Bilbo

I think of the music I listen to and would like to play as Art rather than Entertainment but I am not an artist.

The absolute best of the best. So much great music over an incredible career. I got to see him with Petrucciani and Gadd. A memorable experience. Such a talent. He will be sorely missed.

More personal nostalgia, Phil Lynott's complete bass part to 'The Cowbody Song' from the classic 1978 Thin Lizzy album, 'Live And Dangerous'. There are two charts on there; they key I hear it in (Gb) and the key it was probably 'played' in (G major). I suspect the guitars were de-tuned a half step as, firstly, there is a low Eb in the introduction and throughout the tune and, secondly, because this recording predates the common use of 5 string basses. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/the-cowboy-song-thin-lizzy/

I found the link in the end, Chris. It's lovely.

The opposite of the Holland track but I think I would prefer to have had this one on my CV. The complete bass performance (unknown - could have been one of 4 people - see the blurb on the website) of Joni Mitchells 2000 version of 'Both Sides Now'. Simple but perfect. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/both-sides-now-2000-joni-mitchell/

The moment that no-one has been waiting for. The complete 10:45 minute bass performance of the tune 'Mr. B. (For Ray Brown)' from the 1998 Dave Holland Quintet album, 'Points of View'. A monster chart. Tough to read and tough to play but so much learning in there. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/mr-b-dave-holland-quintet/

Just proof-reading it now and I should be ready to post later today. It's an epic.

I am 8 minutes into transcribing a 10.45 Dave Holland tune and have dropped a beat in the middle of his two chorus bass solo. It's all over the place and I can't find where I have gone wrong. It's driving me nuts.

I am surprised I didn't get to this one sooner. The Mike Rutherford bass part to the tune 'Firth Of Fifth' from the 1973 Genesis album, ''Selling England By The Pound'. Great writing as always. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/firth-of-fifth-genesis/

He is right up there, Chris.

Another solo performance from John Patitucci, the track is 'Seeds Of Change' from the 2019 (mostly) solo bass recording 'Soul Of The Bass'. Some strange time signatures but I think this is as much about my limitations in the art of transcribing stuff that is not metronomic. It's playable though. I recommend you have a listen to see how the phrasing works before diving in. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/seeds-of-change-john-patitucci/

A beautiful performance from the 2022 ECM album from trumpeter Avishai Cohen (a stalwart of the SF Jazz Collective), Naked Truth', the tune is one of 9 pieces that make up the Naked Truth long form composition. This is Part 3 of the suite which is mainly in 7:4. An interesting reading exercise. Not a massively quick tempo but the lines is constantly shifting so concentration is required. A lovely part, though, played on double bass by Israeli bass player, Barak Mori. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/naked-truth-part-3-avishai-cohen-trumpet/

Another Joni track, this one from the Larry Klein era. The tune 'Be Cool' is from the 1982 Joni Mitchell album, 'Wild Things Run Fast'. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/be-cool-joni-mitchell/

Get there behind me, Satan 👹

The website has now passed a quarter of a million hits.

A bit more from the Mitchell/Bennet camp, the complete Max Bennett performance of the tune 'Song For Sharon' from the 1976 album, 'Hejira'. One of the greatest albums ever recorded. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/song-for-sharon-joni-mitchell/

I went to see Pete Oxley's band Hejira yesterday and they did this tune which prompted the latest transcription, Max Bennett's bass part to the title track from the 1974 Joni Mitchell album, 'The Hissing Of Summer Lawns'. Is that the best album title ever? https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/the-hissing-of-summer-lawns-joni-mitchell/

I think that it is easy for folk to be critical from a distance but I think it is important to acknowledge that nearly all of us love what we do and dread the day that we will have put it down. If you love music and love making music, why the hell would you not carry on until you drop? I love the idea that they picked a female drummer in these days of toxic masculinity and mysogyny. I also think that, as great as NP was (and I loved his energy), there are better drummers out there by the truckload and I never thought he was irreplaceable (lyrics aside). And keyboards opens up a lot of potential for the tracks they historically struggled to perform live. I say good luck to all of them. There is no downside to the idea.

A Kazumi Watanabe Bebop head with Janek Gwizdala doubling the tune. Just bit of BeBop to find your way around. The tune is called 'Algorithm' from the 2011 Watanabe album, 'Tricoroll'. Not impossible but there is a one bar string of triplets that needs thinking about, especially if you are on a four string. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/algorithm-kazumi-watanabe/

Whilst I am in a Gary Moore ballad frame of mind, I put this one together, the John Mole bass part for the tune 'Song For Donna' from the 1978 Gary Moore album, 'Back On The Streets'. Some tasty playing in there. I recall I bought the album after seeing GM on The Old Grey Whistle Test - I have wanted a Les Paul Gold Top ever since! https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/song-for-donna-gary-moore/

Of course it is. What a plonker! The link on the Holland tune wasn't working so I redid it and forgot I had 'unsaved' the Colosseum link. Should be correct now.

I love these Gary Moore ballads. This is the complete Neil Murray bass part for the tune 'On Second Thoughts' from the 1976 Colosseum II album, 'Strange New Flesh'. A stunning performance all round. A career highlight for all concerned. A relatively easy read but there are a lot of rallentandos so watch for those. Also, the final section features synth bass for reasons I cannot really fathom - it's the same notes and feel that Murray was using so I don't understand the artistic decision. I don't suppose they care what I think. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/on-second-thoughts-colosseum-ii/

Another great track from Kazumi Watanabe, the tune 'Azimuth' from the 2011 album 'Tricoroll' with Janek Gwizdala and drummer Horacio Hernandez in the rhythm section. Some challenges in the read but more than playable. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/azimuth-kazumi-watanabe/

Another one from the 'Song Of Seven' album. Easy in the main but a pretty little fretless solo overdubbed that makes it sweet. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/take-your-time-jon-anderson/

HEADPHONES ESSENTIAL) I have a thing that I have been carrying around for decades whereby I find examples of bass playing where just ONE NOTE makes you go 'wow'. The two that come to mind immediately for me are Jimmy Johnson's Ab (0.21) from Flim And The BBs 'Tricycle'.... https://youtu.be/B0DTMMXYbvU?si=vOd2J5ckRdQqY41t and the Eb slide Tony Levin does at the one minute mark on this video of Peter Gabriel's 'Solsbury Hill' (don't cheat - you have to listen to the whole thing ON HEADPHONES for the note to do it's thing) https://youtu.be/WeYqJxlSv-Y?si=Uy0MMTEDIBmpTLBx Anyone got any other examples of a single note that gives you chills?