I listen to all kinds of music...when I'm in the mood for some rolling Stones Palmestry by Wooten won't satisfy my itch, sometimes I'm wanting to chill and let the music take me away after a long day and Stanely Clark gets me there, Victor is a very cool guy and I've met him a few time and he always takes time for everyone and will be happy to show some of his techniques. I've been lucky enough to attend a few BassPlayer Live events and you meet cats from all styles and so much of what they play you can use in other styles... we are lucky to belong to the fraternity of bass players!
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Uber bassists- I don't get it.
- Thread starter Paulabass
- Start date
I think I get where you are going with the thread. On VW’s workshop book and videos, he talks a lot about groove and ‘something to say’ musically. He notes BB King only using a few notes, but the feel had us listening for decades.
For me, EVH is the [guitar] virtuoso I can’t listen to. VH has some cool songs, but eruption is nails on chalkboard stuff. In contrast, David Gilmour can bend a handful of notes and i’m completely hooked for everything he’s ever done across a career. (Yes, I fully appreciate DG and BBK as virtuoso too)
In my opinion, VW is virtuoso, but he definitely has something to say musically with feel and groove. I’m all in on him, personally.
both in support and solo.
For me, EVH is the [guitar] virtuoso I can’t listen to. VH has some cool songs, but eruption is nails on chalkboard stuff. In contrast, David Gilmour can bend a handful of notes and i’m completely hooked for everything he’s ever done across a career. (Yes, I fully appreciate DG and BBK as virtuoso too)
In my opinion, VW is virtuoso, but he definitely has something to say musically with feel and groove. I’m all in on him, personally.
both in support and solo.
Pretty much ALL of TB is about opinions. While I agree in principle, 3/4 of the posts are what bass? What amp? Is Fender Rumble the best? What strings? Etc etc.
I really enjoy jazz fusion and seeing great players live.
Personally i am 100% over cover bands, classic rock, oldies and all the other usual fare.
Basically i think this is a personal taste issue more than being about chops.
Personally i am 100% over cover bands, classic rock, oldies and all the other usual fare.
Basically i think this is a personal taste issue more than being about chops.
I guess it depends if they are being accompanists vs soloists. I agree that most of the time I don't like to listen to bass soloists.
But I do like Les, especially Primus.
We tend not to like people who can do what we can't do.
i wish I could do what those players do!
i wish I could do what those players do!
I have to say I agree generally with @Paulabass. For my *personal tastes*, virtuoso bands are usually deadly. As the OP clearly stated, I admire the skill, but much of the music I've heard leaves me cold.
It depends.....
I have seen Victor Wooten with his brothers. I have seen him recently with the Trio. In both cases, Victor did a little bit of obligatory plickity plackity tippity tappity. But those aspects of his playing did not dominate the show.
When he played with his brothers, they put on a soul and funk review. And they KILLED it. They are all natural entertainers. Honestly, the SHOW aspect of it was as important as anything musical.
During the Trio gig, trust me, they all three served the song. There was very little bass wankery. And the sax player held his own with that amazing rhythm section.
Does Vic pretty much have to play amazing Grace everywhere he goes? Sure. But, for the most part, his live shows are built around songs, not fingers.
That being said, like what you like.
I view the virtuosos as 'musicians that play bass', if that makes sense. They are not necessarily playing for the song or the traditional 'bass player' role. They are creating their music with the instrument on which they are most proficient.
Put any of those guys in a 'bass player' role - and they will kill it (in a good way). But that's not what people expect from them, nor is it what they necessarily enjoy most. This is really the age-old argument around Billy Sheehan too, and it continues now with, say, Mohini Dey.
All that being said, I largely agree. There are very few soloists on ANY instrument that I care to watch, to be honest. I'd rather watch it within the confines of a song. Not a huge jazz fan, and I'd say it's pretty much the exact same thought process.
Put any of those guys in a 'bass player' role - and they will kill it (in a good way). But that's not what people expect from them, nor is it what they necessarily enjoy most. This is really the age-old argument around Billy Sheehan too, and it continues now with, say, Mohini Dey.
All that being said, I largely agree. There are very few soloists on ANY instrument that I care to watch, to be honest. I'd rather watch it within the confines of a song. Not a huge jazz fan, and I'd say it's pretty much the exact same thought process.
I don't listen to any of them, personally. The reason being is I just don't care for that type of music. That's probably all there is to it with you as well. If you did, you're probably love listening to their virtuosity. We all know they're awesome, but it's not for everyone.
I listen to almost everything and players pushing boundaries always has a place in my player, not just bassist. I like hearing cats I couldn't touch in many lifetimes. My problem with youtube is people DO make their judgements on players by just a few clips, discounting their whole body of work, I see it on Talkbass all the time.
Take the recent Mohini Day clip, she didn't put that up, but everybody was judging her whole vision of art on it.
Take the recent Mohini Day clip, she didn't put that up, but everybody was judging her whole vision of art on it.
My first thought from the thread title was this
Bass virtuosos are fun to watch and listen too and sometimes they actually play something worth listening to (meaningful and with feeling) but, you may have to dig for it. My favorite virtuoso is still Jaco and probably always will be.
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“People fear what they don't understand and hate what they can't conquer.”
― Andrew Smith
― Andrew Smith
Listen to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - UFOTOFU.
Victor Wooten is amazing on that one (I admittedly haven't heard all the bela fleck albums, but i know that one well)
Have you listened to Return to Forever??
