Bass Player Appreciation Thread
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59866
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Topic: Bass Player Appreciation Thread
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Subject: Bass Player Appreciation Thread
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 20:57
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Seeing as lead guitarists seem to get all the limelight, I thought it would be nice to get a discussion going about bass guitarists from prog bands. I would like to hear your thoughts on the importance of a good bass player, and of course, your favourite artists themselves. My favourite bass players would have to be Colin Edwin, Geddy Lee, Roger Waters and Chris Squire. Possibly John Myung as well, although I have never actually heard him play over the top of Portnoy and JP. |
Replies:
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:11
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Waters isn't very good . . . .There, I said it! OxO If you want really amazing Bass players on par with the Guitar gods of our world, think: Victor Wooten (great Jazz-Rock Bassist with an unlimited amount of style), Geddy Lee (well, you know how good he is, 'cause you listed him), Justin Chancellor (Plays his Bass with distortion like a lead Guitar) Chris Squire (Plays leads all the time with his treble cranked up. Signature style right there!) . . . and that really, really tall guy who plays Bass . . . |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:20
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My favourites & most influential include Paul Chambers,Entwistle,Claypool,John Paul Jones,Jaco Pastorius,Trevor Dunn,Larry Graham & Jack Bruce. No prog in there although I do have great appreciation for Squire,Lee,Levin & Ruthford. I like Wooten,he's obviously a very talented guy.But I prefer him in a band situation ie Bela Fleck,otherwise his playing sometimes can feel like a novelty with his constant taps and double thumps. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:21
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CHRIS SQUIRE WINS.
-----------End of Thread----------- ------------- 
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Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:25
Haha, I know that, Gilmour played some of the more difficult parts anyway. Victor Wooten is amazing, but I still beleive that his technicality needs to be kept in check, otherwise he just sounds like a rambling, eccentric (but brilliant) mess. |
p0mt3 wrote:Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:33
Yep pretty much spot on. I think Waters song writing is a fair trade for his bass playing.He's almost his Ying to Gilmour's yang (awaits flame) ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Captain Capricorn
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:33
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Bill Laswell is up there for me ...most of my favorite bass players come from a jazz background, e.g., Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, Charles Mingus, etc.
I just recently bought an upright myself ...it's like riding an elephant
 |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:43
Waters was an exceptional songwriter in Pink Floyd. He has never been a very capable musician. |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:47
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John Greaves Hugh Hopper Bernard Paganotti Richard Sinclair to name a few... |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 21:47
Great list there,I think their all great except I need to hear more lasswell.I only know him through painkiller,praxis and some Zorn. I would love an upright but right now I need to get my self together of my electric haven't played bass properly for ages.I've been in a few uninspiring bands and I almost ripped my thumb of this year. Btw Have you heard Duke Ellington's Money Jungle? Heard it today for the first time, perhaps one of my favourite Mingus performances for me. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:00
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On the note of Waters, its important to remember he basically wrote all of THE WALL
Maybe not technically good, but as a writer, brilliant. -------------
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Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:23
again, I seem to be ignored . . .
