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Geddy vs. The Fish

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Topic: Geddy vs. The Fish
Posted By: YYZed
Subject: Geddy vs. The Fish
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:14
This doesn't come from a Yes vs Rush thing or whatever. I'm not really into those sorts of comparisons. I thought this might be an interesting topic because both bassists developed an upfront role in their respective band's sound. Also, their techniques are different but their tones are similar.

Who's style do you perfer and who has greater ability?

I personally admire Lee slightly more for his ability to play fast and complex lines and solos without the aid of a pick. I also have an equal admiration for Squire's compositional abilities and fluidity.

If forced to choose, I would most likely say Lee.

Hopefully this topic will become as interesting a discussion as BRUFORD V. PEART


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Replies:
Posted By: BePinkTheater
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:16
Lee is a great Bass player, but Squire is THE great Bass player.

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I can strangle a canary in a tin can and it would be really original, but that wouldn't save it from sounding like utter sh*t.
-Stone Beard


Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:21
I have far more interest in Lee than Squire, who's bass tone drives me nuts.

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Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005



Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:22
hmmm...

considering that Geddy Lee is writing retrospectives on Yes and Chris Squire as opposed to the other way around....  Chris Squire. Wink  Ask Geddy... he'd tell you who's THE prog bassist.


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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip


Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:28
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

hmmm...

considering that Geddy Lee is writing retrospectives on Yes and Chris
Squire as opposed to the other way around....  Chris Squire.   Ask Geddy... he'd tell you who's THE prog bassist.


    hmmm writing opinion as fact again Michael...

Mr Lee would cite one Anthony Levin as numero uno.


Posted By: YYZed
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:28
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

hmmm...

considering that Geddy Lee is writing retrospectives on Yes and Chris Squire as opposed to the other way around....  Chris Squire. Wink  Ask Geddy... he'd tell you who's THE prog bassist.


Could you tell me where/when these are available? Sounds cool.


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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:31
oh... Geddy did a write up in the liner notes to Yes's live set 'The Word is Live'.


to quote Geddy Lee himself.... 'Chris Squire rules'  hahaha that should sum up this thread. Wink


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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip


Posted By: _sam_
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:38
I admire Lee's ability to play crazy bass lines while singing and playing synthesizers ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
 
But Squire is still amazing, his playing just feels *proggier*.
 
It's impossible to determine which is better!


Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 20:39
Geddy Lee.  He's a better overall musician, but just as a bassist he wins oh so slightly

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"The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa


Posted By: Tomodachi
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 21:00
Bloody difficult choice... I have a slight preference for Geddy Lee because of his sound and his musical taste, but Squire is amazing too.


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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 21:05
Always preferred Geddy's bass playing over Squire.

And of course Geddy's not going to cite himself as THE quintessential bassist. That would appear a bit pompous on his part. So, NO, that doesn't sum up the thread.

E

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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 21:12
Geddy Lee.

Only slightly over Chris Squire, whom I love because Yes wouldn't sound like Yes without him.


Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 21:15
    I've got to go with Squire. Nothing against Geddy, but his playing has never made an impression on me, in the same way Chris Squire's does.

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Posted By: Zoso
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 21:47
Geddy Lee without a doubt. That man is insanely talented, better than Chris Squire for sure. Plus, he can sing and play at the same time like a madman.

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Posted By: Bt-Tor
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 22:25
Very close. But I would have to go with Geddy who has done not only quality work but a great quantity of quality work... Squire kinda lowered his standards from the 80's on. However, Squire definitely has the most distinct sound of the two however; Geddy Lee admits to picking up a Rickenbacker because of him...


Posted By: HeirToRuin
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 23:21
I prefer Squire....just don't overly care for Rush.  He played a very rocking solo on the Symphonic Live DVD version of Ritual and along with the rest of the song....one of the best bass performances I have seen.

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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 23:58
Les Claypool can do what both of them do, at the same time, and better.

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Posted By: Mongo
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 01:00
Geddy

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"The options are ever fewer on the ground these days" Fish


Posted By: Paulieg
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 02:38
I agree, Squire is THE great bass player.  I'd rate Lee a close second.


Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 04:18
Now, this is quickly turning again into a "Yes vs. Rush" thread, I'm afraid. It just doesn't seem possible to discuss the individual merits of the musicians in question without starting to bash/praise their respective bands or saying that others are miles better. This is not what YYZed asked for in the opening post.

OK... rant over! Wink Let's come to the heart of the matter. Though I am a Rush fan, I'd be the first to admit that Squire was the first (at least in prog) to use the bass guitar as a lead instrument instead of as a mere accompaniment to the drums. Obviously Geddy was influenced by him, as the whole sound of post-2112 Rush was evidently influenced by Yes. Then, of course, Geddy developed his own distinctive style to go with the development of the band's style. Let's not forget that Rush are a trio, while Yes have always been a five-piece, with keyboards very much in evidence and a lead singer who only sings (except occasionally playing the acoustic guitar). For this reason I would find it difficult to say that I prefer one over the other. They're both greats, and absolutely indispensable to their respective bands.


Posted By: AfanSpur
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 04:33
Surely the first job of a bass player is to provide a rhythym for the band, an anchor so the melodies can play around on top. Well Squire not only did that but provided melody as well. On top of which the Fish brought a tone of his own and raised the prominence of Bass playing in general.
 
