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What happened to bass solos?

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Topic: What happened to bass solos?
Posted By: 5 minute solo
Subject: What happened to bass solos?
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:19
I was just wondering if anyone knew any good bands who play bass solos? Every body hates them for some reason and I dont know why. Its the guitarist's fault! Always in the spotlight, shredding away! Give the four stringers a chance I say!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!



Replies:
Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:31
What was I thinking! No one cares about bass players! They're just paid to stand in the corner and look angry! They're being discriminated against because of they're supposed lack of musical ability!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:33
I found out there was a reply and I thought yay! But it turns out it was just me! Why does everyone dissapear as soon as I turn up?

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: goose
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:48
I play bass, and usually I don't care for soloing. I like a lot of bass players that do but when I'm playing in a song I prefer to accompany a lot of the time, and make that interesting rather than solo. Occaisionally I'll get to a point where it feels right to though, especially in more jazz styled stuff.


Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:53

Practically every Strangler's song was a bass solo, the same goes for Marillion - and try Stanley Clarke!

Bass solos abound, especially in the field of prog - but generally we like to keep ourselves to ourselves, as bassists - and what's all this about 4-stringers? Clive Mitten of Twelfth Night played a 6-string bass - and there's some nice bass soloing on "Live at the Target". Lemmy played an 8-string, or G-String bass, as he affectionately called it.

There's even some bass soloing on Dave Lee Roth's "Skyscraper" album, curteosy of Billy Sheehan, and Metallica's Cliff Burton was partial to letting that baby rip - with fuzz and wah-wah!

I'm sure there are hundreds of others - these are just the first I thought of!



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 16:59
It's just that people want to see a guitarist do a big shred solo and sure if they can pull it of great but nobody ever sees the bass a melodic instrument, it just seen as a rythum tool.

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 17:01
By four stringers I was tryingf to include all bass players. I guess i should have just said bass players.

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: DNA1997
Date Posted: June 20 2004 at 20:12

I've always been partial to the very complex moving line underneath the guitar. I swear that everytime I hear a Rush song, I hear something in the bass line I've never heard before. And I know how to play all of those songs by heart.

But anyway, Geddy still does a few. And I'm sure there are others. Not sure about inside the realm of prog though.

And I'll take the 4 stringer moniker. Never cared much for a 5, 6, 7, or other multiple.



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Ultimately they will become empty, mindless spectres...


Posted By: dropForge
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 01:19

Geddy is the ONE guy who made me actually listen to what was going on, basswise. Before that, it was just about the keyboards (and earlier than that, guitar, in my early high school years before I got into Tangerine Dream and other groups that totally changed the way I regarded music in general).

There are many great bassists out there; some get mentioned frequently, and some don't (and some seem all but forgotten, sadly). Kenso's Shunji Saegusa is a fantastic bassist who plays with both fingers and a pick. He takes some killer solos, but anybody who listens to Kenso would know that, already. And to those who don't already listen to Kenso...whaddya waiting for?!

 



Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:10

I enjoy the rubbery buzz of the fretless players, like Mick Karn, Eric Sands of Man on Fire and OF COURSE, Jaco Pastorius. Smooth and slippery and oh so dramatic.

Allan Holdsworth's bassists always take a solo on occassion. Jimmy Johnson has a wonderful tone, but doesn't get too busy, like Jeff Berlin.    



Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:15

Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

It's just that people want to see a guitarist do a big shred solo and sure if they can pull it of great but nobody ever sees the bass a melodic instrument, it just seen as a rythum tool.

Actually "shredding" generally bores me to tears. I say generally, because some guitarists can make it interesting and dynamic - and in the case of Angus Young, downright fun (although I will concede that Angus is not really a shredder).

Steve Vai is the only guitarist I've heard that can keep me interested AND perform technical pyrotechnics at the same time. I guess it's personal, but normally I just like a good tune. All that widdly nonsense usually sends me straight to the bar - so kudos to my fellow bass players - don't become victims of "fret envy", as it's just not worth it!

IMO bass is the all-important drive behind any song, and Pete Trewavas is living proof that a bass line can be pure joy as a tune, part of the vertical harmonic structure, part of the horizontal counterpoint and a significant part of the overall texture of any piece of music.

