| Author | Message | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 107 Registered: 6-2002 |
My all time favorite bass solo is Jaco Pastorius' on "Port of Entry" (Weather Report - Night Passage). Imagine THAT played on a fretless 36" scale ebony Rogue! | ||
| Jerome Edwards (jerome)
Junior Username: jerome Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002 |
I like stanley clarke school days solo .Check it out | ||
| Jerome Edwards (jerome)
Junior Username: jerome Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2002 |
I like stanley clarke school days solo .Check it out | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Junior Username: valvil Post Number: 42 Registered: 7-2002 |
Best bass solos... I'm sure we are all gonna have a bundle of 'em... My personal favorites are all gonna be from upright players I guess. Check out Charles Mingus and Oscar Pettiford, just about anything they soloed on will take your breath away. A lot of that stuff would be really hard on an electric. On the upright it's just out of this world. For one of the most beautiful and melodic solos you've ever heard on bass, check out "Mood Indigo" on the album "Mingus,Mingus,Mingus,Mingus". I believe Jaco was much inspired by the man himself. Another favorite of mine is Nils-Henning Orsted-Pedersen, lots of great stuff with the Oscar Peterson trio among others. Among today's electric players, I'd say that Armand Sabal-lecco is probably my favorite bass player/soloist,even though the Central Park concert was my only experience of his playing... he sounds so complete...Armand has it all, chops, groove, slap, funk...you name it he's got it. Let's hear about other folks' favorite solos and players. I love to find out about other good bass players I haven't come across yet...I know a lot of 'em but thank God there's so many I still don't know. Valentino | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 182 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi gang, I'm with Valentino: I Love the solo's those giants gave on the upright. I love Ray Brown: for instance check: The Ray Brown Trio Live at the Loa, the opening of "The Real Blues" is nice. Unfortunately I'm bad in names so I'll try to situate some players. - Solo's I heard in live situation and knocked me down were from: "a-black-stout-bass-player-who-played-as-young-guy-with-the-mahavishun-orchestra" (HELP!!!!NAMES!!!). I saw him long time ago in Brussels. another one was from "the-latin-looking-bass-player-who-played-with-Spyro Gyra" (HELP??! NAMES?!!!). I saw them in 94 in Brussels. I also saw Jack Bruce (at least ...ONE name) in Brussels long after his Cream-period and loved his playing. - on record I Love Rob Wasserman (check the Solo's, Duo's and Trio's CD's) on electric upright. - The bass-player who had a big influence on me (in fact I consider him as a "continuous-solo-player-still-playing-the-beat-and-holding-the-groove") is John Prakash. The LP (you know the flat-black disk with a hole in the middle you turn on a turntable and ....see :History of Music) of Rock-and-Roll Animal (Lou Reed) leans as much on him as on Hunter and Wagner playing power chords. BTW: what is he DOING these days? Is he still alive and kicking (bass)? - I consider Edwin (Van Huik: see the EVH-signature basses) as a great solo-player. He influenced me directly in playing and choosing for Alembic. - I'm a huge fan of Armand SL too (he is very complete) but also of the most African bass-players who made it to the international scene! To "name" one: "the-black-guy-who-played-with-Paul-Simon-on-the-Graceland-project". (yes-yes...I KNOW its solo on "You can call me Al" is reversed but still... ). Well ...I think this thread will definitely end up in an "overload". Be Alembicious friends! Paul | ||
| Dave Houck (davehouck)
Junior Username: davehouck Post Number: 22 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul; The bass player for Mahavishnu Orchestra was probably Ralph Armstrong. Dave | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 184 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ladies and gentle people: give Dave a big hand because I think that was the guy! Never heard about him afterwards. But ...one hole in my memory fixed thanks to good'ol Dave! Paul | ||
| Dave Houck (davehouck)
Junior Username: davehouck Post Number: 24 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul; thanks! After Mahavishnu, Armstrong played with Jean-Luc Ponty, including the highly acclaimed Enigmatic Ocean album. Dave | ||
| Dave Houck (davehouck)
