One of my strongest influences, and certainly also in my top 5 favorite bassists of all time. He passed away yesterday in London due to complications from COVID-19. So sad. Go listen to The Flat Earth to hear a true master at work. I tried to ape him on many occasions but always fell short of his very particular style and sound: funky, fluid, with a relentless melodic fire.
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RIP Matthew Seligman
- Thread starter jmjbassplayer
- Start date
Been listening to The Soft Boys all morning and I’m pulling out The Flat Earth next. RIP.
The Flat Earth is one of the best albums written and performed by anyone. Dolby's songwriting chops are incredible, and Seligman's bass performance on every track is interesting, unique and noteworthy. I listen to very few albums from my young years. That one holds up. RIP, Mr. Seligman.
I was into Dolby from before I started playing bass. Not long after I picked up the bass I remember an article discussing The Flat Earth, and how Dolby peppered Matthew's bass, a Pedulla IIRC, with piezo transducers - neck, body, headstock, you name it - for Mulu The Rainforest. That was a real ear-opening moment.
RIP Matthew.
RIP Matthew.
SCREEN KISS
I thought I'd post this transcription I made when MS died, as his brilliance is way too good not to share. I put the harmonics in TAB at the end, where applicable. I certainly couldn't read those ledger lines.
I thought I'd post this transcription I made when MS died, as his brilliance is way too good not to share. I put the harmonics in TAB at the end, where applicable. I certainly couldn't read those ledger lines.
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Listened to Flat Earth for the first time the other day after seeing Justin's post. I'd never really spent time with one of Dolby's records before, really dug it and Seligman's playing. Justin, thanks for posting.
It's awful that Dolby has lost two of his main bass players to untimely deaths. Terry Jackson, who brilliantly grooved his behind off on Aliens Ate My Buick, was lost in a plane crash on tour with Reba McEntire's band shortly after his stint with Dolby. I was lucky to score tickets to see Dolby with that band play live in '88, opening for the Zawinul Syndicate of all things. Unforgettable.
Back to Seligman, he is just inestimably creative on Flat Earth... Those rad fills on Dissidents, The Flat Earth is masterful pick playing, Mulu sounds like nothing else. Plus, you never quite know what is sampled/keyboard bass and what is him—I like to think his sounds made up the bass part of White City and Hyperactive, but it's hard to tell what went on behind the scenes.
By the way, am I the only one who isn't quite sure where the ONE is in Hyperactive? I'm convinced there's a wormhole in there somewhere.
Back to Seligman, he is just inestimably creative on Flat Earth... Those rad fills on Dissidents, The Flat Earth is masterful pick playing, Mulu sounds like nothing else. Plus, you never quite know what is sampled/keyboard bass and what is him—I like to think his sounds made up the bass part of White City and Hyperactive, but it's hard to tell what went on behind the scenes.
By the way, am I the only one who isn't quite sure where the ONE is in Hyperactive? I'm convinced there's a wormhole in there somewhere.
I saw Thomas Dolby in the 80's on the Hyperactive tour and was blown away with the whole band. Matthew's bass parts were beautifully played throughout and he will be sadly missed.
