Golchen Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 OK, so following on from my recent(ish) thread on ‘how do you play bass’ (which was populated with a lot of useful info – so thanks all!) my part two question is thus: What are some essential records to listen to for great bass playing that sounds excellent but really serves the songs well? I’ve always liked to hear great bass playing, but I’ve always gone for the OTT type players who overindulge in many ways. What records are there that are more ‘song-oriented’ but real sexy in the lower registers? I'm looking to raid iTunes for some SERIOUS listenin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 It depends on what styles your into. I tend to struggle learning music that I'm not a fan of, no matter how good the bass line. Personally, I love the Stone Roses. Some great examples of songs that would be nothing without the bass line, without being self indulgent. Check out their first eponomously named album: She Bangs the Drum I am the Resurrection I wanna be Adored Waterfall Also, even though he is an owl faced stoat, you can't go wrong with a lot of McCartney's work. Melodic genius. Just playing along with Lady Madonna, Come Together, Penny Lane, Revolution, you soon see how a simple line can drive a song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Almost any Motown compilation will give you some insights. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 The bassline on Sparkle City by Shuggie Otis is just perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 rage against the machine, red hot chili peppers, the clash, the stranglers, guns n roses are my first thoughts. but i agree with bigbeefchief, it depends what you listen to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Andy Frazers bass playing in Free, just perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Anything on Motown, Stax or Atlantic. Get the basics down first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-T-P Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 If we're talking simply in terms of serving the song well without being complex... With or Without You - U2 Town Called Malice - The Jam Long Train Running - Doobie Brothers Alright Now - Free Upside Down - Diana Ross None of these are particularly tricky in terms of notes or fancy runs but none of them work unless you nail the feel - be it the urgency of TCM; the slow-burning pounding of WOWY; the bounciness of Alright Now etc. Personally, I think feel is the most overlooked aspect of bass playing. It's something that's hard to teach, tricky to explain and difficult to grasp but I think it's the thing that sets apart the great from the good and if you're transitioning from another instrument, techniques and scales and arpeggios will come fairly easily so focus on understanding feel and how the bass contributes to the groove and mood of songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 [quote name='P-T-P' post='155115' date='Mar 11 2008, 10:00 AM']Alright Now - Free[/quote] Which reminds me, that and "Honky Tonk Women" must be the two tracks that bassists listen to least before playing them - there's no bass in the verse of either, but how many bands actually play them like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 you might find some useful responses in this thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10287"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10287[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_In_Yer_Face Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Some of the Pixies stuff has very simple bass lines but make the song. I'm thing 'Monkey's gone to heaven' or 'gigantic' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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