 |
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:32
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Ok, so now that we have established that Roger Waters is an average musician but talented songwriter, shall we move on? Favourite basslines? Or bass driven songs? |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:33
By who, Waters? None. I am being a fanboy by saying this of course, but I like Tool's "Wings for Marie". Very Bass-heavy, and beautiful. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:37
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Great, but not given all the credit they deserve: - Neil Murray - Dougie Thompson - Peter Trewavas - Ray Shulman - Gordon Haskell - Jonas Reingold - John Gustafson - Jeffrey Hammond |
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:39
lol, not just by Waters - I'm not really a fanboy of his  Colin Edwin's work on the Arriving Somewhere... DVD is really slick, especially Hatesong. (That's the PT fanboy in me) |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:40
Colin's great! Really creative in his playing! |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:44
I guess I never really pay as much attention to those guys on their own as I do the bands they are in as a whole. |
Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:45
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TM Stevens
Jeff Berlin
Sean Malone
Cliff Burton
Marcus Miller
Bootsy Collins
Richard Bona
Dave LaRue
Jamaaladen Tacuma
Steve di Giorgio
------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Captain Capricorn
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 22:53
...not yet, but I will search it out this week & get back to you
 Thanks for the tip
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 23:00
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I've started playing bass when I was 16 without ever having put too much thought into bass players and the role of bass in music. I learned very quickly to love the instrument, thanks in part to the following bassists found on the Archives: Stanley Clarke Jaco Pastorius Alphonso Johnson (wish his solo career was in PA) Sean Malone Tony Levin Geddy Lee Chris Squire Michael Manring (see Johnson) Joey Vera Cliff Burton Jason Newsted Les Claypool Plenty of others, but that's enough for now.  |
Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 23:01
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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." Oh yeah, no bass discussion is complete without Brand X's Percy Jones. ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 23:07
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Roundabout - YES
Heart of The Sunrise - YES A Slave Called Shiver - Porcupine Tree Marillion - Gazpacho Just a few off the top of my head... -------------
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 06:23
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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 ***) |
Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 07:00
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A big nod to the calibre and imagination of Il Balletto Di Bronzo's bassist, Vito Manzari, on the seminal Ys. Great album, and great bass playing, especially on the La Tua Casa Commoda single and the Secondo Incontro (IIRC). |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 07:12
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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=SkYFRnsd0n4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGP9csyo-VQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGP9csyo-VQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uljBW62cTK8 - 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=MblGNQnIpFY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gutdzlHK6E - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gutdzlHK6E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFKxnj5PMvU - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFKxnj5PMvU -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Nov
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 07:15
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Not enough mentions for Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings, etc) as far as I'm concerned. He's certainly the best bass player I've heard (and seen) over the past 10 years or so |
Posted By: Nov
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 07:21
I saw him at a Flower Kings gig in London a couple of years ago picking up some tips from Jonas |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 10:28
YAY BASSISTS! I love me the low end!  My favorite bassists are: Chris Squire (prff... you know who that is!) Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath... HEAVY) John Wetton (King Crimson. The bass on Red is just SICK!) Martin Mendez (Opeth) Sean Malone (Cynic) Khaos (Deathspell Omega... that guy has some COOL licks) Tony Choy (Atheist) ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 10:34
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And I'm a bassist myself btw... ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 10:48
How could I forget Percy. To be honest though my favourite bass playing by him isn't with Brand X it's with Eno on another green world.So good. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Captain Capricorn
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 12:25
I've been diggin' on South African bassist Johnny Dyani of late ...highly recommended for fans of Mingus 
 |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 12:47
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Never heard him,but that's a stance of a genius.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Conor Fynes
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 15:34
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Alex Webster! (From Cannibal Corpse and for progressive listeners, Blotted Science) Sooooo good
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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 15:39
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GEEZER BUTLER JACO PASTORIUS JOHN PAUL JONES LES CLAYPOOL FLEA ^^ my personal favorites |
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 15:55
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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 ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 15:58
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That guy out of spastic Ink is out of this world. My personal favourite player though is Steve DiGiorgio.
------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 16:03
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) |
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 16:08
| Yeah, I am always a little disappointed when I cannot hear a bass over the thrashing of the guitar(s). Just seems like a waste of time to be honest. That's why Martin Mendez of Opeth is pretty sweet, you can hear him beneath the cacophony of metal- and the band sounds "deeper" for it. |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 16:21
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.------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 16:27
No, trust me, if I wasn't such a Tool nut, I probably wouldn't have cited Chancellor like I did earlier. Glad we can agree on yet another aspect of music, my friend. I think Metal Bassists (and metal musicians in general) are very underrated by the masses. |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 16:50
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I made years before realizing how the style of Muzz Skillings (bassist for Living Colour from 1986 to 1992) influenced my own style. The bass parts of Bill Laswell on Massacre's 'Killing Time' also did impress me. And since I heard a few tracks by Ronald Shannon Jackson Decoding Society, I'm curious of Melvin Gibbs. I know he played with Rollins, but I know close to nothing of its career. And, of course, STEVE HARRIS. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 17:08
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i will like to mention two of my favourits which is not bin metntiond yet Chuck Raney playd some awsome basslins on Steely Dan records espessialy on Aja and Josie. and my favourite Dee Murray the late Elton John bass-player. Dave Hope for Kansas is also a very good bass player, Gary Thain the late Uriah Heep bass player. but also i admire Chris Squire, Geddi Lee, John Wetton, Colin Edwin, Ray Shulman (and Derek), MIke Rutherford and Mike Porcaro |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 17:58
Exactly, just like you bring up Danny Carey in every drum thread, I MUST bring up either Hoglan or Reinert. It's the done thing these days And there is a fundamental reason why we always agree. Because we are both right. All the time There is much more to metal than growling, putting as much distortion on your guitar as possible, having a million bass drums and smoking the sweet Mary Jane.------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 19:13
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For some reason and I don't know why I've never really rated Wetton it's obvious he's a good player but for some reason never really cared for him.Perhaps I haven't heard consistency in his playing after KC,anyone recommend some other good Wetton performances?
