by r_a_smith3530 » Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:54 pm
OK, I just gotta chime in here. While I respect Edgar WInter highly, and consider his chops phenomenal, he's a six-stringer, and guitar players as a rule DON'T want the bass to be out front, "stealing their glory," so to speak. It's just an ego thing with guitards I think.
While I will say that the MAIN job of the bass is to hold down the bottom end, there is nothing wrong with bass players cuttin' loose and all. While it is not all that common in the blues, it is much more prevalent in other styles, like jazz or rock. If you want to hear what a bass can really do when given the opportunity, just check out the cut, "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant" from Return to Forever's album, "The Romantic Warrior." The lead interplay between keyboard player Corea, guitarist DiMeola, and Stanley Clarke on bass is one of the things that made me want to take up bass playing in the first place.
One of the first pieces that came to mind when I began having thoughts of playing the bass was "Inside Looking Out" from Grand Funk Railroad's 1969 release, "Grand Funk." Mel Schacher is definitely one of the unsung heroes of the electric bass guitar. He and Sabbath bassist Butler Geezer set the stage for more melodic bass playing in rock music. His "out front" style definitely takes a back seat to no one, and his rig is really simple. A bass (currently ZON), a Tech21 Sans Amp Bass DI, and an Ampeg SVT, are what Mel uses to create his wall of sound. Having seen Mel play this past summer, I can tell you he still has it goin' on!
Since taking up the instrument in earnest, I've taken to collecting CD's by a number of the best in the business. One of the first was "Standing in the Shadows of Motown." Jamerson was one who could stay in the background yet still make his prescence felt quite well. Bootsy Collins. Well, what can you say, he's Bootsy Collins! Then there's that "other" fusion group from the Seventies, Weather Report, and their bass player Jaco Pastorius, who many consider to be the best ever. Then there's this cat who played with Miles by the name of Marcus Miller. For a real treat, listen to the cut "Bruce Lee" from his release "Silver Rain." Of course, Tower of Power's bass player has already been mentioned, so I won't repeat here. I should however make mention of Sly and the Family Stone bass player Larry Graham, the father of slap. I've got a couple things that he's on. If you are at all into bass, you need to own a copy of Charles Mingus' 1959 release, "Mingus Ah Um." The man could play!
We all remember the TV show "Happy Days," but how many of you remember Fonzie's love interest Leather Tuscadero? In real life, Leather was none other than bass player Suzie Quatro who showed the world that girls could play the big four-string Fender too. my favorite is her tune "Daytona Demon." Speaking of demons, I just picked up a copy of Stray Cat bassist Lee Rocker's CD, "Racin' the Devil." You talk about GAS, I want the bass guitar that Lee is holding on the back cover. I won't spill the beans, you'll have to go check out the album for yourself. Suffice it to say that it's one mean bass! Without a doubt, Lee can certainly lay down a roots rock bottom end. I love the cut, "The Girl From Hell."
Of course, being from Chicago, and into the blues, I could not post this without paying homage to two of my local favorites, Willie Dixon and Aron Burton. If you've listened to any classic Chess recordings, then you've probably heard Dixon. He was the house bassist for Phil and Leonard's blues empire. He also arranged and produced many of the famous recordings put together at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue. Check out his album, "I Am The Blues." Aron, on the other hand is known as one of the original "Icebreakers," Albert Collins' band. Since then though, he has served stints as the unofficial house bassist for North Sider Bruce Iglauer's Alligator Records, fronted his own band, gone into retirement, and then come out to play behind belter Liz
Mandeville Greeson. I once got to talk to him at a jam, and he made a comment that I had great taste in guitars (I had brought my G&L S-500 - he was playing his L-2000). His "Live!" album on Earwig is not to be missed.
Now for some of the newer stuff I'm listening to. For those of you who haven't checked him out, give a listen to Prince. This dude can play, and he can lead a band with extreme precision! Beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the DVD, "Live at the Alladin." A major part of Prince's sound these days comes from a powerhouse by the name of Rhonda Smith. This lady can play bass, and she more than proves this on the DVD, but if that isn't enough, check out her CD, "Intellipop." She is jazzy and funky all at the same time. Another cool bass player in the jazz vein is MeShell Ndegeocello. Her music is very free form and has to be experienced. Amy Humphrey's bass playing is very much "out in front." As the other half of the two person team, Clatter, she and drummer Joe Hayes lay down some great rock lines. Their independent release is titled "Blinded by Vision."
Well, there are a bunch of folks that I didn't mention, but my typing fingers are getting tired, so I'll have to save them for another post. Just remember when playing, to do what feels right for that song, at that time. Good playin' all!