Solos on any instrument are rarely anything more than self-indulgence, and should be properly composed, orchestrated as they were in the concerti of the great composers of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries IMO.



Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:28
It all comes down to the old distinction between a "bass player" and a "bass guitarist" - a bass player is happy enough just to stand at the back plodding away & keeping time with the drummer (all power to them - look at the rhythm section of AC/DC for an example of a rock solid bass player), whereas a bass guitarist does all this, whilst playing around, over and under the main melody line - these are the guys you rarely find playing solos in concert, so you just have to listen a little harder to realise exactly what they are doing - for examples, look to Tony Levin, Geddy Lee, (the late) Gary Thain, (the late) Jaco Pastorius etc etc

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:29
A chello for instance is ussually seen as a rhythm instrument but J.S.Bach wrote entire dance suites for the chello as solo peices.

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:30
Not to mention the Cello concertos by Dvorak and Elgar (Jaqueline Du-Pre - now there was a cellist.....)

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:32

I see the error in my way of thinking. I will now go and weep in a corner for I am scum.



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:36
Fear not, the Cello and Double Bass do look very similar...... er ...... apart from the fact that one is about twice the size of the other (imagine Jaqueline Du-Pre with that between her legs....... oh dear, I'd better go and have a lie down....)

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 11:44
Do you know what you are if you have 4 stars under your name? I've looked for someone with 4 stars and I can't find one!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 12:01
Since I am a drummer I love bas solos since it gives the rythm section of a band the opportunity to showcase themselves as you will know the drummer always accompanies a bass solo. Focus III and In And Out Of Focus feature a couple of great prog bass solos. I was at a Crimson gig here in Montreal  and I kept yelling at Levin BASS SOLO! BASS SOLO! but he just  kept looking at me laughing. I have heard a few good Jaco bass solos. I would love to hear a Les Claypool bass solo. I saw Primus once and was completely impressed with his playing. I own five Primus CD`s. I would also like to hear Geddy or Berlin to let it rip. Or Squire from yes.Mingus has also done a lot of good soloing on the acoustic upright.


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 12:02

Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

I see the error in my way of thinking. I will now go and weep in a corner for I am scum.

What?

This is a great thread idea. The bass is a often overlooking soloing instrument. Just because one or two members don't care for bass solos, so what, it's all meat and poison. Personally, I like to hear a bass solo. Geddy Lee's solo on Show Don't Tell from Presto was rather refreshing.

If you like bass, what about Chapman Stick or Warr Guitar? Tony Levin, Sean Malone and Trey Gunn have taken those instruments to incredible levels. They can have the range of a piano (Various number of strings 10-12....) and a played by tapping the strings. Each fret acts as a pickup. These guys play some wild solos in the lower ranges through standard guitar pitches. Very innovative, IMO.

Cheers 5MS- Good thread idea. 

I've no idea about 4 stars..... One for the Admin, I suppose.



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 12:10
Thanks! It feels nice to be appreciated by people. Has anyone noticed how terrible my spelling is?

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 12:16
Cliff Burton (R.I.P) was always a good bass soloist. I saw this video of Metallica playing Ride The Lightning live and his ability seems unmatched even in the 10 or 15 years since his...departure.

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 12:49

Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Thanks! It feels nice to be appreciated by people. Has anyone noticed how terrible my spelling is?

nope... I haven't. And about the stars: there's nobody with four stars here... danbo has over 1000 posts but he still has 3 stars... I don't know why... You could ask one of the administrators, Max@ or maani.



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 13:09

Manowar did the entire William Tell Overture on bass alone so that is probably why some people are opposed to the idea.



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 13:35

I like Stu Hamm's version of Linus and Lucy, as well as Moonlight Sonata!!!!!

Jeff Berlin played "Dixie" on one of his solo albums.

BIlly Sheehan's "NV3345" is cool.

Chris Squire's "New World Symphony" on the Yes 35th Anniversary CD.

  



Posted By: arqwave
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 13:54

hi there...

