Awesome Entwistle video

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:41 am

Although there are many bass players these days who are technically better than John, he is the perfect balance of technique, musicality, and tone IMHO. Without doubt one of the greatest bassists ever. Arguably THE rock bassist in fact, although I love Chris equally. But seeing as Chris in his own words "copied John Entwistle" I guess the kudos have to go to John.

I saw him twice with the Who, but unfortunately never heard him at either gig (except for the solo he played as shown - unfortunately the one he played when I saw him wasn't as good). I'm sure if he'd known what he sounded like out front (or rather that you couldn't hear him out front) he would have gone ballistic!

But with regards to his personal habits, he was only human, despite his rare talent. I think we should all just be thankful that he shared so much with us over the years.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:46 am

Too busy for me, but a nice solo, I don't do bass solos.....

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:00 am

I tend to agree with Shaun about Entwistle. He is pretty close to the ultimate rock bass player in the classic setting. Squire's melody is what sets him apart from many and especially lends itself to my ears. JPJ from Zep falls in between the two and is usually overlooked, which is criminal..

As subjective as ever...

My ear lends itself to syncopation and melody, which usually takes you off in a far different direction as far as conventional rock bass goes.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:20 am

Yeah with bass players of their caliber it's like comparing apples and oranges. Squire, Entwistle, JPJ are or were at the top of the game and all very different. I agree JPJ was great and is overlooked.
Don't discount the upright players either, they are physically much harder to play, but there are some who can keep up with or surpass many electric players in both melody and speed. If you want hear some amazing upright playing check out the CD Joe Pass, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. He plucked with all 4 fingers and does everthing and more than Joe does on the guitar.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:45 am

Andrew, I agree totally. Squire, Entwistle and JPJ are 3 of my absolute faves.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:08 am

Lee Sklar, Rick Grech, Roger Glover, Felix Pappalardi, in no particular order.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:11 am

Niels is probably as good a bass player as I've ever seen. I absolutely loved his playing. Used to watch him on tv with Oscar Petersen when I was a kid. Yet another sad loss.

Personally I tend to try not to compare upright bassists and electric ones to be honest, because for me it's a different instrument entirely, although I know many don't agree. But I love both all the same.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:12 am

Forgot about Mel Schacher and Geezer Butler. So it's a top 6. If I had to lose one, I don't think I could decide!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:15 am

I do believe I just misspelt Peterson...probably because I know someone called Petersen...apparently there's an Oscar Peterson DVD you can get which features both Niels and Ray Brown. I look forward to buying that at some stage.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:21 am

Charly, I was trying to come up with a top ten the other day and failed utterly. But if I was pushed, my top five (which is slightly easier) would be Chris Squire, John Entwistle, Lemmy, Lee Gorman and Stanley Clarke. Or JPJ. Or Jean Jacques Burnel. Er, but then Geezer, Glenn, Roger and Geddy are missing. And Mike Rutherford. And James Jameson. And Mick Karn, and...ok, I give up!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:42 am

My Personal Faves:
1. Geddy Lee
2. Chris Squire
3. Mike Rutherford
4. John Entwistle
5. Three-way tie between Greg Lake, John Wetton, and Tony Levin
6. Dave Meros
7. Paul McCartney
8. Jack Bruce
9. Les Claypool
10. Adam Clayton

And of course, outside of the top 10, there's John Myung and Victor Wooten and Jeff Berlin and Larry Graham and Roger Glover and Cliff Burton and Michael Todd and Juan Alderete and Chris Wolstenholme and on and on and on.

"JPJ from Zep falls in between the two and is usually overlooked, which is criminal.. "

I understand why John Paul Jones is great, but I also understand why he gets overlooked. Frankly,though, I overlook him on purpose; I never found his bass playing very interesting, and I would never put him close to Entwistle or Squire, except in terms of influence. Definitely a "Top 20 of All Time" bassist, but not, I think, a Top 5.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:43 am

One can spend a lot of time in one's quest for favourites. There is never a time when Jamerson is not playing on something in my CD rotation. For me, that is electric bass playing personified.
From a pure bass playing point Jaco is always in the mix too.

After that, current listening varies, but creative melodic bass playing very much dictates the pattern. Case in point at this very moment, Teena Marie's "Young Love"...

Bobcat, JPJ was the backbone of possibly the greatest rock band ever. That alone is enough said....but if you still need convincing, lock yourself away in a room with Zep 2, 3 and 4 and really listen. Hopefully then you'll see it a little differently.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:53 am

LOL!! Yeah, LZ 2 is enough for me Andrew...

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:54 am

My favourite too (no pun intended!) Shaun...

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:51 pm

My favorites:
1. The Ox
2. George Porter, Jr
3. Jack Bruce
4. JPJ
5. Billy Talbot
6. Bootsy Collins
7. Geddy Lee
8. Billy Cox
9. James Jamerson
10. John Wallace