Who is your most inspirational bassist?

[Eight]

Of course there are lots of bassists I admire. But two stand out a mile from the others... and these are the only two whom I actively study. They mean more to me than inspiration... they're part of my learning and experience of this instrument.

James Jamerson
I never really listened to Motown prior to picking up the bass. Obviously, I'd *heard* it, but I didn't really *listen*. It was just something my mum put on when I was kid. When I listened with fresh (old) ears, I was blown away. The whole sound is incredible and I never get tired of playing/analysing Jamerson's lines.

Steve Harris
They tell me the role of the bass is to provide rhythm and harmony. I don't think anyone in metal/rock matches Harris for his ability to do that, and to break out an interesting fill when it's tasteful to do so.

[Marvin]

Having got back to playing only within the last 12 months after a long break my influences have changed, and I can't remember who they were when I was playing in my late teens early twenties.

Now it's Andy Fraser when he was in Free. Great laid back grooves.
And the Motown and soul grooves created by James Jamerson and Bob Babbit who is always overlooked.

[OliverBlackman]

james jamerson and bob babbit....... also BENARD EDWARDS!! havn't seen that name yet

[Josh]

Ryan Martinie
Andrew Gouche
Tye Zamora
Dirk Lance

Ryan is the one I always come back to.

[dougal]

[JTUK]

oh difficult as I could name so many that inspired me....


Hon mentions along the way would be Miller, Rainey, Abe L, Jaco etc etc
Other comes and go, and are flavour of the month/year or have the lastest trick
but if I had to name just one guy who always always sounds good everytime I hear him, has an unmistakeable style and groove
and has been the one I keep coming back to, I'd say, Anthony Jackson.

[deathpanda]

JJJJJJJJJJJJaco

[Duarte]

Juan Nelson



Bernard Edwards

[bottomfeed]

Early Lemmy (Hawkwind - Space Ritual)
Mike Howlett (Gong)
Philippe Bussonnet (Magma)
Percy Jones
Norman Watt Roy
Pino Palladino
Meshell Ndegeocello

many others....but these stick out!

Edited April 29, 2010 by bottomfeed

[Ian Savage]

Matt Freeman (Rancid)

And that's largely it.

[casapete]

Willie Dixon
James Jamerson
Paul McCartney

[Mateybass]

James Jamerson for his soul, Macca for his melody, the late John Glascock for his precision and, I can't believe no-one's mentioned him yet, John Giblin who plays from the heart.

Edited April 30, 2010 by Mateybass

[Faithless]

Richard Bona
Janek Gwizdala
Miles Davis..

[cetera]

[quote name='Johnston' post='823337' date='Apr 29 2010, 07:47 PM'][/quote]

Big +1

Also:

Peter Cetera (Chicago)
Tiran Porter (Doobie Brothers)
Paul Goddard (Atlanta Rhythm Section)
Guy Pratt (Toy Matinee/Pink Floyd)
Joe Puerta (Ambrosia)
Dee Murray (Elton John band)

[fatback]

To get me playing - Bootsie, Jaco & Tina Weymouth (still love her economy and groove).

Now? Rick Danko, Mingus, Pino.

[notable9]

James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey

[originalfunkbrother]

For me:

Nathan East
Abe Laboriel
Marcus Miller
Bakithi Khumalo
Richard Bona
Fana Zulu
James Jamerson
Wilton Felder
Chuck Rainey
Verdine White

[urb]

Roughly in order...

Gary Willis, Victor Wooten, Kai Eckhardt, Squarepusher, Richard Bona, Matt Garrison, Hadrien Feraud, Doug Wimbish, Laurence Cottle, Jasper Hoiby, Etienne Mbappe, Dave Holland

[Ancient Mariner]

Probably Jack Bruce. He's the bass player I always wanted around when I played guitar.

[Wil]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='823223' date='Apr 29 2010, 05:34 PM']Still Norwood

[/quote]

Oh god yes. He's the man!

The bassist from A Wilhelm Scream regularly excites me, too.

[Conan]

Geddy Lee got me started. Still one of my biggest influences, but I added to this with liberal sprinklings of (in roughly chronological order) Mark King, Marcus Miller, Geezer Butler, Bernard Edwards, Verdine White, Pete Trewavas (Marillion), JJB, Leroy Gorman, Chris Squire, Mike Rutherford, Stanley Clarke, Pino Palladino, Norwood Fisher, Doug Wimbish, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten....

As someone else said: "How long have you got?". I still hear new players now that influence me!

Edited April 30, 2010 by Conan

[BobVbass]

duck dunn, danny thompson and alan lancaster!

[oldslapper]

Dee Murray.......perfection every time I listen to his playing.

[Spike Vincent]

JJ Burnell,and I'm frankly surprised only 2 other people have said the same.

[JPS]

John Entwistle, Duck Dunn, Bruce Thomas, James Jamerson and John Paul Jones.

So that's noone new in the last 30+ years then!