I love John Taylor, but I would classify a lot of his work with Duran Duran as fairly "busy." Sting did a lot of things that were just right, same for Tina,
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Simple-ish Bassists Who Kicked Ass!
- Thread starter A. D. Fairhurst
- Start date
Me too... I look at a lot of these techno geniuses .. and I know that some of that stuff I will never be able to do ... but to me their simple stuff.. just bass stuff... is some of their best stuff..
Heyyyyy, another there's another Dave Hope fan here?!?! Who'da guessed!
I can't say I generally prefer a simpler player over a busier player because it really depends on the band. Sometimes a simple, solid groove is what's needed (for a song or for a band) and sometimes a busier bass is called for. Of course, considering my skill level as a bass hack, I definitely appreciate the guys who can hold down a simple, solid groove that provides perfect support without overdoing it. I can play that stuff.
Lots of great examples of those players have already been mentioned but let me throw out Sting, at least for his work with the Police. Most of it isn't that intricate or too difficult to play by itself. But I love the way his bass lines weave around the guitar and vocals without trampling over either. Plus, when you factor in that he's also doing the vocals, I think his bass work is even more impressive. I've tried singing some Police songs and the bass line is often SO different from what the vocal line is doing that I find it deceptively hard to both play and sing a Police song at the same time.
Doh, beat me to Sting by a few seconds!
Great minds think alike!
I also noticed his work with the Police. Not many notes played, but every note was well placed!Glad you can appreciate bass players who can sing and hold a grove. Solid Grove x Singing = Sting is a bad man!
The one that surprised me on that list was Denny Lane. As a Bassist he is never ever mentioned, yet he played bass more often than Paul in wings. I really should listen to what he does a bit more.
For simplicity- Dee Dee
For mastery of the instrument- Sheehan
For solid kick ass rock grooves- Dug Pinnick
For out of the box stuff that also defines the song- Eric Avery
For improv- Scott Thunes with Zappa
For mastery of the instrument- Sheehan
For solid kick ass rock grooves- Dug Pinnick
For out of the box stuff that also defines the song- Eric Avery
For improv- Scott Thunes with Zappa
Carrots... I don't really care for technicality as much as I do for soul and groove. From Noviselic to Harris to Pino to Bakhiti... Different skill levels but I can't care less about their technique or lack of. There's something deeper within them (that was just to name a few)...
How about Leon Wilkeson. While Lynyrd Skynyrd may have become a cliche, but you couldn't get into a rock band in the late seventies without being able to play Mr. Wilkeson' s riffs. He was the measuring stick for a lot of bass players from that era, yet he gets little mention or respect on TB. I wonder why?
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Brian Cook - Russian circles, botch, TARS, Sumac
Caleb Scofield - Cave In, Zozobra, Old Man Gloom
Caleb Scofield - Cave In, Zozobra, Old Man Gloom
I'll second (or 3rd) the vote for Paul Denman. I'll also throw out Justin Chancellors' name, the man has a skill at laying down some odd-time signature bass lines.
Nothing that Simon Gallup does is overly difficult or technical, but OH is it melodic, tasteful, and essential to the song!
I prefer bassists who play to the song instead of their egos. I prefer one less note rather than one more note. There is one player who is much adored on here who I completely dis as a pretentious noodler. Just can't stand his style.
Some early bassists that I tried to model my playing after.
Phil 'Fang' Volk from Paul Revere and the Raiders. Nothing flashy just he notes the song needed.
Chas Chandler of the Animals.
Bill Wyman of the Stones
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Even though Carol Kaye did a lot or most of the studio work.
James Jamerson with 100s of Motown songs.
Jean Millington of Fanny
Of course there are many, many more. But you can see I prefer players who play to the song.
Some early bassists that I tried to model my playing after.
Phil 'Fang' Volk from Paul Revere and the Raiders. Nothing flashy just he notes the song needed.
Chas Chandler of the Animals.
Bill Wyman of the Stones
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Even though Carol Kaye did a lot or most of the studio work.
James Jamerson with 100s of Motown songs.
Jean Millington of Fanny
Of course there are many, many more. But you can see I prefer players who play to the song.
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I've always liked Dougie Payne's bass playing with Travis, especially the first 4 or 5 albums. Somewhere between "Middle" and "less", possibly towards less, likely because he sings backup alot. Nice bass lines that really serve the songs well but aren't totally static.
Hard to say that he "kicked ass" though as Travis music tends to be a more bit low-key.
John Stirrat of Wilco is a similarly supportive player, though he seems to be a better musician and falls more in the middle camp. I think he's also the only original member besides Tweedy, so he must be doing something right.
Hard to say that he "kicked ass" though as Travis music tends to be a more bit low-key.
John Stirrat of Wilco is a similarly supportive player, though he seems to be a better musician and falls more in the middle camp. I think he's also the only original member besides Tweedy, so he must be doing something right.
I love Tame and the basslines but the new music is complete poopie except.... For the basslines are awesome but missed the rock
Jean Millington, I was so crazy over her as a kid. Good Call, Fanny kicked ass.
Exploiter8
Demons run when a good man goes to war
