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Overrated bass players

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#41
I do agree that Paul McCartney has had a big influence and that as others have said he doesn't really need anyone to defend himself - he's out there doing it in interviews etc. He plays the music he likes and is very well paid for it, because a lot of people also like that music.

I don't think the question of technique comes into it, and my impression is that the song is always more important in this sort of music. To me though, there's no challenge in this - I suppose it's a whole other debate about "easy listening" and music that challenges you, or is "difficult". This inspires me as a musician, far more than a catchy song. But I suppose the majority of people will always go for the catchy, hummable tune, whereas I like to work out why something sounds the way it does and why it's "different". Maybe I'll start another (off?)topic about what's more "inspiring" - things that are easy to play or that are hard?
 
#42
Gene Simmons of KISS is overrated, especially now that the 14-year-olds he once dazzled have grown up and gained money, power and influence. So they put him on the covers of otherwise respectable music magazines; release big, serious-looking box sets of his band's stuff; and drone on about how profoundly influential KISS was. I'll admit that KISS was a great circus act for 14-year-olds but let's leave it at that and quit talking about them as if they were great musicians.
 
#43
You're right KISS was/is? just a show. Now they are where thay belong, in comic books and marketing toys. If they hadn't come out with such an outrageous look and stageshow they would be totally forgotten (they probably will be anyway.) They was a very controversial interview with him years ago in BASS PLAYER and he said some things that I agreed with and others that made him look like a fool. He said some things about women bassists that were very sexist and he says his main influence was....Paul McCartney.
 
#44
i know i am going to get some feed back for this, but oh well. I dont think that Fieldy is over rated, because no one gives him props for what he does. and if you think about it, he does a lot. since there are 2 7-string guitars in Korn, the low end is prettymuch taken care of. he instead slaps, and does that sh!t so that its insync with the drums. if you listen to the music, you wouldnt be able to easily differ the drums and bass.
 
#45
Why just pick on 2 or 3 people as overrated...there's plenty out there! How about Michael Anthony(Van Halen),Jeff Ament(Pearl Jam),Jason Newstead(Metalica),Flea(hey everybody under 30...Flea did'nt invent slapping!!),and for that matter any bass player in today's 'top' group's...take your pick!!..just one man's opinion.
 
#46
I'm new to this and wasn't planning on posting any replies until I read this thread...
I find it amazing that anyone can even consider Paul McCartney overated. I wasn't old enough to apreciate music when the Beatles were at their peak but I've had the opportunity to listen to some of their stuff since then and I think Paul's bass lines hold up well even today. Listen to songs like Something, Dear Prudence, and Come Together. These are songs where Paul wasn't the main songwriter but the bass line is really what holds the song together.
I'll admit that some of his 'music' has been overexposed but that certainly doesn't make him overrated as a bass player.
 
#47

I really don't think Les Claypool is an overrated bassist. I've listened to Primus latest release ("Antipop") and i think it has an brilliant bass job. Fieldy from Korn is an overrated bassist.All i can listen from fieldy's line(s) is chaka-chaka-chaka...very crappy bass line(s). And he got a BASS PLAYER cover!!! Another overrated bassist is Pea-nut from 311 (he got a BP cover, too)...
I haven't listened to Paul McCartney a lot...but i don't think he is overrated...I've never heard anyone saying anything good about his bass playing!!!

And the greatest overrated bass player in my opinion is...FLEA!!! (i'm putting on my tin helmet too)...He can jam, he can slap...so do i...but his techique sucks...i know he's been a very strong influence in young bass players and stuff, but i've listened to hundreds of bassists better than him...(though, i love the chili peppers)


 
#50
I'm with you, Freaky; IMO, P-Nut has a lot of rhythmic chops goin' on...he's got a killer tone, too(IMO). As far as LIVE playing, I'd give the nod to P-nut again(over guys like Claypool & Flea).
Eventually, I'd like to hear P-Nut broaden his horizons.
 
#51
Originally posted by DrGrosso:
"I haven't listened to Paul McCartney a lot...but i don't think he is overrated...I've never heard anyone saying anything good about his bass playing"!!!

AND...I don't recall ever hearing anything "bad" about McCartney's bass playing until I hit this BB.
Click to expand...
 
#52
I think that this forum has turned into a very boring anti/pro Paul McCartney debate, so let's introduce a new victim...

Mark King is perhaps the most overrated bassist of the last 20 years. I find nothing original in his playing - Just look at 'Dune Tune' - if I was Stanley Clarke, I'd have sued. Another bassist who thinks that "fast" + "slap" = "good bass playing".

David
 
#53
Hey, David I'm sure you're pleased to know that Alembic makes (made?) a bass model named after Mark King
biggrin.gif
.

Anyway, overrated bassists, you say? Duff McKagan. 'nuff said. (actually, the less said the better).

Will C.
 
