Favorite Funk Bass Line?

[MingusBASS]

It might be that Fishbone isn't anywhere near as popular as the Peppers. It also could be that Norwood plays Warwick. I don't really belive in Karma but someones got to pay for his lack of taste. Jus play'n dawgggg

Andrew

 

[shamus63]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of sh!t for that "Flea and tic" comment, but I stand by opinion (such as it is).

8/22: I toned-down my comments regarding Flea vs Norwood, as I don't want my remarks seen as an attack on Flea the man; just my personal comparison between two great bass players.

Flea's a great player, mind you, but doesn't have quite the versatility that Norwood does.

And, if I remember correctly, Flea has been endorsing Modulus Basses for some time now.

Besides, RHCP didn't gain mass popularity until Mother's Milk...a great album, but a helluva lot more commercial than the previous three.

Fishbone never even attempted to go commercial; a double-edged sword that worked against them eventually.

 

[bassplayer7770]

Fishbone does a great cover of Freddie's Dead!

Plus, Norwood Fisher (Warwick Thumb advocate) doesn't get enough mention as a bass player. Ten times the bass player than that tic (read: Flea) could ever hope to be.

"Bonin' in the Boneyard!"

 

[shamus63]

Thank You!

 

[MingusBASS]

Belilve it or not...but Flea rarely gets talked about here. The Flea Bass is obviously a more expensive, carbon fiber necked, tame sounding(atleast the ones with barts) version of a StringRay. If Flea is happy with his bass of choice, sweet. But as for me, give me an EBMM Stingray over that overpriced mess any day.

Andrew

 

[shamus63]

Belilve it or not...but Flea rarely gets talked about here. The Flea Bass is obviously a more expensive, carbon fiber necked, tame sounding(atleast the ones with barts) version of a StringRay. If Flea is happy with his bass of choice, sweet. But as for me, give me an EBMM Stingray over that overpriced mess any day.

Andrew

I agree and respect the bass of choice (for anyone's choice). After all the basses I've owned (some 300-400 in 26 years, including several Warwicks; no BS!), I keep coming back to two bass companies...MusicMan/Ernie Ball and older Fenders (putting Lakland ahead of the newer Fenders).

 

[MingusBASS]

I had a Warwick Thumb at one point and it sounded good, played good but it just was not me. I'm not sorry I purchased it... I sold it for $500 more than what I picked it up for. Thanks Warwick! I wonder if the schmuck I passed if off on still owns it.

Andrew

 

[shamus63]

I dug the Thumb Basses when I got a chance to try them out, but they were always too expensive (even used) to purchase (I had to opt for Corvettes and Streamers), and I never felt that any Warwick was as versatile as any of the MM/EB's (of any model).

Not to mention, the bodies are just too damned small! MM/EB's and Fenders are sized and shaped the way a bass body should be!

 

[MingusBASS]

The Thumb did look pretty silly on a guy my size. Another thing I didn't like is that I had to Rub Wax on the freak'n body/neck every month to keep it from drying out. You are very right about them being expensive and if I hadn't of gotten such a good deal on my Thumb NT there is no way I would of shelled out the $$$.

Here is the lesson for the day kids


EBMM owns Warwick.

Andrew

 

[shamus63]

I concur (happily!).

 

[Bubba Love]

Anything by Stuart Zender of Jamiroquai. Warwick thumb guy.

Yeah, his playing on Travelling Without Moving is first rate.

Also, Get Up Offa That Thang and Mother Popcorn by James Brown. Dead sexy.

 

[prickly_pete]

So many great Mark King lines, but my favorate is probably Almost There live! Mark King is probably the most underrated bass player in history. Anybody who thinks guys like flea have funk chops should check out any live Level 42. And King can do Stanley Clark better than Stanley Clark too Also, Mark King has been known to use SR 4s and 5s from time to time.

 

[TheAntMan]

For the Love of Money - OJays

That groove makes EVERYBOOTY want to move

As for Flea -- bass line on Walkabout from One Hot Minute is a nice surprise. Not quite jazz, not quite Funk but a nice groove.

 

[shamus63]

"The Politics of Propaganda" - Fishbone 1993

Some funky 5-string work from Norwood Fisher!

BTW, has anyone mentioned "Stomp" from the Bro's Johnson?

Louis is just a BMF!

 

[Crazykiwi]

If "funk" refers to feel rather than genre then Level 42's "Love Games" has to be on the list somewhere.

Bernard Edwards from Chic played some stormers like "Le Freak" and "Good Times" and we all know what basses he liked to play live!

Gary Crockett who plays in the James Taylor Quartet (the hammond organist, not the folk singer) has unleashed some monster bass lines when they've tackled Lalo Schifrin numbers.

Meshell Ndegeocello's "If That Was Your Boyfriend" and "Make Me Wanna Holler" (for a slower deeper, super chilled groove) are funk tour-de-forces. There's some incredible sensuality in her playing too. I just wish she'd let us hear some fretless sometime.

 

[bassmonkey]

Good old Amazon USA. Just placed an order for 2 Slave albums, an Aurra one and a Pleasure double CD. Even if I could get these over here, in Rip-off Britain, they would be 30% more expensive. Great recommendations guys. 2-3 weeks wait and I'll be grooving along with these tracks.

Update: These albums arrived just over a week ago. What can I say other than wow! Incredibly tight and funky bass playing. Are they definitely playing Rays though. On the liner notes to the first Slave album it says he plays a J bass. My favourite is Nathaniel Phillips, an incredible player. Does anyone know if that is definitely a Stingray being played by him?

 

[Bill]

This ain't funk, but 2 of my favorite basslines are "Sweet Emotion" and "Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith.

 

[shamus63]

...Bernard Edwards from Chic played some stormers like "Le Freak" and "Good Times" and we all know what basses he liked to play live! QUOTE]

I got to play "Le Freak" Saturday night at a gig...hella-fun song for bass!

There were a$$es (mostly female) shaking all over the dance floor!

 

[superseed]

Update: These albums arrived just over a week ago. What can I say other than wow! Incredibly tight and funky bass playing. Are they definitely playing Rays though. On the liner notes to the first Slave album it says he plays a J bass. My favourite is Nathaniel Phillips, an incredible player. Does anyone know if that is definitely a Stingray being played by him?

I would say at least the break-down part on "Weak at the Knees" is a 'Ray 5'er. And I'm not sure thats Mark Adams on the 'Ray or not. But everything else has J bass written all over
But, yeah, great additions to the collection!

 

[Dr Stankface]

This may not be really classified as funk. More ska than anything. What about Norwood Fisher of Fishbone? You know the man gets funky.

Andrew