Considering that there has been a lot of discussion lately regarding best guitarists, I thought I would throw this out to the floor. Who is your favorite Bass player? Also who, in your opinion, is the most influential? To limit the list, let's say since the intro of the fender bass.

My list, in no particular order:

Rufus - Incredibly pronounced playing. Great pounce. (I'm every woman). You know what I'm talkin about.

Bootsy Collins - His work in James Brown's band stands out with me. "Mother Popcorn" and "Superbad" to name a few. I think his playing on "Flashlight" with George Clinton probably influenced countless bass guitarists.

Larry Graham - Say what you want, but that brother can flat out play. Most influential? Probably so. My fave is his work on "If you want me to stay". That bass buildup was absolutely wicked.

Prince - Well, some of you bass guitarist may slam this selection but, here it goes anyway. His bass stylings on "Let's Work", "Private Joy", and "What's my Name" are great. Does anyone know if he actually played the bass on 777-9311 or was that T Lew?

Lenny Kravitz - Yeah, that's right, Kravitz. Listen to 5 and then come and talk to me. His guitar work is only average to me but his bass work on "Thinking of You" and "I belong to you" is some of the best I've heard.

Best before the fender? Well Mingus of course.

Bass players, I would be curious to hear about some of your faves. Give me some names & albums so that I check out some other cats.

Peace

U can add Stanley Clarke~

Stanley Clarke - Great choice, no doubt

What did Prince say bass is a fish but "base" is the foundation....ponders~

Yeah, I think that's what he said. Regarding Bass,er, Base being the foundation, you can say that the Bass guitar is the bottom or foundation in a band setting to which other instruments play off of. Although I am not going along with him on the whole "it should be called base" thing, I can see the correlation between base as the foundation and the traditional role of the instrument.

Peace

i couldn't say. i don't follow bass 2 close.

U KNOW WHAT?! That reminds me... 1 NITE ALONE: Where was the 1-eye bass?! It was never brought out. Prince didn't play bass once @ the LA show. Hell he barely picked up Habibi.

Dallas aftershow the OneEye wasn't there,
but he took Rhonda's bass and ripped it up.

Nice

Larry is not playing on "If you want me to stay", that was either Sly himself, or the otherguy. Larry left after Sly's bodyguards tried to kill him. (LOL) Think how different Prince would be now! He might be straping a bomb to himself, and trying to become a martyr.

Anyway,back to bassists:

1) Bootsy- Space bass was very original, and unique

2) Prince- I'd agree that Prince unique sound is difficult to emulate...believe me I play bass, and although I practice TONS..."Let's work" is still uniquely his.

3) Jaco - although I don't like to listen to his music, he is a true innovator on his axe...

4) Larry - because his slap/pop technique changed the face of popular music.

chaz said:

That's not Larry on "If you want me to stay"? Damn, you just burst my bubble (LOL). Hey, wait a minute, Sly makes a comment at the end saying, "I'm through Larry". Take another listen and let me know what you hear.

Regarding the Prince concert, I was also looking forward to hearing some of his bass playing at least at the aftershow, and unfortunately, he never pulled it out.

Peace

Best is usually going to be a matter of preference.

Some of my favorites and some of the most influential:


James Jamerson
Jaco Pastorius
Carol Kaye
Chuck Rainey
Ron Carter
Meshell Ndegéocello
Bernard Edwards
Bootsy Collins
Gail Ann Dorsey
Larry Graham
Paul McCartney
Prince
Will Lee


Obviously there are more, these are just some off the top of my head. I don't see why you should get flack by putting Prince on your list. Everything he plays he has a distinctive voice on, bass is no different. But he doesn't play it as much.

MorehouseMan said:

You know, for some reason I think someone else plays bass on that one. I could be totally wrong, but I'll have to look it up.



When I have more time I'll list some albums. Right now I gotta get ghost!

Supernova said:

How could I forget about Ron Carter. I loved the work he did with Tony Williams, my all time favorite drummer.

Paul McCartney, I really didn't realize that he was an accomplished bassist. Recommend any cuts that showcase his skills?

Peace

Forgot one, shame on me.

Louis Johnson (Thunderthumbs)- Cat tears it up on "Stomp". Quincy Jones also used him for years in the studio to provide the bass to Michael Jackson tracks, among others.

Peace

MorehouseMan said:

In No Specific order:

1. Larry Graham
2. Verdine White (Earth, Wind, & Fire)
3. Rodney Skeet Curtis (Parliament/Funkadelic)
4. Stanley Clarke
5. Lous Johnson (Brothers Johnson)
6. Bootsy Collins

MorehouseMan said:

Sure. The Abbey Road album, ESPECIALLY side two where there is a suite-like quality to all the songs. And of course the very first song on the album, "Come Together". Then there is the song "Tax Man" from the Revolver album (check out the bridge of the song), and of course a lot of his solo material. If you listen to a song entitled "Goodnight Tonight" (from 1979) you can't help but notice the bass playing. It's probably the fattest bassplaying he's ever laid down. "Silly Love Songs" - ok, now you're probably thinking it's a lightweight song, and it IS. But the bassplaying is very good on that one too. McCartney is one of the most underrated bassists in rock. I think he was the best overall musicians of all the Beatles.

