I guess the Who added the O... I love modern music. Great book called "The Rest is Noise" walks through 20th century classical music. The author ties innovations in outside music to its use in the mainstream.
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Uber bassists- I don't get it.
- Thread starter Paulabass
- Start date
I guess the Who added the O... I love modern music. Great book called "The Rest is Noise" walks through 20th century classical music. The author ties innovations in outside music to its use in the mainstream.
Jaco wasn't/isn't the only one, nor are 'doing it badly' or 'self-indulgence' the inevitable outcomes for anyone/everyone else aiming for something more than thumping roots and fifths or pentatonic riffs through a brick-wall compressor because they don't have basic dynamics under control...
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It’s the same with guitarists...Steve Vai is amazing...but I wanna hear a BAND play...same with bass, I appreciate the talent and respect the hell out of those guys...but it’s not what I enjoy playing...
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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All good. My point was simply that even many players who can be very supportive can also have some self indulgent fun when they feel like it.
we should all respect each other first. I never saw the word hate in the original discussion and those that replied using that word should take a moment to reflect on ones own manners. I love both hearing waking bassists and pocket players. Ido it myself when i can. That being said, i never get paid to play that way at a gig. I get my turns at a solo but i am still the bassist and should fit that part.(no slapping the bass where it does not fit). I get paid to lay back in the dynamics and drive the band the way bassists have been doing it for years. Now if i had a gig that called for me to walk i would and there would be nothing wrong with that at all. I just do not have that type of gig. We should all be thankful for the time we get to play no matter what style and should respect those that play no matter what level or style. The end of the day we all tune our basses the same way.
Sounds like a comment from an ‘armchair expert’. It’s just a matter of taste. Also quite an overused question....
I love Fodera basses, Wooten and all the mentioned players. They sound like themselves. They have found their own unique voice, and that resonates with people. One of the best Wooten shows I’ve seen was with his brothers and Sinbad, playing Motown tunes with a P bass. Got the set list too, it was killer.
Same here!
That said...
Back in the '90s, I heard Stanley Jordan. This is a musician you wanna hear "solo" (sans band).
The 1st 3 tunes, I'm floored by the technique & the sounds he was putting out. After that, I just settled in & enjoyed the music, the technique became secondary. Really.
Still, the best-ever Hendrix & Shankar covers I've heard. "Stairway To Heaven" rocked, too.
I can listen to and enjoy at least some aspects of almost any bassist, I like many styles. In particular, I have recently listened to Eddie Gomez, Stanley Clarke, Esperanza Spalding, Mohini Dey, Brian Bromberg, Mike Patitucci, Ron Carter, Geddy Lee, John Myung, Geoff Chalmers, John Entwhistle, Greg Lake and others. I also think it is always possible to learn from any one you listen to. There are some people whose playing leads me to despair on occasion (e.g. Eddie Gomez) but that's ok, coz when I'm holding the instrument that all goes away. Even Allan Holdsworth admitted that he could not play whatever he wanted to play.
There are bass performances...
A. that I like and listen to the whole thing;
B. some that I like and go 1/3 or halfway through; and,
C. some that I turn off after 15-30 seconds.
My view?
1. It doesn't mean that I don't admire their skill.
2. There are times I do C to a previous A. And vice versa.
3. An awesome performance of one bassist doesn't mean that I'll also dig his other performances.
4. My preference for playing bass is groove, and that leads me to be selective in the performances I watch.
I understand the diversity of artists, performers, support musicians, and spectators - so there will always be differences in taste. What might interest/bug you today may not be the same tomorrow.
A. that I like and listen to the whole thing;
B. some that I like and go 1/3 or halfway through; and,
C. some that I turn off after 15-30 seconds.
My view?
1. It doesn't mean that I don't admire their skill.
2. There are times I do C to a previous A. And vice versa.
3. An awesome performance of one bassist doesn't mean that I'll also dig his other performances.
4. My preference for playing bass is groove, and that leads me to be selective in the performances I watch.
I understand the diversity of artists, performers, support musicians, and spectators - so there will always be differences in taste. What might interest/bug you today may not be the same tomorrow.
I think you do get it. But I wouldn't start a thread about it (not saying you can't, just that I wouldn't.)
Because sixteen pages, and whaddoyou get?
I enjoy watching any player at the top of their particular game. But one of my favorite Stanley Clarke offerings is ‘Animal Logic’ with Deborah Holland and Stewart Copeland. His playing is subdued in spots and obviously Stanley in others...all of it serving the songs.
Well duh, yes John. I forgot this guy:
but there are so many. McBride does insightful interviews of other artists.
I respect your opinion but don't agree with it. Here is one of my favorite Stanley Clarke songs:
Here's Alain Caron laying down a great Jaco-like groove without any soloing:
Here's a very nice tune by Victor Wooten where he lays down a smooth groove and a tasty solo:
I haven't listen to that CD in like 20 years! All his stuff, solo, and with UZEB is superb. I like how on "P.A.C. Man" it sounds like his playing is really laid back, not nearly as aggressively as Jaco would have played it.
Here is how I see it. To make a living as a musician now you have to be the following.
1/ Look cool and attractive. If you don’t then consider giving up now.
2/ Virtuoso skills demonstrated on line to attract an audience of Wannabes. Super fast essential. Musicality definitely not essential.
3/ Horrible bright penetrating tone essential.
The many thousands of people impressed by virtuoso players will be almost entirely male. The eye candy thing applies to males and females.
So if you (like me) don’t look much and have moderate speed chops. Then consider a life outside professional music or outside music altogether.
It’s business. No big deal.
1/ Look cool and attractive. If you don’t then consider giving up now.
2/ Virtuoso skills demonstrated on line to attract an audience of Wannabes. Super fast essential. Musicality definitely not essential.
3/ Horrible bright penetrating tone essential.
The many thousands of people impressed by virtuoso players will be almost entirely male. The eye candy thing applies to males and females.
So if you (like me) don’t look much and have moderate speed chops. Then consider a life outside professional music or outside music altogether.
It’s business. No big deal.