Junior Username: davehouck Post Number: 25 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rami; Port Of Entry is one of my favorites too; the whole band really gets cooking. I have to admit that it is difficult for me to imagine what the Evil Twin with it's fretless ebony and maple neck and ebony, purpleheart and mahogony body sounds like. It must be something akin to controlled thunder. No, that probably doesn't come close. I'm guessing amazing fundamentals and sustain. I'm also thinking that to really do it justice I would biamp the preamp output with a couple thousand watts on the low end going to a pair of single 15 cabs. I do imagine that any conscientious bar owner would post warning signs at the door whenever you show up with the twins <g>. Dave | ||
| Bob Bell (kipknee)
Junior Username: kipknee Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
I don't know if these would qualify for best bass solo off all time, but two that immediately came to mind are as follows... John Entwistle in "The Real Me" from the Who's Quadrophenia album. Jimmy Johnson playing with the Rippingtons back in 1989 on the Kilimanjaro CD. The cut is "Love Notes". (Ironically, the little 30 second music sample for this song on BestBuy.com contains the bass solo.) This solo, and Jimmy's playing throughout the whole song, give me goose-bumps. Is it just coincidence that both of these musicians were known for playing Alembics? (Message edited by kipknee on January 16, 2003) | ||
| Wayne McLemore (wayne)
Junior Username: wayne Post Number: 35 Registered: 5-2002 |
"Fish Magic" - Flim and the BB's - Neon Still can't figure out exactly how he did it. C-Ya..........wayne | ||
| Dave Houck (davehouck)
Junior Username: davehouck Post Number: 26 Registered: 5-2002 |
Listening to Fish Magic right now. Very nice. | ||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
Junior Username: prime Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2002 |
Best Solo Song: Michael Manring - "Music for Armchair Funambulists" or Victor Wooten - "A Show of Hands" Best solo in a song: Victor Wooten's solo in "Hip Bop" off of "Yin Yang" I might have also gone with Geddy Lee's solo in the live version of "Free Will" off of "Exit Stage Left" but chose not for fear of being stoned! ;) Matt | ||
| Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior Username: goooge Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 |
manring is a monster on the fretless- I saw him play a bit back while out in san fran on business- blew me away my favorite "solo" of all time- Hot Licks video-Louis Johnson-the whole video I still laugh when I watch those monster hands spanking the hell out of that bass and I have to admit while it is not a solo- there is something about Jaco's playing on Metheny's "Bright Sized Life" that just gets to me-dont know what it is-I just love the way his playing just FLOWS~~~~what a trio that was! and I still love "Heart of the Sunrise" (yeah i know- prog rock-Squire is my favorite pick user! hey Matt- shoot me an email- i have something for ya-geddy goooge@yahoo.com | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 108 Registered: 6-2002 |
Jaco was & still is my greatest influence. I just love every note he ever played. He had that great skipping/stuttering funk that came without ever popping or slapping a single note. His playing was pure and his solos sang to his audience. While some players went for flash surrounded by filler, Jaco was the real deal. I think anybody who picks up a fretless electric bass (regardless of its configuration) honors his memory. My favorite (Living) bass player is Alain Caron. Check out the album "Basse Contre Basse" with Michel Donato on upright. That album showcases the finest duet of Electric (6 string fretless) and upright bass playing I've ever heard. | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 186 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hoi Rami, now you see how bad my memory is. I'm also a huge fan of Donato and Caron but didn't know they worked together. I heard Alain on his 6-string fretless playing work of Bach ....WEW! I'm going to go out and see if I can find that album of Caron and Donato here. Paul | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 187 Registered: 9-2002 |
EUREKA! No -i didn't found the soapbar in the badthub like Archimedes did some thousand years ago :-) I found the name of the Spyro Gyra bassplayer: I think it was David Wofford. Huh??? Paul | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 188 Registered: 9-2002 |
