Mccartney vs Sting?

[tZer]

I never considered them together before - and since this thread, it surprises me how appropriate having the two names mentioned in the same breath really is regarding bass.

They seem to both have a very similar vibe about them. Aside from the obvious Brit connection, they both spread out over many instruments and are skilled enough on all to do everything themselves.

To me, both have transcended such comparisons and any who attempt to rank one over the other is only putting themselves into a bottle by thinking that way.

It's like saying which is better, inhaling or exhaling?

 

[Maaak]

I never considered them together before - and since this thread, it surprises me how appropriate having the two names mentioned in the same breath really is regarding bass.

They seem to both have a very similar vibe about them. Aside from the obvious Brit connection, they both spread out over many instruments and are skilled enough on all to do everything themselves.

To me, both have transcended such comparisons and any who attempt to rank one over the other is only putting themselves into a bottle by thinking that way.

It's like saying which is better, inhaling or exhaling?

Yeah....but....Sting gets my vote

 

[tZer]

LOL - and it's ok to exhale!

 

[Attenergy]

their both good .. I just heard more bass expression from Sting ... I have to think about bass lines from the Beatles as I saw them more as "The Beatles" (might be naive so please spare me) but I can recall many good bass lines from Sting ...

 

[rhythmchanges]

@ GregC
Seriously?!? I'll admit I'm a huge Sting fan. I'll also admit that if I had to choose one to have existed and the other not to, I'd pick Paul in a heartbeat to live for the betterment of music. BUT... he's a better singer than Sting?!? Sorry. I just hopped off of that bandwagon in a hurry.

 

[JamesM]

Didn't sting play a lot of fretless? That must be damn hard to play fretless and sing at the same time, as far as intonation goes!

I can't decide who i think is better, i don't think it matters. They were both amazing musicians.

 

[GregC]

@ GregC
Seriously?!? I'll admit I'm a huge Sting fan. I'll also admit that if I had to choose one to have existed and the other not to, I'd pick Paul in a heartbeat to live for the betterment of music. BUT... he's a better singer than Sting?!? Sorry. I just hopped off of that bandwagon in a hurry.

Sting's falsetto has always grated on me, and the smoothness of his solo stuff doesn't appeal, either. McCartney, IMO, had a great voice when he sang with some edge/passion ("Back in the USSR" and "Oh Darling", for example). Different strokes, I guess.

 

[punkbass479]

no fair!

 

[corinpills]

Sting's falsetto has always grated on me, and the smoothness of his solo stuff doesn't appeal, either. .

Well, I fully agree that his minivan jazz stuff is too smooth, but I don't recall Sting ever really using his falsetto much. he sings all those high notes full voice. Maybe that's what you don't like, though.

I loved Sting to death in the Police, but once he went all Steely Dan, it just bored me to tears. I saw his first two solo tours and then I had to get off the bus.

 

[evilgingergoat]

Sting
theres nothing that interesting about how Paul plays in my mind.

 

[milesdavisblue]

Music is Art not Competition, enjoy and feel both styles.

 

[jamontap]

I know they both have their strong points, but if I had to pick, I got Paul in the lead.

 

[GregC]

Well, I fully agree that his minivan jazz stuff is too smooth, but I don't recall Sting ever really using his falsetto much. he sings all those high notes full voice. Maybe that's what you don't like, though.

I loved Sting to death in the Police, but once he went all Steely Dan, it just bored me to tears. I saw his first two solo tours and then I had to get off the bus.

LOL! That's a great term, I'll have to remember that one!

 

[corinpills]

Sting
theres nothing that interesting about how Paul plays in my mind.

I hearby challange you to play "Something", sir. No tabs, now, use those ears.

 

[SGT. Pepper]

I once read where Sting called Sir Paul "The Guv'nor". That pretty much tells you right there.

If you think Paul's lines are boring, try playing and singing "I Saw Her Standing There". Or try the bassline from "Come Together" or "I Want You (She's So Heavy)". You might gain a new respect!

+1 also With a Little Help From my Friends, All My Loving, Day Tripper, Boys, ect. Anything from Abbey Road is not easy to learn. They take lots of practice. :scowl:

 

[rhythmchanges]

@corinpills...
Yes. Except... I think that he went adult contemporary in a big way and brought in the 'Kenny G du Jour', BUT, the album he did with McBride on bass (I forget the name) on which he did 'Moon Over Bourbon Street' was a must hear. That version of Roxanne ("But she did anyway"), is spankalicious IMHO. He's like 60 and still in chest voice.

 

[ryco]

Both are GREAT singers.

Paul as a player by three lengths, but as the other poster said: music is art - not sports.

Sting solo stuff too velveta smooth for me. Police had some excellent tunes, but their albums contained more filler than any band of THAT day. Quite common now.

 

[syciprider]

I dunno. Everytime I try to figure out a Police bass line, the simplicity strikes me.

Paul whips out some pleasingly innovative stuff like Something, Silly Love Songs (he sings this one too), I Want You etc. etc.

 

[Sneckumhaw]

I hearby challange you to play "Something", sir. No tabs, now, use those ears.

It's not all that difficult to figure out, but it is refreshing, delightful and surprising. Great bassline, but it's so perfect that it's kind of easy in a way.

 

[Luke73]

What a lame thread. Since when was playing bass a competitive sport?