100 Greatest Rock Bass Performances

[edski]

Not much I can add...and I think compiling lists like this is kind of fruitless and confusing. Tomorrow I may hear something that makes me re-evaluate. Henny mentions John Wetton on "Red"...my favorite Wetton performance is the last 2 songs on "UK".

Wints mentions JPJ from Zeppelin...a real subtle bass player, but some of his lines are absolutely amazing. "Lemon Song" and "Communications Breakdown" pop into my mind...

Of course Geddy Lee and Chris Squire left their marks on me. Hard to say what my favorite Rush bass line is, but that one measure of insanity in the middle of La Villa might be it. I have NEVER been able to come close to it despite knowing the notes...

I think the favorite line from Squire is a riff in the middle of "And You and I", right before the lyric "I listened hard but could not see"...another one that I know the notes, but just can never get it to sound right. But I suppose it might actually help if I tried to practice once in a while.

Anyway, that's my thoughts this Monday morning. Next week it might be far different.

[ricosound]

These are my personal favorites and not necessarily in order of ability, just preference.
1. Jamerson
2. Geddy
3. Entwistle
4. Roscoe Beck (Robben Ford, Eric Johnson)
5. Larry Graham
6. JPJ
8. Duck Dunn
7. Nathan East
9. John Myung (Dream Theater)
10. Squire (sentimental fav so he has to make the list, but there are so many good modern players that could bump him off)

Also throw in Rhonda Smith (Prince NPG), Sting, McCartney, Whetton, and local Billy Franzy (Johnny Lang, Mick Sterling).

One guy that impresses me is Will Lee. He's out there every night in front of millions holding it down with a very diverse set list. Seems like every TV awards or music tribute show has him in the band also. Nice solid player, which is what I strive for.

[charlyg]

Now I get a chance to pi** everyone off. I am a pocket player and actually cringe when I hear most bass "solo's". As far as Geddy Lee, I only like his solo on "Closer to the Heart". That is what a bass solo should be. It is very rythmic, not overplayed, and within context. Most drummers and bass players "go off" on a solo and eventually they get back to the context of the song. Most bassists in a three piece are way too busy for me. You can keep the groove just as well with very few notes. Ok, now for my picks.

1. Lee Sklar
2. Geezer Butler
3. Felix Papallardi(sp?)
5. Duck Dunn
6. James Jamerson
7. JPJ
8. Paul McCartney
9. Mel Shacher
10. Barry Oakley

Ok, I have my asbestos suit on, Fire away!

[ken_swearingen]

Duck Dunn,is that the Irish,guy who played in the blues brothers.

[charlyg]

OOps, I forgot Glenn Hughes. Oakley would fall to number 11 and glenn would be number 5.

[iamthebassman]

I've always thought Smokey's "Tears of a Clown" had the best bass part ever.

[iamthebassman]

These lists are always pretty lame 'cause "who cares"? But, since I didn't see him mentioned, my fave bassist is Dee Murray R.I.P.

[mgauction]

Charly - Felix Pappalardi & Lee Sklar!! Two of my big favorites!
I want to change my list!

Ronn - My favorite Dee Murray basline is on "Amoreena."

[iamthebassman]

Mike, good choice!

[bobcat]

Actually, yeah, I really like Dee too. I grew up on Elton John (and the Grateful Dead), so I've constantly got "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Tumbleweed Connection" playing in my head. Strange as it is, though, I can't remember specific basslines. I've gotta go listen to that stuff again.

"I'm a . . . ROCK . . . ET . . . man . . . ."

[jwr2]

What makes Geddy amazing is that he plays 100 note long arpeggios in odd time signatures and he does them note for note with the other 2 band members and then he plays keys and sings lead and triggers midi patches ...

Having Neil on drums is a big advantage for Geddy over other bass players ... Also Rush works everything out note for note ... there is very little Jamming ... a band like the Who has a loose framework that the members would have freedom to improvise in ... for Rush pre-recorded midi parts are an intergral part of the sound ... for the Who pre-recorded parts limit them and hold them back ...

Geddy is my favorite because I really like his choice of notes and his rickenbacker tone ... Billy Shehan is faster ... Entwistle improvises and jams exceptionally (His live at Leeds and kids are alright tones are rock standards)... Chris Squire has a great Ric tone (especially in the old days) ... McCartney has that melodic guitar player approach ...

But I still like Geddy the best ... especially when he plays a Ric ...

[ricosound]

...oops, forgot Mel Shacher and Dee Murray. Sorry, can't keep it to ten.
Charley, pocket all the way, that's why I have Roscoe Beck and Duck Dunn up there. Oh, and add Tommy Shannon. What's that make it 20 or so?

[kpj]

1. John Paul Jones
2. John Entwistle
3. Jack Bruce
4. Geddy Lee
5. James Jamerson
6. Steve Harris
7. Paul McCartney
8. Duck Dunn
9. Tommy Shannon
10. Allen Woody

FWIW

[ricosound]

... geez and Allen Woody too!

I revisited this discussion title as the greatest bass "performance" not favorite players. I'll have to give this more thought.

[nattiep]

Nice to see Steve Harris on the list!

Which CTTH Bass solo, Charly? The ****** jam at the end on the Grace Under Pressure show? The solo on the ASOH Video? Or the one on Different Stages? The DS one is by far the best. But they should kept Al's introductions.. "I'm Fabio!"

My listening preferences are very narrow, so here is my list.

1. Geddy
2. Steve Harris
3. Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd and session man)
4. Geezer Butler
5. Jonesy
6. McCartney
7. Billy Sheehan
8. Squire (I'm not very familiar with him, but I like him.)
9. Roger Waters (With Syd.. then Rog is busy.)
10. Gene Simmons (Noise for the sake of noise)