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The bass as a featured instrument?

d-ray657

d-ray657

Ain't this boogie a mess
Probably because my son plays the bass, I have become interested in several bass players: Jaco Pastorius, Vic Wooten, Stanley Clarke. Those musicians are or were prominently featured in the groups with whom they performed.

Listening to Jaco simply own a rendition of "Mercy, Mercy" got me thinking about this. Those three are primarily jazz musicians, but it's hard to think of a bass player who was actually featured in rock music. I know there are several well known bass players, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Flea, etc., but it does not seem like any of their music really featured the bass as a lead or solo instrument. Can anyone out there please prove me wrong and point me in the direction of some outstanding bass performances. Thanks.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
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Not really featured, but Jack Casady often played close to what you might call "lead bass." "Let's Go Together" off of "Blows Against the Empire" is a good example.
 
Try some of Rob Wasserman's stuff.... "Duet's" and "Trios" are my faves ... preferably on LP (of course). :beer:

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Doak
 
I love Stanley Clarke.

Primus, which you may or may not like, has a LOT of bass guitar usage. More than guitar.

Check out Dean Peer. You may enjoy him. Just bass.. solo..

Evan
 
Stanley Jordan

More of a jazz type viruoso. He plays notes on the neck with both hands, hammering down on the strings, almost like a piano.
 
sadly, they recently disbanded. Concrete Blonde, Johnnette Napolotano(sp) she is my fav female bass player. Very cool band, they loved the Sonoran Desert. Their covers of "Little Wing" and "It's a Mans World" Give 'um a try d-ray, if you don't like them, I buy them from you, how's that for a deal:yes:

Craig
 
d-ray657 said:
I know there are several well known bass players, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Flea, etc., but it does not seem like any of their music really featured the bass as a lead or solo instrument. Can anyone out there please prove me wrong and point me in the direction of some outstanding bass performances. Thanks.

Regards,

D-Ray
Click to expand...
Pick up the "Cream Royal Albert Hall" DVD. Spoonful, Outside Woman Blues, Politician, Born Under A Bad Sign. These should prove you wrong. I heard someone say Jack Bruce was the first person to play the bass like a lead guitar.
 
Check out Yes "Fragile" (Chris Squire) esp. Roundabout and The Fish, which was done with bass & drums only.
 
beans said:
Check out Yes "Fragile" (Chris Squire) esp. Roundabout and The Fish, which was done with bass & drums only.
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And while you're at it, check out his solo album, "Fish Out of Water." Also, though a couple of people have mentioned Jack Bruce, nobody's mentioned his solo albums - many of the tracks on these feature the bass as essentially the lead instrument.
 
Second Stuart Hamm. Give The Urge a listen, you will be amazed at what he can do with a bass.
 
Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead deserves mention. He's an original and unique bass player, but not exactly a "lead" player in the traditional sense of the word. Some Deadheads always wanted their seats to be in "The Phil Zone" which was his side of the stage so they could focus on his playing.
 
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