bluesparky Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) I've spent the last few weeks working on the latest Elton John tour, which is something that I've done on and off over the last who-knows how many years or so. Rather sadly Elton's previous bass player Bob Birch left us in 2012 and Matt Bissonette joined Elton's band to fill the vacancy. I did do an Elton tour in 2013, but as I wasn't involved with the actual show I never saw Matt play, but this time around I do have things to do so I'm paying attention to the music and I'm so glad I am. On the first show day a collegue of mine re-introduced us and he came across as a fantastically nice and funny chap and I duely gave him the respect he deserved - he clearly must be a player of some talent to have been asked to fill the vacancy. One of the other chaps I was with also let it slip I had my travel bass in my tool box (along with my keyboard) so he was mega keen for me to get it out, have a look and talk bass for ages. I quickly googled his name and noticed his brother was Greg Bissonette, whose name I recognised from a Victor Wooton / Steve Bailey instruction book / CD I had Next I saw Mat had also toured with Dave Lee Roth, Ringo Starr, Joe Satriani etc.. Played with Steve Vai etc.. and also recorded the scene interlude music for friends (which was the fact that impressed the wife..). Enough of the waffle, essentially, watching Matt play each night has been exactly the kick up the derriere that I needed, It's been a long while since I've seen a player who really has been outstanding in so many ways: holding back when he needs to, tasteful fills and runs, stepping up and really grooving when needing to, he really is an outstanding player of an incredibly high standard. Highlights of the set for me that highligh his playing are "Burning Down The Mission", "Levon" and "Saturday Night" (when it breaks down and there's loads of freedom as it builds up again, live obviously). I find it hard to sing and play at the same time, he's got an uncanny knack of being able to have a conversation and play at the same time, it's not unusual for him to wander over to the side of stage mid-gig and to chat to us lampies and say e.g. "so, what did you chaps get up to on your day off yesterday?"... Anyway, that's enough of my gushing. I'm in awe, I'd never heard of him before this tour, but watching him play has made me want to pick up my bass whenever I can now, even more than normal. Which can only be a good thing.. Edited June 22, 2016 by bluesparky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Any bassist who can replace Billy Sheehan must be doing something right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Great story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Elton John has always had great bass players. Dee Murray was the reason I took up bass, and Kenny Passarelli the reason for playing fretless. I lost interest in EJ s music after 76 Blue Moves, but always looked out for who was playing bass with him. Matt sounds like a nice guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 yep, Matt B is a great player. Saw him with DLR about (oh my) 20 years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Were you touring with Elton when Dave Paton was playing bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 He's great..he plays lines that you notice and he kicks the band along. For me, it is nice when someone can do that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 [quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1466580329' post='3076860'] Elton John has always had great bass players. Dee Murray was the reason I took up bass, [/quote] Sad memories of him coming to town not long before he died. Nashville. At the time Bob Babbitt Willie Weeks and David Hungate had already relocated to Nashville, so for a while we had a bunch of great pop bass players there as well as the regular goodolboys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1466595387' post='3077052'] Were you touring with Elton when Dave Paton was playing bass? [/quote] No, sadly not. I've only really been touring with Elton on and off since 2008. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 [quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1466553139' post='3076811'] Any bassist who can replace Billy Sheehan must be doing something right. [/quote] I saw him with Dave Lee Roth after Sheehan left. When it got to Billy's solo part in one of the songs he just stopped playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1466678719' post='3077799'] I saw him with Dave Lee Roth after Sheehan left. When it got to Billy's solo part in one of the songs he just stopped playing. [/quote] [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I've never met Matt but I've done two gigs with Gregg who is just the nicest guy ever. He really has time for everyone and really puts everyone at ease when you play with him. An incredible drummer and he refers to Matt as the musical one. You get the feeling their parents did a great job bringing them up to be good people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.