Seriously, even if his music isn't your thing, does he ever not come off like someone you'd want to hang out with? I don't aspire to play like him at all, but every time I hear him talk about/play bass I pick up a little something for the tool box or gain a new way to think about the instrument.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How could anyone not like Victor Wooten?
- Thread starter Harper
- Start date
Some people are frightened by progress and new ideas. They want ALL bass players to play root/5th and maybe a passing tone or two, but only when absolutely necessary. They get belligerent when their pre-conceived role for the bass is challenged and think everyone has to think like they do. Victor embodies change and some people can't handle it.
It's more like a lot of people hate gratuitous wanking, something Mr Wooten happily embraces.
He seems like a wonderful person, top notch player without a doubt but one could easily question his tastes.
I love his work with the Flecktones, not so much is solo work.
He seems like a wonderful person, top notch player without a doubt but one could easily question his tastes.
I love his work with the Flecktones, not so much is solo work.
I like his humility.
I saw him on an episode of studio jams and it was obvious that he didn't have the same jazz skillset as some of the other guys he was playing with, but he just asked questions and talked with complete sincerity and nobody looked down on him for being the fish out of water in the group. And the songs turned out great because he is a great musician.
I don't generally like his solo (or bass and drum) ventures, but when he is laying back and grooving with a band, he is hard to beat as a tasteful pocket bassist.
I saw him on an episode of studio jams and it was obvious that he didn't have the same jazz skillset as some of the other guys he was playing with, but he just asked questions and talked with complete sincerity and nobody looked down on him for being the fish out of water in the group. And the songs turned out great because he is a great musician.
I don't generally like his solo (or bass and drum) ventures, but when he is laying back and grooving with a band, he is hard to beat as a tasteful pocket bassist.
I met him briefly a couple of years ago at a clinic. What a genuine, well spoke articulate open minded sharing mentoring encouraging person. Oh yeah - Dude can play! the little I was able to see, hear and watch was far beyond anything I could comprehend as a player from the little bit of ability I possess.
He not only HAS something special, he IS something special.
He not only HAS something special, he IS something special.
I read his book, Invalid Link Removed, and came away scratching my head, probably because I'm someone who still aspires to being a good sight-reader. Wooten, as best I can tell, is talking about going beyond skill and into pure musicality. Truthfully, I don't hear that in his playing, but I'm in no position to judge.
I can definitely agree with this. Its always strange to see how the followers of someone so open minded and nonjudgemental can turn around and be so closed and judgemental.
With regards to music, How could anybody not like Geddy lee, or Jaco? or Flea? Its a matter of taste and what moves the listener. At the risk of oversimplifying , that's how I see it. Different strokes for different folks.
Personally, if you don't know him, how could you not like him? I have been lucky enough to meet Victor, watch him record in the studio and hang with him a bit. He seems like a genuine, generous and humble man.
Personally, if you don't know him, how could you not like him? I have been lucky enough to meet Victor, watch him record in the studio and hang with him a bit. He seems like a genuine, generous and humble man.
I actually dont like Victor Wooten and Im primarily a slap bass fan. His albums are not that good to me but when he is live, his solos can be pretty good. I lean more towards Marcus Miller because he can groove like nobody else and his phrasing is crazy. But after listening to Marcus for so long I can start to see patterns in his playing so Im looking for the next bass player that moves me.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I love Marcus in short doses I can watch a short video clip and be amazed but I couldn't sit through a full concert? but there is no doubt at all that he is incredibly talented and deserves the recognition he has.
It's just a little chops heavy for me. It's not that I need only roots and 5ths. I don't think you can put The Ox in that box nor my personal bass hero Graham Maby (Joe Jackson Band) nor yet Darryl Jones who also inspires me. I just don't like fusion that much and Wooten tends to be a note-dense for my tastes.
Yeah Wooten is a really good player and innovator but like a lot of other really good players, Jeff Beck for instance, after about ten minutes it's like... wow man can't you do anything other than that?
FWIW, I find Jeff Beck very eclectic...
I have told this Wooten story here before. So, is he cool?
In the mid-'90s, The Flecktones are playing the Town Point Jazz Fest here in Norfolk, VA (Wooten's neck of the woods).
IIRC, this is one of their 1st-ever visits.
My GF, who I am teaching bass, does not want to go.
She asks, "...really, how much better is he than you"?
Outta the mouth of babes, right?
About 10 seconds into their 1st song (maybe "Turtle Rock"), she sez, "Oh_my_God".
When they finish their set, she sends me off to buy (cough-cough) a couple of wine coolers.
Meanwhile, she runs up to Victor Wooten & asks for an autograph...problem: she has nothing for him to sign.
As I stand in line with the other winos, I watch her sprint to the T-Shirt stand, grab a shirt, throw some $ on the table, & sprint back.
The whole time, Victor stood there patiently & waited for her.
Remember, this is his town & he had family & others waiting for him...for sure.
All night long, I hadda hear "Victor Wooten is the man".
...and she still has the T-Shirt!
I have told this Wooten story here before. So, is he cool?
In the mid-'90s, The Flecktones are playing the Town Point Jazz Fest here in Norfolk, VA (Wooten's neck of the woods).
IIRC, this is one of their 1st-ever visits.
My GF, who I am teaching bass, does not want to go.
She asks, "...really, how much better is he than you"?
Outta the mouth of babes, right?
About 10 seconds into their 1st song (maybe "Turtle Rock"), she sez, "Oh_my_God".
When they finish their set, she sends me off to buy (cough-cough) a couple of wine coolers.
Meanwhile, she runs up to Victor Wooten & asks for an autograph...problem: she has nothing for him to sign.
As I stand in line with the other winos, I watch her sprint to the T-Shirt stand, grab a shirt, throw some $ on the table, & sprint back.
The whole time, Victor stood there patiently & waited for her.
Remember, this is his town & he had family & others waiting for him...for sure.
All night long, I hadda hear "Victor Wooten is the man".
...and she still has the T-Shirt!
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
FWIW, I find Jeff Beck very eclectic...
I have told this Wooten story here before. So, is he cool?
In the mid-'90s, The Flecktones are playing the Town Point Jazz Fest here in Norfolk, VA (Wooten's neck of the woods).
IIRC, this is one of their 1st-ever visits.
My GF, who I am teaching bass, does not want to go.
She asks, "...really, how much better is he than you"?
Outta the mouth of babes, right?
About 10 seconds into their 1st song (maybe "Turtle Rock"), she sez, "Oh_my_God".
When they finish their set, she sends me off to buy (cough-cough) a couple of wine coolers.
Meanwhile, she runs up to Victor Wooten & asks for an autograph...problem: she has nothing for him to sign.
As I stand in line with the other winos, I watch her sprint to the T-Shirt stand, grab a shirt, throw some $ on the table, & sprint back.
The whole time, Victor stood there patiently & waited for her.
Remember, this is his town & he had family & others waiting for him...for sure.
All night long, I hadda hear "Victor Wooten is the man".
...and she still has the T-Shirt!
Great story but I'm sure she's hot he might not have waited for you
Has everyone ever in history liked the same thing or the same person?
That would just go against human nature.
That would just go against human nature.
