Most Interesting Bassists?

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.

 

Love zappa. do you have a certain 1984/1988 live album you listen too?

 

Mick Karn.

 

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.

 

Les Claypool for sure

 

the simplicity that Carl Radle used to support the music is really driving where I am at right now.

 

yeah, this guy jams!!!

 

Awesome man. Have listened to trance fusion many times.. Great bass from Scott...Can't wait to hear those others

 

Evan Marien

 

If you haven't seen it, check out the video "Does Humor Belong In Music?" to see Scott in action with the 1984 band.

 

• 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.

 

look at this kid! wow

 

He's got most of it down, weird to me that he's missing the artificial harmonic part of the main phrase.

 

I like these innovative Rock guys:

Chris Squire

John Paul Jones

The Ox

Geezer Butler