Count Bassy Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 (edited) Norman Watt-Roy. If I could choose to be able to play like anyone it would be him. Edited October 18, 2016 by Count Bassy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Some great responses here, thanks! Some I know and agree with, others I don't know and will have to listen to. For me, 'I was made to love her' is up there. It's simply exquisite and just a wonderful line with that unique Jamerson feel. Some of the Bernard Edwards lines are incredible, too - I prize feel over technique, and Bernatd gets me every time. Mark King's line on The Chinese Way still floors me, as well. There are a few, and I will no doubt visit back and add more to the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 At the age of fourteen I thought the bass solo in My Generation was amazing, and it inspired me to choose bass over guitar. There are many great bass players I like and admire, but my favourites are John Entwistle and Norman Watt-Roy, and yes, Rhythm Stick is probably my favourite bass line of all time. So my choice is Rhythm Stick, it just works so well with the song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 (edited) Roscoe Beck's work on the the first Robben Ford and the Blue Line album does it for me. So many different techniques and styles, absolutely nailed. The guitar and drum work work are equally stunning too. The first piece that made me go, "Wow!" though would probably be John Entwistle on either Live At Leeds or Quadrophenia. Edited October 18, 2016 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Hard choice but Stanley Clarkes bass line on Duel of the Jester & the Tyrant from the return to forever album Romantic Warrior is pretty close to the top as is Lively Up Yourself by Aston Family Man Barrett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 I'd really struggle to tie it down to one Bassline...but my Bass hero is probably Mike Watt. A distinctive player with an amazingly varied body of work and a fantastic work ethic. Both as a player and as a regular civilian, when I'm confronted with a problem of a musical nature or something in "real life", I find myself asking "What would Watt do?". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='MrCrane' timestamp='1476782372' post='3157116'] ...Danny Thompson on John Martyn's Solid Air [/quote] Good choice. I'd be hard-pressed to say what the pinnacle is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Les Claypool with Primus Frizzle Fry and Sailing the Seas of Cheese albums, and Robert Trujilo with Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 [font=Calibri][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]For me it has to be the main riff from Joy Division's Love will tear us apart.[/font][/size][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Compared to many of the suggestions so far, it's a more simplistic riff but in no way is it any less a worthwhile contender for bass playing perfection - In my humble opinion, of course.[/font][/size][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The simple melodic line played in unison with the synth does it for me every time. [/font][/size][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It's a typical Peter Hook bass line, simple yet melodic and instantly memorable, so much so that you can hear it once and still be humming it months later. [/font][/size][/size][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Glen Cornick on the early Jethro Tull albums. A great musical bassist who's lines defined a lot of the tracks. Not complex but so inventive and melodic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1476799921' post='3157342'] Roscoe Beck's work on the the first Robben Ford and the Blue Line album does it for me. So many different techniques and styles, absolutely nailed. The guitar and drum work work are equally stunning too. [/quote] That's a very good call I would add JPJ on The Lemon Song & In My Time Of Dying as well as Mars Cowling on the Pat Travers live album (Go For What You Know). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1476798757' post='3157327'] At the age of fourteen I thought the bass solo in My Generation was amazing, and it inspired me to choose bass over guitar. There are many great bass players I like and admire, but my favourites are John Entwistle and Norman Watt-Roy, and yes, Rhythm Stick is probably my favourite bass line of all time. So my choice is Rhythm Stick, it just works so well with the song. [/quote] It is a barometer of sorts, too. If someone can play Rhythm Stick, they can play a bit. A bass line which is harder than it sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 You're all wrong! There is only one answer to this, If You Want Me To Stay- sly and the family stone, it's got an element of everything that everyone has suggested so far other than the Geezer Butler stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progben Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Les Claypool without a doubt. Sailing the Seas of Cheese. Also that riff at the start of Megadeth's Peace Sells was always a highlight for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Been thinking about this over the course of the day, but the one I keep coming back to is Thelma Houston's Don't Leave Me This Way, particularly the intro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 (edited) Iconic bass line for sure is Good Times. But of course there is no pinnacle. But my favourite is Willie Weeks on Donny Hathaway Little Ghetto Boy. It's just sublime bass playing. Edited October 18, 2016 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='mikel' timestamp='1476803696' post='3157397'] Glen Cornick on the early Jethro Tull albums. A great musical bassist who's lines defined a lot of the tracks. Not complex but so inventive and melodic. [/quote] +1. Great lines...great bassist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 For me it would have to be either Pino playing "Wherever I Lay My Hat" or Mr Edwards playing the solo on "Everybody Dance" but I may change my mind tomorrow and go for "Masterblaster" or "Sir Duke" or "Rhythm Stick" or "Party Fears Too"....so many great basslines so little time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 This. End of thread. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV72YrB1454[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1476808401' post='3157463'] It is a barometer of sorts, too. If someone can play Rhythm Stick, they can play a bit. A bass line which is harder than it sounds. [/quote] I say this as someone who can't play rhythm stick. But surely there many many famous great bass players who couldn't also play it and could more than "just play a bit"? Just like many famous bass players can't slap etc. But back to the original question, to me there are loads of pinnacle bass lines some complex some very simple. Potrait of Tracey is up there I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Bruce Foxtons work with The Jam, both the tone and the melodies. If I had to single one of his basslines out it would be Eton Rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1476812429' post='3157523'] I say this as someone who can't play rhythm stick. But surely there many many famous great bass players who couldn't also play it and could more than "just play a bit"? Just like many famous bass players can't slap etc. [/quote] Oh God, absolutely. Surely you didn't think I meant that if you CAN'T play Rhythm Stick, you're no good? Apologies for any confusion, but this is not what I said or meant at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 It is a very hard question i have no idea if it is a pinnacle, but if I could play The Real Me perfectly, I will be very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 At this moment, the bass line in 'Midnight Train to Georgia' by Gladys Night and the Pips. Not complicated at all, but soooo right for the song later on, well..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 (edited) I will add this from Ozrics. The bass playing is just awsome. Nothing too complicated, but when I think of groove, I think of this. He just lays this bassline down very well with great feel and impecable timing. http://youtu.be/T9BD3JS2DRI Edited October 18, 2016 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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