Stuart Clayton Posted March 11, 2008 Posted March 11, 2008 Hi all, While not wishing to copy another thread, I thought I'd ask for some input on an article I'm writing. Basically, I'd be interested to hear about who you consider to be the top 10 bassists of the eighties, the top ten best eighties basslines, top ten best albums (for bass players), best (or most innovative equipment) etc. Just something I'm toying with writing. Thanks! Stu Quote
BOD2 Posted March 11, 2008 Posted March 11, 2008 Well I know it doesn't have much "cred" but I always though the bass line in "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo (such a wonderful band name) was very interesting. Was it Nick Beggs who played that ? Firstly, it's a pure pre-teen pop song so there was no expectation (or even need) for a interesting bass line. Secondly, it really brought the song to life and was instantly recognisable - there's not many songs that a layperson can recognise from the bass part alone. Thirdly, it's a real "eighties" line with all the features of the time - bright sound, bit of slapping here and there. Quote
pete.young Posted March 11, 2008 Posted March 11, 2008 [quote name='Stuart Clayton' post='155600' date='Mar 11 2008, 10:07 PM']Hi all, While not wishing to copy another thread, I thought I'd ask for some input on an article I'm writing. Basically, I'd be interested to hear about who you consider to be the top 10 bassists of the eighties, the top ten best eighties basslines, top ten best albums (for bass players), best (or most innovative equipment) etc. Just something I'm toying with writing. Thanks! Stu[/quote] Pino Palladino and I'm gonna tear your playhouse down. Quote
BigRedX Posted March 11, 2008 Posted March 11, 2008 Bassists: Mick Karn - Japan Peter Hook - Joy Division/New Order Jeremy Kerr - ACR Kevin Bacon - Comsat Angels Alan Turton - Medium Medium Great 80s Bass Lines: "Mind Your Own Business" Delta 5 "Waterfront" Simple Minds "Dead Souls" by Joy Division "Shaken" by None So Blind and Anything from "Quiet Life" or "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" by Japan Quote
Hit&Run Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 80s bass players whose work I like: John Taylor Pino Palladino (again) The guy from 'Talk Talk' (sorry, still don't know his name) Graham Maby Deon Esteus (possibly not correct spelling) Bruce Thomas The guy who played for Paul King, the Beat (David Steele), the Blow Monkeys (sorry, no names again)... ...in the main. Though I'd even admit to liking a couple of simply Red's basslines. Keep it quiet though, yeah? Quote
tempo Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Rio/Save a Prayer - Duran Duran Anything by Level42 Anything from 'Moving Pictures' through to 'Roll The Bones' by Rush And many others, available on an 80's compilation near you. Quote
Beedster Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Chic must have just about crept into the 80's? Otherwise, I can't help feeling that most of the good guys were resting during the decade in question. Too many producers using too many synths for my liking, some great bass lines certainly, but mostly not played by bassists . Chris Quote
Beedster Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 [quote name='tempo' post='155675' date='Mar 12 2008, 12:31 AM']Rio/Save a Prayer - Duran Duran Anything by Level42 Anything from 'Moving Pictures' through to 'Roll The Bones' by Rush And many others, available on an 80's compilation near you. [/quote] Roll the Bones was great but was 90's.... Quote
Buzz Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) [quote name='BOD2' post='155607' date='Mar 11 2008, 10:22 PM']Well I know it doesn't have much "cred" but I always though the bass line in "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo (such a wonderful band name) was very interesting. Was it Nick Beggs who played that ? Firstly, it's a pure pre-teen pop song so there was no expectation (or even need) for a interesting bass line. Secondly, it really brought the song to life and was instantly recognisable - there's not many songs that a layperson can recognise from the bass part alone. Thirdly, it's a real "eighties" line with all the features of the time - bright sound, bit of slapping here and there.[/quote] Yeap, was Nick Beggs. Song in question, although via youtube, which isn't bass friendly: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P6I4pT_tVA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P6I4pT_tVA[/url] Love it Edited March 12, 2008 by Buzz Quote
