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Is Marcus Miller overrated?

#221
I couldn't say he is over rated and feel good about myself. He plays better than I can so in my eyes, no he is not. I hear what you're saying though, how someone's technical ability can sometimes outweigh their creative expression. I've seen talented people stick to safe playing because their technical mind will not allow them to play something if it is not "correct". I don't think that is what's happening here.

One thing I can say to this is that, while I enjoy his playing, I am not inspired by it. That doesn't mean, to me, that he isn't due the popularity and respect he has achieved. It's funny you mention Flea, he is someone I admire and seeing RHCP live, or watching concert videos online, always inspires me. I absolutely love the in between song stuff where they just jam. I will acknowledge the difference in how each style effects me, but I wouldn't go to say Miller is over rated. For every well known/respected bass player, there is a group of people that don't see what the big deal is.

Gene Simmons. I don't really know if he is over rated because I've really never heard any praise on his playing. That in itself speaks volumes to me. One of the most popular and successful bands in the world, and he has never been considered a great musician. He definitely does not deserve his picture on the wall in GC's bass room between Geddy Lee & Marcus Miller. I digress.
 
#222
Well, if Marcus was overrated, what was Tal...

Marcus is a phenomenal musician that selected bass as his voice - could have been another instrument and he also would do its living with it.

Personally I worship the "Run for cover" solo for its feel.

But the music and playing of Marcus is simply not to my taste; it's boring to me personally.

A little anecdote on how I lost the grip on Marcus:
Once upon a time (well, some 25 years ago) I visited the North Sea Jazz festival.
Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller have been the top acts in that sequence for the day.
To my bitter disappointment Al Jarreau was announced to not be present.
Instead some unknown Japanese "Casiopea band" was the replacement. "Ok, ok - give them a chance while waiting on Marcus" I thought.
What followed was a firework of Jazz fusion at its best. The small unknown bassist kneeling on stage and doing thumbing on a 6-string like I've never heard before: Mark King powers 10. The band put the stage on fire and leaving the stage seemed still to smoke.

Then Marcus came on stage and started to play his smooth Jazz - believe it or not - people where leaving the hall - I left too when it was half empty. Too saturated for Marcus - there was nothing interesting he could offer after that Casiopea firework.

Later on I purchased one or the other CD - last was that M2 - but, it never ever made "click" again.

Well today I'm completely in double bass and have other heros anyway.
 
#223
playbass0410 said:
Well, if Marcus was overrated, what was Tal...

Marcus is a phenomenal musician that selected bass as his voice - could have been another instrument and he also would do its living with it.

Personally I worship the "Run for cover" solo for its feel.

But the music and playing of Marcus is simply not to my taste; it's boring to me personally.

A little anecdote on how I lost the grip on Marcus:
Once upon a time (well, some 25 years ago) I visited the North Sea Jazz festival.
Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller have been the top acts in that sequence for the day.
To my bitter disappointment Al Jarreau was announced to not be present.
Instead some unknown Japanese "Casiopea band" was the replacement. "Ok, ok - give them a chance while waiting on Marcus" I thought.
What followed was a firework of Jazz fusion at its best. The small unknown bassist kneeling on stage and doing thumbing on a 6-string like I've never heard before: Mark King powers 10. The band put the stage on fire and leaving the stage seemed still to smoke.

Then Marcus came on stage and started to play his smooth Jazz - believe it or not - people where leaving the hall - I left too when it was half empty. Too saturated for Marcus - there was nothing interesting he could offer after that Casiopea firework.

Later on I purchased one or the other CD - last was that M2 - but, it never ever made "click" again.

Well today I'm completely in double bass and have other heros anyway.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like there was anything with Marcus Miller, you changed. I no longer have much interest in Stanley Clarke, but it doesn't mean he is not making good music.
 
