Paul McCartney

[jakenewmanbass]

Due to a recent listening spree by my son and daughter I'm just listening to a load of Beatles stuff again. I listened loads when I was a kid and absorbed loads of vocal stuff especially harmony singing but never really paid a huge amount of attention to the bass, so it's a bit of a revelation to me (I know it's not to loads of you) that McCartney is actually a dynamite player. Very grounded, very solid and groovy but also fantastically creative.

[scalpy]

Damn straight!

Thought I'd get that in before the detractors start circling.

[Happy Jack]

By Revolver (1966) he was really hitting his stride, by Sgt Pepper (1967) he was at the very top of his game, one of the handful of genuinely top bass players [i][b]and innovators[/b][/i] on the planet. He stayed that way through Magical Mystery Tour (1967), the White Album (1968) and Abbey Road (1969).

Many pundits consider [i]Something [/i](Abbey Road) to be arguably the finest single bassline in a ballad.

What's particularly striking is that, if you review the known recording schedule of songs by The Beatles, you get astonishing periods of creativity where a week in the studio produces three or four all-time classic basslines which some bass players have been living off ever since.

Incidentally, be aware that on the White Album they went though a back-to-basics period where everything (in theory) had to be capable of being performed live. This meant that if Paul played piano, someone else had to play bass. So for example the bass on [i]Back In The USSR[/i] is NOT Macca but Lennon.

There's not a lot of people know that.

[Stingray5]

Obviously post-Beatles, but this might also be a good time to mention the new re-mastered deluxe version of 'Band On The Run'. (2 CD+DVD set).
Not just a great Macca album; a great album. Period. (imho, of course )
And best of all, Amazon are selling it for £8.95.

[nick]

Also post-Beatles, I like the stuff he's done with Youth as 'The Fireman'.

[gjones]

He says that the last thing to be recorded, with the Beatles in the later days, would be the bass. Which meant he could take his time and get it right.

I agree.........very underated.

[witterth]

Prehaps not the best Beatles tune ever but "why dont we do it in the road?" has some nice Bass playing on it
(give it another listen that in mind)

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1013806' date='Nov 5 2010, 10:13 PM']..... McCartney is actually a dynamite player. Very grounded, very solid and groovy but also fantastically creative.[/quote]
Grounded ... solid ... groovy ... creative.

Very nicely stated Jake, but I want to add one word and the word is influential.

But the Macca/Beatles haters will be along soon I'm sure.

[essexbasscat]

More than happy to be counted amongst the ranks of fans of Macca's basslines. Paul's bass mindset has helped me no end over the years and learning his lines has been time very well spent

A great creative antidote to the Status Quo root note drone

[slobluesine]

Macca & Gringo were a great rythm section, 'Rock And Roll Music' rocks. Jaco rated Macca highly too

[GT40Graham]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1013806' date='Nov 5 2010, 10:13 PM']Due to a recent listening spree by my son and daughter I'm just listening to a load of Beatles stuff again. I listened loads when I was a kid and absorbed loads of vocal stuff especially harmony singing but never really paid a huge amount of attention to the bass, so it's a bit of a revelation to me (I know it's not to loads of you) that McCartney is actually a dynamite player. Very grounded, very solid and groovy but also fantastically creative.[/quote]

Couldn't agree more.

My first bass was a Hofner Violin Bass copy!

[lowdown]

I always thought Macca was a melodic and lyrical player with creative lines, and a good ear.



Garry

[crez5150]

[quote name='lowdown' post='1014045' date='Nov 6 2010, 10:20 AM']I always thought Macca was a melodic and lyrical player with creative lines, and a good ear.



Garry[/quote]


+1

[chris_b]

Paul McCartney is a songwriter, so everything is there for the song. He's a great bass player.

[risingson]

McCartney is a brilliant bassist.

[scalpy]

Not my thread but loving the positivity!

The late stuff is great of course but what about Eight Days a Week? Motors on through!

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='scalpy' post='1014302' date='Nov 6 2010, 02:25 PM']Not my thread but loving the positivity! ...[/quote]
It won't last.

[witterth]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1014305' date='Nov 6 2010, 02:35 PM']It won't last.[/quote]
Yeah

[skej21]

I would agree. Revolver (and in particular "Taxman") is one of the reasons I picked up the bass!

[Hobbayne]

Take a listen to Hey Bulldog and savoy truffle for some less familiar stuff by The Beatles, the bass is almost the lead instrument!

[blamelouis]

I honestly think Macca is our last living genuis.

[Chris2202]

[quote name='blamelouis' post='1014450' date='Nov 6 2010, 04:36 PM']I honestly think Macca is our last living genuis.[/quote]
+1, it was his inspiration which led to me learning bass..

[flyfisher]

[quote name='skej21' post='1014307' date='Nov 6 2010, 02:39 PM']I would agree. Revolver (and in particular "Taxman") is one of the reasons I picked up the bass![/quote]
Macca also played the lead guitar break on Taxman, I believe.
Not the reason I started playing bass, but taxman is one of my favourite lines, even though I still can't get it spot-on - unlike this guy:

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='flyfisher' post='1014656' date='Nov 6 2010, 07:15 PM']... unlike this guy ...[/quote]

... whose shoulder must get really tired - he doesn't seem to support his arm on the bass at all. I'd be aching for hours afterwards.

[bumnote]

I have been listening to the anthology albums today with lots of the out takes. Its really interesting to hear the different arrangements and how the demos morph into the finished item.

To me they have always been that thing where the band as a whole seem to be more than the four individuals. Mcartney plays some great bass lines, but if you add Piano, Guitar, Drums, Vocals and er songwriting, what a talented individual.

I have to confess though Lennons voice can send shivers down my spine.