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The legendary Tommy Shannon

#41
Pilgrim said:
Tommy Shannon is indeed famous in blues music circles. And let's stop for a moment and consider - the Blues is one of the very few music forms created in and native to, the United States (...it was derived from African-American music but is a distinct form.) Therefore, the reputation of a blues artist within the US is more pertinent to their status than their reputation in other countries.

The Online Dictionary defines "legendary" thus:

a. Celebrated in legend.
b. Extremely well known; famous or renowned.

By the second definition, one can make a good argument that Tommy Shannon has indeed achieved legendary status in the US...and that's where it counts.

With all due respect to Australia, that country surely has its own "legendary" musicians that we've never heard of in the US. When it comes to blues musicians, IMO their US reputation is most pertinent...and their reputation in Australia not very pertinent.

Let's face it, most of the world's population doesn't know who Robert Johnson was, but anyone who has ever listened to any amount of the blues does. I consider him legendary - and not only is he famed for his music, there are legendary tales told about him.
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I can accept that. You stated your case well.

As for famous Aussies, there are a lot and in many many fields, considering there are only about 9 million adults in the country but in reality, most only became famous when they left the joint. Fame in the US brings financial security. Fame in Oz usually means you still need a government pension to retire on. The country is simply too small to benefit from.
 
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#42
I can't seem to get away from these videos. Sat down with them again yesterday for a good 2 hours. Great grooves and note choices throughout. Just great study stuff, imo. The examples he provides with the band are killer. I am bringing a few of those into my blues trio as "this is how it is done" examples.
Bob
 
#46
Tommy Shannon is the reason I picked up the bass guitar. I play in a three piece blues band and we do a number of SRV’s tunes.

I saw Tommy with Johnny Winter years ago and was blown away by his playing. I’ve also seen him with Stevie Ray Vaughan and he was still outstanding. I’m glad to hear that he’s still at it.

This video is from his Hot Licks video that I bought years ago to learn some of his techniques – very informative.

Thanks for the link. I hope it inspires others.
 
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#50
Tommy is one of those guys that can seem to fit (within reason) in different situations with different players and make it look easy. Style, taste, and the knowledge of when and where not to play. He let's it breath when it needs to, but has plenty in store when called upon. Guys like him, Duck, Pino, etc. give style and grace to the position. Makes one proud to be bassist and in such good company
cool0022.gif
 
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#53
I my newest project, two assignments are:

Tightrope
Riviera Paradise

After listening to these songs last night, briefly, and focusing on the bass lines, I would also assert that Mr. Shannon is a legend. Regardless of how many ignorant people there are.
 
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#56
lfmn16 said:
Let's make a list of all of the legendary Australian bass players:

  1. none
  2. none
  3. none
  4. none
  5. none
I guess that covers it! :D

I've been listening to Tommy since Johnny Winter And Live came out.
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Tommy did not play with Johnny Winter And - that was Randy Jo Hobbs ! (Sorry - walked away from the computer, and missed the earlier correction). Randy Jo Hobbs was a great player also !
 
#57
SlingBass4 said:
Tommy is one of those guys that can seem to fit (within reason) in different situations with different players and make it look easy. Style, taste, and the knowledge of when and where not to play. He let's it breath when it needs to, but has plenty in store when called upon. Guys like him, Duck, Pino, etc. give style and grace to the position. Makes one proud to be bassist and in such good company
Click to expand...

This is well said. I think I hear a direct connection between Shannon and the Duck. Both play(ed) with extremely good taste, always enough, but never too much. Their playing always complemented the music and provided a wonderful base for it.

If Shannon isn't a "legend" now, he will be. That's good enough for me.

I will also confess that there are tons of fine bass players I've never heard of, but anyone who has listened to rock and blues for the last 30 years has heard a lot of Tommy Shannon - and Duck Dunn - whether or not they knew who was playing the bass line.
 
#58
The first time I hear Tommy.
I had gone into a record store with my
hard earned lawn mowing money and saw this dark album cover with this extremely white guy on the cover, I was intrigued.
I had just gotten into blues harp and saw that it had Big Walter Horton on it so I bought it. The first cut on the album "I'm Yours & I'm Hers"
I flipped out on the bass riff and the interplay between the bass and the guitar.
I kinda forgot about Walter for a bit and wanted to play bass because of what Tommy was doing :eek:
and as "they" say, the rest is history :)



I became the best comb and tissue player you ever heard :p
 
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#60
Double trouble bassist heard of him always liked his playing. He laid down a thunderous bottom end for SRV. I always loved SRV playing so whose bass lines did I need to learn TS.
So as a bass player I made it my business to learn who was laying down this foundation. Got to wonder if Geddy didn't sing and just played bass in Rush and they had a front man would he still be consider a legend to you "bass players"
 

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