And of course I neglected to mention Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and John Paul Jones.

I enjoy watching my old skool video concerts of James Brown, 2 watch that young bass playin brotha named Bootsy gettin funky with it~ James knew he had a gem of a player~

.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 2 13:17:04 PDT 2002 by suomynona]

suomynona said:

:::impersonating silly Orgvillians:::

[pre:1:742b58edb4]I'M FIRST![/pre:1:742b58edb4]

Supernova said:

No, *I* was about to mention Victor & Marcus. Two of my bass heroes. There's also ... Django-inspired French guitarist/bassist Birelli Lagrene. If you can find his "Acoustic Moments" on CD or tape, cop that thing!!!! He does a killer version of Jaco's "Three views of a secret."

Good Morning Everyone,

I did a list of best bassists last year on this website, But I will give the list again. These are the bassists that I think are the greatest of all time (I'm a former bassist, BTW....in the process of buying a new one, have an acoustic that I play...also I'm a FUNK fiend). Ok here it goes.....


Ron Carter- (Stand up Bassist): Ron is an awesome standup bassist and his rhythmic timing is impeccable and he uses space very well and has played on many great classic jazz recordings.....(Recommended album...Miles Davis "Nefertiti")

Charles Mingus-(Stand up bassist) This man is a legend and is an amazing composer...(Recommended recordings.....Anything he did in the 50's and 60s)

Larry Graham- One of the greatest electric bassist of all time, also one of the most influential. Has great timing
and help usher in bass plucking. Recommended recordings(Sly And The Family Stone "Stand" and "Greatest Hits" also try his mid 70's Graham Central Station recordings).

Sly Stone- Some people may be surprise at this pick, but Sly is an amazing bassist. Astonishing is the innovative bass riffs he has come up with when he was at the height of his creative powers. His bass playing on "Fresh" is incredible.(Recommended recordings....."There's A Riot Going On".....and "Fresh").

Verdine White- Davideye got on to me for forgetting this great bassist from the Elements aka Earth Wind And Fire last year when I did this list so I got to make sure I don't forget this time(LOL). Verdine can play in almost any type of musical environment(he had too, EWF played so many different muscial styles). The guy just lays back in the cut and plays with stunning precision. A true funkster and can groove on ballads( I love the way he grooves on bass at the climax of Love's Holiday on EWF classic 1977 album ALL N ALL). (Recommended recordings.....Earth Wind And Fire "That's The Way Of The World", "Spirit" and All N All and "Gratitude").

Bootsy Collins- The master of the SPACE BASS THANG BABY-BAH-BAH. What more can I say about Bootsy except that he plays and funk so hard until it hurts baby. Bootsy can play polyrhythms with stunning ease(HE"S A MASTER AT THAT). Amazing is how he plucks and plays so hard and yet his notes and chords sound so smooth. The man is one of the best and one of my personal favorite. Can you get to that???? (Recommended recordings....Parliament "Mothership Connection" also Bootsy Collins's albums...."Strectching Out In Bootsy Rubber Band" and "Ahh The Name Is Bootsy Baby").

Jaco Pastorious- One of the greatest jazz bassist EVER. The man created his own style and tone on the bass and set a precedent of sorts for bassists. Plus he's also a great composer. His style of bass playing is similiar to hearing two people conversing with one another. Sad he died the way he did.....But he did leave us some great music. (Recommended recordings...His debut 1976 self titled debut album "Jaco Pastorious", one of the 25 greatest jazz recordings EVER..... Also try Weather Report's 1977 album "Heavy Weather").

Stanley Clarke. Another influential jazz bassist with an illuminating style and tone. He can play in a funk environment as well. (Recommended recordings....His 1974 self titles debut album, Return To Forever featuring Chick Corea "Light As A Feather").

Louis Johnson- Mr. Thunder Thumbs is his nick name and one listen to his amazing style of plucking and funkin will clue you in to how he got his nick name. This bassist can play well against the rhythm and with the rhythm. He has an uncanny mix of style, flash, timing and precision(man... ALL of this and still funky). Another one of my personal favorites...One of the masters of plucking. (Recommended recordings Brother Johnson albums....."Look Out For Number #1, Right On Time.....and BLAM!!!)

Bernard Edwards...A lot of people sleep on this bassist, but don't be FOOLED. He was a great bassist who came with some of the more interesting riffs in funk/R*B music. A groove master that can ride a groove until it breaks. His style is in your face and yet low-key. If you need evidence as to how great he is I got two words for you GOOD TIMES. (Recommended recordings..Chic's 1979 album "Risque" and their 1978 album "Cest Chic").

