Richard Davis

[Kevin1960]

I just bought this used CD for about $20...had the LP back in the day.
(Anyone have any idea why Ten Years After CDs are so $$$?!?!?)

Leo Lyons, no doubt, brings a lot of energy to the game, especially in the Blues-Rock arena of bass playing.

Richard Davis is a different kind of beast.

The high price of their material maybe related to the passing of Alvin Lee in 2013. Leo Lyons is a survivor of the early blues revival in England in the 60's and still plays. Ten Years After is a group we will never see again due to the loss of Alvin, who was it's driving force.

 

[JimK]

...I have noticed a temporary spike (or an Out-Of-Stock message) after a passing.
Thanks.

 

[RickC]

How did a Richard Davis thread turn into a TYA thread?

 

[JimK]

Improvisation?

...but, yes, you're correct.

 

[berlihe]

Just wanted to say that, though I love RD's upright playing in all different jazz idioms (especially that album with Elvin Jones and everything he did with Dolphy), he was also incredibly funky on electric bass -- check him out on Harold Alexander's "Sunshine Man" and, especially, two albums he recorded with Jimmy McGriff, "Groove Grease" and "Soul Sugar." I can't even select a single track, it all just drips with funk, great tone and incredible rhythmic feel.

 

[consectaneus]

There is some buzz out there right now over Astral Weeks turning 50! It's achieved that rare status in music where time is reckoned by its release date.

 

[dougjwray]

I was lucky enough to take about six weeks of upright lessons with him, just before he moved from New York to teach at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (summer of 1977).
Here's one of my favorite tracks from his album "Muses for Richard Davis."

He has a VERY deep understanding of how music works. He has played everything from modern classical music to Benny Goodman-style swing to free jazz to rock. A huge influence on me (not that I'm anywhere close to his league).

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I've loved Richard Davis' playing for decades. I got to see him with Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Leon Thomas, and Illinois Jacquet in 1982. It was all that and more.

 

[Bassist30]

Richard Davis is one of the more complete Upright Players. Played Classical as well as Jazz.

 

[jimi66]

Hey guys.

Has there been a thread here for Richard Davis? I am obsessed with Astral Weeks by Van Morrison, especially the loose time and the bass playing. Richard Davis might quickly becoming my #1 favorite bassist. Can you recommend any other great recordings by him other than AW?

Do you have any tips on how to emulate his style? I am hearing a lot of slurs and octaves, with some 3rds that slide down to roots. I don't hear many 5ths. Any tips are welcome. Thanks!

Mack the Knife , he absolutely drives this album, Eric Dolphy live at the five spot.

 

[pdbass]

 

[Confunk]

When I first began improving my sight reading, I came across a transcription of Richard Davis' bass line on the standard "Shiny Stockings"

Playing his lines not only helped my reading, it also gave me an insight into how he constructed a line- The intervals, the harmony, and the rhythms and sub-divisions he uses. He is absolutely brilliant.

(1) Shiny Stockings - YouTube