Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

[sigmafloyd]

I was listening to this song today, I love the bass tone and playing on it. I'm pretty sure that is Stephen Stills playing. One of favorite bass tones.

 

[loendmaestro]

Yeah, i read somewhere that it was Stephen. Great bass line.

 

[S.B.]

great song. one of the few I learned guitar part on many years ago. love Stephen Stills, great musician.

 

[JTE]

Stills is the bassist on the whole CSN album (as well as most other instruments except drum kit). BP magazine did a transcription years ago and Stephen said he used his left-handed Precision with dead flats. Don't recall if he used LaBella or Fender. Around '73 he famously said he rubbed barbeque sauce on new bass strings to get rid of the new sound (Guitar Player Magazine interview in January).

He also played bass on most of his other studio projects, at least in the demo stages. I saw CSNY in 2000 and he played bass on a couple of songs even though Duck Dummy was playing the rest of the gig.

John

 

[Tom Howland]

Stills is a very sold bassist.
I hear he is tough on his bassplayers.
Even to the point of telling them what gear to use.
P-Bass-flats, Ampeg amp.

 

[perfectarc]

It's interesting that this song was referenced. For me, the bass in this song falls into the category "bass parts in a classic song that could actually be improved upon". Stills hits a few notes that sound off, and a couple of times where it sounds like he drops out to avoid hitting a wrong note. This is just nitpicking of course, as overall, the bass part is as classic as the song itself.
Also, I might be wrong!

 

[dougjwray]

Stills is the bassist on the whole CSN album (as well as most other instruments except drum kit). BP magazine did a transcription years ago and Stephen said he used his left-handed Precision with dead flats. Don't recall if he used LaBella or Fender. Around '73 he famously said he rubbed barbeque sauce on new bass strings to get rid of the new sound (Guitar Player Magazine interview in January).

He also played bass on most of his other studio projects, at least in the demo stages. I saw CSNY in 2000 and he played bass on a couple of songs even though Duck Dummy was playing the rest of the gig.

John

Duck Dummy?

 

[JTE]

Duck Dummy?

Crap ...

Stupid android autocorrect....

DUNN

John

 

[MLysh]

Great story from the Neil Young bio, "Shakey":

David Crosby tells the tale of trying to find a regular bass player for CS&N and dealing with Still's megalomania regarding his own bass playing. They evidently had lots of guys come down to a studio and play through songs; none good enough for Stills. Finally, Lee Sklar shows up and Crosby thinks the problem is solved, only to have Stills pluck the bass from Sklar's hands half way through a tune, telling him, "No, play it like this." Crosby said, "...and that's the last time we saw Lee Sklar."

 

[Munjibunga]

If he was playing this far up the neck, it explains the tone in the song.

Link Removed

 

[steve_rolfeca]

One of my favorite CSN/CSNY moments, is the solo on Deja Vu that inexplicably morphs from a dark, jazzy guitar tone, down into the bass register.

It was Stills, on a Fender bass VI. Lovely, unique tone and phrasing.

 

[dougjwray]

If he was playing this far up the neck, it explains the tone in the song.

Link Removed

And, he's playing a flipped-over lefthanded P in that photo!

 

[Premierbass]

Stills is one of my all time favorites. His bass parts are unique for sure. With Manassas, he seemed to leave the bass player (Fuzzy Samuels) and the rest of the band alone. What a great band, still one of my all time favorite double albums to this day. Here's a couple of live takes:

Song of Love - Manassas - YouTube

Manassas - Stephen Stills - it doesnt matter 1972 - YouTube

 

[glocke1]

Stills is the bassist on the whole CSN album (as well as most other instruments except drum kit). BP magazine did a transcription years ago and Stephen said he used his left-handed Precision with dead flats. Don't recall if he used LaBella or Fender. Around '73 he famously said he rubbed barbeque sauce on new bass strings to get rid of the new sound (Guitar Player Magazine interview in January).

He also played bass on most of his other studio projects, at least in the demo stages. I saw CSNY in 2000 and he played bass on a couple of songs even though Duck Dummy was playing the rest of the gig.

John

is this available anywhere online? or has a member did a transcription and posted it here? I searched, found nothing.

 

[LordRyan]

Have played this song in a couple of bands. In the first verse he plays walkups between chords and then on the second verse he leaves those out and totally simplifies things. Some tricky timings in the last section but overall a great Bass line.

 

[old spice]

Only the songwriter/producer would let the bassist get away with that many notes mixed that high.
I like it a lot.

 

[jerry]

Young had a big say in bassists too, he was the one who bought Tim Drummond for the '74 tour.

 

[Wfrance3]

No one asked anyone to provide info about a really good cover of this tune, so I'm doing it anyway.
When I grow up I want to be solid like the bassist in this rendition:

 

[THE SAW]

For those who like Joni Mitchell, check out "Night In The City" from her first album. Nice jaunty playing from Stills!

 

[brianrost]

Was spinning the first CSN album the other day and decided I should finally steal some of the bass licks on "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". Simple but very effective and great rhythmically. I was surprised to discover the song is built on just the I, IV and V chords in E in various combinations.