Mark Adams- Another one of my personal favorites. Mark Adams is underrated because he played in an underrated funk group....Slave. Mark is another one of those bassist that can ride a groove steady on bass. Mark is one of those bassist that makes me tune everything else out and just focus on his playing(that a feat given the amazing vocal skills of Steve Arrington). Slave's 1979 classic song "Just A Touch Of Love" is a no-holds barred example of how to play bass guitar. This song is one of my favorite songs of all time let alone one of my favorite funk songs of all time. And Adams's bass playing is an intricate reason why this song is such a winner. Mark always sounded good. Listen to what he does on the breakdown of this song during the climax..AMAZING. Also listen to the hard way he plucks and funks on the climx of "Stone Jam", the title track of Slave's 1980 album Stone Jam, which includes another one of my favorite funk songs of all time....that tribute to GIRL WATCHING....."Watching You", which features another Mark Adams....tour de force bass performance(Recommended recordings..Slave....."Just A Touch Of Love", "Stone Jam" "Show Time" and Slave)

Other great bassist includes....

James Jamerson- Great Motown bassist

Gary Peacock- From Keith Jarrett's Standard Trio group.

Charlie Haden- Great style of bass playing

Steve Rodby- From the Pat Metheny Group. This man's playing gets better with time.


* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

MorehouseMan said:

I take it you mean electric bass, cuz I don't see much province to talk 'bout acoustic bass 'round here

BILLY BASS NELSON - the ORIGINAL FUNKADELIC, keeps PFUNK steadily in pocket
Lige CURRY - heavy metal hard-on for PFUNK; loves to shred with his cuzz Mike Hampton aka KIDD FUNKADELIC
MICHAEL HENDERSON - great job of holding BOTTOM on Miles DAvis' post BITCHES BREW work, plus the voice on great romance songs like "Valentine Love"
JACO PASTORIUS - got a lot of sound from fretless bass; a true pioneer
STANLEY CLARKE - the absolute BEST on BOTH elect and acoustic
LARRY GHARHAM - father of thump and pluck
Larry Johnson - took LG's style even farther.
BOOTSY- the prototype for PRINCE's onemanband schtick, but nobody stretches the beat like him
Rodney "Skeet" Curtis The guy who actually did all the things live when Bootsy wasn't on PFUNK's stage
VERDINE WHITE - always in pocket for EWF
Jamaldeem Tacuma - Jaco in HArmolodics mode
MARCUS MILLER - the master mind behind post80s MIles DAvis retro-funk adn the stylings of Luther Vandross & David Sanborn
John Patitucci - Strong presence on acoustic and electric with Chick Corea and now with Wayne Shorter (on Acoustic)
Oh lord there are so many...

DARRYL JONES - Miles DAvis 80s & Sting 's "BLUE TURTLES" band
MuzzSkillings - original LIVING COLOUR
DOUG WIMBISH - current LIVING COLOUR
STING - POLICE; master of "white boy" reggae
[This message was edited Mon Apr 29 10:58:46 PDT 2002 by PFunkjazz]

I dig the responses. Will definitely check out some of the artists listed here. I like Marcus Miller's overall arrangements and respected him as a master of multiple instruments.

Supernova, I will listen more to McCartney and let you know my thoughts. Appreciate the suggestions.

Peace

Has anyone identified the bass player on Sly's "If you want me to stay"? I thought it was Larry but a couple of peeps said it was someone else.

Peace

Victor Wood or Wooden ,don't get me on that.
a bassplayer i know introduced me to him. He is a great sessionplayer and well known among bassplayers. He takes you to places you have never been before with a Bass.
Check him out and you won't be dissapointed. After that Larry? No i am sorry Larry is a good bassplayer but definite not the best ,if there could be 'a best'.

Victor Wooten it is.

MorehouseMan said:

I think it's Bobby Womack. He picked up some extra duites as the FAMILY STONE dissolved, but I gotta dbl-check the ORAL HISTORY book I got.

Cool PFunk. Let me know.

Peace

Supernova said:

I remeber Paul saying he didn't realy care for "all that plucking and popping that goes on". Seeing the main province of FUNK is to treat the bass and rhythm guitar like percussive elements, I don't really see Paul as a funk bassist along the lines of the others you mentioned. Still, it's another matter to keep everything "in pocket" and he does a marvelous job with "Day Tripper" and "Silly Love Songs".

PFunkjazz said:

Sure, but MorehouseMan didn't specify Funk bass players only. Plus, someone like Jaco never did much (if any) plucking and popping and still, he's done things on bass that I haven't heard anyone else do. Always in the pocket, very funky, could take it just about anywhere.

Some people can overuse the plucking and popping though to the point of being gimmicky. It should be used sparingly, if you ask me.