Donald Fagen's Morph the Cat

[silky smoove]

Just listened to a copy of Donald Fagen's solo album "Morph the Cat" and I'm absolutely stunned by the brilliance of the bass playing, not to mention the tone and how far forward it sits in the mix. The title track (and the minor reprise he does at the end of the album) are especially incredible in the tone/mix department.

Anyone know what bassist played on that album and what he used?

If you haven't had a chance to check it out, you definitely should. I don't think the album is as good as a lot of the Steely Dan material, but it's still quite a good listen.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I have not heard it or seen it. Steely Dan was using Ready Freddy Washington last I heard. It might be him playing on Fagen's CD.

 

[okcrum]

Freddie Washington: bass guitar, Harlan Post Jr.: acoustic bass; Brian Montgomery: remedial bass guitar (Track 9, Morph The Cat - Reprise).

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

PS Freddy usually plays an old P bass, but I've seem him w/ a Sadowsky Jazz-style 5 string I believe.

 

[Beginner Bass]

Freddie Washington

 

[mccartneyman]

Freddie has also used the KSD 4- and5-string Jazz bass clones. when I last saw him with the Dan (2006?), he was using a P but the mix was so terrible that you couldn't hear much of what he played.

 

[jro]

I saw a Don Fagen/Michael McDonald/Boz Scaggs show back in August and Freddy Washington was the bass player. He played an old P bass and a Ken Smith 5 string which also looked like it had been around a bit. I could hear him but not very well.

I agree his playing is great on Morph the Cat. His playing on Anita Bakers first album is great too.

 

[Bassamatic]

The real key to the Steely Dan sound is their engineer - Roger Nichols, and their timeless dedication to the best possible sound.

I have been privileged to spend time in the studio with them and it was amazing.

 

[silky smoove]

The sound on the song Morph the Cat is either active or going through an outboard preamp/EQ. It feels too modern to be a P. Could be his Ken Smith or Sadowsky. I haven't sat down with the track yet, but I seem to recall content below E, so it's very likely a 5-string on that track.

Absolutely kills it on the album. I'm listening to it again on my drive home from work

 

[avvie]

The song "Morph the cat" is indeed a 5-string track in the key of G with the verse riff ending in low D. Second verses are in low E, chorus in low D. I had to go get a 5er and learn it.... great bass track.

 

[markjazzbassist]

great record and playing by freddie. i love H gang, such a cool song musically and groove wise and lyrically its hilarious.

 

[jro]

Couldn't you play it in drop D? I haven't tried but if D is as low as it gets you don't "need" a five string. I play my 4 string tuned DGCF quite a bit.

The song "Morph the cat" is indeed a 5-string track in the key of G with the verse riff ending in low D. Second verses are in low E, chorus in low D. I had to go get a 5er and learn it.... great bass track.

 

[avvie]

There's some walkups in there. You could, but it would suck.

 

[mikeddd]

I have been a huge SD fan since the mid-80's; the musicians that play with them are "musician's musicians" and the production is always first-rate. Not to mention Fagen's song writing ability and unique voice.

Side Note: over the past few days I've started to realize that I want a 5-string. I'm still having enough trouble with the 4 strings I do have, but trying to transpose songs played on a 5, on to a 4, sounds like crap. Everything's 1 octave higher when you try and do that. Blech! Even the odd song I play in E-flat would be easy on a 5'er.

 

[Groovy Bastard]

Great album, great song!

I recently made a transcripition for a student, I've attached it for those who like it. I haven't included the bridge yet, but that's fairly simple compared to the rest of the song.

 

[jro]

Speaking of Roger Nichols, I read that he has pancreatic cancer and the medical bills are mounting. Read his website to see everything he's worked on and to donate if you can.

http://rogernichols.com/

He certainly knows how to record bass tracks.

The real key to the Steely Dan sound is their engineer - Roger Nichols, and their timeless dedication to the best possible sound.

I have been privileged to spend time in the studio with them and it was amazing.

 

[Tom Howland]

I believe he used the Ken Smith 5-string on Morph.
It's an 80's model, with vintage body shape, and large head-stock.

 

[Jazzola]

Groovy Bastard,
Thanks for posting the transcription to Morph the Cat! I'm just getting into some bass playing, and still having some trouble hearing in the lower registers...just wondering if you may post the bridge section to the tune sometime? I would like to compare it to what I've come up with so far...by the way, a friend of mine who does guitar repair for me also builds hi-fi tube amps for turntable use..he has a copy of Morph the Cat on LP! I didn't know that you could buy records of new recordings...he said that next time I come down to pick up the guitar he would throw it on for a listen...can't wait!

Jazzola

 

[BigOkie]

Sorry, I'm a few years late to the party. This tune came up in my Pandora rotation just a few minutes ago and I was listening through a new set of Bose headphones. Stunning. THIS is the sound I hear in my head when I think of my ideal bass tone.

Many thanks for the transcription!

 

[garp]

I believe he used the Ken Smith 5-string on Morph.
It's an 80's model, with vintage body shape, and large head-stock.

Insert obligatory "Necro-Thread Notice" here.

I'm a couple of years late to this party as well, but I gotta agree that it's likely a Ken Smith. I've seen Freddie live with his vintage P and his 5-string J, but his tone on the title track (and reprise) is very distinct and non-Fenderish. Tremendous playing on the whole album...I strongly recommend it if you get the chance.