Greatest Bassists!

[gramfraser]

I don't like the bands but....

Les Claypool (Primus)
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Geddy Lee (Rush)

They are all great bassist that deserve respect even if you don't like there music.

 

[Bassplayer12]

Best bassists

No one mentioned Chris Squire yet?
My "best" list include: Geddy Lee
The Ox
John Myung
Victor Wooten (obviously)
Pete Trewavas
Tony Levin
Leyland Sklar

 

[sir funkytown]

Just layin' it down!

Who ever it was that played on the movie soundtrack for "Hair"...thats some smokin' bass playing!.Also Chuck Rainey and Jerry Jermont.I gravitate to the guys that just lay it down without a whole lot of fuss.When I was in the UAE, playing a hotel gig,I picked up an Arabic pop CD called "1,2,3 soliel".The bass playing on it is killer...it was Gail Anne Dorsey , she's playing with Bowie now.If you get a chance, pick it up.

 

[histabaho]

(not in any particular order)

abraham laboriel
jaco pastorius
victor wooten
billy sheehan
john myung

 

[phatduckk]

That Geddy Lee is the ugliest chick I have ever seen, and her voice makes me cringe

+1 x 2,000,000,000,000,000,000 (thats 2 ga-jillian folks)

as a bassist i once felt obligated to listen to rush ... so i got a hold of a couple songs online and the second that chick opened her mouth i turned it off. so ive never heard the bass skillz

 

[phatduckk]

anyone that plays punk rock

 

[Colin]

Danny Partridge

 

[mikeboff]

Studied with dave

I have actually studied privatley with dave larue, and all I can say is that he is hands down one of the best of all time. I've seen his fingers flying across the bass from about a foot away, and my jaw just drops.

 

[savannah_sean]

I have actually studied privatley with dave larue, and all I can say is that he is hands down one of the best of all time. I've seen his fingers flying across the bass from about a foot away, and my jaw just drops.

Did you go to Stetson?

 

[|-SplinteR-|]

im jus a guitarist but fieldy from korn aint bad

 

[hedKase]

A bass is not just a bass

Dave LaRue is definately one of the best bassists. Victor Wooten has done some impressive work as well, and Les ClayPool should be getting more credit that he has in this thread. I think a lot of people have forgotten that a tight, well-composed bassline that forges a good solid backbone to a song is just as good as a fast, technically complex bassline. This leads right through to today - many of the bassplayers out there, mostly in newer music, seem to follow the guitar riffs through an entire song. This, in my opinion, just makes a less entertaining sound.

And what about MudVayne? There latest work, unfortunately, is not as bass-heavy as their debut album, L.D. 50, but the bass is still usually impressive. Ryan Martinie definately (used to, anyways) seems to agree with the fact that a bassist shouldn't be tied down, but flourish in the musical energy of a song.

Then again, any bassplayer that can hold his ground still kicks ass.

Bleed your fingers - guitar, bass or die

 

[BoneTrain]

Best Bassist?

Well, I play guitar 1st, but I play bass too...I started on bass with a Rickenbacker like 20 tears (years) ago. Geddy Lee...he was the guy that got me hooked on bass.
Now days I'm thinking Dave LArue...especially with the Steve Morse Band. WOW can this guy play. I like him better than Billy Sheehan because I don't like Billy's sound. It's all a matter of taste though. I would be thrilled to have a fraction of Billy Sheehans ability/talent. And these are rock guys....start talkin fusion and there are some monsters with little fame who are the real deal....

 

[bovinehost]

From the FAQ over at the bass forum:

13. Who is the best/most influential/most talented bassist?

A: In a recent poll, the answer that came up most frequently was "Danny Partridge", although Peter Tork was a very close second.

I rest my case.

 

[Steve 65]

Jaco is still God. His predecessor with Weather Report Alphonso Johnson was great as was his successor Victor Bailey. Alan Holdsworth's guy Jimmy johnson plays beautifully . Plus lets not forget Zappa's main men Tom Fowler, Scott Thunes and Arthur Barrow. Oh and Defunct had a wonderful bass player called Kim Clarke.

 

[3855M]

That guy in Spinal Tap was pretty awesome ....

But seriously, while there are many great bass players, Jaco was one of those rare musicians that are so unique and gifted. I had the privilege of seeing him with Weather Report on the Heavy Weather tour. I'll never forget his solo, which must have been 30 minutes long. He really put on a show and the audience loved it. I think this must have been just before he began his downward spiral of mental illness and drug addiction. Sad, sad story.

 

[Victrola]

Jaco is still God. His predecessor with Weather Report Alphonso Johnson was great as was his successor Victor Bailey. Alan Holdsworth's guy Jimmy johnson plays beautifully . Plus lets not forget Zappa's main men Tom Fowler, Scott Thunes and Arthur Barrow. Oh and Defunct had a wonderful bass player called Kim Clarke.

Kim Clarke is definitely awesome - after Defunct, she played with a band called Magnets! two of them were out of Portland Oregon and two were from New York City. I interviewed her and the sax player (great player name of Rob Schepps). She is quite talented.

 

[Victrola]

James Jamerson
John Paul Jones

I'm glad somebody mentioned James Jamerson....I would add Bob Babbitt, the other main bass player for Motown and numerous recording sessions (and hit records).

Muggsy, have you seen the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown?

 

[jchalas]

I'm glad somebody mentioned James Jamerson....I would add Bob Babbitt, the other main bass player for Motown and numerous recording sessions (and hit records).

Muggsy, have you seen the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown?

Tommy and I sat through that one night and just were blown away. It's an awesome DVD. Go out and get yourself a copy. Then get one for a music-loving friend and turn them on to it. You can't go wrong.
Janice

 

[jchalas]

Dave LaRue is definately one of the best bassists. Victor Wooten has done some impressive work as well, and Les ClayPool should be getting more credit that he has in this thread. I think a lot of people have forgotten that a tight, well-composed bassline that forges a good solid backbone to a song is just as good as a fast, technically complex bassline. This leads right through to today - many of the bassplayers out there, mostly in newer music, seem to follow the guitar riffs through an entire song. This, in my opinion, just makes a less entertaining sound.

And what about MudVayne? There latest work, unfortunately, is not as bass-heavy as their debut album, L.D. 50, but the bass is still usually impressive. Ryan Martinie definately (used to, anyways) seems to agree with the fact that a bassist shouldn't be tied down, but flourish in the musical energy of a song.

Then again, any bassplayer that can hold his ground still kicks ass.

Bleed your fingers - guitar, bass or die

Dave LaRue is my fav. bassist and he does kick a**. There's no comparison. If Steve, Dave and Van all play a couple of tunes at the open house (pleeeeeaase!) -- WOW!! They'll drop your jaw and tear your head right off at the same time. I would love to hear Moment's Comfort, Go For Baroque or - really - anything from those three!

 

[tommyindelaware]

Dave LaRue is my fav. bassist and he does kick a**. There's no comparison. If Steve, Dave and Van all play a couple of tunes at the open house (pleeeeeaase!) -- WOW!! They'll drop your jaw and tear your head right off at the same time. I would love to hear Moment's Comfort, Go For Baroque or - really - anything from those three!

i yi yi........it's true...
i've seen her fly all the way across the country for 1 or 2 smb shows.
all because i left my what if cd in her car once ....................i yi yi.....