HOP, me again, I first learned about Alain Caron on the "Bass-talk" CD's. Do you have them on the other side of the pond? It's published by a German Bass Addict, every CD is a collection of different players just bass-solo's on different instruments and different styles. BTW: do you know the guy Kai Eckhardt? He's a solo-player too. It's maybe not very appropriate on this site but I give you the web adress of a German brand of basses "Hotwire": www.hotwire-bass.de. You have to stroll through it, not necessarly for the guitars but because there are a lot of top-european bass-players demonstrating on that brand-name and you can download the mp3's. Kai is there too! The guitars are nice Jazz-bass styled guitars (think Sadowski with some exotic wood twist). However they have a nice "gimmick" the "Double-bass", a standard electric in 4-5 or 6 string, fretted or unfretted with acoustic "resonance" chambers in the body. Sounds great. Maybe an idea for our club Mica: some MP3's we can download were we can hear players play the Alembics we love. I bet you have some clients who really can make those guitars sing. Imagine: we add an audiophonic attractiveness to this site. Something like the "Sirens". HAHA...can you imagine: until now all these Alembicians were only with their nose glued to to the screen, from than there will be trapped with their ears glued to the speakers LOL! Bye Paul | ||
| Reinier Ringelink (reinier)
New Username: reinier Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2003 |
To Wayne (and ya'll out there of course) This may be old news to you but I thought I'd throw it in anyway: being a huge Flim Johnson fan ever since I was struck 22 years ago by the 1980 Wayne Johnson trio recording "Arrowhead", I have been holding on to a copy of Flim's 1986 Guitar Player interview (it also provides some evidence of Flim probably being one of the 1st players ever to come up with the idea of a multistring bass guitar with a low B). In that interview he apologises for possibly misleading the listener re. the "Fish Magic" piece: contrary to what the liner notes on "Neon" state, Fish Magic was recorded in 2 takes, so he did use overdubs, be it only one... Flim comments (modest as he reportedly is): "I've had guys calling me out of the blue, asking about it (.....) I had to do 2 takes. I'm good, but not THAT good". Just so you don't break your brains or fingers over this one. Hope it helps By the way, on the actual subject of this thread: the best bass solo ever is on the "Arrowhead" album I mentioned (I'll post the track's name tonite). All the stuff on this album is free publicity for Alembic, given the room Flim got in this trio and the sounds he managed to conjure out of his fretted and fretless 5-str SII)! RR | ||
| Steve Wood (s_wood)
Junior Username: s_wood Post Number: 39 Registered: 5-2002 |
You're all wrong. The best bass solo of all time is Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom."  | ||
| Steve Wood (s_wood)
Junior Username: s_wood Post Number: 40 Registered: 5-2002 |
You're all wrong. The best bass solo of all time is Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom." | ||
| Reinier Ringelink (reinier)
New Username: reinier Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
For those of you who have finished listening to Spinal Tap's Big Bottom ;-), the Flim Johnson solo I referred to earlier today is in the 2nd song on the album, "Sanctuary" (interesting to find out how many of you know / have the album?) And for Wayne, I should get my facts straight: the interview was in Guitar Player's issue of May 1989, but can also be found in a book, compiling interviews with / biographies of great bass players (I believe it's called something like "The Bass Book", showing a.o. a 4-str SI on the cover). RR | ||
| James L. Martin (malthumb)
Junior Username: malthumb Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2002 |
My favorite "how'd he do that?" solo is Victor Wooten's "A Show OF Hands", but the one I just get soaked up into for it's musical content as well as virtuoso technique is Stanley Clarke's "My Greatest Hits" from the "I Wanna Play For You" double album. An 8 - 10 minute trip through some of Stanley's hottest licks. Just him and the drummer. Absolutely amazing. | ||
| Jerome Edwards (jerome)
Junior Username: jerome Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2002 |
Granted all these guys are great bass soloist. But personally to me clarity and speed go a long way .Stanley Clarke I think has the fastest left hand . Extremly fast yet here every note clear.Check out "School Days"or "Journey to Forever"Stanley Clarke Chic Korea and Billy Cobham | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 109 Registered: 6-2002 |
