[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1326107470' post='1492263']
Itks not so much that he does the punching of his bass, its the people that like it.
While I'm not classically trained and probably know nothing about composition, but those fast bits are totally cold, void of any feeling and happen randomly towards the end. Coupled with the punching, it jst makes me want top listen to JLS, or some equally processed tosh that the producor and marketer have decided everyone likes.
I like to think I know my way around a bass but if I, or you, started smacking muted strings people would think its sh*t and that I'm crazy. However because this guy had 1 or 2 success and is supposedly talented he gets away with it.
[/quote]
I'm sorry, but subjectivity aside, you're completely missing the point.
There is zero aspect of randomness about any clip that Wooten or anyone at his level plays, everything is chosen and pre-determined, thats the level of their facility. Now the subjectivity comes in when you disagree with their choice of how to voice a certain note or technique.
Nor would I say it's cold, while you may not appreciate the musicality of what VW does, I absolutely don't agree that it is free from groove, ignoring your preference for melody & harmony, it grooves like a monster.
I don't have too much time for 'solo bass', there are very few occasions where I think it works. Neither do I go gooey at all the slap-happy pyrotechnic skills that many possess, but knowing what I know about Wooten's playing & musical philosophies, dammit I'll defend him lol.
Si