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Famous blues bassists?

#61
Lots of what I'd call blues-rock (rather than blues) players getting a mention here ... but I guess it depends on your definition of the blues ... and it seems that varies a lot.

No-ones mentioned Willy Weeks' work with Larry Garner yet have they ?

And I'll 2nd Buddy Guy's bassman, Greg Rzab (I think ?).

Andy
 
#63
+1 for Ronnie James Weber, Larry Taylor, also Willie Kent etc etc. Check out Magic Slim and the Teardrops, they play hardcore Chicago style. Also check out Otis Rush, Smokey Wilson, and Kid Ramos theres some great bass playing on their CD's which should be give you a good start on playing shuffles and 12/8's. You will need to learn walkin shuffles as well as playing box patterns (learn how to walk in and out of the boxs). Also if you're just getting into blues remember to lay back on the beat, it's about the feel, a good shuffle should remind you of watching a beautiful girl walking - using her hip sway. Also it's more about the notes you don't play, in other words don't be a busy player, Stick to the Groove...have fun

My $.02
 
#64
If you want a pretty good Blues bass primer covering many types of Blues feels, get the early Fleetwood Mac cd's and go to school on John McVie's playing. One of the best Blues bass players ever. I stole many licks from John and really tried to emulate his style without copying it outright.
Check the info on this link. )=(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleetwood_Mac
 
#65
I'd focus not only learning these guy's lines but the ability to play blues in general creating your own lines and all that. Understanding many forms of blues and the theory behind it all will help out a lot. Dunno what kind of audition you're auditioning for so what I just said might be irrelivant, even though it's totally relivant.
 
#66
Elemetal said:
I'd focus not only learning these guy's lines but the ability to play blues in general creating your own lines and all that. Understanding many forms of blues and the theory behind it all will help out a lot. Dunno what kind of audition you're auditioning for so what I just said might be irrelivant, even though it's totally relivant.
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This is very true. Other than that, if you have to listen to one player and cop a line of his for an audition you can't do better than Johnny B. Gayden. The song "Mastercard" by Albert Collins would be a good one. But learning one song won't make you able to play blues.
 
#69
I know he's been mentioned but I really dig Donald Duck Dunn's playing. His lines are for the most part simple but tasteful and he never leaves the pocket. A good album would be the original Blues Brothers soundtrack and anything with Booker T.
 
#70
What about Eric Czar and Carmine Rojas , respectively the previous and current bassist of Joe Bonamassa.

I would say not traditional blues bassist, but I especially like Eric Czar for his way to take bluess bass to the edge, although I'm sure not everybody likes him...
 
#75
#78
Jason Hollar said:
+1 on Tommy Shannon.

All the Stevie Ray stuff is must-learn. Just be careful -- they tuned down to E flat a lot!

Duck Dunn also does really cool R&B lines that translate well on straight blues gigs.

Good luck!
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+1 on SRV/Shannon and Duck Dunn as solid foundation for Blues. Duck especially teaches us the "less is more" lesson and that tone and being "in the pocket" is more important than a flurry of notes that distract from the Blues vibe.:bassist:

Hey Jason, hope to see yinz on the Pittsburgh Bassists thread, anat.:D
 

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