To every single person in here:

The bass as an instrument fills different voids in music, in rock (as a regular thing) the bass player IS the rhythm section along with the drums, mainly rock is the perfect exposure of guitar and vocal, if you are accurate enough, even the keyboards works as a "ambient " sound... anyway, prog is different, beacuse it showcases a more wide pressence of the instruments, as fusion does. In jazz the bass is almost a lead instrument...

 i think that this discussion goes toward the fact that we seldom hear a good solo of bass in records of rock or pop...

Ok, so, to me is a matter of "styles" more than a mere pressence. If you like to hear GOOD AND KILLER BASSISTS turn your head to fusion, jazz, funk, and prog (implied, hahahaha). Never underestimate the power of music and musicians just because we sometimes don't have the chance or time to research into other styles...

well, apart from the "legends" mentioned in here, i recommend to listen to:

Victor Wooten, John Pattitucci, Stuart Hamm, Ron carter, Brian Bromberg, Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous etc.

peace



Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 13:55

I know I've mentioned it elsewhere, but I think it is worth reiterating that Yes in live performance, during the The Yes Album period, played tunes rearranged  for two bass guitars - when did they stop and are there any recordings of these great variants of classic Yes?

In the meanwhile, apart from the oblivious inclusion of Jaco Pastorius, check out the Czech band Collegium Musicum (and as a band that could out-Nice, Nice why aren't they included here yet?Wink), Live album,  and the track You Are Awful Part 1  - you'll be surprise at the bass riffs the guy had then, recorded 1972 or '73. And there is a great solo by Jack Bruce on  Frank Zappa's Apostrophe.



Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 16:02
Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Thanks! It feels nice to be appreciated by people. Has anyone noticed how terrible my spelling is?
Hey! check out my spelling!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 17:37
Anybody in this forum in a band or do they have any matierial out because I personally would love to here some. Maybe we could start a new section. "SEND US YOUR SONGS"! It would help get struggiling artists to get some publiscity (is that spelt right?).

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 21 2004 at 17:46

Don't worry about the spelling.... your message is coming across LOUD and CLEAR.

That's a great idea, BTW. I'd love to hear some members tunes. One or two have braved the fire and done so in the past.

On one site: the real Allan Holdsworth, they have laid down some basic tracks that members can download and record their own solos and then upload it to the site. Pretty cool. Cyber-jam!!!!

 



Posted By: artbass
Date Posted: June 22 2004 at 06:58

Hi there!

For I play bass, too, I have to like solos of this absolute fantastic instrument. As long as they are good. In my band I am not allowed to play a real solo, although I have a solospot during the intro of one of our songs (but it is always the same melody, so not a real solo). I have learned to play a busy bass instead of simple roots in eights or stuff like that. And my band likes that. They tried some bassists before they took me and I made clear from the very beginning that I am not willing to play only roots.

But I am still waiting for the chance of playing a solo...



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she feels wind around her
she feels a warming sun
she feels some raindrops wet her leaves
since that time she lost her griefs


Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 22 2004 at 07:52

Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Anybody in this forum in a band or do they have any matierial out because I personally would love to here some. Maybe we could start a new section. "SEND US YOUR SONGS"! It would help get struggiling artists to get some publiscity (is that spelt right?).

P.u.b.l.i.c.i.t.y.  (since you ask!)

I've got some material that's still in a rough form (hey, I've only got a small home recording setup), and am working on a way of getting it out - I tried a Yahoo! group, but it seems only I can download from it. You're welcome to try it - look in the announcements section under "My Music".

 



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 22 2004 at 12:21

Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Cliff Burton (R.I.P) was always a good bass soloist. I saw this video of Metallica playing Ride The Lightning live and his ability seems unmatched even in the 10 or 15 years since his...departure.

Acctually the video was For Whom The Bell Tolls.



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 11:52
Mmm...this topic seems to have dried up...like an old lemon.

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:11

Where would you like it to go?

 

 



Posted By: Fitzcarraldo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:14

danbo,

Have to say that you sound like a shrink in that last post!!!  



Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:32
Tell me about your mother...


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:51

Originally posted by Fitzcarraldo Fitzcarraldo wrote:

danbo, Have to say that you sound like a shrink in that last post!!!  

Sorry, While my wife finishes her studies in the Psych field, I get educated by osmosis, as well as her reading case studies to me.....

Don't you think this 5 minute man wants something more from this thread? I'd like to play along. BTW, Why are you so concerned? What did you mean by "shrink?" And finally..... What you're saying is...... 



