have we done a list of good bass playing?

[Ian M]

Two others worth considering:

Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez, for his sublime unassuming elegant musical presence in the Buena Vista SC. Particularly noticeable how good he is, and how he anchored a lot of the music, if you saw them live.

Not usually mentioned, but I always thought was good: Peter Hook. His bass lines for Joy Division and New Order are juggernauts, almost lead lines, but they give so much character to the music and propel them along magnificently. Has a great gift for just getting those riffs right, not easy, as proved by the hordes of second rate imitators.

Pedant's corner: Norman meant Ornette's album Change of the Century, I believe, mixing the title up with another great album - The Shape of Jazz To Come.

[tulsehill charlie]

I like bass players who produce a huge earthtremor of sound live.

Salif Keita’s bassist Guy N'Sangue is tremendous in this respect, as was Joseph Makwela from the Makgona Tsohle Band (who played on Mahlatini’s recordings)

Johnny P Gaydon - played with Albert Collins. Widely thought of as the most exciting blues bassist of his time. You can see him in action here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdh_h-0W ... ed&search=

John Coltrane’s “Oleâ€

[howard male]

Anyone remember the female bass player in Defunct? She was pretty formidable when I saw them live in the mid 80's.

Other than that - and many already listed - Costello's man, Bruce Thomas, was always good at finding something functional but different to play, to support the song rather than his own ego - likewise Tina Weymouth.

[tulsehill charlie]

Howard - it was Kim Clarke, she certainly was something - and is still playing with Defunkt.

[Chris Walsh]

I don't like show-off bass players. Why can't they just play guitar if that's how they feel? Jack Bruce did irreparable damage to the bass player's role in his day, and Jaco Pastorius did the same in his. Yes, very clever and all, but who's playing the bass part while you're doing all that?

Sheesh.... what a depressing viewpoint.

[Chris Walsh]

Some of mine (let me know if you don't know who they play for):

Fima Ephron
Jeff Ament
Colin Greenwood
Flea (anyone who knocks him hasn't been listening)
Meshell Ndgeocello
Charles Mingus
Alex James
Jaco Pastorius
Paul Chambers
Mike Inez
Renaud Garcia Fons
Armand Sabal Leco

...also, a colleague of mine once made a comment that amused me immensely: "well, seems if you shake any tree in Cameroon, a world-class bassist falls out".

[howard male]

I don't like show-off bass players. Why can't they just play guitar if that's how they feel? Jack Bruce did irreparable damage to the bass player's role in his day, and Jaco Pastorius did the same in his. Yes, very clever and all, but who's playing the bass part while you're doing all that?

Sheesh.... what a depressing viewpoint.

I'm totally with Adam on this. I don't see anything depressing about his viewpoint. It's a practical issue. Would you want a drummer to do florid, exposive solos through out a song? Of course not. The bass is a functional instrument which only on very special occassions should be allowed to go walkies.

[Tonie]

Can't resist the temptation to post this bass "mandoliny" (malagasy instrument popular in the South East) which is the trademark instrument of the band Hazolahy's singer... Tradition re-invented (normally the mandoliny are smaller) and amplified (but still with fishingline strings), creating rythmic bass strumming underpinning the melody-lines of the smaller, "solo" mandoliny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMaQgpny8XM

[Tonie]

Would you want a drummer to do florid, exposive solos throught a song?

YES! I love drumming solos, the more the better! Unfortunately drummers are rarely put to the fore, at least in Western music. Likewise with bass. I agree with Chris!

[Dayna]

I think it depends if it fits the song, why not?

That deep, loud sound does fit some of them. What would my song, Dance of Eagle be like without it?
It makes me nervous to thinok of some of my favorites with out it.

[Chris Walsh]

I don't like show-off bass players. Why can't they just play guitar if that's how they feel? Jack Bruce did irreparable damage to the bass player's role in his day, and Jaco Pastorius did the same in his. Yes, very clever and all, but who's playing the bass part while you're doing all that?

Sheesh.... what a depressing viewpoint.

