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Thundercat


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[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1491034052' post='3269957']
I've no doubt the guy is incredibly talented, but it's not bass IMHO.
If that is what it takes for bass to be relevant then I'll be happy with obscurity.
And I'm 43, so no baby boomer.
Obviously YMMV and all that. <_<
[/quote]

Watch this video for an example of him playing a groove and a solo during a jam. Looks and sounds an awful lot like bass to me.
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo7LCKpLZW4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo7LCKpLZW4[/url]

He also happens to sing, compose and collaborate with other musicians as well, so his focus is on the music as a whole rather than just the bass in isolation. I see that as a good thing, because that is how he attracts a big following of 'normal' people who go to festivals etc, rather than just playing to a small room in Slough full of middle-aged bass players with GAS (and gas). Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the point I'm making is that for bass to continue to be popular, we need high profile players who have a different take on it, and still appeal to a young and fresh audience.

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[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1491049092' post='3270151']


Watch this video for an example of him playing a groove and a solo during a jam. Looks and sounds an awful lot like bass to me.

He also happens to sing, compose and collaborate with other musicians as well, so his focus is on the music as a whole rather than just the bass in isolation. I see that as a good thing, because that is how he attracts a big following of 'normal' people who go to festivals etc, rather than just playing to a small room in Slough full of middle-aged bass players with GAS (and gas). Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the point I'm making is that for bass to continue to be popular, we need high profile players who have a different take on it, and still appeal to a young and fresh audience.
[/quote]

64, I watched the YouTube clip. Sorry, if he's the new thing, I don't get it.

Blue

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[quote name='blue' timestamp='1491111594' post='3270527']


64, I watched the YouTube clip. Sorry, if he's the new thing, I don't get it.

Blue
[/quote]

It's a jam over a Stevie Wonder song, posted in response to someone saying something about him not being a proper bass player. Which bit don't you get?

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[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1491119875' post='3270550']


It's a jam over a Stevie Wonder song, posted in response to someone saying something about him not being a proper bass player. Which bit don't you get?
[/quote]

He addresses not being a 'bass players bass player' in this video. Pretty interesting https://youtu.be/EVmdh8Utdn0

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[quote name='MonkeyTrick' timestamp='1491124415' post='3270597']


He addresses not being a 'bass players bass player' in this video. Pretty interesting https://youtu.be/EVmdh8Utdn0
[/quote]

Yeah, it's just not his thing and I completely get why. I know quite a few working bass players (with serious chops too) who couldn't care less about the 'bass community', they like the music in the bands they play in so their focus is on writing and playing songs.

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[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1491119875' post='3270550']


It's a jam over a Stevie Wonder song, posted in response to someone saying something about him not being a proper bass player. Which bit don't you get?
[/quote]

I guess it's not so much that I don't get it. It's just not the type of bass playing or singing that appeals to me.

Blue

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[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1491131407' post='3270676']
Here's another modern bassist who divides opinion. [/quote]

Yup, not my type of thing at all. To me, IMO this is taking bass playing several steps backwards.

Blue

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Saw him in Manchester a week or so ago, one of the best gigs I've been to in a long time. Great player in terms of technicality and musicality, fantastic performer and an impressive portfolio of work to boot.
I'm not a fan of bass 'soloists' by any stretch (Wooten etc), but I think Thundercat is great. Even when he's not laying down basslines, his unique sound definitely contributes to the overall sound in a way another instrument couldn't. I'd consider it 'bass' but he does expand into different approaches to the instrument, but in a relevant and cohesive way.

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  • 2 months later...

[quote name='BassApprentice' timestamp='1497000083' post='3315165']
Thundercat, Michael McDonald and Kenny Logins on The Tonight Show -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8AgdI4eyFc

Great to see bass players getting primetime slots!
[/quote]

WTF! It's like I just had a crazy dream. Amazing!

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Just spent about 20 mins on Youtube watching a number of his videos. Tried to find something I could bare listening to all the way through but I'm afraid to say I failed. I did try! He is obviously very accomplished. I am 69 this year but I don't think it's an age thing, just not my cup of tea. I concur with Blue.

Anyway here's something by way of contrast that I'm able to appreciate, best listened with a cup of tea and a rich tea finger biscuit whilst sitting in a comfy armchair. Lovely sax solo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KLn9FqsDtw

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[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1497082736' post='3315682']
Just spent about 20 mins on Youtube watching a number of his videos. Tried to find something I could bare listening to all the way through but I'm afraid to say I failed. I did try! He is obviously very accomplished. I am 69 this year but I don't think it's an age thing, just not my cup of tea. I concur with Blue.

Anyway here's something by way of contrast that I'm able to appreciate, best listened with a cup of tea and a rich tea finger biscuit whilst sitting in a comfy armchair. Lovely sax solo![/quote]

Yup, I'm with grandad. I'm not saying Thundercat isn't talented ,and I do believe he is more aligned with the new direction of bass. I'm saying , I don't get it, I don't even get what the appeal is.

This guy in the clip below is more what I understand. It's old school and I hope it's not dead yet;

https://youtu.be/KSgw2-Ei3e4

Blue

Edited by blue
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[quote name='blue' timestamp='1497305058' post='3317239']


Yup, I'm with grandad. I'm not saying Thundercat isn't talented ,and I do believe he is more aligned with the new direction of bass. I'm saying , I don't get it, I don't even get what the appeal is.

This guy in the clip below is more what I understand. It's old school and I hope it's not dead yet;

http://youtu.be/KSgw2-Ei3e4

Blue
[/quote]

Superb player, terrible tutorial.

Edited by Cato
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  • 2 weeks later...

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1498342493' post='3324006']
Something for all you Thundercat fans...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ec584f/play/p056f6ty/p056vfmk?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_radio_6_music&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=radio_and_music
[/quote]

Cool stuff and talented young players.

But still, couldn't get into it.

Blue

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  • 2 weeks later...

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1491034052' post='3269957']
I've no doubt the guy is incredibly talented, but it's not bass IMHO.
If that is what it takes for bass to be relevant then I'll be happy with obscurity.
And I'm 43, so no baby boomer.
Obviously YMMV and all that. <_<
[/quote]

While I still stand by what I said above, 6 Music have been playing this track a fair bit recently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrQMIlJbgs8

And I'm loving it, but not from a bass perspective. Still, that doesn't matter when music makes you want to groove, and this music does. :D

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