KILLERS-Iron Maiden, PARANOID-Black Sabbath w/Steve Harris and Geezer Butler respectively. These two just showcased what bass can do for metal/hard rock styles. Harris was obviously inspired by Geezer. Geezer's fills and tones and how it adds something to the guitar and weaves the drums/guitars together is magical. Harris pulls all the punches on KILLERS--intros, breaks, gallops, lead-like bits, etc. He seemed to take what Geez was doing to another level. There have been a few others since Harris, but I don't know that they have really done much more really.
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Favorite Albums for Bass, Who Played On Them, and Why You Love Them.
- Thread starter OPBASSMAN1994
- Start date
I've got a lot of favorite albums for bass, so I'll give a shout-out for two of them - Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick, and The Smith's The Queen Is Dead. 
Zappa- The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
Even though he was making a lot of mistakes due to the inner-band tension, Scott Thunes' bass playing on that '88 tour is just astounding.
Even though he was making a lot of mistakes due to the inner-band tension, Scott Thunes' bass playing on that '88 tour is just astounding.
King Crimson - Larks Tongues In Aspic, Starless And Bible Black, Red, USA (and other live from the Wetton period) because Wetton kicks arse!
Tool - Lateralus, 10,000 Days because Justin Chancellor kicks arse! (and they're into King Crimson)
Cream - Live Cream Vol 2 because Jack Bruce kicks arse!
Tool - Lateralus, 10,000 Days because Justin Chancellor kicks arse! (and they're into King Crimson)
Cream - Live Cream Vol 2 because Jack Bruce kicks arse!
Rubber Soul: whole new territory for bass, even though Paul's bass lines before were above average.
The Yes Album: Actually like Squire's sound better on this one than on Close to the Edge. The bass line in "Yours in No Disgrace," all sections, is like nothing I had ever heard before.
The Yes Album: Actually like Squire's sound better on this one than on Close to the Edge. The bass line in "Yours in No Disgrace," all sections, is like nothing I had ever heard before.
I won't even pretend to know what my favorite album for bass is, but one of my favorite albums for bass is Herbie Hancock's Thrust. Paul Jackson's bass playing does this incredible balancing act between a nasty, stanky, Old Skool Funk™ groovemeister, and an improvising jazz bassist negotiating a realtime dialog with/around the other musicians. It shakes yer bootie while it boggles yer mind. Totally badass.
BIGGGG +1 on the Yes Album. Starship Trooper, I've Seen All Good People, Yours Is No Disgrace. All brilliant. All amazing. Great bass tone, great bass playing. Add that to my list.
Led Zeppelin II... Jonh Paul Jones. From front to back it's awesome and Ramble On is my favorite song ever recorded for bass.
my all time fav album is vitalogy by pearl jam.
But it's not really a "bass" album.
For bass,I really like "tiny music..." by stone temple pilots
But it's not really a "bass" album.
For bass,I really like "tiny music..." by stone temple pilots
+1 on these two.
I would go as far to add "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" to the Geezer list. The line on Spiral Architect is classic as well Sabra Cadabra.
As far as Steve Harris and Maiden, I would have to add the first Maiden album "Iron Maiden" as well as "Powerslave". Rhyme of the ancient mariner and Losfer words would have to be my favs on "Powerslave". As for the "Iron Maiden" album I would have to say, Runnin Free, Phantom of the Opera, and Iron Maiden would be the favs......
Although maybe not my all time faves, but these started me on my bass journey back in the 80's and helped shape me in to the player I am today:
Exit...Stage Left - Rush - This was my first real exposure to Rush and I was instantly hooked and to this day, Geddy's tone is my favorite of all.
Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden - Just monster bass lines throughout. How Steve Harris gets that growl out of flatwounds is just unreal.
