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What makes a great Blues bass player.?

#201
Ya'll been answering, "what defines " a great blues player...
But what makes one ?
Me, I surround myself with far greater musicians than myself. I feel humbled, almost embarrased to not feel good enough to be there. I am so blessed to be awarded the opportunities I have had in 60 years of tagging along to every kind of musician that will allow me to learn their craft. God bless the blues !!!
 
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#203
missinglink44 said:
Ya'll been answering, "what defines " a great blues player...
But what makes one ?
Me, I surround myself with far greater musicians than myself. I feel humbled, almost embarrased to not feel good enough to be there. I am so blessed to be awarded the opportunities I have had in 60 years of tagging along to every kind of musician that will allow me to learn their craft. God bless the blues !!!
Click to expand...
I went to Milton Hopkins 86th birthday party Monday at Emmits in Houston. Milton played with a lot of folks including BB King for a long stint. It was the most awesome blues show and jam i have ever been to. It was like a college class for blues by some total badass players and vocalists. It was the real deal.
20200203_231901.jpg
 
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#208
this is a story about "Stormy Monday"
First, I'd like to say it's great to see a thread like this last this long.
I make no claims about my self but I've played a lot of Blues.
One night, maybe 20 years ago I was playing in a holiday party Blues show at a little club. The guy running the show, a dyed in the wool blues player who could play any blues song on any instrument, but his axe was the harmonica. It was a really fun night, lots of talent took the stage in an orderly manner all night.
Well somebody called "Stormy Monday" and this is a song that's been played a lot of different ways, so it was the first, and only, trainwreck of the night, the audience didn't know it, but we all did. Everyone knew it was time for a break.
In the VW bus durning that break when we were all burning a doob the harp player guy turns to me, and with no animosity, just fatherly advice, says, a really great Bass player would have been able to save that mess.

And that's what it takes to be a great Blues Bassist.
 
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#209
To Know What not to play.....
Ability to Drive and swing during a shuffle,
Lay back in da pocket especially in a slow blues or 12/8 slow slow blues situation and be able to solo like horn player or guitarist!
 
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#211
Dr Zee said:
this is a story about "Stormy Monday"
First, I'd like to say it's great to see a thread like this last this long.
I make no claims about my self but I've played a lot of Blues.
One night, maybe 20 years ago I was playing in a holiday party Blues show at a little club. The guy running the show, a dyed in the wool blues player who could play any blues song on any instrument, but his axe was the harmonica. It was a really fun night, lots of talent took the stage in an orderly manner all night.
Well somebody called "Stormy Monday" and this is a song that's been played a lot of different ways, so it was the first, and only, trainwreck of the night, the audience didn't know it, but we all did. Everyone knew it was time for a break.
In the VW bus durning that break when we were all burning a doob the harp player guy turns to me, and with no animosity, just fatherly advice, says, a really great Bass player would have been able to save that mess.

And that's what it takes to be a great Blues Bassist.
Click to expand...
I am also thrilled that this thread had stayed nice much longer than expected.
There is more than a little truth in what the harp player said. Bass and drums ARE the strongest instruments in the band when you want to steer things.

God i miss the breaks in the vans. My job requires testing often.
 
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#217
I happened to watch this video this past weekend. Thanks for posting it!

Muddy's bass player, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, is a great example of what makes a great blues bassist. He plays in the pocket. He does not overplay (no slapping, tapping, harmonics, or the many other novelty tricks). Calvin just helps drive the song with the drummer.

FWIW, that is Calvin playing bass in the Blues Brothers street musician scene with John Lee Hooker.
 
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#218
IamGroot said:
What qualities does a great Blues bass player have, in your opinion?

Question prompted by looking at a book on Eric Clapton's performance and recording work since 1985.
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a lot of times it;s what you don't play. you have to lock into your drummer and be the rock solid foundation of your band. the lead guitarists get all of the attention but without the soul of the bass the emotion is missing.
 
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#219
mark harison said:
a lot of times it;s what you don't play. you have to lock into your drummer and be the rock solid foundation of your band. the lead guitarists get all of the attention but without the soul of the bass the emotion is missing.
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I agree.

Listen to how Gus Thorton's bass drives this song. He locks in with the drummer. Even though you have Albert King and SRV trading licks, it is the bass that makes this song. Not a busy bassline, but it just fits in the song.
BTW, it was Duck Dunn who played bass on this song on AK's original studio album.

 
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#220
Polish Thunder said:
I agree.

Listen to how Gus Thorton's bass drives this song. He locks in with the drummer. Even though you have Albert King and SRV trading licks, it is the bass that makes this song. Not a busy bassline, but it just fits in the song.
BTW, it was Duck Dunn who played bass on this song on AK's original studio album.

Click to expand...


You can tell these are pros, hell the organ player doesn't even have his left hand on the keyboard! He knows what's going on.
 
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