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:57
And suddenly everyones paying all kinds of attention!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 12:59
I have a dream where I'm falling...that's the HRT love!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 15:26
Now call me paranoid if you like but I feel like everyone is ignoring me because evrytime I'm on no one else is here. You all hate me! That's it! It be a conspiracy maties!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Fitzcarraldo
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 18:22

Paging Dr danbo.

Sheesh. Can't find a doctor when you need one.



Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 20:07

Conspiracy or timing?

Funny thing, the world being round, isn't it? Dark on one side, light on the other and kind of dawn/dusk in between. I miss the Flat Earth days.... I and the Velvet Clown, that is!!!

My prescription for you, Mr. Solo, if I may be so bold, is to adjust your schedule to maximize your ability to communicate with forum members. My regular schedule for forum scrounging is 7:15 am to 4:00 pm PST - Monday through Friday. Weekends are up for grabs and usually too consumed with beer drinking and playing house to enable me to surf. 

OR

You may PM those members you find exciting and intriguing and find out their schedules to develop some consistant interaction.



Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 23 2004 at 20:09
BTW, isn't three pages of BASS PLAYERS pretty good? Or is this the Drummer thread?


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 13:03
No your in the right place. Bass players rule! Or maybe they're all just crazy? They stand around not saying much and smiling a lot to make it look like they're enjoying themselves but really in ther minds they're killing the audience with a rusty hacksaw!

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Fitzcarraldo
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 13:16
I thought it was a rusty axe?


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 13:26

FINE, ANYTHING THATS RUSTY AND SHARP! bECAUSE IF YOU DON'T KILL THEM THEY'RE LIKELY TO GET GANGREEN BECAUSE OF THE RUST! IT BE A WIN - WIN SITUATION ME LADS, ARRRH!



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 13:32

Hey 5MS,

Are there any small furry creatures on your property that are still alive?



Posted By: Fitzcarraldo
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 14:03
Has the bass solo ended yet?


Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 14:53

   I thought it was over on the last page.

Bass? http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001">Bass

Oh, I'm sorry I thought you said bass. http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001">Fish

I'm hungry. All this talk about sea-food's got me stomache raging.





http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb047">



Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 16:32
Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Manowar did the entire William Tell Overture on bass alone so that is probably why some people are opposed to the idea.

Ooo I love that song! They also did The Flight Of The Bumblebee! He plays an 8-string bass, doesn't he?



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 17:22

How does one go about writing a concept album?

Also does anyone notice how Karn Evil Pt1 by ELP sounds a lot like the theme tune to Jim Davidson's Generation Game? I f only Bruce was still running the show...

"Nice to see you, to see you nice!"



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 24 2004 at 17:55

To write the perfect concept album;

1) Come up with a concept.

2) Write excellent music that in some way conveys the theme of the concept and hangs together coherently to make a full piece over the entire length of the album*

3) Write great lyrics that poetically convey the concept in hand, preferably relating it to social issues so that there is more depth than a simple flat theme*

4) Ensure that there is drama in both lyrics and music, and that the lights and shades are adequately coloured and contrasted.

5) Some kind of catharsis can lead to an inevitablity, which, of course, will lend a degree of drive - but maybe you don't want that. Maybe the concept is purely psychedelic and needs no explanation or drive. Here is where you inject your originality.

*) Note that 2) and 3) are interchangeable.

Job Done - instant concept album!



Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 25 2004 at 02:32

Mmm...certif1ed you are so wise in the ways of the world!



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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: June 25 2004 at 07:32

Stop...

You'll only encourage me.



Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: June 25 2004 at 14:33
Originally posted by 5 minute solo 5 minute solo wrote:

Also does anyone notice how Karn Evil Pt1 by ELP sounds a lot like the theme tune to Jim Davidson's Generation Game? I f only Bruce was still running the show...

"Nice to see you, to see you nice!"

I'm not sure if your tongue was in your cheek when you wrote that 5MS, Tongue but Jim Davidson is a big ELP fan. Most of the link music used on the generation game when he presented it was ELP related.

Greg Lake actually produced an entire album by Davidson, which consisted mainly of the usual easy listening covers, but did include a surprising good version of "Watching over you".