#226
I must admit that Casiopea was/is the bomb. I lived in Japan for three years and became exposed to them. They had two awesome bassists. Tetsuo Sakurai and Yashihiro Naruse. When I moved back to the US, the shippers stole all of my CDs to include my Japanese bought CDs. Back in 95 thery were going for $30-35 a pop. I was sick to say the least. Thank God for youtube. I can hear all my Casiopea favorites whenever I want to. IMO Marcus Miller is a Master Electric Bassist who if stood side by side with some other bassists would put them to shame. People stop hatin on Marcus. Flea can't hold a candle to Marcus. Just look at their names. Both are known by one name. Who would you rather be known as Marcus or Flea??? I'm just kidding both guys are awesome bass players but in different arenas. I don't follow Stanley Clarke anymore but believe me as far as bassist go around the world, Stanley Clarke is still the man, and more of a bassist than alot of our so called idols. He no longer has to sweat it. In different terms, Stanley Clarke is a Made Man.
 
#227
Anyone who played on and produced Miles Davis albums while he was still a kid is not over rated. Seriously. My only gripe with Marcus is that lately, his music has become too "perfect". Whether you like his music or not, he is still a monster. I prefer that he does not frantically over play like some of the other bass players mentioned in this thread.
 
#228
Tupac said:
In my opinion, he is. Very much. I just don't see the appeal. His riffs come off as generic. I don't know why on Earth people bash Flea for simplicity yet praise Invalid Link Removed as a grand master bass solo. So people, explain why or why not Marcus is overrated.



Flame suit = on
:hiding:
Click to expand...

The solo you posted bores me to tears within seconds and I am really no fan of his recent solo albums (I still like 'The sun don't lie however).
BUT...the guy can REALLY play. Just listen to things like Wayne Shorter's 'High life' Album to realise that he does have range and plays what he does because he choses to rather than being limited to it.
To my ear he has done or been involved with some truly gruesome and horrible , often sickeningly cheesy music, but he's always doing that really well.
To my mind he is not in the least over rated. It's just a matter of liking,or not what it is he is doing.

I personally like nothing I have heard him do better than or as much as 'We want Miles' and 'Miles Miles Miles' , followed by Wayne Shorter's High life.
 
#231
jpeck02 said:
Anyone who played on and produced Miles Davis albums while he was still a kid is not over rated. Seriously.
Click to expand...
+1
On some of those later Miles Davis albums, Marcus played every instrument except the trumpet. I can understand if someone doesn't like his style or sound, but holy crizzap, the guy has more musical ability than I'll have in my next 10 lifetimes combined.
 
#234
I've seen him live and he was incredible. Everybody has their own tastes. For example, I don't really care for Jaco's tone but realize that there are a lot of people who do so I wouldn't say he was overrated either. No matter what name you bring up there will people who love them, people who hate them and think they are overrated and people who don't have an opinion one way or the other.
 
#237
Tupac said:
In my opinion, he is. Very much. I just don't see the appeal. His riffs come off as generic. I don't know why on Earth people bash Flea for simplicity yet praise this as a grand master bass solo. So people, explain why or why not Marcus is overrated.



Flame suit = on
:bag:
Click to expand...
I just googled this question because I think the same as you. I am with you bro. Totally overrated. Tune over Tune slapping in octaves and pentatonic. And the few times he does finger plucking, he does not do anything crazy or find any nice melody.
 
#239
Les Fret said:
I personally get a bit bored by all the overrated or underrated topics here. I can’t take anyone seriously who thinks MM is overrated.
Click to expand...
And I can't take seriously who doesn't understand that "overrated" does not mean " bad musician". What it means is that people talks too much about him when there are lot of I think better bassist who nobody talks about.
 
#240
IM punk rocker Opinion: Yes.
Whilst there's no doubt he, and others like him, can play, all this noodling, doodling, tapping, slapping and popping madness, musical tourettes, just grates my boobies. Ars Gratia Artis is a total BS concept that I find alienating, servile and foreign to my philosophical position on the world.
Whatever happend to bass being a rhythm instrument, an instrument that supplies the rhythm, the backbone of the music, paving a way for the rest of the music to travel upon..

One can only wonder what these guys do when they're alone... they must be bruised from groin to thigh... at least we know what their vinegar stroke face looks like.
 
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