I'm totally with Adam on this. I don't see anything depressing about his viewpoint. It's a practical issue. Would you want a drummer to do florid, exposive solos through out a song? Of course not. The bass is a functional instrument which only on very special occassions should be allowed to go walkies.

Sinking deeper still...

[Gordon Moore]

I don't like show-off bass players. Why can't they just play guitar if that's how they feel? Jack Bruce did irreparable damage to the bass player's role in his day, and Jaco Pastorius did the same in his. Yes, very clever and all, but who's playing the bass part while you're doing all that?

Sheesh.... what a depressing viewpoint.

I'm totally with Adam on this. I don't see anything depressing about his viewpoint. It's a practical issue. Would you want a drummer to do florid, exposive solos through out a song? Of course not. The bass is a functional instrument which only on very special occassions should be allowed to go walkies.

Sinking deeper still...

Did anyone mention Stanley Clarke? I highly rate him in Return to Forever with Chick Corea et al, although one compilation album I once had was a bit funky popy for my tastes. Not sure if there's many jazz rockers around here? I like clever, pretentious music. What's the problem? I like show off - in skill.

I used to come across that dismissive attitude when I was at school. I'd be into ELP and Tangerine Dream and other kids would say: "It's rubbish!" and I never felt they'd even given it a chance. But, hey diff'rent strokes (where does that come from anyway?)

:)

[Adam Blake]

I don't like show-off bass players. Why can't they just play guitar if that's how they feel? Jack Bruce did irreparable damage to the bass player's role in his day, and Jaco Pastorius did the same in his. Yes, very clever and all, but who's playing the bass part while you're doing all that?

Sheesh.... what a depressing viewpoint.

I'm totally with Adam on this. I don't see anything depressing about his viewpoint. It's a practical issue. Would you want a drummer to do florid, exposive solos through out a song? Of course not. The bass is a functional instrument which only on very special occassions should be allowed to go walkies.

Sinking deeper still...

.I used to come across that dismissive attitude when I was at school. I'd be into ELP and Tangerine Dream and other kids would say: "It's rubbish!" and I never felt they'd even given it a chance. But, hey diff'rent strokes (where does that come from anyway?):)

Thank you, Howard.

Just to clarify, I'm not being dismissive. Jack Bruce could be an excellent bass player when he chose to rein himself in and serve the song he was supposed to be underpinning. I've taught bass for many years and I know of what I speak. The bass player is not a soloist. It's his or her job to provide a foundation. And it is perfectly possible to play intricate and demanding melodic lines which also serve this function, check virtually anything by Charlie Mingus or, closer to home, Hugh Hopper's magnificent and unique work on the second and third Soft Machine albums. Besides, any good bass player knows that they are playing the coolest instrument. You lock in with the drummer and all that stuff going on out front is as chaff compared to the fun you're both having creating a living breathing groove.

Oh yes, Howard - talking of female bass players - let's hear it for Tina Weymouth and Tessa Pollitt of The Slits!

[Dayna]

I can understand that. But what about this one song I have mentioned, in particular? It's used very dominant & it's beautiful. Have you heard this one I've talked about pretty much? Dance of Eagle, by Sainkho Namtchylak?

Does anyone think it is?

[Gordon Moore]

Sorry Adam, I reread my post, the bit which you quoted, and I thought, oh dear, that came across a bit harsh like. My apologies if you thought I was dissing you.

So what was I trying to say? Well, I'm not sure I agree with you that the bass has to be just driving the music. Why can't it take centre stage? It depends upon what the composer is wanting to do doesn't it? The bass has such a wonderful sound, it stirs things in the psyche. having some laid back accoustic rhythm guitar behind a bass solo is a fine thing isn't it? Did you see the program on the bass in Howard kendall's programs.

Now, it may be that you are talking about an attitude of some bassists. I can see where you might be coming from with that. Did you mean the sort of thing you hear in a guitar shop on a saturday? Or is it that you really don't see the bass as a solo instrument. i can't believe someone as knowledgeable and skilled as you feels that, I must be totally misunderstanding you.

I'd better read more carefully what you said, excuse me a moment.