Double Bass Scott LaFaro’s Tone

[John Goldsby]

Larry Ridley mentioned once or twice to me that you really couldn't hear Scott that well live and that he would pick up the bass and walk to the front of the stage for his solos and then walk back afterwards. I have to say, I have played that bass and it is super easy to play with a huge sound to boot

This is also what I heard from Joe Labarbera, who I think gleaned the information from his time with Bill Evans — When it was time for a bass solo, Scott would move with the bass a couple of steps closer to the microphone.

 

[CryingBass]

Joe Labarbera, another great and an excellent matchup with Scottie.

 

[John Goldsby]

Joe & Scott didn't play together ... Joe just "heard" in discussions with various people (maybe Bill) that Scott would move closer to the mic.

 

[CryingBass]

Got it! Just dreaming I guess.

 

[AGCurry]

If he had his talents and his bass in modern times, those recordings would likely make me cry.
Similar to some of the early vs. later Dave Holland, Stanley Clarke, Charlie Hayden, etc. recordings.
Recording gear and modern quality ( AND reproduction ) of music, and especially bass, has evolved a lot.
YMMV

I disagree. Yes, gear and recording techniques have evolved, but have they improved? To my ear, many of the recordings from the time of LaFaro's short career are of the very highest quality.

 

[J_Bass]

I disagree. Yes, gear and recording techniques have evolved, but have they improved? To my ear, many of the recordings from the time of LaFaro's short career are of the very highest quality.

I agree. If we listen to Van Gelder recordings on a good CD version in a good stereo system, the quality is excellent.

And it doesn't need to be Blue Note. ECM and Columbia have excellent recordings from that era.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Not that ECM hasn't turned out excellent recordings over the years, but as they weren't in existence before 1969 I'm not sure one can consider them a label "from that era"...

 

[J_Bass]

Not that ECM hasn't turned out excellent recordings over the years, but as they weren't in existence before 1969 I'm not sure one can consider them a label "from that era"...

Yes, of course. From the 70's, then.

 

[CryingBass]

Scott could record on a wax drum and probably still sound good!

 

[MLysh]

I disagree. Yes, gear and recording techniques have evolved, but have they improved? To my ear, many of the recordings from the time of LaFaro's short career are of the very highest quality.

Absolutely agree. Seems there were several decades where recording engineers and producers forgot what a real acoustic bass in a room sounded like.

On a related note, take a listen to Alan Broadbent's latest, "New York Notes." It was recorded in Alan's home studio by Harvi S, and man, does it catch the "Sunday at the Vanguard" vibe and sound. Billy Mintz's riveted ride conjures up the ghost of Paul Motian so effectively that I got goose-bumps on first listen. Great CD.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Got to hear Alan with Don Falzone and Billy at Mezzrow's earlier this year, pretty freaken special...