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FLEA-Best bass player ever???

#21
Hes a great player but IMO no where on the top 20 list. His fingerstyle stuff is (again, IMO) just ok. He is much better at the fast slapping funkier stuff. Like was said, this isnt a sport so theres no way to judge who is best. Maybe Bill Wyman is the best bass player that ever lived and he was only playing simply to serve the songs? We would never know.
 
#22
TMB said:
Now i know it is completely down to personal taste and the music you like but there is a row going on within my friends and collegues that you lot could help solve! Is Flea the best bass player ever or is that just the opinion of those who like RHCP? He is amazing.... no doubt but is the fact he has formed his own uniquely different style enough for him to be crowned?
Help!
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Hahahaha. Sorry.
 
#23
Define the best? The best to you? There is no "best". He is good at what he does and makes great music with the rest of the ensemble.

I will say he is a powerhouse though, he has alot of energy on stage and knows how to groove. Brings a lot to the table as a musician. :bassist:

Comparing him to other musicians is just a complete waste of time. :rollno:
 
#30
Define the criteria for best and you'll advance a step. For me, best means some combo of technical virtuosity, changing the way the instrument is played, taste and overall musicianship. IMO he's an amazing player, but not even in my top 25.
 
#33
fender_funk_man said:
Flea isn't even in the ball park. Check out Higher Ground by RCHP and compare it to the version of Higher Ground by Marcus Miller. Flea makes time and rhythm mistakes left right and center.

Now go practice...
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:hmm:

I certainly wouldn't have Flea in my top bass players of all time list even though i was a huge chippers fan in my younger days. I also love a lot of Marcus M's original stuff. However, I thought his cover of higher ground was terrible. Stevie's original is obviously close to perfection but I always dug the chili's version as a refreshing change. There are no mistakes from Flea on there - if the timing isn't spot on (can't say i've noticed) then maybe thats what makes it sound so good to me.

MM often chooses really bad covers IMO - eg Boogie on reggae women just to proove it can be played on a bass rather than a moog! ***? OK you've prooved it can be done but you've also proved that there are just some songs where a moog simply sounds better - no shame there, us bass players can handle it. Next album, more originals, less covers please. Sorry off topic rant there:ninja::bassist:
 
#34
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#38
steele said:
Hes the best bass player to the average person who can't name 1 other bassist in general besides him.
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Yeah!!!!! Big +1 here!


rappa29 said:
Pass the popcorn please.

Flea is the best bass player ever.....to act in movies. He was great in Big Lebowski!
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Hold on a sec.....remember Sting was in Dune.

Duck Dunn in the Blues Brothers......
 
#40
I'd venture a guess that there are scores of talkbass members who are technically more advanced, albeit far less popular than Flea.

I realy dig a lot of his stuff, and they've had some great tunes and he seems to not be an a-hole. All plusses in my book.

I like the replies that focus on it not being a contest.
 

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