Victor Wooten Solo

[Dr. Cheese]

I like his tone the least of the great slappers, but his skill undeniable.

 

[skycruiser]

Little more distortion and it sounds just like Les Claypool. But I don't listen to much slap - maybe it all sounds like Les to some extent.

 

[bass12]

I'm inclined to agree about Vic's tone but anyone who would question his skill must have been asleep for the past thirty years.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I enjoyed his work with Bela Fleck, but, despite his obvious skills, I can no longer listen to him (or other slappers) because the sounds exacerbate my tinnitus something awful - it's like someone is repeatedly stabbing me in the ears with an ice pick.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I enjoyed his work with Bela Fleck, but, despite his obvious skills, I can no longer listen to him (or other slappers) because the sounds exacerbate my tinnitus something awful - it's like someone is repeatedly stabbing me in the ears with an ice pick.

That's too bad.

 

[ryco]

Looks like he's havin' a whole lotta fun!
Seems very comfortable with his axe and style

 

[JonathanPDX]

Vic is a great entertainer and showman. There are lots of players who can blast out a ton of notes, but very few of them make it entertaining and visual the way Vic does.

 

[bgartist]

I like his tone the least of the great slappers, but his skill undeniable.

I've always said the same of his tone but you cannot deny his chops and presence.

 

[Mastermold]

I like his tone the least of the great slappers, but his skill undeniable.

Sounds chunky, like a P-bass.

 

[scuzzy]

i've seen him live twice. once at Mississippi Nights with the family band, and once at the pageant with JD Blair.

I have 2 of his albums, and really never listen to them. but live, he is so talented and entertaining, and comes off as very genuine and humble. He shook hands and talked after both. I try to go to his shows when he is in town. they are outstanding.

The family band was insanely good. the duo show was more intimate, but great in another completely different way.

I'm actually going to watch Bela Fleck do his bluegrass show at Powell hall later this month. Very eager for that one as well, sans Wooten.

 

[Low Down Brown]

Yeeeesh....clips like this remind me to take my eyeballs off of TB and put 'em to work examining a fretboard

 

[Mastermold]

I enjoyed his work with Bela Fleck, but, despite his obvious skills, I can no longer listen to him (or other slappers) because the sounds exacerbate my tinnitus something awful - it's like someone is repeatedly stabbing me in the ears with an ice pick.

Yesterday we buried my father-in-law. I only bring that up here because he took me to my first Bela Fleck concert to see Victor Wooten. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't heard of Victor before that, but started reviewing his videos ahead of the show and was super excited to see him. At the show, there was a "disagreement" between a group of patrons standing up and arguing over whose seats were whose and it was right at the start of Victor's solo, and right in my line of sight. I was so bummed, couldn't see him but could still hear him play, and enjoyed the rest of the night after the ushers quelled the disturbance. The next year I saw him again with Bela Fleck, but this time from a balcony seat above where he was standing so no one could get in the way this time!

 

[IamGroot]

How does he get those glissando effects in 0:02 thru 0:09.

I respect Victor as a player and a wonderful person, but he and a few other showboat players don't scratch my itch.

 

[salmon256]

I started out as one of those "play bass for the slap to be cool" ended up loving bass for what it is, but Wooten always has a place in my heart as an inspiration. He's a cool human being and is big on bassist learning theory no matter age or education etc. Cool guy and while I'm not into that slap heavy style anymore, he clearly is an amazing player! I also enjoy how he goes out of what's the "norm" in music playing with Bela Fleck and showing that music today should be fun and no matter the instrument go crazy and have fun and jam! Can applied to other hobbies in life as well!

 

[CTW68]

The partnership between Cory and Victor has been really good for both of them, but I agree that Vic's tone isn't my favorite.

I saw Cory (sans Vic) last fall and was a superb show. He's a bright spot in a sea of committee-written auto-tuned schlock.

 

[bikeplate]

Combination of chops and brain makes him the best

 

[JimmyM]

How does he get those glissando effects in 0:02 thru 0:09.

I respect Victor as a player and a wonderful person, but he and a few other showboat players don't scratch my itch.

Harmonics plus Kahler whammy bar.

Edit: Whoops! Didn't see that he was using a pedal. I really need to expand vids and take a closer look when I answer these questions

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Some of these comments in this thread are sheer comedy some even seemed laced full of jealousy. LMAO

 

[perfektspace6]

I don't know how he doesn't break the G every show.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Little more distortion and it sounds just like Les Claypool. But I don't listen to much slap - maybe it all sounds like Les to some extent.

I guess all slapping sounds like Les Claypool if he was your introduction to slap. Claypool listened to the folks like Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, and Dexter Redding (composer of The Awakening,) when he was getting his slap chops together.