The World's Very Best Bassists

[leftybass]

Hard to believe noone has mentioned Joe Osborn yet, so I will.......

[jps]

Strange, i always thought bass player was the most important guy in the band. The heart of the band, so to speak.

You are absolutely correct in your assessment, Sheena. We just have the smarts to not inform those guitardists in our bands of that fact!

[antipodean]

I'll throw in Adam Clayton, who is not the flashiest but lays it down as solid as anyone.

Adam is one of those guys whose lines you (and just about everyone else) can play by ear - but they're always right in context.

I'd add Mike Dirnt to the list (having overlooked him). His work on the early Greenday numbers in particular is energetic and inventive without being self-indulgent.

[sowhat]

I'd add Mike Dirnt to the list (having overlooked him). His work on the early Greenday numbers in particular is energetic and inventive without being self-indulgent.

I'd second that.
How about Stu Cook from Creedence Clearwater Revival?

[woodyng]

all the above,esp.mr squire (unique and head-and shoulders above most in melodic invention),but we must not forget mike rutherford,and one of my faves,andy west. as you can see,my taste tends towards rock music,but alphonse johnson is another undersung player. pete farndon. chris woods. pino. did anyone mention jack casady already?

[tennis_nick]

Don't know if he was mentioned but... when he plays with Clapton and Baker...


Jack Bruce!

[kiramdear]

Ditto Jack Casady. Shoot me for forgetting him!

[wayang]

Strange, i always thought bass player was the most important guy in the band. The heart of the band, so to speak.

Well, more like the 'lukewarm water'...oh, I see, Sheena: you meant musically, not politically...

It's been my experience that the most important guy in the band is the one who owns the van, and that's always been the bass player, and that's always been me...

[kiramdear]

Without a bassist, who will translate for the drummer?

[winston]

I am sure I started a Very Best Bass Player thread a while back but I cannot find it. I also recall starting a Very Best Female Rock Singer thread as well. Either they were somehow deleted or they have been archived. Weird!

[sowhat]

I also recall starting a Very Best Female Rock Singer thread as well. Either they were somehow deleted or they have been archived. Weird!

Do you mean this one?

[ajish4]

Looks like most of my favorites have been covered, glad to see John McVee mentioned.

He never seems to get a lot of credit for his work. His work with Fleetwood Mac is so tasty....besides all that, I once watched a video where he swung his Alembic to the side...his belly would have put it out of reach otherwise! My kind of guy!

I feel that these few guys are worth mention as well....while not my style, amazing players all the same...

Abraham Laboriel


...and this fellow you hear very little about.

I met Norm Stockton years ago when I first started playing regularly, sometime in the late 90's...He was so very humble and sat down with me and gave me some priceless tips.
He was so down to earth, I'll never forgot how nervous I was just starting out and having this fellow critique me in a work shop. I'm hoping to see him one day again.



And these guys!

[vito]

Don't forget Charles Mingus. Easily the most important jazz bassist/composer.

And for modern jazz/fusion: Christian McBride. In my opinion, a much more versatile player than Clarke, Miller or Wooten.

[wayang]

And then there are the great players out there you've never heard of...

...like this guy:



That's pretty heavy throwin' down on a public sidewalk...

[jps]

And these guys!

Shari and I saw SMV on their very first tour date, they were so kind to begin their tour in Cleveland Heights! All we had to do was walk 10 minutes to get to Cain Park.