• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

THE Favo(u)rite Bassist Thread

#81
Much like Jerry, most of mine are old school. Jerry, was particularly happy to see you list Jerry Jemmott. Having met Jerry and spoken to him several times I can tell you he is not only a great bassist but a terrific guy. I've been listening a lot to his playing on the Live King Curtis album and have come to the conclusion that there is a reason Jaco used to sneak into Criteria Studios to listen to Jerry. He was stealing licks. (Kidding) All kidding aside, you can certainly hear Jaco 'borrowing' heavily in terms of 'feel' from Jerry.

In addition to Jerry, please add Jack Bruce. What a master musician. Perhaps the best overall musician/bassist I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Singer, songwriter, pianist, cellist, guitar, bass, harmonic and vocalist extranaire.

Must also add, James Jamerson, Duck Dunn and Tommy Cogbill. They really started it all for me.

Wooten and Manring of the new kids on the block are just spectacular, IMO. When I hear them play I have serious doubts as to whether or not they're human.

Above all Jaco. His playing really talks to me like no other.

P.S. BTW, moldweorp, you're absolutely right about Wetton. Great bassist, great vocalist and such a great tone during his days with King Crimson. But what happened to him afterwards?
 
#84
Come on guys!! Victor Wooten is the best bass player ever!! He has been elected bass player of the year several times by bass player magazine. Of the many bassists I have heard Vic has more technique, speed, stamina and groove than anyone else.
 
#85
all of the players i have seen on this list definately belong in my opinion, but one of my personal favorites has been overlooked,billy sheehan. i saw him at a bass clinic in dayton, ohio and was blown away. plus, anyone who can keep up with steve via is no slouch. john myung has been a favorite since "when day and dream unite" and has become better with time. check out "metropolis ,pt 2".great concept disc.
 
#86
>Come on guys!! Victor Wooten is the best bass player ever!! He has been elected bass player of the year several times by bass player magazine. Of the many bassists I have heard Vic has more technique, speed, stamina and groove than anyone else.

May I suggest liberally of 'IMO' from now on.
smile.gif


It's impossible to argue about his technique and his talents but I'm not a fan of slap and the times I've seen his videos he seems to use it in excess. IMO. Of the NEW virtuoso's I'd perfer Michael Manring.
 
#87
You're right about Billy Sheehan. I saw him at a clinic in Cincinnati last year, and he was great. One of the last remaining purists - you know, 4 strings, passive, etc. He doesn't even like changing his chord if possible. He has the most incredible technique. He really doesn't move his fingers very much, but when all of them are a co-ordinated as his are, you get a wall of sound. I still think he overplays, though, but I was in awe of what he can do.
 
#91
There are just too many to mention. Victor Wooten is amazing but I'm burned out on the whole amazing chops thing.. no doubt though he'll go down as one of the greats. My personal favorites are Mike Watt, Karl Alvarez (Descendents, All) and Geddy Lee. If you ever want to just call it a day, listen to anything by Jamerson (and remember that he played everything with ONE right-hand finger!) And I saw Jeff Berlin at a clinic and was floored by his sheer talent and musicality. The fact is, there are probably 10 amazing bass players within a square mile of where I'm sitting right now.. ain't it cool?!?
 
#92
Well my favorite bassist would have to be Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith. i love his bass lines and his inter-twined rythm. i think anyone who hasn't heard him should try his solo of "Gotta Love It" and his in the face work on the album Nine Lives. it was hamilton that inspired me to join the elite world of bass players, in part of his music and in part of this statement by him ..."I saw the bass guitar as the link between the drums and the rest of the band".
i also like the bass playing of Flea who works a damn funky bass (i love the bass on Around the World), and the ex-guns n roses bassist Duff.
this is just my opinion, so that's my bit
 
#93
Well my favorite bassist would have to be Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith. i love his bass lines and his inter-twined rythm. i think anyone who hasn't heard him should try his solo of "Gotta Love It" and his in the face work on the album Nine Lives. it was hamilton that inspired me to join the elite world of bass players, in part of his music and in part of this statement by him ..."I saw the bass guitar as the link between the drums and the rest of the band".
i also like the bass playing of Flea who works a damn funky bass (i love the bass on Around the World), and the ex-guns n roses bassist Duff.
this is just my opinion, so that's my bit
 
#94
My top vote has to go to the man who first inspired me to play bass - Geddy Lee. I also admire the work of Flea (whom I think has at some time in the past listed Lee as an influence)and Les Claypool.

I also agree with some of the earlier postings that reflect what I have always thought - you should always try to expand your influences by listening to as many styles/players as possible. Never limit yourself.
 
#98
I'd have to say Gene Simmons inspired me to be a bass player. So, he will always be my favorite.
But I think Leon Wilkeson, of Lynyrd Skynyrd was the one that inspired me to actually LEARN how to play bass.
I also like the way Donald "Duck" Dunn makes it look easy to play bass.
I'm almost ashamed to say I've never heard any of Jaco's stuff, but other's such as Wooten, and Marcus Miller have both mentioned Jaco as an inspiration.
I like Steve Harris of Iron Maiden also. A talented song writer as well.
There are many studio bassist on country albums I like as well (To lazy to dig for names).

One of my "local" heros here in NC, is Mark Prince of Vicious Fishes. Keep an ear to the ground for this band. They recently got signed by an indie label(with lots o' cash)
and will be touring the east coast this summer.




------------------
Michael Scott Shelton
Bass player "Medicine Stick"
 
#99
Hey guys this is tough one. Like now I'm really into Wooten & Marcus Miller. However, I love what Geddy Lee does and I have always admired sting. Stanley Clarke is the reason I play the bass. When I saw him on the Midnight Special at age 12, he blew my mind. I knew I had to play bass.

As what I consider a tribute to all of these guys, I just recently finished a CD on which I only used my 1978 Fender Jazz Bass. My
goal was to not sacrifice anything as far as melody or the strength of the songs. CD. If you have time,go out to MP3.com and check it out the free tunes let me know what you think. http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/101/tony_webb.html.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back