Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A local radio station is playing Beatles only all weekend in honor of the 41st anniversary of them coming to the US. They played a sound bite where McCartney said he had been lumbered with the bass, although I heard this before, I thought immediately – what would bass playing be like today if let’s say George played bass instead of Paul. Now this isn’t a knock on George, after all, he kicked the hell out of it on Old Brown Shoe – which is one of my favorite bass songs IMA. But the fact that he wasn’t a front man as McCartney was and you never know what the evolution of the instrument would have been.

Your thoughts?

Deep, deep question, Andy....

Personally, I don't think the bass would have come to the forefront so soon....look at how many of the '70s bassists were influenced by Macca!! .....and how many of todays bassists were influenced by them?...Paul DREW people to him with his magnetic personality and I think , that coupled with his innovative bass playing made the bass a "cool" instrument to play.... I like GL and CS just as much as the next guy, but think about it....who else was playing bass the WAY Paul was at that time?....I SAW HER STANDING THERE, for instance ??

George played bass on Old Brown Shoe?
I could've sworn it was Paul...

My point exactly Chris!

it twas paul playing the bass

I read am interview with George years ago stating he played the bass on Old Brown Shoe.

George played the guitars and organ on this tune. McCartney played bass and piano.

Great tune!

Lewisohn in "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions" says:

'Old Brown Shoe', started first, was a terrific up-tempo Harrison number recorded, quite strictly, in just four takes. The first complete run-through , take two, showed just how well the song had been worked out in advance, and how each of the Beatles seemed to know his part. The live instruments were drums (Ringo), lead guitar and vocals (George), jangle piano (Paul) and rhythm guitar (John). Onto take four was overdubbed bass and lead guitars and fine backing vocals by John and Paul. George also re-taped his lead vocal, huddled in a small corner of the studio to lend a tight but natural echo. The song's highly distinctive and impressive bass sound was actually a fine combination of matching lead and bass guitar notes played by George and Paul.

Hey Chris - Paul nicked the bass line in "I saw her standing there" from a Chuck Berry song - "I'm Talking About You" that was in their old live act. I believe he admitted as much in an interview. If you listen to the Berry tune, you can see where Paulie got it.... Still a great song.

dup. post...

I wonder if George meant he "wrote" the bass line in OBS, since Paul and George doubled on that line.

Tony, I like Pauls rendition of that bass line(ISHST)....that whole SONG so much better...it is so full of life and vitality and just springs forth so much ENTHUSIASM.....unbelievable....their first song on their first album.....what a start!

By the way... "You Can't Catch Me", I like Johns version on "Rock n' Roll" better......go figure....

What I also like about ISHST is that it includes the count-in. Is it the only song that does that? The inclusion of that adds to the energy level.

ISHST was written when Paul was just 17 himself, sitting in his Mum's front parlor with John.

Great stuff.

Off the top of my head Taxman has it too, starts Revolver to a good start

I was listening to Live at BBC yesterday and today and some songs have some real energy behind them, it's amazing.
Not being a bass player I don't tend to listen to the bass as much as I'd like but I tend to lend my ear to it more and more, Paul's got some real good lines going on alot of songs.

If I had to start playing bass I'd try to play like him as much as I can... Just like I try to strum like John

what would bass be if George was the Beatles bass player instead of Paul?

Well I don't think George would have played a Hofner ... he probably would have played a jazz bass ... would he have played a 4001?