Who plays harder lines while singing: Les Claypool or Geddy Lee?

[TinIndian]

All of them impress the heck out of me. Esperanza is amazing across the board. How Mark King can play and sing the lines that he does will not compute in my head. Les is a bunch of fun right down to his onstage antics. To me though it has to be Geddy. Singing those lines over his intricate bass lines is perfection. And we aren't even talking about taurus pedals or keys along with it.

And quality of singing voice wasn't part of the question. Clearly Esperanza is the winner followed by Mark King.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Although I did not mention them in my poll, some other giants of playing and singing at the same time are Larry Graham, Jermaine Jackson, the late Jack Bruce, Sting, and of course, Paul MacCartney, the epitome of a sneaky good (great) singing bassist.

 

[tallulahsdaddy]

Geddy's been at it longer, so I'll give it to him.

P.S. I love both Rush and Primus, for many of the same reasons...

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Geddy plays more complex parts while singing generally in comparison but les claypool plays more complex parts overall but simpler lines while singing

 

[Real Soon]

I voted Esperanza, who I'd put money on was improvising walking lines on some pretty intricate changes while singing in videos I've seen her do. Both Les & Geddy have done freestyles while singing, but mostly rhythmic or short bursts, rather than sustained walking.

That said... I gotta say, we all love us some Geddy around here I think, but Les has gotten pretty insane with his 6-string slappage while delivering machine-gun lyrics.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Probably the most underrated thing about Larry Graham is his incredible bass/baritone singing while slapping classic lines.

 

[Dabndug]

Les is the only one of the four I've caught live, and his playing (and intonation on fretless), combined with machine-gun vocal delivery on the more frantic numbers was mind-crushingly brilliant. He may sound like a nasal cartoon character singing into a tin can under a blanket, but that's just part of the charm.

 

[asparaguspee]

I voted for Esperanza for no other reason than I'm a simp.

 

[fauxtoe]

This is actually a very tough one to compare. Both Geddy and Les are in worlds of their own, but I think I'm going to have to give the edge to Geddy. I'm a huge fan of both Rush and Primus, and while both are in the advanced section of playability, Les tends to use more repetitive lines that I think helps him keep his timing tighter while doing vocals. Geddy on the other hand, holy smokes. Just when you think it repeats he then goes and does something completely different or changes up the line to be in sync with Neil. Les creates lines more in line with what a drummer can work over, and Geddy and Neil had their minds fused together. Oh and Geddy is playing the midi pedals at the same time, so there's that too.

 

[Sazazie_Spring]

Les Claypool has to sing over incredibly intricate bass parts, but the singing itself isn’t too bad. Geddy sings intricate vocal parts over intricate bass-lines. As one gets easier, the other has the opportunity to get more complex.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Mark King. Try it with “True Believers” He doesn’t seem to thrilled with the task himself!

 

[Chickenwheels]

Just one here:

Wow. There are some truely ecstatic men in this video!!!!!

 

[NoiseNinja]

Not me that for sure.

I can play guitar and sing at the same time, that is as long as the finger picking or strumming rhythm doesn't gets too advanced, but sing and play bass, forget it.

But boy did I wish I had that ability.

No opinion on who's better at it though, well except for obviously better than me.

To me it remains as illusive as to be able to place my butt on top of my head, not that I ever really wished I could do that though.

But my point being that I view people who can do that as some kind of mental contortionists.

 

[comatosedragon]

When asked which is harder to play, I am answering which lines are more difficult to play. I'm kind of amazed so many say Geddy Lee, his lines are amazing and iconic no doubt; but they make sense.

Les is a wild man, bouncing all over the fingerboard. I couldn't play any of his lines, let alone sing while playing them. Maybe it's because I don't slap/pop?

I voted Les. (I did not let my personal feelings about either gentleman's band factor into my vote).

 

[Honkey tonk]

They both should be payed twice , it is indeed kind of difficult to chose between styles without being biased
Les seems more F-it let's see what happens , I kinda dig on that .

 

[ElectroVibe]

Mark King. Try it with “True Believers” He doesn’t seem to thrilled with the task himself!

Mark... there is just something about you.

 

[GreggBummer]

I just saw Primus on the "Tribute To Kings" tour- 3 days ago.

Primus played Rush's 1977 album "Farewell To Kings" in its entirety. Les played double neck bass/guitar, played synths, bass pedals, and sang. He even wore a kimono with his bowler hat.

Les did a great job with the vocals. He does not have Geddy's range, let alone a 20 something Geddy Lee's range. However, Les has been singing and performing for over 30 years. He used that experience to navigate singing and playing tough songs.

I know that Les and the band are huge Rush fans. It was a lot of fun watching them play music they love. They were clearly having a good time and it rubbed off on the audience.

Not sure how much is left of the tour, but it is worth your time.

 

[QORC]

nobody created more intricate bass lines and had to sing to them (and also use pedals) than Geddy Lee

 

[QORC]

I just saw Primus on the "Tribute To Kings" tour- 3 days ago.

Primus played Rush's 1977 album "Farewell To Kings" in its entirety. Les played double neck bass/guitar, played synths, bass pedals, and sang. He even wore a kimono with his bowler hat.

Les did a great job with the vocals. He does not have Geddy's range, let alone a 20 something Geddy Lee's range. However, Les has been singing and performing for over 30 years. He used that experience to navigate singing and playing tough songs.

I know that Les and the band are huge Rush fans. It was a lot of fun watching them play music they love. They were clearly having a good time and it rubbed off on the audience.

Not sure how much is left of the tour, but it is worth your time.

I watched some of this on youtube. I hated it. He sings it poorly and in a octave lower than Geddy Lee. And the music lacked the Rush Feel. I thought it sucked. "He has Geddy Lee dead to rights"??? Not even close. I've seen Rush tribute bands that blow these guys away

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Geddy, all day. Although Claypool is amazing too! Esparanza is great, although I wouldn't put her in the same category as the aforementioned players. Lest we forget STING!