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sharkboy -> RE: Greatest Bass Riffs of all Time. (12/7/2012 3:53:44 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jonson
None of them qualify for best bass rifts by any stretch, just ones that I think are cool. If I rack my brains I could come up with any number of Level 42, Police, Infectious Grooves, Faith No More, Primus, Alice In Chains songs with a driving bass line to make my knob twitch.
I'll leave thatfor Sharky, he'll be here in a minute with a list as long as your arm. [:D]
You called? [:D]
I'm actually rather happy to see some mainstream pop in the lists, some of the session guys laid down basslines that were, frankly, often wasted on the song. Check out some of Deon Estus's work with Wham if you don't believe me - amazing musicianship! When I started playing bass as an impressionable 14-yr old, it was John Paul Jones and John Entwhistle that were probably my 2 biggest influences. So you can bet they're gonna feature somewhere! Then my influences really widened.
Anyway, a little list of some current favourites, in no particular order of preference:
Squarepusher - Solo Electric Bass 1 (album). Normally known for his very abrasive electronic tunes, he's also a pretty phenomenal bassist too. Check out what he can do with a 6-string - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4YdmXwotyQ
John Paul Jones - The Lemon Song: Hard to beat this improv bassline in the solos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbnKzRvNTD8
Pino Palladino - I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down: Pino's very distictive fretless technique really made Paul Young's soul covers soar. His beautiful intro to Wherever I Lay My Hat maybe his most recognised line, but it's this one that really blew me away when I first heard it - just check out the playing at the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psYvtaNAQiY&feature=related
Noman Watt-Roy - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick: Watt-Roy was simply one of the best bassists this country has ever produced and this is still his masterpiece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WGVgfjnLqc
JJ Burnel - Nice'n'Sleazy: Jean Jacques really made his bass growl, and while this may not be as in your face as the wonderful Peaches, it is a much better line IMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYqllpnyWrY
Tony Levin - Sledgehammer: Levin is just amazing, whether on a bass or Chapman Stick. I love his work with Peter Gabriel on the So album, and this is a fine example of his work (still love this video too!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1tTN-b5KHg
Mike Starr - Would?: AIC's contribution to the Singles Sountrack was the highlight of the CD, and here's why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1tTN-b5KHg
Herbie Flowers - Walk On The Wild Side: Bit of cheating here, as it's actually 2 basslines superimposed on each other; one upright bass and one fretless bass. The result is beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNknGIKkoA
Peter Hook - Ceremony: Surely one of the most distinctive styles and sounds to emerge from the punk/new wave scene, this is still my favourite and a stunning debut from New Order: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr6SxJb-Dw&feature=related
Flea - Scar Tissue: So many that I could choose from, but I love the simplicity of the playing in this one, especially in his solos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJj5-lubeM
John Entwhistle - My Generation: What a way to announce your presence - the bass solo in this still blows me away every time I hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xZOrWK6d4g
Paul Simonon - Guns of Brixton: Simonon's finest track, this dub-style line was later heard sampled in many a dance tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiQoq-wqZxg
Bruce Thomas - Pump It Up: Elvis Costello knew how to write a killer tune and Bruce Thomas could drop a driving bassline better than anyone. This is a great example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opIL3Yt0Un8
That'll do for now I think, no doubt I'll add more as I think of them. Oh, and for the record, I think Hysteria has a phenomenal bassline [:D]
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