Paul McCartney: How does he rank as a Bass Player?

[51PRI]

I just want to get everyone's opinion about Paul McCartney. In my opinion he's an all around fine musician, songwriter, singer, band leader, etc., but, for this thread, and I hope this isn't considered a dumb question, but, how do you rank him as a bass player?

Thanks!

 

[Downunderwonder]

Best paid of all time?
I quite dig his weird lines.
He writes neato tunes and sings them over the top of weird basslines.

Right up there.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

He's no Sid Vicious, that's for sure.

 

[FRoss6788]

He didn't tap or slap, but who gives a crap....

He's one of the very best IMHO.

 

[Samatza]

Well I suppose since his songs have interesting bass lines if he played on your songs he would still come up with interesting bass lines.

Now I don't think he's got awesome technique or amazing slap or tap styles going but what he has got is honest.
If you study his lines and break down the songs a bit you'll definitely get something out of it.

 

[Biggbass]

He's a no talent hack, of course. Which explains why he never made it.

 

[biguglyman]

 

[5StringBlues]

He didn't tap or slap, but who gives a crap....

He's one of the very best IMHO.

He wasn't closed minded about it tho.



" I had the honor of being contacted by Paul through George Martin to play on Tug of War, and I also appeared on Pipes of Peace [both on Capitol]. Paul was very nice. He asked me to show him how to slap. " - Stanley Clarke

 

[FRoss6788]

I hope you're not suggesting that I am...

It seems that some tend to judge him solely on his technique and how "easy" his tunes are to play, not taking into consideration note choices, phrasing, ect. ect...

He wasn't closed minded about it tho.



" I had the honor of being contacted by Paul through George Martin to play on Tug of War, and I also appeared on Pipes of Peace [both on Capitol]. Paul was very nice. He asked me to show him how to slap. " - Stanley Clarke

 

[dramatwist]

Paul McCartney? How good was/is he? Shut up.

 

[5StringBlues]

I hope you're not suggesting that I am...

It seems that some tend to judge him solely on his technique and how "easy" his tunes are to play, not taking into consideration note choices, phrasing, ect. ect...

No, no,not at all.


I just think Paul was very inquisitive and wanted to learn all about the instrument that he could, even tho he comes off as being totally the opposite.



He's probably the best "note choice" guy around.

No offense intended.

 

[5StringBlues]

I tend to agree with Lennon from his 1980 Playboy interview:


"Paul was one of the most innovative bass players … half of the stuff going on now is directly ripped off from his Beatles period."

 

[pbass2]

One of the greatest of all time, for all the right reasons.

 

[Chad Michael]

Goodnight Tonight... a bass line that sounded fantastic even through an AM transistor radio with a 3 1/2" speaker.

 

[5StringBlues]

Goodnight Tonight... a bass line that sounded fantastic even through an AM transistor radio with a 3 1/2" speaker.

True that. His Wings stuff is some of the best recorded bass from the 70's

 

[ICM]

Quite well. He's my biggest influence on bass and one of the most innovative bassists of all time!

 

[Tim Skaggs]

McCartney's rank as bass player? Really, really high and he can sing at the same time.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Lots of respect for Sir Paul. Fantastic bass player and always loved his tone in Wings.

 

[BassGH]

Might be my favorite bass player. Love so many of his lines. Come together? Come on, that's spectacular. Not hard, but spectacular.