John says Fabs 'sidemen for Paul'

kog · Post by **kog** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:05 pm

Let's see, McCartney on "All My Loving" & "I Saw Her Standing There", Sting... Hmm....

Your leader's right...not possible to sing and play bass at the same time.

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:41 pm

Singing while playing bass? I've been doing it for 40 years. For me, the key is the ability to not think about doing either. They function independently. Like they say, amateurs practice till they get it right; pros practice until they can't get it wrong. With enough practice, it's automatic.

jojo99 · Post by **jojo99** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:27 pm

Well, McCartney and Sting are just a *tad* more talented than me, so they don't count...LOL.
My band leader meant that he has found singing and playing together is more challenging for bassists as opposed to guitarists or keyboardists. The bottom line is that my bass playing suffered while trying to sing, which is why I didn't argue about it...i think having the bass be absolutley tight was more important than whatever vocal contribution I could make. Plus, we got a keyboardist who can sing, so... at any rate, I think what he was really getting at was the whole confidence issue. It can be pretty embarassing to witness someone attempting to sing who is riddled with self-doubt...but hey, at least I gave it a shot, so I got a few bonus points, LOL. But I do hope the current harmony-less trend in bands disappears, because I for one certainly appreciate any band that achieves a big, full vocal presence, knowing how much rehersal goes into it.

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:08 am

>>He also noted it's very difficult in general for bassists to sing while they play<< It's hard for anyone to sing and play any instrument at the same time, until they get used to it. It's trickier for bass players...if you're talking someone that is actually playing bass instead of just hanging on one note like so many "bassists" have done for the past quarter century. These days it's difficult to find a bassist that can play, period, let alone sing backing. Like harmonies have all but disappeared, bass players that can play more than one groove in rock have gone the same way. The fact that U2 and Nirvana could get to be so big with such limited bass playing, and number/quality of singing/singers (of course, I'm being kind here) is just a reflection of how low the bar has been set. Then again, there are bands in clubs with players that can do both. For some reason, though, they never get signed or promoted. I guess that's just clueless accountants running labels, and focus groups selecting top 40 songs.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:27 am

"BTW all of my bass players sang. Some better than others but they all did a good job at both."

How you gonna drop a line like that without more explanation, Brian? I mean, how many bass players are we talkin' here? Were their bass signals put through one stage rig, or did they run separate set-ups? What about their vocals: individual mics, or crowded around one mic 'Beatles'-style? How did they get along together on the road...did they room together or insist on separate rooms? We need to know more about this cool, innovative line-up you had going...

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:16 am

Dane, I would be more than happy to provide answers to all of your questions, but I can't help wondering why there is this level of curiosity on your part?

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:21 am

Brian: I think Dane is picturing a large group of bass players. It's the idea of multiple bassists in a line-up that he seems to find interesting. Har, har, har...

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:30 am

Dane: What's the matter? Don't you like the 'Wall Of Sound' approach? I think three bassists, a couple of drummers, several banjo players, about a half dozen guitarists, and bunch of guys on tambourines and harmonicas would sound great!

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:49 am

That's kind of what I figured Randy. Dane and his zany humor trying to walk me into a setup.

LOL

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:59 am

Re: the "Wall Of Sound" approach with three bass players. That's a great concept. I would love to see that. There would conceivably be lots and lots of "bottom end"

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:21 am

Yep. Practically bottomless bottom. You'd have to call it 'The Big Bottom'.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:26 pm

yup... one of the all-time classics....

The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'
That's what I said
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read

My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I'd like to sink her with my pink torpedo

Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about bum cakes, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?

I met her on Monday, twas my lucky bun day
You know what I mean
I love her each weekday, each velvety cheek day
You know what I mean

My love gun's loaded and she's in my sights
Big game is waiting there inside her tights, yeah

Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:42 pm

Yes, my friend. It's a classic. Now turn it up to eleven!

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:50 pm

Is it just me, or do the lyrics above have a hidden sexual meaning?

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:12 pm

Really? I think you may just have a dirty mind...