I admire Stanley Clarke. I respect Stanley Clarke. And I recognize and appreciate his talent and his contribution both to music in general and to the evolution of the Bass. With that said, I'm not a big fan of Stanley Clarke's solos. I find that while fast, they're rather blurry and mostly filler around his slapping. How much of his "School Days" solo can you actually play back in your mind when you pick up your bass? Listen to Jaco or Alain Caron and you'll hear singing and expression through the bass. They don't focus on speed, but rather on complementing the song without totally crushing the musicians around them. The speed evolves on its own. I've seen Stanley Clarke live - and he had to have another bass player onstage with him to play the bass part of the music! While a true talent and "Virtuoso", his style doesn't reflect what I (personally) admire and strive for in bass playing. | ||
| omega_heart81 (omega_heart81)
Junior Username: omega_heart81 Post Number: 38 Registered: 8-2002 |
I'm a biggest CLarke's fan, but I must admit that Marcus Miller, Wooten and Mark King are just amazing too... however I think Stanley's attitude to play solo bass is easy to understand... now he's a musician and a music composer first than a bass player. I hope you all know what I mean... | ||
| James L. Martin (malthumb)
Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rami, I know what you mean about Stanley usually having a second bassist on stage when he does a lot of his solo work. Normally this is the case when he's playing in a tenor tuning or with a piccolo bass. Then he needs to have another bassist to hold down the low end while he plays the high end of the register. Victor Wooten does the same thing when he plays an ADGC tuning. Usually Anthony Wellington is playing the low groove. | ||
| Jerome Edwards (jerome)
Junior Username: jerome Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2002 |
You know after I got my Mark King Sig Deluxe 5 string 4 weeks ago it made me check him out , And boy was I amazed Mark King is so funky he made the hair on the back of my neck stand up . So now I got another slap hero......... | ||
| Jerome Edwards (jerome)
Junior Username: jerome Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2002 |
I know what you mean .Anyone here listen to Sade',Her bassist totally locks with the drummer and play the exact patern for 4 or 5 minutes and he don't move around at all. As bassist we somtimes play too agressive.You know side by side I listened to a Mark King slap solo then I listened to Victor Wooten slap solo .Mark King had no mistakes but Victor had lots of rythmic mistakes and pauses. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 110 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Jerome, I like Sade's bassist alot too. His name is Paul Denman. I always loved the way he "locked" down the groove with the drummer too. I admire a bass player who plays all the bass. Can hold down a groove with the drummer or rip out a blistering sixteen - thirty second -(or as in Jaco's case) sixty fourth note solo. Let's not forget that Jaco did what he did and sounded the way he did with one of the most basic and oldest of all tools - a Fender Jazz. He said once in an interview that what he enjoyed most was playing with the drummer. I believe that the bass player's role is to be the liason between the drummer and the rest of the band. Sort of translator of rhythm to melody. I also liked Paul Denman's sound too. I believe he played a Stingray exclusively. He never did any type of solo, but he was always there. | ||
| Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)
Junior Username: dannobasso Post Number: 26 Registered: 7-2002 |
We can all make numerous lists of artists. Each has a different genere that they excel in. Pino Palladino always lent a great melodic style. Ever hear High Speed on Ice? (Shehan in Talas) speed tricks and mayhem. Tim Landers and Anthony Jackson's work with DiMeola still moves me. Pick anyone? Guy Pratt with Toy Matinee, exceptional. Gary Johnson with China Crisis, Doug Pinnick King's X, Mike Pope, John Alderete Racer X doesn't even scratch the surface. Not to mention the funk, blues or R+B guys. Bar Kays! I know that the tie dye crowd have their favorites too. Any way you slice it it is ultimately what moves you, inspires you, and kicks your ass so you pick up your axe and start sweating. Please be kind to those who make some mistakes now and again. Victor is a tremendous individual with