Sink Your Teeth Into That - Talas - After seeing Billy Sheehan in the spotlight (or whatever it was called) section in the back of Guitar Player, I ordered this album and was totally blown away by not only his tone, but just absolutely ridiculous riffs. I'd never heard bass like that! Hope it gets released on iTunes someday or I can find a cd somewhere.
Radio Free Albemuth - Stu Hamm - This, along with those above, changed my playing forever.
Exit...Stage Left - Rush - This was my first real exposure to Rush and I was instantly hooked and to this day, Geddy's tone is my favorite of all.
Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden - Just monster bass lines throughout. How Steve Harris gets that growl out of flatwounds is just unreal.
Sink Your Teeth Into That - Talas - After seeing Billy Sheehan in the spotlight (or whatever it was called) section in the back of Guitar Player, I ordered this album and was totally blown away by not only his tone, but just absolutely ridiculous riffs. I'd never heard bass like that! Hope it gets released on iTunes someday or I can find a cd somewhere.
Radio Free Albemuth - Stu Hamm - This, along with those above, changed my playing forever.
Yeah, that was kind of an eye opener
The second album High Speed On Ice is even more insane.
I don't know about all time fav but...
Brazilian Girls/Self Titled & Talk to La Bomb - Jesse Murphy
Mustang bass with tone to die for
Brazilian Girls/Self Titled & Talk to La Bomb - Jesse Murphy
Mustang bass with tone to die for
Rush is my favorite band and Geddy is my favorite bassist, but it's hard to pin down a favorite tone of his (and therefore album), but Counterparts has always stood out for me. Overall though, it's either Close to the Edge or Fragile by Yes, Chris Squire is just a genius.
X Factor - Iron Maiden. Steve Harris. The tone and the sheer atmosphere of the basslines alone is astounding. Add into that some superb technical elements and some all-out killer riffs (Judgement of Heaven!!) and this is possibly the greatest metal bass playing.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Black Sabbath. Geezer Butler. Very similar to X Factor, in that the tone and sound is amazing, while at the same time pulling off some fantastic phrases and runs.
Ten - Pearl Jam. Jeff Ament. There's nothing too flasy on this album, just some superb bass playing, and some phenomonal riffage (Why Go, Jeremy) and above all, a ridiculously luscious sound.
Sailing the Seas of Cheese - Primus. Les Claypool. What more need I say?
And if I may nominate a pair of live albums:
All the World's a Stage - Rush. Geddy. Once again, should I elaborate?
Made in Japan - Deep Purple. Roger Glover. Lazy.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Black Sabbath. Geezer Butler. Very similar to X Factor, in that the tone and sound is amazing, while at the same time pulling off some fantastic phrases and runs.
Ten - Pearl Jam. Jeff Ament. There's nothing too flasy on this album, just some superb bass playing, and some phenomonal riffage (Why Go, Jeremy) and above all, a ridiculously luscious sound.
Sailing the Seas of Cheese - Primus. Les Claypool. What more need I say?
And if I may nominate a pair of live albums:
All the World's a Stage - Rush. Geddy. Once again, should I elaborate?
Made in Japan - Deep Purple. Roger Glover. Lazy.
"Live From The Fall" by Blues Traveler. Bob Sheehan is virtually unknown and died way too soon.....
"Cosmogenesis" by Obscura. Jeroen Paul Thessling, Brilliant fretless work and you can actually hear it!
Simple Minds: New Gold Dream (Derek Forbes) - The 80's new wave genre hasn't aged vey well, but the bass on that album - especially Glittering Prize and Hunter & The Hunted - is incredible. The bass is the only reason while I still give it a listen - often.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium - Even when Flea is "holding back", it's always interesting.
Beatles: Abbey Road - "Come Together" , "Something" ... Paul obvioulsy put some thought and effort into the songs others wrote as well.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium - Even when Flea is "holding back", it's always interesting.
Beatles: Abbey Road - "Come Together" , "Something" ... Paul obvioulsy put some thought and effort into the songs others wrote as well.