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: brainerd
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 19:19
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Sasaki Hisashi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cykdVBbhvEA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cykdVBbhvEA Justin Chancellor, because I take a LOT of influence from himColin Marston (Dysrhythmia)
Jeff Caxide (Isis)
Caleb Schofield (Cave-In, Old Man Gloom)
...basically anyone who beats the crap out of their bass with a pick and does it well. I much prefer that aggressive, beefy tone you get with a plectrum over smooth fingerstyle tones. But it's got to fit in the musical context I suppose, it wouldn't work for Porcupine Tree for example. (I play using both styles anyway).
Apart from them I've really been digging Ray Shulman recently, as well as Jim Smith of the Cardiacs who I feel is incredibly underrated. ------------- The car's on fire, there's no driver at the wheel... |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 19:29
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Ray Shulman, Moze, Jannick Top, Mingus, Dave Holland, Jaco, Michael Manring, Bernard Paganotti, Chris Squier, Richard Sinclair, Geddy Lee, Mike Howlett, Hugh Hopper, Philippe Bussonett, Guy Delacroix, Rick Laird, Stanley Clarke...etc, etc. Bass is good, better, best!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 22:54
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^ just highlighting one of those Ray Shulman: criminally underappreciated bassist. If I did bassist top tens any more, and I don't, and there'd be motown players and I'd be driven off the site by pointéd sticks, he'd be in there. Tony Reeves of Colosseum and later Greenslade is similarly overlooked. Coincidentally, anyone else rate Gordon Haskell's bass-work (leaving the vocals aside for a moment) on Lizard as much as I do? |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: July 26 2009 at 23:03
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Not sure about how I'd rate Gordon's work on Lizard, but I'll have to agree that some Motown bassists are pretty incredible. James Jamerson anyone?
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 03:19
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Patrice Congas, the bass player on the two solo albums of Christian Boulé (guitar player of Clearlight), is really excellent. And, since no German bass players have been mentioned so far except for Hattler, here a few more: Peter Kühmstedt of Guru Guru. Uli Trepte of Guru Guru and Spacebox. Dave Schmidt alias Sula Bassana of Psychedelic Monsterjam. Matz Steinke of Aera. Gerald Luciano Hartwig of Embryo and Guru Guru. Holger Czukay of Can. To name just a few. -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 03:53
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Hes not amazing... but he ain't bad -------------
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Posted By: Luca Pacchiarini
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 04:32
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About less known british bands, I?m surprised noone mentioned these two:
John Gustafson of Quatermass...
His playing in tracks like Black Sheep Of The Family, Up On The Ground or Laughin Tackle are very uhm.... interesting
...and Bernard Jinx of T2
his riffs in No More White Horses and Morning rock!
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Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 04:54
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Tony Levin no doubt about that.
Besides him:
Stanley Clarke
John Poul Jones
Jaco
Not bad either:
Justin Chancellor
Percy Jones
Mick Karn
Trey Gun /wiki/Juan_Alderete -
------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: American Khatru
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 05:22
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I would have been all about posting to this thread, but all thunder has been stolen (so to speak - in a stupid phrase). Glad to see there are some of the more subtle players name too (like Czukay). Nice thread - bass is great!