Posted By: theis the one
Date Posted: June 25 2004 at 18:33
I like the bass solos more than the guitar don't know why but i just do.

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Theis|Shogun


Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: June 27 2004 at 15:13
I think my name sounds extremely pretentious, matbe thats why no one talks to me?

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You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon!


Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: June 28 2004 at 08:27
What's your problem? We just don't have so many members that there are always many members online! But we DO talk to you!


Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 28 2004 at 08:34
Originally posted by Easy Livin Easy Livin wrote:

I'm not sure if your tongue was in your cheek when you wrote that 5MS, Tongue but Jim Davidson is a big ELP fan. Most of the link music used on the generation game when he presented it was ELP related.



I have a film at home on DVD of Carl Palmer doing a drum solo on the Generation Game; can't remember the context - somehow I dont think some fat suburbanite had to duplicate the solo.... - but it was a blinder.

I did hear somewhere that JD is actually the president of the ELP fan club....

Isn't it terrible when you find you have similar music tastes to such a right wing unpleasant person as JD (a friend of mine works in a theatre where JD had a one man show - the stories she could tell.........)

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: Spanky
Date Posted: June 28 2004 at 08:36

At least I have a reason for not talking to guy, I was on vacation all last week. 

 

I play bass too, It'd be nice to hear more bass solos but it just doesn't seem that to many people care.        (solos spelled backward is solos)



Posted By: bassguy35
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 16:29

Right on 5ms i am a bass player myself, and i totally agree that there needs to be more solos 4 bass.



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<ROCK ON!>
bassguy35


Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 16:40

I play them myself. Pretty cool. Better than guitar solos if you ask me.

For really cool bass solos:

Flea! (Peppers, BEFORE californication),  Geddy Lee ofcourse, Victor Wooten! he's the entire band with his bass while playing a solo! amazing!



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Epic.


Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 17:07

I think the best bass solo I know of is on the "Victims of the future" version of "Empty Rooms" by Gary Moore (as opposed to the sanitised "Best of" versions).

It's followed by one of his finest lead guitar solos too!



Posted By: Gonghobbit
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 20:28
Bass solos need to be appropriate to the piece itself, I believe, not  every piece supports one well. Jaco, albeit a jazzer, was perhaps the best solo bassist i know of myself, really made it completely unnecessary for a guitarist in Weather Report. And of course Stanley Clarke has provided the world with many a nice tasty bass solo.

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'This is a local shop, there's nothing for you here'


Posted By: Spanky
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 23:55
I've held many conversations with other people who totally unappreciate the bass.  As a bass player I found it really distressing when I found out that one of these people is a bass player themself.  If you take the bass away it just isn't right.  Bass solos are a rare thing that I would like to see more of if it's in the right music.  The Mars Volta has one on their song 'Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt' which I am reall happy about.


Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: July 17 2004 at 00:22

 

A bass solo I love, but I only discovered recently (that is, somewhere in the second half of last year) is that of the 1977 live rendition of 'Ashes are Burning'. by Renaissance.



Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 17 2004 at 00:58

Well I think most time, that half of what ELP did live was a bass solo... cause it was extremely hard for me to notice anything other than what Greg Lake was doing...

I know, I know.. sometimes I just like to prove that I'm a girl...



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THIS IS ELP


Posted By: dropForge
Date Posted: July 17 2004 at 21:28

Quote cause it was extremely hard for me to notice anything other than what Greg Lake was doing...

Even if you're a girl, to not notice the band's star (Keith Emerson) and everything he's doing on the keyboards sounds pretty off the wall.



Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 18 2004 at 00:52
Originally posted by dropForge dropForge wrote:

Even if you're a girl, to not notice the band's star (Keith Emerson) and everything he's doing on the keyboards sounds pretty off the wall.

Spoken by a guy!!

Sorry, but I never considered Keith to be the band's star.  The best instrument in the band was Greg's voice...



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THIS IS ELP


Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: July 18 2004 at 14:25

What happened to his voice Threefates? I ask in all sincerity. I've heard other people voices change a bit as they grow older, but when you listen to Lake's singing on Black Moon compared to the first albums, its astonishing how much lower he's singing.

Was it just a natural change?