Geddy Lee is highly skilled at providing Rhythym but also can sound melodious. His sound is more understated but in a three piece his job is that much more important.
 
Too great bassists with much to recommend. Very hard to pick a winner even though i grew up thinking Squire was the King.


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There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Holding within all we hope to retain
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain



Posted By: eloii
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 05:51
Squire: more stylish, more proggy has better bass tones.(Rickenbacker)

Yes - Fragile has the best bass tones  in prog scene, imo.



Posted By: rushaholic
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 06:58
Originally posted by E-Dub E-Dub wrote:

Always preferred Geddy's bass playing over Squire.

And of course Geddy's not going to cite himself as THE quintessential bassist. That would appear a bit pompous on his part. So, NO, that doesn't sum up the thread.

E


Agreed - Geddy would likely not cite himself as the greatest.

However, as much as I like Geddy and think he is one of the greatest all-around musicians and great bass players, I still think Squire has him beat ever so slightly.


Posted By: Tasartir
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 10:31
Lee revolutionized the way I look at rock bass playing, he's the best if you ask me.
 
I admire the fish as well, it's just Lee is way groovier.


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...Histoires Sans Paroles...


Posted By: Nakatira
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 11:06
Being that Squire is my favorite bassist the answer is easy; Fish.
 
He`s the god of prog bass, and he also sings during complex shreddin


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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 14:14
Originally posted by Harry Hood Harry Hood wrote:

Les Claypool can do what both of them do, at the same time, and better.


Yeah, I saw him play bass, stamp his foot and imitate Donald Duck when they were support act for Rush in Rotterdam some 12 years ago. Did he learn to sing in the mean time? Wink


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Posted By: VERS
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 17:09
Hmm...

I think Chris Squire's tone beats Geddy's easily, but i'll give credit to Lee for Bassin' it up, Synthin' it up, and singin' it up all at once.
 
Chris Squire's poppy tone is great though.


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Posted By: Progger
Date Posted: June 02 2006 at 13:00
CHRIS SQUIRE without any doubt. Geddy's bass sound is just very high in the mix but it's all simple stuff really!


Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 13:52
I prefer Ged's bass playing, being punchy and up front.  At times I struggle to hear what Squire is doing, much like James Myung. 




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Posted By: Antennas
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 14:28
Originally posted by Progger Progger wrote:

CHRIS SQUIRE without any doubt. Geddy's bass sound is just very high in the mix but it's all simple stuff really!
 
Ehm, did you by any chance ever tried to actually PLAY his parts?
I *did*. It brought me carpal tunnel syndrome. Confused
No simple stuff at all, though it might sound simple at times - a trademark of great playing IMHO.
 
Okay, I must admit: both of them are on the top of my list. Awesome players, both of them!


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Jesus never managed to figure out the theremin either


Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 15:29
Originally posted by StyLaZyn StyLaZyn wrote:

I prefer Ged's bass playing, being punchy and up front.  At times I struggle to hear what Squire is doing, much like James Myung. 




James Myung? Is that the guy who plays bass in the band that has John LaBrie as their singer? ;-)


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I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected]


Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: June 04 2006 at 02:43
Geddy's tone is nothing to sneer at; he and Alex had the best tones of Rush's career on Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. They sound unbelievably good, in all ways, on those two.

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Posted By: Progger
Date Posted: June 04 2006 at 06:21
Originally posted by Antennas Antennas wrote:

Originally posted by Progger Progger wrote:

CHRIS SQUIRE without any doubt. Geddy's bass sound is just very high in the mix but it's all simple stuff really!
 
Ehm, did you by any chance ever tried to actually PLAY his parts?
I *did*. It brought me carpal tunnel syndrome. Confused
No simple stuff at all, though it might sound simple at times - a trademark of great playing IMHO.
 
Okay, I must admit: both of them are on the top of my list. Awesome players, both of them!
 
I'm not a bass player myself so I respect your oppinion. However, there was an interview recently in Classic Rock Magazine with a UK based Rush tribute band called 'Counterpoint'. The bass player said that whilst the music sounds very difficult, it is in fact very easy to play!


Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: June 04 2006 at 06:24
Originally posted by Antennas Antennas wrote:

Originally posted by Progger Progger wrote:

CHRIS SQUIRE without any doubt. Geddy's bass sound is just very high in the mix but it's all simple stuff really!
 
Ehm, did you by any chance ever tried to actually PLAY his parts?
I *did*. It brought me carpal tunnel syndrome. Confused
No simple stuff at all, though it might sound simple at times - a trademark of great playing IMHO.
 
 
 
Right, this settles it. Geddy's playing is sicker than Squire's.
 
(gets beaten up by the bad joke police again)


Posted By: Jeff Schu
Date Posted: June 04 2006 at 14:01
Man, I'm a huge fan of both bassists and they are such a great inspirations... I don't know how to choose both have crafted such wonderful bass lines.
 
Let's see... This:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peb_YEnA5MQ&search=Geddy%20Lee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peb_YEnA5MQ&search=Geddy%20Lee
 
Rush - Freewill (Toronto Rocks) (Live) (5:44)
 
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Or This:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bNjIZGLzDE&search=Chris%20Squire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bNjIZGLzDE&search=Chris%20Squire
 
Yes - And You or I (35th Anniversary Tour rehearsal) (9:42)
 
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