Steve Swallow album recommendations

[tannis_root]

Steve Swallow is a name that comes up when folks list bassists that use a pick. Also of interest is his 5-string electric bass tuning of EADGC. Wikipedia's discography list for Swallow is a mile long. Can anyone recommend some albums or links to live performances that showcase his bass playing? Where he really stands out and can be heard. Anything early 70's 'til now when he would have been using an electric bass with a pick. I am having a hard time hearing him in the mix on the few recordings I've checked out so far.
Thanks

 

[Michedelic]

Just about any album with Gary Burton(and sometimes Pat Metheny)on ECM is fair game; for some reason I couldn’t find much from
this on YT (copyright restrictions?)but it’s a favorite of mine…

…plus you get two great bassists.
Here’s something from way back, where the audio for bass is surprisingly good…

 

[ClusterFlux]

Jimmy Giuffre 3: 1961 - Jimmy Giuffre, Jimmy Giuffre 3 | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic

Yes, I know, it's upright bass. But it's an excellent showcase for Swallow, as there is no drummer.

 

[The Owl]

Steve did a very interesting solo disc on ECM called "Home" with Sheila Jordan, Steve Kuhn, Lyle Mays, Dave Liebman and Bob Moses.

 

[BargeOn]

If you want to hear that tone in spades, and get a sample of his wit, look for Always Pack Your Uniform on Top, the opening track, Bend Over Backwards, from 2000. It was one of several post-bop releases, quartets or quintets he did with some of the best players of the day. He was playing a Parker Fly through most of those. I don't think he got the Citron till later Steve Swallow (AE5 Swallow Signature Custom) : Harvey Citron there are some videos of him playing it

You could also look for any of his duets with Carla Bley from the 90s. And you can hear that Citron on Bley's last two trio releases on ECM, Trios and Life Goes On. Both spare settings. Some lovely work there.

Yeah, he plays with a copper pick.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

Steve did a very interesting solo disc on ECM called "Home" with Sheila Jordan, Steve Kuhn, Lyle Mays, Dave Liebman and Bob Moses.

View attachment 4406017

Yes, this. One of my favorite jazz records, and everybody plays great on it. It's interesting in that it has a vocalist, but it's not a singer's record. Sheila Jordan is basically functioning as one of the musicians, with particular parts to execute; she's not the front person being backed by the band.

 

[Bob_Ross]

His eponymous album Swallow from 1992 is not my favorite example of his playing, but it's definitely a recording with his bass front & center.

...although it's perhaps worth pointing out that even when he is front&center it's sometimes hard to hear [sic] what he's doing. There's an almost pensive quality to his playing that can often make his lines seem hesitant, demure, maybe even apprehensive. It's a fascinating quality, totally unique.

 

[Vinny_G]

I discovered Steve Swallow with this album. These are only live duets, so we can hear the bass very well. And the music is fantastic.

 

[JimK]

His eponymous album Swallow from 1992 is not my favorite example of his playing, but it's definitely a recording with his bass front & center.

...although it's perhaps worth pointing out that even when he is front&center it's sometimes hard to hear [sic] what he's doing. There's an almost pensive quality to his playing that can often make his lines seem hesitant, demure, maybe even apprehensive. It's a fascinating quality, totally unique.

I like that line-up on that album...Robbie Ameen? Love him!
Apparently, Swallow & John Scofield have a long history.
Picked this album last year-

 

[Bob_Ross]

Picked this album last year-

Thread Drift: ^^^That album reminds me of one of my great personal conundrums... I love John Scofield's guitar playing, but I hate his tone!