a spiritual strength that has touched many of us. Mark hasn't exactly stayed tru to his "signature" has he? There but for the grace of God! Show me a bassist who makes no mistakes and you have a bassist who won't stretch or take a chance. We have all stolen from Jaco to some degree but let's not emulate his life choices (we all Know the stories). Rambling, disjointed, you bet cha! Too big a topic to think about clearly. Too much passion for the instrument to be totally fair to all. Bottom line, how many albums have we sold collectively? How many are asking for our videos? Jealous, definitely! Anyone else secretly desire their own signature model? Be honest! How about it Mica? Is there a benchmark we need to reach? Rami, I hope you've played with better drummers then I have. To many Time is a magazine. It's hard to lock in with a drummer if they lock you out! Perhaps it's because they don't usually bring amps to the gig! | ||
| Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)
Junior Username: dannobasso Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2002 |
We can all make numerous lists of artists. Each has a different genere that they excel in. Pino Palladino always lent a great melodic style. Ever hear High Speed on Ice? (Shehan in Talas) speed tricks and mayhem. Tim Landers and Anthony Jackson's work with DiMeola still moves me. Pick anyone? Guy Pratt with Toy Matinee, exceptional. Gary Johnson with China Crisis, Doug Pinnick King's X, Mike Pope, John Alderete Racer X doesn't even scratch the surface. Not to mention the funk, blues or R+B guys. Bar Kays! I know that the tie dye crowd have their favorites too. Any way you slice it it is ultimately what moves you, inspires you, and kicks your ass so you pick up your axe and start sweating. Please be kind to those who make some mistakes now and again. Victor is a tremendous individual with a spiritual strength that has touched many of us. Mark hasn't exactly stayed tru to his "signature" has he? There but for the grace of God! Show me a bassist who makes no mistakes and you have a bassist who won't stretch or take a chance. We have all stolen from Jaco to some degree but let's not emulate his life choices (we all Know the stories). Rambling, disjointed, you bet cha! Too big a topic to think about clearly. Too much passion for the instrument to be totally fair to all. Bottom line, how many albums have we sold collectively? How many are asking for our videos? Jealous, definitely! Anyone else secretly desire their own signature model? Be honest! How about it Mica? Is there a benchmark we need to reach? Rami, I hope you've played with better drummers then I have. To many Time is a magazine. It's hard to lock in with a drummer if they lock you out! Perhaps it's because they don't usually bring amps to the gig! | ||
| Jazzy Vee (jazzyvee)
Junior Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2002 |
Personally I think some of the solo's Stanley Clarke did on the Romantic Warrior Album take some beating. They have all the qualities I would listen for in a solo, pace, melodic phrasing, rhytmic variation, clarity, direction and a serious groove. In some ways I liken some of his solo work to Carlos Santana, and to a certain extent Jimi Hendrix in that their brilliance is not just about having perfect technique, highly advanced yes. As well as his power solo's, he is also able to communicate is a certain naiivety almost "childlike" purity and simplicity of melody that has lots of feel and emotion. A bit like Picasso with music he takes a concept and takes you to another dimension. Listen to some of the RTF stuff and recently the quieter numbers on the first Vertu album and you will get a drift of what I mean here. Power is nothing without control. When you have the power of Clarkee coupled with an Alembic...you have both. I hope you catch my drift and Stanley if you are reading this it's a complement. And yes I can hum those RTF Solo's ha ha ha. | ||
| Derwin Moss (bassdude63)
Junior Username: bassdude63 Post Number: 39 Registered: 10-2002 |
Some faves: Jaco's melodies on "A Remark You Made", Jeff Berlin's solos on "Water On The Brain Part- II" and "10,000 Prayers", John Entwistle's frenzied playing on "The Real Me", James Jamerson's grooving bass line on "What's Going On", John Paul Jones' playing on "The Lemon Song. Most of my faves are'nt solos per se, rather bass lines that really drive the song. | ||
| Joseph Schwartz (the_schwartz)
New Username: the_schwartz Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
