Thoughts on Pino Palladino

[TJH3113]

In the 80's and beyond, Pino had an instantly recognizable voice via his fretless work with Paul Young, David Gilmour, Don Henley, Pete Townsend, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John... Does anyone besides myself ever question his decision to give up that voice and resign himself to sounding like "just another bassist"? Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning his obvious talent, just his decision.

This is a subtopic:

What got me thinking about this was I "saw" him (note I did not say "heard" him) perform with The Who last night and, in my opinion, they may as well have had a cardboard cutout of a bass player on stage with them. That's how lacking the presence of the bass was in their mix.

 

[CGremlin]

What got me thinking about this was I "saw" him (note I did not say "heard" him) perform with The Who last night and, in my opinion, they may as well have had a cardboard cutout of a bass player on stage with them. That's how lacking the presence of the bass was in their mix.

Was it a problem with his performance or just a bad mix? If it's the mix you can't really put it on Pino, but if it were me playing with The Who (or any other iconic group) I'd probably be a little reluctant to really be myself very much. Ox left some very big and very particular shoes to fill, so I'd be more concerned with blending in and staying true to the band's style rather than expressing my own voice. Maybe Pino was just reigning it in a bit because of that.

 

[MovingPitchers]

I don't know a lot about Pino's work that much the stuff I did watch and listen to on Youtube were legit. He really fulfills the low end well but maybe that's his thing.

Like how John Entwistle is known for his complex basslines that almost sound like electric guitar lines or Geddy Lee with his complex bassplaying, some famous bassists are known for just keeping the low end. Just my take.

Anyone can play complex lines and be all over the place but I think it takes a special kind of musician to make it simple.

 

[Marial]

I think that as a guy who makes his living with his bass, playing with The Who is probably a very well-paid job for him and there isn't anything to read into it.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Interviewed in the Fretless Bass Book, Pino explains he simply tired of the fretless sound. He felt it had become a cliche.

 

[ONYX]

Interviewed in the Fretless Bass Book, Pino explains he simply tired of the fretless sound. He felt it had become a cliche.

+1

You beat me to it.

 

[TJH3113]

Was it a problem with his performance or just a bad mix? If it's the mix you can't really put it on Pino, but if it were me playing with The Who (or any other iconic group) I'd probably be a little reluctant to really be myself very much. Ox left some very big and very particular shoes to fill, so I'd be more concerned with blending in and staying true to the band's style rather than expressing my own voice. Maybe Pino was just reigning it in a bit because of that.

Two different things - his performance and the mix. Mix was terrible though. I'm not in a position to critique his performance, his success as a sought after session player speaks for his abilities. That being said, I don't think he was the best choice to "replace" Entwistle. They got a drummer who plays similarly to Moon in Zak Starkey so why not try and match up the bass end at least a little bit.

 

[MovingPitchers]

I think that as a guy who makes his living with his bass, playing with The Who is probably a very well-paid job for him and there isn't anything to read into it.

Playing with The Who alone is incredible to have on your resume.

 

[Bullitt5135]

I "saw" him (note I did not say "heard" him) perform with The Who last night and, in my opinion, they may as well have had a cardboard cutout of a bass player on stage with them. That's how lacking the presence of the bass was in their mix.

I had the same observation at the Detroit show. I can't comment on Pino's performance because it was just lost in the mix where I was sitting. Excellent show, otherwise.

 

[Kombo]

I feel like he is one of the big P bass players, sorta introducing a style that's seemed revolutionary.

 

[Marial]

His work with D'Angelo is extraordinary.

 

[MonetBass]

When I saw him with the Who three years ago, the mix was pretty good and I could hear Pino fine. Obviously he was playing a fretted (Fender Jag!) bass, so he didn't have his signature tone going on. But then that wouldn't work with the Who, would it?

 

[TJH3113]

His work with D'Angelo is extraordinary.

I'd never heard that (D'Angelo) before and thought it was good. I don't follow him closely as a bassist and am basing my opinion on the things I've heard him do with a few other artists, John Mayer and Nine Inch Nails come to mind, where, in my opinion, it sounds like he's playing beneath his abilities. Not that there is anything wrong with that, playing to serve the song is what it's all about. I'm just surprised that someone with as unique a voice as his would just set that aside.

 

[Marial]

He's a DEEP groove player and his (wonderful) fretless playing is only part of his voice.

 

[TJH3113]

I think that as a guy who makes his living with his bass, playing with The Who is probably a very well-paid job for him and there isn't anything to read into it.

Huh?

 

[Marial]

I'm saying that he's a professional musician and that's a great gig. It's not about style or anything else.

 

[Rickengeezer]

Pino is an outstanding player, but replacing Entwistle with him was like replacing Keith Moon with Kenny Jones.

 

[bobba66]

I think it's pretty much the Roger and Pete show now. They can hire the best, and they do.

 

[twinjet]

Solid body of work, great player. My thoughts.

 

[Slpbass81]

If you think Pino has transformed himself to "just another bassist" then I would reconsider how well you know the instrument. He is a hired gun who plays what is required to make the song/performance better. One of the best hired guns out there and makes a great living doing it.