#54
I thought that at that time McCartney "Eclipsed" and to a certain extent,got in the way of, other Bassists who had far more to offer I.E. John Entwistle,Bill Wyman etc.

(Pedro preplexed) I like Bill Wymans playing but technique is not a term I'd ever, ever use with respect to his playing.

Please continue.
 
#55

You stated your own problem in your post. Go out and buy or borrow a copy of SGT Pepper and you will hear why McCartney is so revered. Or better yet, listen to "Something" off of Abbey Road. It's a perfect opportunity for a normal bassist to underpin the song with root notes and I'm sure there were tons of bassists around who would have done just that and the song would have worked. But listen to the flights of fancy that Paul goes on - it's truly an inspired performance and a very emblematic one as far as showcasing his talent and style. He's incredible.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Paul A:
Hi,
O.K. I'm not going to try and defend this,I can honestly say that I personally NEVER liked a single thing the Beatles ever did,I never bought any of their records,not even Sgt Peppers.I thought that at that time McCartney "Eclipsed" and to a certain extent,got in the way of, other Bassists who had far more to offer I.E. John Entwistle,Bill Wyman etc. O.K. maybe not in terms of songwriting ability,but they had a hell of a lot more technique.As you say,probably just a personal thing.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 
#56
Will C. said:

"Anyway, overrated bassists, you say? Duff McKagan. 'nuff said. (actually, the less said the better)."

LOL Will...I never heard ANYONE tout Duff as a great player have you? To qualify as an "over rated" bassist for this discussion I think SOMEONE has to have first claimed that player as being good don't they?

I lump Nikki Sixx and Gene Simmons in the "Show Biz" end of players. Neither are great players, neither really claim to be as far as I can tell but I'd rather have their bank accounts over Keith Horn's anyday.

As far as Rudy Sarzo goes...read my article on him as JohnK suggested and you just might get a new perspective on him. Better yet go catch him on tour with QR and see for yourself. This guy can play...I kid you not. Oh and by the way..he's had two lines of signature basses from two different companies. The Washburn was junk but the Peavey Sarzo is one of the best basses for the money out there. I doubt if any of you who are making fun of them ever played one.

These negative threads or spy vs spy type threads are such crap...there is no right or wrong, best or worst anything when it comes to music...it's far too subjective. These threads only serve as flame bait.

What a bunch of horse manure.

[This message has been edited by Dude (edited April 07, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dude (edited April 07, 2000).]
 
#57
I was one of those who thought McCartney was good, but didn't understand why people considered him great. I used to think that he just sat behind the songs, playing the right things.
Then, I got into a band where I had to learn some of the older Beatles stuff. WHEW! He's much harder to learn than he sounds. Some of his walking lines border on lead melodies more than bass foundations. He deserves all the credit he gets.
 
#58
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dude:
Will C. said:

"Anyway, overrated bassists, you say? Duff McKagan. 'nuff said. (actually, the less said the better)."

LOL Will...I never heard ANYONE tout Duff as a great player have you? To qualify as an "over rated" bassist for this discussion I think SOMEONE has to have first claimed that player as being good don't they?

I lump Nikki Sixx and Gene Simmons in the "Show Biz" end of players. Neither are great players, neither really claim to be as far as I can tell but I'd rather have their bank accounts over Keith Horn's anyday.

As far as Rudy Sarzo goes...read my article on him as JohnK suggested and you just might get a new perspective on him. Better yet go catch him on tour with QR and see for yourself. This guy can play...I kid you not. Oh and by the way..he's had two lines of signature basses from two different companies. The Washburn was junk but the Peavey Sarzo is one of the best basses for the money out there. I doubt if any of you who are making fun of them ever played one.

These negative threads or spy vs spy type threads are such crap...there is no right or wrong, best or worst anything when it comes to music...it's far too subjective. These threads only serve as flame bait.

What a bunch of horse manure.

[This message has been edited by Dude (edited April 07, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dude (edited April 07, 2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So Will C. thinks "there is no right or wrong when it comes to music"? Will C. has obviously never heard Leonard Nimoy sing Proud Mary.
 
#59
Way back on page 1 of this thread Bryan suggested Stu Hamm as an overrated. This surprised me greatly but what I found even more surprising was that not a single response was posted in his defense!!! How can a discussion on Paul McCartney go on for days and days yet this comment is untouched?
Obviously I disagree with Bryans opinion and I would love to hear why I seem to be the only one.
 
#60
Hey Rp,
I got a copy of sgt peppers,sorry still dont like it,still think he's (as a bass player - NOT composer) overrated...can I take it back to the shop now and change it for something I like????
and Pedro, How many times you seen Wyman live?? for me about 20 or so times since the sixties,not just with the stones but,Willy and the poorboys,and the rythm kings.
Let me tell you,old Bill is pretty damn good!
 
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