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Why does Willie need two bass players?

Discussion in 'Bassists [BG]' started by IamGroot, May 12, 2018.


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  1. May 12, 2018 #1
    IamGroot

    IamGroot

    Jan 18, 2018
     
  5. May 13, 2018 #2
    dtripoli

    dtripoli

    Aug 15, 2010
    CA
    Well, the simple answer is, it works great and maybe one of them plays upright bass for the other songs.
    Why did the Grateful dead, James Brown, Allman Brothers all have 2 drummers?

    The cure used two basses for the song, 'Primary'
    Robert Smith has such a talent for catchy, simple melodies that stick in your head
     
  10. May 13, 2018 #3
    consectaneus

    consectaneus

    Sep 23, 2016
    His playing is as off beat as his singing. Not literally...well...maybe. In any case, talk about an American original!
     
  14. May 13, 2018 #4
    mellowinman

    mellowinman Free Man

    Oct 19, 2011
    Minneapolis
    I don't know, but that was really great!
     
  18. May 13, 2018 #5
    Badwater

    Badwater

    Jan 12, 2017
    Often when the drummer just holds the line, the bass fills in the back beat. Some bass players can fill the melody, and hold a melody at the same time. But in Willie's case, more is less.
     
    gebass6 likes this.
  22. May 13, 2018 #6
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    That looks like a TV production. Maybe is was the finale of a big TV show with several acts and they all jammed together at the end. That's a stage full for a simple country song.

    I'v seen him in concert twice and he didn't have two bass players either time.

    So, yeah, this was a "jam" for a TV show.
     
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  26. May 14, 2018 #7
    IamGroot

    IamGroot

    Jan 18, 2018

    Thanks - I believe that. Probably one of those guys had his volume way down or off.

    Speaking from experience, the only way two or more basses work* is if they play EXACTLY the same line (which means the line is usually written out). If they don't, you get a pile of murky crap. This applies whether its an orchestral section of a the classic upright/electric doubling from early country and the Beach Boys.

    Edit * this applies to bass rhythm lines. You can certainly have two bass players playing high/low parts like Wooten/Bailey.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2018
  31. May 14, 2018 #8
    AaronVonRock

    AaronVonRock

    Feb 22, 2013
    Bangkok
    Why does Spinal Tap need every bass player in the known universe?

     
    HaphAsSard and GregC like this.
  35. May 14, 2018 #9
    IamGroot

    IamGroot

    Jan 18, 2018
    Spinal Tap is our rock and roll dreams right before the alarm clock goes off.
     
  39. May 14, 2018 #10
    rufus.K

    rufus.K Supporting Member

    Oct 18, 2015
    SoCal
    I heard Derek Smalls on the radio today... KCSN is spinning "Butt Dial".
     
  43. May 14, 2018 #11
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    i've seen lots of bands who needed two bass players.
     
  47. May 18, 2018 #12
    lz4005

    lz4005

    Oct 22, 2013
    Yep. It's from a taping of the PBS show Austin City Limits in 1984. Definitely not his normal line up.
     
    two fingers likes this.
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