Who would you rather have?

[Emmaporkchop]

Who would you rather have for a studio bassist, and why?
James Jamerson
Carol Kaye
Will Lee
Or someone else

I figured I'd ask this way instead of asking who everyone considered the best studio bassist in the hopes that the responses will give a reason for your choice.

 

[perkidan]

For this period in time, I would have to choose Will Lee out of that list. Hi feel and understanding of todays styles and trends would probably be more servicable overall. Lee Sklar or Nathan East would be on my lists as well

 

[Jazzdogg]

I'd add Rene Camacho to the list. Great player on electric and DB, and he can sight-read flyspecks.

 

[Steve!]

Marcus Miller

 

[funkytoe]

Each has their own strengths.

Jamerson creates the best lines. If I owned the studio and the label (like Berry Gordy) and I was looking to make hit records, I'd choose Jamerson. He has the midas touch.

Carol Kaye is solid as a rock, can play bass and guitar, and is probably the best sight reader of the three. If I owned a studio that did a lot of commercial work that required one take/sightreading, I'd choose Carol.

Will Lee is the Chameleon. He has the ability to morph his playing to sound like so many different bassists. If I wanted versatility, or someone to give my engineer a few different variations on a theme ... I'd choose Will.

 

[T-MOST]

Someone else. Marcus, Nathan and Andrew Gouche' if it's a gospel gig.

 

[thirtypoint87]

I'd probably call Mike Watt, but then again I'm a little nuts that way.

 

[IpseDixit]

Does this include taking them with their personal demons and quirks intact?

Having to drag a semi-soused Jamerson out of a local bar because he wasn't showing up at the session might be an issue...

 

[El Beardo]

Esperanza Spaulding, I shouldn't have to explain why.

 

[pig]

Esperanza Spaulding, I shouldn't have to explain why.

Saw her play with Joe Lovano in Toronto it was pretty good. Then met her at a Dave Holland/Jim Hall duo gig in Boston. Overheard Dave Holland being like "Oh I've heard tons about you, can't wait to hear you play"

Must be nice.

 

[JimmyM]

I play bass, so why would I hire someone else to do what I can do?

 

[NWB]

I play bass, so why would I hire someone else to do what I can do?

LOL!!

Dang, made me spit coffee all over!

...or hire somebody that can do it better than me.

 

[millsbass5]

I play bass, so why would I hire someone else to do what I can do?

My thoughts EXACTLY!!Although it would be really nice to have Mr.Lee on my speed-dial.

 

[bass_snake]

Stanley Clarke to me is a complete bassist. So I choose him.

Fred

 

[T. B. Player]

I play bass, so why would I hire someone else to do what I can do?

Beat me to it...

Now if you want a bassist that can sing, that's a different matter.

Then again, if I was on the mixing board side of things, and could only be on the board side of things, that's also a different matter (perhaps to follow union rules or other stipulaton...)

If I need a "name" player and can choose anyone in the world: Percy Jones, John Giblin, or Ross Hamilton.

If it's USA only and I need a "name" player: Victor Wooten, Kevin Walker or Marcus Miller

Otherwise, my friends Adrian Zvarych from Florida or Bart Samolis from the West Coast.

Z

 

[xgator4u]

I play bass, so why would I hire someone else to do what I can do?

YUP, that's what I was wondering. Why would I as a bassist think of hiring a bassist for studio work? This thread was obviously started by a NON- bassist. I mean that is like asking " who would you rather have bang your wife/G.F, A., OR B.?" because YOU yourself are not an obvious option.

 

[Emmaporkchop]

YUP, that's what I was wondering. Why would I as a bassist think of hiring a bassist for studio work? This thread was obviously started by a NON- bassist. I mean that is like asking " who would you rather have bang your wife/G.F, A., OR B.?" because YOU yourself are not an obvious option.

I asked the question because a couple weeks ago I was recording some different people who happened to play music/styles I really wasn't into. One guy was doing some metal stuff, the other guy wanted upright bass. I don't play upright, and while I like some metal, I thought he would be better off with someone who really gets into that type of music. Ended up getting bassits that fit the music better than I would have. By the way I've been playing bass for 28 years.

 

[countrybassist]

Down here is Nashville, they won't allow anyone but studio musicians record. So most of us aren't playing on our own cd's. It's just how it works here. So my studio choice is Dave Pomeroy! Great, great country bassist!!

 

[bggeezer]

J.P.Jones. He started out as a first call session man. Played on a lot of stuff with Page in the mid 60s. They both got bored... the rest is history.

He is still awesome and a multi-instrumentalist and producer to boot.