on Rit. I have the LP & the players for each tune are credited. Hungate is listed for "Mr. Briefcase".
Yeah...that waa eye-poppin' when I first heard his take.
+1,
Harbor Lights is a master class in the use of double stops!
The whole Silk Degrees album has some of the tastiest bass playing in pop music, there's not a wasted note on the whole album, a perfect example of playing for the song bass-craft.
I get a lot of flack for my love of the first 4 Toto records but to me it's the epitome of in the pocket tasty solid playing. Watch some live clips of them from that era and Hungate is just Mr. Smooth holding it down with ease.
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David Hungate is certainly the world's funkiest son of a Congressman/Federal Judge.
He certainly is Doc. I'd venture to say this is David thumping/popping on his '62 Precision.
(1) Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone - YouTube
I think the first time I ever saw his name was when I checked the "Silk Degrees" liner notes to see who played bass on "Lowdown." I remember it as one of the first examples of popping on a major pop (not funk or disco) radio hit. I think it was a "gateway" popping song for a lot of cover band bassists.
It might not be difficult to play, but I think it's iconic.
It might not be difficult to play, but I think it's iconic.
interesting. yes, lots of players on that album, but where did you get that max bennett ( whom i also love, ) info?
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that's the way it was for me. i was in a supper club band ( identical trousers, gold vests ) and that track was #1 with a bullet.
The thing about the pop on Lowdown is that it is perfect. It is not overdone, and that is what makes it stand out so much.