-------------  Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"? |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 06:22
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There are a few cool videos of Tal Wilkenfeld playing with Jeff Beck around at YouTube. I especially love this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbhngojbrzQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbhngojbrzQ Look what sneaky Tal does around 4:00, like a kid putting a finger into the dough of the cake Mum is about to bake. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 06:25
Tal is amazing - And only 17 years old I think? In any case, thanks for the post! -Joel -------------
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 07:53
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I also love this one, where Tal and Jeff due a bass duet. Watch out for
0.29, when she pushes his finger away whereupon he bursts out laughing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDgkbLw4qkw - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDgkbLw4qkw ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 08:12
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I recently bought that Jeff Beck DVD, and it's fun to see they're all having the time of their life! Wilkenfeld is an amazing player (Beck compares her to Jaco Pastorius) but it must be an incredible experience for her to be touring the world with some of the greatest musicians at such a young age!
Interesting to see how some 1960s musicians are rejuvenating their careers by collaborating with gifted young women: Beck with Wilkenfeld and also with Imogen Heap; Robert Plant with that singer -- sorry, forgot the name!  Some may suspect these aging chaps of undignified randiness backstage, but they certainly give their young collaborators all the space they require, and the artistic result is impeccable.
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Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 08:35
No, she's 23 years old (born in 1986). I saw the whole concert on TV and was surprised when I noticed her: it's true that she looks younger than her age. Anyway, she is a solid musician. |
Posted By: Captain Capricorn
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 08:40
Marcello Reddovide of Semiramis is an excellent player as well ...shame he just sort of dropped off the map after Dedicato a Frazz 
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 08:52
She is in the current line-up of Chck Corea's band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpNKwwGFC4o - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpNKwwGFC4o ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 10:00
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Some bassists that I think are not only hugely talented in their own right but add so much to the music of the band, and havnt been mentioned yet. Joe Battimelli (No Made Sense) Joe Lester (Intronaut) Torsten Reichert (Vanden Plas) Oliver Holzwarth (Sieges Even) Kristoffer Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation, Dark Suns) Kristian Karl Hultgren (Wobbler) Johan Hogberg (Anglagard, no one weilds a Rickenbacker better than this guy) Troy Sanders (Masterdon) Jonnas Reingold (Flower Kings, The Tangent, Karmekanic) Pete Trewaves (Marillion, Transatlantic) Toby Driver (maudlin of the Well, Kayo Dot) Matt Thompson (Guapo) Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me) Roger Patterson (Atheist) Jan Erik Liljestrom (Anekdoten) Mariuz Duda (Riverside) ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 11:39
It's outside the scope of this thread, really, but as a drummer, Baldfriede, what do you make of Vinnie Colaiuta's playing? |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 12:06
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I like his performance in these Jeff Beck videos very much. It shows that the double bass drum escapades he sometimes is engaged in but which I dislike are not really necessary; on the contrary, his playing is much more interesting without them. This is of course my opinion only; others may disagree.
------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 13:56
Great list, I forgot several of those! The guy from Intronaut is great, and ridiculously underrated. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 14:06
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Stanley Clarke deserves more mentions BTW...
------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 14:21
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That Hattler's name NEVER pops up in any bass player threads unless he is mentioned by Jean or me is something I can hardly understand. It is a real shame proggers are not more familiar with his name. That guy has been around for almost 40 years now; anyone who knows a bit about Krautrock should be familiar with his name; he is one of the central figures in the German rock scene. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 14:30
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My response to the Hattler comment is that those of us not in Germany have probably never heard of him except when you and Jean mention him. Which made me think of Jeff Whittle from Tiles. He is a monster on bass, but unless you are from Michigan and have seen them play live 4 or 5 times, you are probably not going to mention him either. ------------- 
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Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 14:50
Oh, thanks. As a non-drummer, I still find myself wondering what's so special about his style. He's very energetic, and he's got an incredible CV, but I still don't see what's so great about him. Will have to keep watching and listening, I guess... |
Posted By: Evolver
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 15:17
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No mention of Andy West?