A few nominations: Victor Wooten: Cherokee, Norwegian Wood (from What Did He Say?) Stanley Clarke: School Days (from Live at the Greek) Jaco: Portrait of Tracy, Donna Lee, Chromatic Fantasy Honorable mention for non-solo bass lines: Jaco: Birdland, A Remark You Made, Teen Town, Bright Size Life, Coyote John Entwistle: The Real Me, Won't Get Fooled Again Geddy Lee: Red Barchetta,YYZ,Test for Echo | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 111 Registered: 6-2002 |
Isn't "Chromatic Fantasy" just the most incredibly fast and wild piece you ever heard?!!! I found the transcription - 64th note everywhere!!! That's one of those "How the heck did he do it!" pieces. | ||
| Joseph Schwartz (the_schwartz)
New Username: the_schwartz Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2003 |
I read a Jaco interview in Downbeat back in the '80s...I think he said he got in one take! He knew it as he was playing near the end of the piece...imagine the feeling. | ||
| Tracey Gholson (fretted4)
Junior Username: fretted4 Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2002 |
john mcvie's solo on the song "the chain", big time fleetwood mac fan here, plus he uses a series 1 4 string for that solo. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 112 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey don't get me wrong here...when I was growing up, my heros were Jack Bruce (still is), John Paul Jones, and Geddy Lee. I was around 15 when I discovered Jaco. He was performing at the local Jazz festival. I remember wondering; who the heck is that?!!! There was nothing he couldn't do. I was hooked. Listen to "Chromatic Fantasy" and wonder, is that a bass? What IS that...WHO is that? The one and only "World's Greates Bass Player". It's only too bad the "World's greatest Bass player" never met the "World's greatest Bass". It would have been the perfect match. Although, I heard that he smashed his famous fretless Jazz Bass and threw another into Hiroshima Bay (Bass Player - Jan. 2002). Maybe it was better that he played Fenders after all! (Message edited by rami on January 22, 2003) | ||
| Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)
Junior Username: dannobasso Post Number: 29 Registered: 7-2002 |
If you have watched the instructional video with Chuck Rainey, Jaco is palying a fretted neck. This was one of the last things he did before his passing I'm told. They need to put a new neck on because he was'nt up to form. He played amazingly despite his difficulties in life. Genius has its dark side too. I had a Fender custom fretless 4 with a Kharma body in Schedua and Leo Quan Bridge. That flipping bass neck moved more than mere cat family. I even had a Kubiki neck made for it. Same deal. I almost threw it in a river!I loathe bolt ons. All bitching aside, take out your old albums and cd's and revisit the cats who made your jaw drop back in the day. Better yet, replace your vinyl with digital and really hear the nuances. Anyone else besides me finally giving Sir Paul McCartney his props? Try and play some of his lines. Tha man had an unusual way of doing things that still has me thinking. Also check out Jimmy Johnson's guest shots on the Planet X cd MoonBabies along with Tom Kennedy and Billy Sheehan. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 118 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Daniel, In Jaco's instructional video with Jerry Jemmott, he plays a long solo on Jerry's Fretless, a piece entitled "Naima". He plays a duet with himself. He plays the background on the fretted Jazz/Precision hybrid while playing the melody/solo on the fretless. Also, Jaco owned many fretted Jazz basses. The neck on that particular one was being repaired at the time (Bass Player - Jan. 2002). If you see him playing Jerry Jemmott's fretless (a bass he was unfamiliar with) as flawlessly as he did, you would see that he never lost any of his chops or form. Let's also not forget the performances with John Scofield and Kenwood Denard on that video. He even closes the video playing the piano! That video was recorded in 1985. Jaco was killed in 1987. During those two years, he continued to record and perform live. Check out the brilliant work he did with Brian Melvin - the album "Jazz Street" recorded Oct-Nov 1986. Two great solos to listen for are on the tracks "Wedding Waltz" and "Out Of The Night". Both played on his fretless Jazz Bass. Jaco not up to form? I don't think so. (Message edited by rami on January 25, 2003) | ||
| P. Sherman (pasherm)
New Username: pasherm Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
