Bass Player Appreciation Thread

I think Michael Rutherford's work is very underappreciated, just because of the phenomenal talent around him. I was just listening to the full band part of  "Firth Of Fifth" where he's bassically playing the left hand of the intro part, and it just rocks. There are many of examples where his parts really add to the music, complimentary rather than following the drums or rhythm guitar. Of course, the one note riff from "Watcher of the Skies" is a classic piece of prog, and almost certainly was part of the inspiration for the monstrous bass-master fest "YYZ."

I thought I'd start a thread for this question, but it belong here better: what bassists do we have here on PA added as solo artists and how do you rate them?

I can remember of:

Roger Waters (some great music if I remember well, but nothing to make him shine as a bassist)
John Paul Jones (two awesome prog albums with thunderous bass playing and not only)
Greg Lake (I don't know any of his solo music)
Stanley Clarke (same)
Mike Rutheford (same)
Geddy Lee (same)
Jannick Top from Magma (same)
Chris Squire (Fish Out Of Water is very appreciated around here, I would rate it ***)

Helmut Hattler is a name that should not be missing on any list. superb bass player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkYFRnsd0n4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGP9csyo-VQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uljBW62cTK8
sadly he is only little known outside Germany. in Germany, however, he is very popular; there even is the verb "hattlern" for a certain way of playing bass.


Colin Hodgkinson is another bass player who deserves more attention:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MblGNQnIpFY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gutdzlHK6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFKxnj5PMvU

progkidjoel wrote: CHRIS SQUIRE WINS. -----------End of Thread-----------

I saw him at a Flower Kings gig in London a couple of years ago picking up some tips from Jonas

And I'm a bassist myself btw... 

I've been diggin' on South African bassist Johnny Dyani of late ...highly recommended for fans of Mingus

Alex Webster! (From Cannibal Corpse and for progressive listeners, Blotted Science)

Even though I'm not a big fan of theirs I always thought John Entwistle was a great bass player and often goes without a mention in these type of threads.  (Although I see not so here) so just to second that emotion   Oh and on that note the bass player from Japan ummm.. Mick Karn

The Pessimist wrote: That guy out of spastic Ink is out of this world. My personal favourite player though is Steve DiGiorgio.

Gee, I'm shocked.

No, I think a lot of the metal guys tend to get overlooked (or overshadowed) by their Guitar players, which is too bad, because when a metal bass player really cares about his instrument, he can outplay just about any bass player in any other genre from a technical standpoint. (My opinion)


Edited by p0mt3 - July 26 2009 at 16:10

p0mt3 wrote: The Pessimist wrote: That guy out of spastic Ink is out of this world. My personal favourite player though is Steve DiGiorgio. Gee, I'm shocked. No, I think a lot of the metal guys tend to get overlooked (or overshadowed) by their Guitar players, which is too bad, because when a metal bass player really cares about his instrument, he can outplay just about any bass player in any other genre from a technical standpoint. (My opinion)

Shocked? Oh... right, the Death thing... Well, a fanboys gotta do what a fanboys gotta do, that's all I'm saying

Well I can name about five metal bassists who are jazz trained just like the rest of em So I support your point wholeheartedly Micah.