Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Best bass player!

Gotta be Stanley Clark

For stage presence with a good thick & juicy groove to boot,
I don't believe too many can hold a candle to Verdine White.
Classically trained, the chops are there,
yet White is about the groove, and not how
many notes one can cram into a stanza.


In my little noggin, a great musician is about
communicating heart, soul, drama, and emotion.
Technical proficiency and speed are fun to witness,
but if the emotion isn't coming through,
it's just j'ing off.

I completely agree with you! (altho I had to edit a few things....) Like I said in the guitarist thread, being able to play THE solo over and over again just means you practiced a lot. Being able to set up a groove with a group is another thing entirely!

Oh and Martin, I met Christian McBride, nice guy! Gave a good clinic at WPI when I was there.

Another for Victor Wooten and one not yet mentioned- Jojo Garza of Los Lonely boys. Bass "Player of the Year 2006".

(sic)

Stanley Clark, probably did more to bring the electric bass out as solo instrument. Lots of great bass player listed above.

Best Bass Player?
Get real. The only good sound ever emitted from a bass was when it landed on an accordian in the dumpster.

Glad some one mentioned mister Miller. Would like to add Freddy Washington, Nathan East, Paul Denmon, Bernard Edwards, and Waymand Tisdale.

lets not forget Felix Cavalari (sp) from Mountain, by far one of the best, and i have to agree with Stanley Clark also. probably one of the most inovative.

Felix Pappalardi

Billy Sheehan is undoubtedly a great bass player, I reckon Geddy Lee also. Possibly not as accomplished but one mean mo-fo and great to watch - Robert Trujillo...

stanley clarke

McCartney is the best bassist of all time. He always reminded me of a jazz player stuck in a rock n' roll band. James Jamerson, John Entwistel, etc. etc., are all very incredible as well but it's McCartney that gave the bass a more important role in the structure of a song.

thanks unclecharlie, i knew the name but couldnt recall 100% i just remember the band and how good that bass player was.

You're welcome, always loved Mountain(also West,Bruce&Lang).
I believe Felix was shot, and killed, by his girlfriend.

As far as bass players go, I'm surprised no one mentioned
Tommy Shannon, considering how many said SRV for best guitarist.

Uncle Charlie

There are some incredible jazz bass players. But, one of my most favorite "pop" players was always Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. He was a major contributor in what made their sound unique. Great sound, really tasty player.

I've been kinda scanning these replies.
Bass players(as well as guitarists,etc) have different styles and what is great to one person is not to another.
What i'm saying is, as a guitarist, i've played in bands since the mid sixties. I can tell you that (along with drummers)i want someone who'll do the parts and not add a million notes and runs....but, it's a fine line...i want someone who'll be creative and let loose at the same time.
Someone who can 'lead' the band into a chorus or a bridge.
I want some precision but not if it's a loss of excitement.
The bassists mentioned, Paul McCartney and others did this very well. I really don't like Paul's solo outings, but as a bassist and writer with The Beatles, he was brilliant!

Now, on the other hand, Jaco was fantastic and Entwistle was phenomenal and really filled in the gaps with The Who (one of my favorite all time rock bands).
I would say almost every soul bass player was great..they had to be...you couldn't fake it thru in the soul idiom. Bootsy, Jamerson etc. I don't think i saw Tim Bogert mentioned. He really could do some incredible things.
But, unless you have a lot of talent and can play well 'simply', you shouldn't be trying to play outside that..and even if you can do it well, respect the song and the other musicians...make it work as a unit not a vehicle for your ego alone. If there's a time for a solo spot, that's different. As for Clarke, Jaco, etc, they built a solo career out of their style..but they still had to have a song structure to hang it on. Still, it's not my teacup.
I'm speaking more of some musicians i had to work with. (drummers are the worst at trying to do more than they should, used to drive me up the wall).
Well, i'm rambling!
My fave electric bass players:
Paul McCartney, Jack Cassidy, John Paul Jones, Entwistle, Jamerson, Bogert, Carol Kaye and countless other session players, and other players i've heard on one hit wonders and may never know their names.