Those Dave LaRue Dregs albums are missing West's unique style. ------------- Trust me. I know what I'm doing. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 15:25
The difference is, as I pointed out, that Hattler is a central figure in the German rock scene; he played in lots of bands and projects (Kraan, Guru Guru, Liliental, Highdelberg, Tab Two or his own band which is simply named "Hattler", to list just a few). I know for sure we are not the only people who like the early Krautrock. That's why I am surprised. And no-one mentioned Colin Hodgkinson either, and he is NOT German. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 15:36
I judge a drummer mostly by his fill-ins; keeping the rhythm, even if it is a complicated one, is in my opinion basic.. And I love spontaneity with a drummer; one should never be able to predict what he is going to play next. (unless, of course, a certain figure is needed to announce a change in the song; e. g. Gong's "Isle of Everywhere", where a certain drum figure tells the band members it is time to change the rhythm). My favourite drummers are all very spontaneous. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 15:54
| Well, I certainly get the point with Bruford, Moerlen, Jack DeJohnette and several others. But you also admire VC for his fill-ins? (This is the last thing I'll say about drumming in this thread, I promise!) |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 16:06
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Yes; he does a lot of unexpected things. I was actually pleasantly surprised with his playing in Beck's band; I knew him from a different background where he did a lot of those double bass drum thunderstorms which I (mostly) detest since I rarely see the artistic reason for them. I have heard one or two exceptions, but generally that's my opinion on these double bass drums thunderstorms. Just a personal preference, of course; you'll never find me doing them. Gender actually may play a role here; these double bass drum stunts are full of testosterone, in my honest opinion, though Mike does not like to hear that . ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: spinsLPs
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 16:42
| Percy Jones. Period. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 16:43
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Tal's young, keep your eye on her, I get a feeling she will continue to impress.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: PhuncleSam
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 16:52
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Justin Chancellor (tool) has always been a favorite of mine, his Wal bass is the sickest thing ever. ------------- Interviewer: "So Frank, you have long hair. Does that make you a woman?" FZ: "You have a wooden leg. Does that make you a table?" |
Posted By: nordwind
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 17:11
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Lemme Kilminster (technically - he played in Hawkwind )
John Wetton
Gary Thain
Chris Squire ------------- Jazz isn't dead.......it just smells funny. Frank Zappa / Live in New York |
Posted By: Captain Capricorn
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 18:19
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...anyone for Henri Texier?  |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 18:32
Nooooooo!  Ah you can't say this? Have you ever heard Dogs or Atom Heart Mother? F*cking great bass! Geddy Lee too. Chris Squire UNDOUBTLY. Richard Sinclair, under-rated.------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: deafmoon
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 20:09
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John Entwistle. ------------- Deafmoon |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 27 2009 at 22:12
John Entwistle Who? ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: July 28 2009 at 13:29
I keep seeing you an Jean mention him and I am interested, so what albums should I start with to get a good feel of what he can do? ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 28 2009 at 13:43
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Kraan's "Andy Nogger" would be a good start. And to get an impression of him watch the videos Jean posted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkYFRnsd0n4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkYFRnsd0n4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGP9csyo-VQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGP9csyo-VQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uljBW62cTK8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uljBW62cTK8 To which I'd like to add these videos of Kraan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgZ9XvfMULU - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgZ9XvfMULU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v-bD8J_SCc - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v-bD8J_SCc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmrA3wkbJV8&feature=PlayList&p=12CA7747D7FB9DCC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=58 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9qTFcNW-p4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9qTFcNW-p4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmrA3wkbJV8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmrA3wkbJV8 And definitely get the "Live 75" album of Kraan too. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: cesar polo
Date Posted: July 28 2009 at 17:03
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Chris Squire
Richard Sinclair
Roger Waters
Michael Rutherford
John Wetton
Doug Ferguson
Roger Glover
John Paul Jones
John Entwistle
Geddy Lee
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Posted By: Evolver
Date Posted: July 28 2009 at 17:20
------------- Trust me. I know what I'm doing. |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: July 29 2009 at 11:15
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Some of my top favourites:
Eddie Gomez; I learned him from the ECM records, pleasant upright bass sound with bow and fingers, good romantic melodies and fine improviser
Jack Bruce; His live work in 60's Cream has mady great impression to me. Aggressive, spontaneous, melodic and cool. After listening this I learned there is no reason to fear when starting to play unplanned improvisations. His solo works have not sounded bad either and I like his singin voice too
John Wetton; IMO integral part of 72-74 KC sound, fine tones, great improvisational skills, aggressive and innovative style
Tony Levin; Another learned from KC, just ace technics, good soft sounds, real pro
Gary Thain; listened and learned my own playing from the early Heep albums, sad he had to walk his destructive paths
Geddy Lee; Rush records are so nice to listen just for his playing, though there are other values there too. When looking his 80's live performances, it's really impressive somebody can control so much at same time, play bass wonderfully, do synths in the middle, sing and operate sound pedals simultaneosly?