Michael Manring was mentioned earlier, but I wanted to throw in my vote for this amazing musician. "A day of many angels" is simply beautiful. | ||
| Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)
Junior Username: dannobasso Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2002 |
Rami, your information is different from mine. My info came from discussions with some NYC cats who played with him at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC and an article that I read years ago. He was amazing but life's choices and hardships took their toll in the end. My viewpoint is colored by the type of work I do ( working with handicapped students) and the musicians I've played with who burned out too soon and some unfortunately died because of choices. Some tragedies are preventable and some are made. His contribution to music will always be remembered and emulated. His leaving will also always be felt it came way too soon. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 119 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well Daniel, Just pickup the video and see for yourself. I also highly recommend the album with Brian Melvin. Jaco wasn't killed by his "Dark side" (although it may have contributed to his self destructive behavior), but by the hands of another person. | ||
| Joseph Schwartz (the_schwartz)
New Username: the_schwartz Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jaco wasn't killed by his "Dark side" (although it may have contributed to his self destructive behavior), but by the hands of another person. I wish more people were aware of this...it seems like everyone blames Jaco for his demise. It's not like he OD'd; somebody beat him to death. I understand the man who did so never faced any charges for his actions. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 121 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Joe, Actually, Jaco's killer served 4 months. Also, he never offered any apology to Jaco's family, or expressed any form of remorse. Pretty sickening, huh? | ||
| Joe Schwartz (the_schwartz)
New Username: the_schwartz Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
Rami, What was he convicted of (or did he plea bargain)? It is sickening...does he realize that what he did was akin to killing Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, or Bill Evans? What is even more sickening is that nobody (at least to my knowledge; correct me if I'm wrong) intervened to help Jaco out of his downward spiral. Most people tolerated him, avoided him, or in the case of the aforementioned individual, kicked his ass. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 122 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Joe, Read this article written by Jaco's daughter, Mary. It'll put it all into perspective. http://jacopastorius.com/features/writings/daddy.asp I think she says it best. Unfortunately, people can be so quick to judge someone without having all the facts. Peace, Rami | ||
| Dino Monoxelos (dean_m)
Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Joe, To my knowledge there were a few people that did try to intervene to help Jaco. Some very well known bass players too. Some of whom I've interviewed and or studied with. The problem lies with the people that tried to sponge off of Jaco and always bailed him out just to get what THEY wanted out of him and when they were done with him, basically left him to his own demise. Sure Jaco had a very serious medical problem, no question about it and with today's medical advancements, may still be alive today. From what I've read and heard though, Jaco would still be alive today if more of his so called "friends" were more interested in Jaco the human being as opposed to Jaco the bank roll. Like Rami, I've read his daughter's letter and it will bring a tear to your eye. I've also read the Jaco book, I think it was Bill Milkowski that wrote it. Pretty informative but I think it was a bit one way as well. Anyway, I just wanted to comment because I know there were people that did try to intervene however, there were also people involved in his life that shouldn't have been. Peace, Dino | ||
| Joe Schwartz (the_schwartz)
New Username: the_schwartz Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hi Dino, I agree with you about both Jaco and the Milkowski book. Mary's article was quite moving. If I were Mary, the last thing I would want to hear is "Jaco stories" from the spongers & wannabees who did not know or care about his manic depression. Jaco was one of my earliest and most profound influences, not only because he forever redefined the role of the bass, but because he did so coincident to his brilliant musicality (i.e. his music dictated the role of the bass rather than the other way around). Peace, Joe | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 216 Registered: 9-2002 |
