going to make it a third here (and add Jeff Ament)
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Recomend me Fretless Players
- Thread starter KidAmnesia
- Start date
going to make it a third here (and add Jeff Ament)
Michael Manring, I believe, plays fretless beautifully.
+1 on Tony Franklin & Mark Egan.
On that's not geen mentioned yet (not sure if the basslines count as simple enough) would be:
Sean Malone from Cynic.
Always felt like very much 'in context' and supporting the track for me. Though it may not be the kind of thing you were after:
The live concert from Japan is also a nice example (and the version of Integral only on bass & acoustic is hautingly beautiful):
Integral starts around here:
On that's not geen mentioned yet (not sure if the basslines count as simple enough) would be:
Sean Malone from Cynic.
Always felt like very much 'in context' and supporting the track for me. Though it may not be the kind of thing you were after:
The live concert from Japan is also a nice example (and the version of Integral only on bass & acoustic is hautingly beautiful):
Integral starts around here:
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devnulljp
Supporting Member
Sean Malone from Cynic. Looks like someone got to him a couple of posts before!
"Kindly Bent to Free Us" has some of the best fretless playing and drum/bass interplay I've ever heard, if prog rock/metal is your thing. Sadly, both drummer and bassist died in 2020, leaving the lead singer as the only member
"Kindly Bent to Free Us" has some of the best fretless playing and drum/bass interplay I've ever heard, if prog rock/metal is your thing. Sadly, both drummer and bassist died in 2020, leaving the lead singer as the only member
Jack Bruce
Jimmy Johnson
Guy Pratt
Pino Palladio
Alphonso Johnson
Here’s a few
Jimmy Johnson
Guy Pratt
Pino Palladio
Alphonso Johnson
Here’s a few
Hell Yeah! Talk Talk was my first ever concert. I think I was 12. My older cousin and his friends took me.
Probably the best solo fretless player of all time, but sadly he doesn't do that much in a multi-person band context. His band Attention Deficit is worth checking out though! (with Tim Alexander from Primus and Alex Skolnick of Testament)
The first one that popped in my head is the late Boz Burrell from Bad Company.
Lotsa amazing virtuoso-type players suggested but in regards to the OP's description--not flashy or out front, but just "playing bass", and happens to do it on a fretless - also for me Boz Burrell is the first one who comes to mind. Most of the time you can't even tell it's fretless. Also Stanley Sheldon with Peter Frampton. Listen to him on Frampton Comes Alive. Then of course, Wyman, Danko, and Sting.
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I can't believe it took a second page before someone mentioned Jack Bruce. Go figure.
What about Bakithi Kumalo? Some incredible playing, but if you haven't, check out the Graceland album by Paul Simon.
Robertino Pagliari in OHM. How this guy is not a household name is beyond me.
Larry Klein is masterful on the fretless. The Joni Mitchell album 'Wild things run fast' is a real showcase.
Also - fretless with a pick:
Also - fretless with a pick:
skyline_01
Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables
Gary Willis and Alain Caron. They can both play out front but are also solid support players.
