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Has noone heard of Billy Sheehan?

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S

Sal_Paradise

Jul 12, 2004
183
0
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Kingston, Ontario
#1
I've heard Jaco: WOW!
I've heard Stu Hamm: Also WOW!
I've heard Wooten: More WOW!

I've heard a lot of great bassists. But none have impressed me so much as Billy Sheehan. Les, Stanley, Victor, Jaco, Flea and so on. All of these players are at a level of skill I could aspire to. But, Billy's playing is just beyond comprehension to me. I did a search and couldn't find his name. I skimmed through some threads and still nothing! Why is that?!

Cheers!
 
#6
I've seen Billy Sheehan perform live before, and though he is
an extremely good player I'm not all that in awe of his style as
I've never been a big fan of bassists who play similar to the
style of lead guitarists.
Don't get me wrong, I do like Billy Sheehan and his music and
if I could do all that then I'm sure I wouldn't complain,
but as it is I'm more into bassists that are
very skilled technically, like Flea, Steve Harris,Scott Thunes
the late James Jamerson and Jaco, but who aren't all showy
& flash, if thats the correct term to use?
Just my 5 cents worth.
 
#7
Dublin-Bass said:
I've seen Billy Sheehan perform live before, and though he is
an extremely good player I'm not all that in awe of his style as
I've never been a big fan of bassists who play similar to the
style of lead guitarists.
Don't get me wrong, I do like Billy Sheehan and his music and
if I could do all that then I'm sure I wouldn't complain,
but as it is I'm more into bassists that are
very skilled technically, like Flea, Steve Harris,Scott Thunes
the late James Jamerson and Jaco, but who aren't all showy
& flash, if thats the correct term to use?
Just my 5 cents worth.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with you. I just think Billy got gigs like Mr. Big and DLR because he is flashy. If you haven't listened to Niacin, check it out. With just the B-3 and drums, Billy gets to really stretch and do some amazing stuff.
 
#9
john turner said:
are you kidding me? is that for real? wow, i didn't know that. what's up with the musician recruitment with those guys?
Click to expand...
I kid you not. I even had an email exchange with Mr. Sheehan over this topic in 1999 or so (very prompt and personal replies btw).


Link Removed
 
#11
I've seen him play on the DVDs Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria and G3: Rockin' in the Free World and have heard some live bootlegs. I've listened to many, many bassist, and few even compare to that man's ability. No known man can spider-walk as quickly and smoothly as he can (none that I've seen anyways), and I've heard him play some solos where I could swear it was Yngwie Malmsteen shredding, but sure enough, it's good ole Billy Sheehan. The thing that baffles me, though, is his ability to bend the ever-loving crap out of his necks and not have them snap like a twig, lol.
 
#13
PhatBasstard said:
OK, I'm ignorant. What is "Co$"?
Click to expand...
Is that the Church of Scientology? I guess the First Church of Appliantology is just as good, huh? Where the hell is the Heaven's Gates kids when you need 'em, huh? Oh yeah, mmmm, all dead with Nikes and shrouds... Sorry.
Back on Subject...
I was introduced to Talas when I was but a wee one, and BS was way beyond my comprehension, as I got to far into "metal". Now, I look at the Vai DVD and I am completly blown away and my attempts at anything Billy-like make my drummer pissed off. So what the hell does he run in his rack? Lots of goodness. What the hell makes me love him so? Probably 'Eat 'em and Smile' and 'Skyscraper'. Vai albums, but Sheehan shines as a supporting charachter.
 
#18
Billy is from suburban Buffalo, NY where I spent the first 22 years of my life. I used to frequent a club in a suburban strip mall where Talas played regularly. The first time I saw/heard/felt an SVT was in about 1971 or so...Billy was playing an old P-Bass through it. He was a monster player then and he's a monster player now. His style isn't my cup of tea but monster chops are monster chops.
 
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