tempo Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) You are right Mr Beedster, and my brain is too tired, but on a note of correction, Permanent Waves gets in, so game over... "Freewill", do I win a prize? Edited March 12, 2008 by tempo Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) Marcus Miller should surely be considered to be an eighties man to start with. I do believe he was with Miles Davis from '81 although he had already racked up an impressive NY session CV. His work with Sanborn and Luther Vandross was mostly through the 80s Edited March 12, 2008 by jakesbass Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 [quote name='Stuart Clayton' post='155600' date='Mar 11 2008, 10:07 PM'](or most innovative equipment) etc. Thanks! Stu[/quote] The Yamaha DX7 for taking away the need to carry around Rhodes stage 88s!! Quote
RayFW Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Players that I associate with the 80's that influenced me in some way: (in no particular order)- Nick Beggs Mark King Pino Palladino Mick Karn Andy Rourke Tommy Shannon Mikey Craig John Taylor Earl Falconer Doug Wimbish Quote
bnt Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Hit&Run' post='155667' date='Mar 12 2008, 12:00 AM']The guy from 'Talk Talk' (sorry, still don't know his name)[/quote] 'tis Paul Webb ye're thinking of * I agree. Also: Tony Butler (Big Country) Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie, UB40 & more) Cliff Burton (Metallica) Mark King (L42) Pete Trewavas (Marillion) Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) Geddy Lee (Rush) - from [i]Moving Pictures[/i] to [i]Presto[/i] is all 80s edit: Mark "Bedders" Bedford (Madness) should be here too + I meant to list Scott Thunes, who was with Zappa in the 80s - though Patrick O'Hearn was still a monster in the 70s. lastly, my Enthusiasm Award goes to ... Andy McCluskey (OMD) PS: on the bass-related Equipment side, I think of: Fairlight CMI, for solid bass sampling & sequencing (ask Frankie & the Art of Noise); the rise of the 5-string bass; and, of course: Steinberger. Edited March 12, 2008 by bnt Quote
bassmandan Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Ewan Vernal - Deacon Blue he was the sole reason I went down the Bass road..... there were plenty more great players from the 80's of course, but I didn't get into them until the 90's I guess. Quote
Hit&Run Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bassmandan' post='155697' date='Mar 12 2008, 01:34 AM']Ewan Vernal - Deacon Blue[/quote] Was he the guy that played on their (90s) single 'Your Town'? I quite liked that song and bassline. The first CD I bought! Edit Time: I can't believe we havn't mentioned Tony Levin yet! Sledgehammer anyone? Edited March 12, 2008 by Hit&Run Quote
Mike Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Tsk - no mention of Sting & the Police yet! For shame, Basschatters! Whilst not Mr Technical, I consider him a study in space and tastefulness. Quote
bass_ferret Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 [quote name='jakesbass' post='155687' date='Mar 12 2008, 01:04 AM']Marcus Miller should surely be considered to be an eighties man to start with. I do believe he was with Miles Davis from '81 although he had already racked up an impressive NY session CV. His work with Sanborn and Luther Vandross was mostly through the 80s[/quote] +1 - Luther Vandross was a major star of the 80's. Quote
bass_ferret Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Happy Mondays - cant remember the bass player Stone Roses - Mani; just crept into the 80's. Although invented in the 70's the 80's saw the rise in popularity and more availability of active basses. Quote
sk8 Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 [quote name='Buzz' post='155690' date='Mar 12 2008, 01:09 AM']Cliff Burton anyone?[/quote]+ 1 and I'll raise you Steve Harris Quote
Deep Thought Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) Stuart Morrow (New Model Army) Chris Thompson (Screaming Blue Messiahs) Greg Norton (Husker Du) Paul Raven (KIlling Joke) Stan Stammers(Theatre of Hate/Spear of Destiny) Les Pattinson (Echo and the Bunnymen-met him backstage at York festival-nice chap!) Edited March 13, 2008 by Deep Thought Quote
Stuart Clayton Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 Great stuff guys - nice to see a few less obvious names cropping up! Stu Quote
sk8 Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Deep Thought' post='155748' date='Mar 12 2008, 09:02 AM']Stuart Morrow (New Model Army)[/quote] oh yeah, great call its time to dig out my NMA stuff for a listen Edited March 12, 2008 by sk8 Quote
clauster Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 [quote]Happy Mondays[/quote] That'll have been Paul Ryder. +1 for Mani, I still love playing his lines - really annoyed the rest of my band last night by breaking into "the bit" from I am the Resurrection at every available opportunity! Two that I don't think have been mentioned - Bruce Foxton Duff McCagan On upright - Terry Lilley Quote
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