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Most Interesting Bassists?

F

Felix Riley

Guest
Aug 2, 2013
68
9
#1
As the title suggests, which bassist do you find to have interesting phrasing, technique, sound, etc. that really makes them stick out to you. Any and all genres are accepted, and please don't turn this into a flame war. My personal list is:
Jaco (obviously)
Dan Briggs - BTBAM
Mark Sandman - Morphine
Justin Chancellor - Tool
Scott LaFaro - Bill Evans Trio
Tal Wilkenfield
Pino Palladino
Joe Lester - Intronaut
Dominic Lapointe - Beyond Creation, Augury
Steve Digiorgio
 
#2
Frank Zappa gave Scott Thunes carte blanche on the 1984 and (especially) 1988 tours, and Scott's playing, especially while Frank was soloing, is just about the most interesting bass playing i've ever heard.

I still catch new details in recordings i've listened to 100 times.
 
#5
thebasserection said:
Love zappa. do you have a certain 1984/1988 live album you listen too?
Click to expand...


For 1984, i listen to the "Guitar" album, and some live boots i from that tour.
For 1988, "The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life" is the one i listen to the most.
I really need to give "Make A Jazz Noise Here" another shot- i didn't listen to it that much when it first came out.

Also, the guitar solos on "Trance Fusion" have some SPECTACULAR accompaniment from Scott.
 
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#10
almost human said:
For 1984, i listen to the "Guitar" album, and some live boots i from that tour.
For 1988, "The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life" is the one i listen to the most.
I really need to give "Make A Jazz Noise Here" another shot- i didn't listen to it that much when it first came out.

Also, the guitar solos on "Trance Fusion" have some SPECTACULAR accompaniment from Scott.
Click to expand...

Awesome man. Have listened to trance fusion many times.. Great bass from Scott...Can't wait to hear those others
 
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#13
  • Keith Ferguson
  • Bob Babbitt
  • Tommy Cogbill
  • Jerry Jemmott
  • Billy Cox
  • and, of course, Mr Donald Duck Dunn
All of them are experts at creating very memorable basslines (in simple 3 chord songs) that drive a song forward without unnecessary complexities, they are all particularly adept at avoiding the habit of adding 1/16th note syncopation just for the sake of adding 1/16th note syncopation. ( a little of that goes a long way, a lot of it sounds like poo - nothing worse than guys who can't play a walking bass part without stuttering rhythms every other quarter note.) Listen to Paul Chambers on any late 50's Blue Note recording - he had more chops than any R&B player yet when it was time to walk, he walked - he didn't skip, dance, prance and otherwise draw attention to himself.
 

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