Top 5 favorite bass players

[sholling]

I'm assuming that your response was tongue firmly in cheek. You realy must listen to marcus Miller.

I have his M2 (M squared) CD, The PBS Legends of Jazz: Showcase, and the impossible to find Master of All Trades DVD. If you don't believe that a bass player can be the heart and sole and star then you are missing a lot. The man is playing a bass like it was lead guitar with bassist tweeks. Just listen to or better yet watch him play The Panther.

I just moved but I will check out Victor Wooten once I have sounds again. No disrespect to anyone but I was far less than impressed with Jaco Pastorius.

BTW: The Legends of Jazz: Showcase also introduced me to the legenday jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour. All I can say is wow. I now own Overtime in both DVD (Recommended) and CD.

 

[The Chukker]

Jphn Paul Jones.
'nuff said

 

[Rob Babcock]

Lots of good ones listed. To them I'd have to add Billy Shehan, once of Tallas & David Lee Roth. Also played on some of Tony MacAlpine's stuff. Truly an amazing player.

 

[hondof1]

I must admit, I've never really heard Marcus Miller. I'll check out the M2 disk you recommend.

Jaco is a bass player's bass player. He plays so smoothly and effortlessly, you don't realize how intricate his parts are at first. But as always, YMMV.

 

[hondof1]

Rob, have you ever seen the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival CD? Steve Vai's set concludes with him, Billy Sheehan, Tony MacAlpine and somebody I didn't recognize playing each other's instruments (picking their own, but fretting the player on the left, then the right). Ahh, I can't exactly explain it, but it's cool as hell.

 

[maximoiglesias]

Bass players

Carmine Apice
John Paul Jones
Paul Newton
Roger Glover
Roger Waters

 

[Starmax]

Bass Monsters

Phil Lesh (the Dead)
Jack Casady (Hot Tuna)
Chris Squire (Yes)
Jack Bruce (Cream)
Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
David Hood (Traffic)
Kenny Gradney (Little Feat)
Roy Estrada (Captain Beefheart)

 

[Nomo]

Carmine Apice
John Paul Jones
Paul Newton
Roger Glover
Roger Waters

Umm. Doesn't Appice play drums?

Forgot about Chris Squire. I'd put him near the top of my list.

 

[maximoiglesias]

Apice (?)

Umm. Doesn't Appice play drums?

Forgot about Chris Squire. I'd put him near the top of my list.

Sorry, Tim Bogart it is. Bass player with Jeff Beck.

And YES Chris Squire should be somewhere among the 5

 

[sholling]

I must admit, I've never really heard Marcus Miller. I'll check out the M2 disk you recommend.

The only thing missing from this CD is his classic The Panther.

Jaco is a bass player's bass player. He plays so smoothly and effortlessly, you don't realize how intricate his parts are at first. But as always, YMMV.

Once I unpack and setup my system and find my CDs (judging from the pile of boxes filling my living room and guest room this could be months) I'll give Jaco another listen.

 

[rgriffin25]

Hmm

I didn't see where this was limited to a certain genre so I am going to mention a few that should be on the list.

Edgar Meyer
Gary Karr
Dave Holland

 

[stiletto pat]

Greatest Bass Players

I can agree with most all of the bass players listed by my fellow audioholics, but I'm surprised that no one has listed Anthony Jackson, who has played with Lee Ritenour on numerous albums. One only has to watch him on the previously mentioned "Overtime" DVD (2 DVD set) - that is very reasonably priced - to see what a true master of this instrument can really do. I invite all of you to check this guy out - you won't be sorry.

Pat

 

[sholling]

I can agree with most all of the bass players listed by my fellow audioholics, but I'm surprised that no one has listed Anthony Jackson, who has played with Lee Ritenour on numerous albums. One only has to watch him on the previously mentioned "Overtime" DVD (2 DVD set) - that is very reasonably priced - to see what a true master of this instrument can really do. I invite all of you to check this guy out - you won't be sorry.

Pat

I agree that he is very good.

 

[Hans]

Wow, thats not an easy one. Some people will go for the best technician, others for the best songwriter, others for the best entertainer.....

Since the question is "favorite" bass player, I'll go for the ones who influenced me the most.

1- Steve Harris (Iron Maiden): I begun to play bass in 1989 because of him, period. The speed, the intricate yet playable bassline, the sheer majestic power of Iron Maiden music made me a instant fan.

2- Geddy Lee (Rush): Made me discover progressive rock.

3- Roger Waters (Pink Foyd): Songwriter, pure genius.

4- Rex (Pantera): Never heard such a tight band. Flawless execution.

5- Cliff Burton (Metallica): Well, its Cliff, come on...

I also want to mention people like Cliff Williams (AC/DC) and Adam Clayton
(U2). While not being main attractions, they are absolutely essential in their respective bands. Knowing their role is essential for the magic to happen, as too much stuff would overshadow The Edge and Angus. We forget too often those silent type players.

 

[jonnythan]

I couldn't do just 5, so I did 9.

In order.


Steve Harris
Geddy Lee
Victor Wooten
Flea
Clif Burton
Billy Sheehan
Gene Simmons
John Deacon
John Myung

 

[mech]

Wow that pick of Adam Clayton is great, I must admit I look him over, but I love his bass lines. Who doesn't like the "with or without you" bass line??

 

[Biscokid]

Les
Mike Gordon
Mingus
Jaco
Rob Derhak
Marc Browstien

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Stanley Clarke
John Myung
Ray Shulman
Miroslav Vitous
Ron Carter

 

[myriad1973]

This list is in no particular order:

Geddy Lee
Chris Squire
Sting
John Myung
John Paul Jones
Jack Bruce
Paul McCartney
Flea

And a few underrated players not mentioned so far:

John Lodge (The Moody Blues)
Dave Meros (Spock's Beard)
Justin Chancellor (Tool)

 

[stratman]

CLASSICS:

Ron Carter
Jaco Pastorius
Chuck Rainey
Abe Laboriel
Stanley Clark

That's my take!