Chris Squire; I just love the classic hey day albums of the group, and his bass is certainly shimmering there among other talented musicians. Though going hign and trebbled, he also stuck fine minimalistic low pulses f.ex. in "Sweet Dreams"
Pekka Pohjola; Though his whole solo career works were not total match to my tastes, his first record and live blasts in Wigwam are awesome; fast, aggressive, imaginative
Jon Camp; In addition of lovely singer and fine classical / folk oriented song repertoire Renaissance had a really talented bass player
Jan Erik Liljeström; From Anekdoten, started out with heavier, fuzz tones, and moved to rounder warmer tones. Great rhythms and supports the songs well, creating fundamental content to the overall performance
Lemmy; Hey, he's got style and approach, in Hawkwind and in Motörhead, good distorded sound and strongly front
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Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: August 04 2009 at 14:20
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Shane Embury?
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Posted By: avalanchemaster
Date Posted: August 05 2009 at 12:18
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Avishai Cohen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTSOADcHQDY&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTSOADcHQDY&feature=related Michael Manring: (it's all about technique and emotion) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas&feature=PlayList&p=762F2C98F9394D51&index=0 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas&feature=PlayList&p=762F2C98F9394D51&index=0 Jeff Corallini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vAalqCpqCA&feature=PlayList&p=B9C0EC6C7CD23B18&index=9 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vAalqCpqCA&feature=PlayList&p=B9C0EC6C7CD23B18&index=9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtimtnobOR0&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtimtnobOR0&feature=related there's a few for now.... lesser known guys. I feel that a lot of guys get well known being in big bands, but I don't think they deserve the accolades they receive. Anybody with enough time and theoretical knowledge can become decent at bass, but it takes a true virtuoso to blow me away.... at bass. ------------- http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sellerID=AP |
Posted By: Tull Freak
Date Posted: August 11 2009 at 09:05
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Does anyone else here think Geezer Butler was (and still is) one of the best bass players out there. I know he's not from a very proggy band but his presence can definitely be heard on Sabbath's first album. Also, he wrote quite a lot of Sabbath best songs.
I agree that Roger Waters wasn't a good bass player but who cares when he was that good a songwriter. Also, John Glascock was quite good (and entertaining on stage). |
Posted By: mrgd
Date Posted: August 12 2009 at 22:23
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Have just scrolled through to see if anyone mentioned John Glascock, and there it is on the last post.
Because we are talking Prog and not fusion which opens up a completely new ball game where Jaco is next to God [sadly], here are some, perhaps more obscure ones who I don't think have been mentioned. Dave Pegges work with TULL was good esp. his introduction of fretless and no mention of Glenn Cornick to date, as far as I can see, which is odd. Other Johns are John Giblin and John G. Perry who also played a tasty Wal custom for Caravan, Quantum Jump and others. Also Mike Wedgwood is underrated at least for his work with Curved Air [ the great ' Air Cut'] and also Caravan e.g. on ' Blind Dog....'. Pete Farrelly of 'Fruupp', seldom mentioned but quite choppy as well as melodic rates, as well as Trevor Williams of ' Audience' who combines extaordinarily well with Tony Connor on drums in a raw and very energetic way - the latter unfotunately left them for fame n fortune with ' Hot Chocolate' of all things. These are all worthy . I'll see if I can come up with some more. ------------- Looking still the same after all these years... mrgd |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 17:25
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I hate to repeat my self but i have to my favorite bass player is DEE MURRAY his playing is so underrated (maybe becouse hie a bit overshadowd by Elton John, Davy Johnstone and Niegel Olsson) but his bass work on Dont Shoot me im only the Piano player, Goodbye yellowbrick road and Captain Fantastic and BC. is superb. he inspired me to pick upp the bass guitar when i first noticed the bass lines i was totaly awstruck his best bass work ar on Daniel, Nikita (the best fretless work i have heard), Eldeberry Wine, Ballad of Danny Baily and Gray Seel. |
Posted By: mrgd
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 19:08
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TO AGINOR :
I'll have a closer listen to DEE MURRAY , as suggested . I do remember the fretless on ' Nikita ' as fretless bass is also one of my passions as a player and avid listener. I will check it out, but it's a big call to suggest the work on ' Nikita ' is the ' best fretless work I have heard ' . As a bass enthusiast , I expect you've heard plenty and you obviously feel strongly about Dee's playing. From my memory of that pleasant and tasteful playing on ' Nikita ', I could never line it up with the work of the likes of JACO, JEFF BERLIN , PERCY JONES, MARK EGAN or even PINO PALLADINO or MICK KARN on fretless for that matter although I concede you are talking about playing in more of a pop music idiom . I also rank JONAS REINGOLD, who has been mentioned already , as a great fretless exponent in prog.today. A really tasty fretless player from the US is TIM LANDERS who played with Ian Wallaces CRIMSON JAZZ TRIO [ CJ3 ] who you can read about right here on PA. 