 



Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 18 2004 at 16:05

Greg's voice...

I think it was a natural change... altho you know he smoked for years...and he actually didn't give that up till 1998. He always had a lower voice that you think... listen to "Living Sin" closer sometime.. but Keith tended to write the music for his tenor voice.. and he always seemed to be straining a bit with it.  So with the straining.. and having to sing every other night for 18 month tours... you know that had to be hell on his voice.

When I saw him during his solo tours in 81, he sounded great... but you could tell his voice was lowering a bit.  By ELPowell, his voice had grown very mature.. and we spoke about it actually.. and he said to me that he thought that the strength in Cozy's playing spurred him in being a little more forceful... and I said.. "forceful".. geez without a mike, I could still hear you up to 42nd Street... :)

I think the most noticeable problem with his voice came after they had been on that Black Moon tour for about a year.. they decided to re-record some songs for the box set... I don't know what they were thinking...  Greg had been on tour singing for a year and singing ELP numbers that were written for a higher voice... so the strain was killing him.... and he was going to re-record "The Sage"... I have to say tho that I thought his cover of "Hang on to a Dream" and "Fire" sounded really good... Every time I hear him sing "I'm the god of Hellfire"  I'm usually ROTFLMAO!

But the strain was noticeable on the RAH video.. and that was recorded after doing 16 months of shows...That was always ELP's problem...they tended to record after being at it for months already... instead of at the beginning when everything was fresh and well rested...  The Montreal video in 77 was filmed after 6 months of rehearsals and 6 months on the road...

But I heard him on the Ringo tour and he sounded wonderful.  His voice is lower, but he still has that reflection and tonal quality in his voice that makes it distinctively Greg Lake..  I have friends that heard him sing last year at the Charity gig with Roger Daltry.. and they said he sounded great... so all I can hope for is that he is taking care of that golden voice... cause I sure miss it and am dying to hear it again...

 

 



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THIS IS ELP


Posted By: bityear
Date Posted: July 19 2004 at 06:42
Originally posted by danbo danbo wrote:


If you like bass, what about Chapman Stick or Warr Guitar? Tony Levin, Sean Malone and Trey Gunn have taken those instruments to incredible levels. They can have the range of a piano (Various number of strings 10-12....) and a played by tapping the strings. Each fret acts as a pickup. These guys play some wild solos in the lower ranges through standard guitar pitches. Very innovative, IMO.



gaah, I've been dreaming about a Warr Phalanx every night since I found out about it! If I'd ever get the money, though, mine would be a 14-string!

Anyway, about bass solos, there's a few on Planet X's "Moonbabies". And, Spastic Ink's records are full of WILD bass playing, both the solos and rythm lines are of the sort that's not just ultra-fast soloing, it's odd-time finger-wrenching MADNESS. Granted, especially "Moonbabies" is full of that stuff as well, but I guess that the Spastics take it a small step further, considering sickness... Sherinian has said that his main goal with PX is to play sicker music than anybody else, so, it'll be interesting to hear what their answer to "Ink Compatible" will be...



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www.geocities.com/joelbitars


Posted By: frenchie
Date Posted: August 02 2004 at 19:27
There are some amazing Bass Solos in The Mars Volta - Deloused in the comatorium. Done by Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. The best one is in the middle of "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt" as it is the perfect linking solo and keeps it flowing.

Also check out Cliff Burton, the late Metallica bassist who was god of the 4 strings. classic moment is "(Anaesthesia) Pulling Teeth", a 5 minute bass solo on the debut album, "Kill Em All".

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The Worthless Recluse


Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: September 01 2004 at 09:23
Originally posted by arqwave arqwave wrote:

hi there...

........... Ron Carter,  Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous etc............

peace

 

Three renown double bass players - did Ron Carter ever play electric?. Dave Holland played electric bass briefly because Miles Davis asked him to - then for next 30 years played double bass. When Miroslav play electric bass last- mid 80's with Terj Rypdal (on the ECM recording To be Continued???) - however, please to say MV's Magical Shepherd got remastered and released in the last 2 years, with him playing a double necked lead/bass guitar (lots of bonuses here too: Herbie Hancock playing keys, and Jack DeJohnette on drums as funky as you'll ever hear him).




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