Underrated bassists...for me, Rushton Moreve. Who else?

[bumperbass]

Recently our band thought maybe we could/should learn Steppenwolf's "Sookie Sookie". So I dove into it and the more I listen to it, the more impressed I get about his playing. In this particular song, he isn't clicking in with the drummer. Clearly HE has estalished the groove and the drummer is locked to HIM. His tone is very good (with a little grunt), and if you listen closely, he knows exactly where to cut off after each simple note. The syncopation is cool in a simple way. He totally takes over this song, IME.
I googled his name tonight and learned he had passed away on July 1st, 1981 so I thought he deserved a mention. Thanks, Rushton.

 

[JimmyM]

I was more of a George Biondo fan but no doubt Rushton Moreve gave the Wolf the precedent for somewhat busy bass players with an edgy sound.

 

[bumperbass]

Wow, Jimmy. To me, in this song at least, I don't think he's busy at all. In fact I thought I could play this song without listening to it (because I probably played it when it first came out), but it's one of those moments where you realize that he's playing a cooler groove than you remember. What I frequently do is to listen to bass parts I played from '67-'80 maybe, and as an adult I hear the subtle parts that I dismissed as a kid.

 

[DirtDog]

Sounds like a pretty typical '60s soul bassline, maybe even dumbed down a bit. I know the tune, but never really dwelled on the bass. Me likey.

 

[bumperbass]

Sounds like a pretty typical '60s soul baseline, maybe even dumbed down a bit. I know the tune, but never really dwelled on the bass. Me likey.

Listen with a quality set of phones. They matter.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Dee Dee Ramone.

Not many players have the stamina to do what he was able to, and keep it as perfectly in the pocket as he did - while on heroin and jumping around like a lunatic at the same time .

Seriously.

I put in Jaco territory - but with a completely different style.

I actually think more people can play like Jaco, than can play like Dee Dee. If handed a pic and a Ramones band, I seriously doubt Vic Wooten could pull off a 2 hour Ramone show with the same angst and groove.

Not sayin Dee Dee is better.

Just sayin.

 

[Rev J]

Wilbur "Bad" Bascomb.





C/S,
Rev J

 

[kingkongbundy13]

very late but he is one of my inspirations on bass

looked and played cool