I should also reiterate that in my previous post I was searching for the lesser knowns with talent who were yet to be mentioned . There are still heaps out there worthy of mention I'm sure. ------------- Looking still the same after all these years... mrgd |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 19:23
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I'm surprised I never saw this thread! My top 5 bassists are: Chris Squire Dave Meros Jonas Reingold Mike Rutherford Geddy Lee You'll notice all (except Geddy Lee) of my favorite bassists are from symphonic prog bands. The basslines always seem to ammuse me in symphonic prog for some reason, whereas basslines in prog metal (my favorite prog genre) usually don't ammuse me as much. ------------- 
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 20:01
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Pete Trewavas doesn't get the recognition for being a great bassist. Not flashy, but solid foundation. Probably my favorite bassist is not even part of a prog band. It's Mark King of Level 42. The man is just simply amazing. E ------------- 
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Posted By: mrgd
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 20:33
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TO E-DUB :
Agree 100% about MARK KING - and the guy sings lead as well. Few can achieve this as either the standard of the singing or the playing or both , slip . Not so with MARK as evidenced on the live recordings. I'm sure you'd know that JAKKO JAKSZYK joined LEVEL 42 [ I'm really pointing this out for the benefit of others ] on guitar and their association has continued with MARK guesting on a couple of tracks on JAKKO's ' Bruised Romantic Glee Club ' . His playing on ' Catley's Ashes ' on the first disc is just A1 . I wish he'd played on all of the tracks , other than Danny Thompsons contributions on double bass, of course. Great to hear his playing on such a good Canterbury infused song - hopefully there'll be a lot more in the future between these two . ------------- Looking still the same after all these years... mrgd |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 20:57
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Freaking too many, come to think, there are plenty of amazing bassists in prog...maybe it's got to do with that they can do something other than beefing up the riffs as in heavy metal! Off the top of my head: Squire, Wetton, Rutherford, Shulman, Lake, Camp, Lee, Richard Sinclair, Mike Howlett, Jannick Top, Holger Czukay...will stop here for now. Oh, and Trewavas and Myung from a bit later in the day. My favourite bass playing though would have to be Percy Jones's performance on Brand X's Nuclear Burn.
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Posted By: moe_blunts
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 20:59
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Claypool does it for me. His latest album is awesome! Very reminiscent of The Residents.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/moe_blunts/?chartstyle=minimalDarkRecent"> 
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Posted By: himtroy
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 21:18
| I've always been a big Hugh Hopper fan. I love his tone, as well as his style all together |
Posted By: Tengent
Date Posted: August 15 2009 at 19:41
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My personal favorites.. John Paul Jones
Billy Sheehan
John Myung (though I don't like Dream Theater too much)
Dave LaRue
Geezer Butler
Mont Campbell
Ray Shulman
Glenn Cornick
John Wetton
Geddy Lee
Hugh Hopper
Stanley Clarke
Geddy Lee
Chris Squire
I'm confident I'm leaving a few out.
EDIT: Yeah.. I forgot to mention Jaco Pastorious and John Entwistle.
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