Favorite Bassists

[jps]

...Max Bennett(Session player)...

I remember Max from Joni Mitchell's Miles Of Aisles era.

I'll bet you remember as far back as when Heinz had only two varieties!

Two? What is the other one?

[cjj]

What band did Heinz play in???

[jps]

What band did Heinz play in???

I get it now, two varieties, Country and Western!

[cjj]

What band did Heinz play in???

I get it now, two varieties, Country and Western!

Yeah, both types of music! And Joey's trying to imply that there are more???

[rickenbrother]

I remember Max from Joni Mitchell's Miles Of Aisles era.

I'll bet you remember as far back as when Heinz had only two varieties!

Two? What is the other one?

Heinz can't remember!

[jdogric12]

What is the other one?

Mustard!

[Bassmouse]

I love listening to great bassists, and there are so many excellent ones that I could not even begin a comprehensive list of all my favourite players.

But two stand above all others, for me - James Jamerson and Abe Laboriel. Musical geniuses, both of them!

[Billsbro]

I love listening to great bassists, and there are so many excellent ones that I could not even begin a comprehensive list of all my favourite players.

But two stand above all others, for me - James Jamerson and Abe Laboriel. Musical geniuses, both of them!

Hey! You are pulling a fast one there! Abe Laboriel IS a great bassist..on bass DRUM that is. He is a drummer, not a bassist.

[cjj]

I love listening to great bassists, and there are so many excellent ones that I could not even begin a comprehensive list of all my favourite players.

But two stand above all others, for me - James Jamerson and Abe Laboriel. Musical geniuses, both of them!

Hey! You are pulling a fast one there! Abe Laboriel IS a great bassist..on bass DRUM that is. He is a drummer, not a bassist.

No, Abe Laboriel IS a bassist. His son, Abe Jr. is a drummer...

[Billsbro]

"Oh! Well that is different...nevermind"
--Gilda Radner

[Bassmouse]

That's right - his son, Abe Laboriel Junior, decided to take up a different instrument in order to avoid spending his entire career being compared to his dad. A brave move really, and I admire him for doing that.

No problem, Stephen! Nice to have "met" you, anyway!

[Billsbro]

Thanks for being gentle with me!
I guess in retrospect I should have remembered the "Jr" part because I have read several interviews with Jr. (I am more of a drummer than a bassist.)
But, as is often the case, now I will research and listen to his father.

That "shadow of the parent" thing is real. While some kids of famous musicians play the same instrument, others take a left turn to avoid comparisons (or just because they fall in love with a different instrument).

[DevilsHandsAreAnIdolWorkshop]

Greetings. I have a 4003 mapleglo in shipment right now - my first 'real' bass - and the prospect of owning something I've lusted after since I was a teenager (I'll be 51 on Friday, hence the birthday Rickenbacker) made me feel like I needed to do some research on proper care and feeding... so here I am.

On the topic, I've seen Paul D'Amour and Tool mentioned several times, but not Justin Chancellor who stepped in after D'Amour. Both of these guys exhibit a tremendous punch, obviously different style and tone, but both extremely in-your-face. The two of them (and the overall Tool sound) is what got me interested in playing bass, as opposed to just listening. I may never think like a bass player, and I'm pretty sure this is a fool's game for me, but if I can ever kick out the opening riffs of 'Intolerance' it will be worth it.

OK, others I don't recall seeing:

- Dave LaRue of Steve Morse Band / Dixie Dregs (Andy West I think was mentioned)


- Miroslav Vitous (do upright players count?)


- John Myung



and the standards mentioned many times in the thread:
Geddy Lee
Tony Levin
John Wetton
Mike Rutherford
Chris Squire
Billy Sheehan
Jaco Pastorius
Stanley Clark

Honorable mention goes to Uriah Duffy, a guy I just saw in a band (Points North) opening for Steve Morse a couple of weeks ago. In searching for something to reference, I discovered he is also the Whitesnake bassist (somewhat regrettable, I'd imagine) but he's still cool:


PS Victor Wooten, too.

Edit: also Patrick (Patty) O'Hearn, more for the music than the bass playing.

[cjj]

Welcome to the forum Brad! You've come to the right place for all things Rick!

[DevilsHandsAreAnIdolWorkshop]

Thank you very much. I can see this is the right place! I spent too many hours reading threads last night