Friends, you're gonna hate me for this but I'm not really influenced by Jaco and to be honest, I dont have one recording and I have to admit I only heard him once on a record my brother used to have of Weather Report ( I hope I'm not mixing names here because there was also a guy called Miroslav Vitous?????). However I know what he musically meant and what his influences were. However, I've read the letter his daughter wrote and I was moved to tears. Mainly because I know TOO WELL what she is talking about. Have you never wondered why I react so much on this board? Kind of therapeutic you know! Paul | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Member Username: valvil Post Number: 56 Registered: 7-2002 |
Yep, Vitous was the first bass player for Weather Report, then came Alphonso Johnson, then Jaco, later on Victor Bailey. Great players all of them. I definitely don't hate you Paul . I love Jaco and I have several (if not all) of his CDs, but I would not say I'm influenced by him either. Valentino | ||
| Dino Monoxelos (dean_m)
Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 56 Registered: 7-2002 |
Aw Paul, There's no way any one of us could ever hate you!! Hey, I remember the days when I thought Gene Simmons from Kiss was a god, for that you can hate me!?!? LOL!!!! Peace - Dino | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 229 Registered: 9-2002 |
KISS on the forehead brother Dino! Don't forget to kiss the baby too when it comes! ;-) Paul No you bass-weirdo's ...not a new bass, forget about the basses for once ..here's a new real baby on his way! "The other Paul" will have a lot of welcoming to do! I propose we all record 1 note on our bass and record it and send it to Dino when the baby is there! It will give ONE BIG BANG! ;-D | ||
| Dino Monoxelos (dean_m)
Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 58 Registered: 7-2002 |
Paul, You're too sweet!!! Thank you!! Mom and Baby are coming along just fine too. Daddy's gotta drum up some gigs now. Talk to you soon, Dino | ||
| ric bonnell (ric)
New Username: ric Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2003 |
All visionary bass players mentioned here...I have always been partial to a very cool solo done by the previously mentioned Ralphe Armstrong...it was on a cut called "Sunset Drive" when he was with Jean Luc Ponty... Matter of fact, he has that solo on his page as a real audio file...check it out: http://www.ralphearmstrong.com/ The man has IT in his soul if y'all know what I mean... (Message edited by ric on February 03, 2003) | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 125 Registered: 6-2002 |
In this month's issue of "Bassics" magazine, there is a special tribute to Jaco. There is a CD included as well. Check out Alain Caron's version of "Donna Lee" - played on an upright. A real burner!!! | ||
| Michael Walker (rockandroller)
Junior Username: rockandroller Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2002 |
Lots of interesting stuff in this thread :-) anyway, one of my all-time favorite bass solos is Stanley Clarke playing on "No Mystery" (from the RTF album of the same name) - it's really singable, ya know... | ||
| David Burgess (dnburgess)
New Username: dnburgess Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2003 |
Two bass players that really turned me on as a kid (and ultimately lead to me moving from guitar to bass) were: 1. Glen Cornick - who played on the first three Jethro Tull albums. Check out the chordal soloing on "Bouree" from "Stand Up" - 7 years before "School Days". 2. Noel Redding - a key and often underrated part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Talk about "standing in the shadow...". | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 126 Registered: 6-2002 |
I really like the Bass playing on Bouree. That could have stood on its own as a song. Great Bass line. My earliest Bass influences were JPJ and Jack Bruce - Wow! | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 127 Registered: 6-2002 |
I really like the Bass playing on Bouree. That could have stood on its own as a song. Great Bass line. My earliest Bass influences were JPJ and Jack Bruce - Wow! | ||
| Yahya Abdur'Raheem (yahyabb)
New Username: yahyabb Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2002 |
I'd have to go with Mr. Miller, live at Bimbo's! |
