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Unique bassists

Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson

Guest
Nov 19, 2014
579
193
Chicago, IL
#1
Just had the idea it would be an interesting thread to discuss what bassists you think are unique and why.

This could include anything about them like technique, gear, personality, their music, tuning, their place in the band, something they have done that nobody else was known to do at the time, etc... Talk about anything! Who, what, why? Discuss!
 
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#2
Ron Johnson said:
Just had the idea it would be an interesting thread to discuss what bassists you think are unique and why.

This could include anything about them like technique, gear, personality, their music, tuning, their place in the band, something they have done that nobody else was known to do at the time, etc... Talk about anything! Who, what, why? Discuss!
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Anthony Jackson. I've yet to meet anyone who can rival his playing and incredible sound. Lately, my fascination is with his work on Michel Camilo's "Not Yet". An old favorite of mine - check it out.

 
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#3
twinjet said:
Anthony Jackson. I've yet to meet anyone who can rival his playing and incredible sound. Lately, my fascination is with his work on Michel Camilo's "Not Yet". An old favorite of mine - check it out.

Click to expand...

I took a listen. Love the music! I've got another group to listen to now, thanks! And I think that sound you're talking about is how the bass trombone compliments the bass in the sections where the horns come in.
 
#5
I'm gunna have to go with the one and only Chris Squire.
We was truly an original and unique player on so many levels.

His tone was punchy, trebley and bright, but also included thunderous lows at the same time.

He was one of the first who took the bass out of its traditional role and turned it into a glorious and melodious lead instrument. He wrote or collaborated on some of the finest Prog epics of the '70's.
His off the wall and progressive approach allowed him to step out front and show that bassists could be bold, boisterous, blistering players, yet still have great touch and sensitivity - many times within the same song.

He sang excellent backing vocals on Yes' albums and could pull them off on stage too.
He was a great showman as well, wearing his cool stage outfits which many times included his classic capes that would catch air as he moved around between his amps and mic. He was a natural, and his playing and stage presence never seemed forced.

A one of a kind musician. Very unique bass player. Losing him was like losing a family member.
RIP Uncle Chris

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#8
Oscar Alston.
Whether he's playing a MM, P-Bass, Rick or Alembic, he is one of the most identifiable bassists in the biz.
Descending booms, pick fueled funking and hanging the bass strap off of his right elbow, nobody sounds or looks like him.
No secret why Stone City took a dive after he left in '83.
 
#11
Bootsy Collins - Exhibit A:



Tone, improvisation, phrasing, use of effects, plenty of space between notes for the funk to marinate, plus it's clear that he's just having unbridled, effortless fun!

At around 3:10, one of the coolest, funkiest bridges ever recorded begins.

And I'm just gonna stop at Exhibit A, otherwise we could be here for hours!
 
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#16
Lemmy (Motorhead) and Joey DiMaio (Manowar). Both have a style that consists largely of chording and you don't hear a traditional bass sound in their music. DiMaio also has custom built basses with a narrow neck and the strings close together for chording and fast piccolo-style playing.

They're unique, but I don't count either among my favorite bassists.
 
#17
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Esperanza Spalding
Michael League
These are the 2 most unique players that stand out to me right now .
They are so good that it's really hard to put into words .
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jerry said:
Not only great players but they also have awesome artistic vision!
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I don't disagree that they're both "so good" (really freakin' good!) and that they both have "awesome artistic vision"

...but "unique"? I tend to view Spalding and League more as exemplary role models for what an ultra-competant musician with big ears, big vision, and a vast awareness of their instrument's role historically can do on the bass. But if that's "unique" that says more about the pathetic standards being foisted upon audiences by the music business these days than any particular achievement by Spalding or League. What they're doing on the bass should be considered "normal"!

Whereas Percy Jones, now he's "unique" ...because he sounds like he's from outer space! His vocabulary is highly individualistic and iconoclastic, he doesn't sound like most other bassists, he often functions in a role rarely filled by bassists, and you never don't recognize his playing. Spalding and League are practically anonymous journeymen compared to Percy Jones. Not trying to take anything away from them, I think Spalding and League are extremely talented and gifted musicians. I just think the word "unique" might be too charitible when describing their bass playing.

iow, semantics.
 
#19
The late Andy Kulberg of Blues Project and Seatrain. Possibly the most fluid and melodic bass player I ever heard, and one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to how to play a good bassline. The way Andy played his Rics strikes me as almost the way a talented BeBop sax player or scat singer would do it weaving in and out of the melody, and switching rhythmic patterns on the hop. Amazing stylist. The bass world lost an underrated great when he passed on in 2002.

Put some headphones on and check this out:

 
#20
Bob_Ross said:
I don't disagree that they're both "so good" (really freakin' good!) and that they both have "awesome artistic vision"

...but "unique"? I tend to view Spalding and League more as exemplary role models for what an ultra-competant musician with big ears, big vision, and a vast awareness of their instrument's role historically can do on the bass. But if that's "unique" that says more about the pathetic standards being foisted upon audiences by the music business these days than any particular achievement by Spalding or League. What they're doing on the bass should be considered "normal"!

Whereas Percy Jones, now he's "unique" ...because he sounds like he's from outer space! His vocabulary is highly individualistic and iconoclastic, he doesn't sound like most other bassists, he often functions in a role rarely filled by bassists, and you never don't recognize his playing. Spalding and League are practically anonymous journeymen compared to Percy Jones. Not trying to take anything away from them, I think Spalding and League are extremely talented and gifted musicians. I just think the word "unique" might be too charitible when describing their bass playing.

iow, semantics.
Click to expand...

I can see your point.
Ok how about Stephen Brunner aka Thundarcat?
 
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