Favorite Bass Players I played bass for a while when I was young. It was hard because my stereo at that time was incapable of reproducing any bottom and it was difficult to hear. They also mixed the bass low in the final mix because the old turntable arms would start to bounce around if it was mixed too high. At least, that’s what the record companies said. I eventually figured out how to patch the stereo though my bass amp (I was fifteen at the time) and really kick out the jams as we used to say. This didn’t endear me to my parents or the neighbors, but I was used to their sullen looks of contempt. It was what I lived for, but I digress. Many years ago I took, Dennis Coffey, our Director of Technical Training out to lunch. When our business was complete we started talking music. Some of you may recognize the name, most of you have heard his work as a member of Motown’s Funk Brothers. I told Dennis that I had played bass and he asked me who my favorite bass player was. Without hesitation, I answered James Jamerson, which put a smile on his face, Dennis had been Jamerson’s best man. One of the first things I learned on bass was the Temptations’ My Girl riff with the unequaled Jamerson on bass. It’s a classic riff, instantly recognizable and able to grab any ear within hearing distance. Paul McCartney’s bass on George Harrison’s Taxman jumps out at you. I Saw Her Standing There is a classic track. What makes it even more outstanding is that it’s basically a live performance. Jack Bruce was no slouch either. He started out playing stand-up bass in a jazz group and switched to an electric when he joined Cream. He was famous for playing so hard his fingers would bleed. Politician and Badge stood out in particular. Badge opens with a line reminiscent of the Move. John Paul Jones did some tasty work with Led Zeppelin. A trio is forced to use its resources wisely. Ask John Entwhistle or Noel Redding. Leo Lyons of Ten Years after did some incredible work during his long stay with the band. Listen to I’m Going Home (By Helicopter) on the Woodstock album and you’ll understand. Another one of my favorite bass players is someone few people have heard of, Carol Kaye. Kaye was part of Los Angeles’ Wrecking Crew, a group of musicians who played on more hits than any other group of musicians including the Funk Brothers. Carol performed on more than 10,000 sessions throughout her career. That’s her on the Beach Boys’ California Girls, Help Me Rhonda, Sloop John B and Wouldn’t It Be Nice. She put the bounce in Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made for Walking. One of her favorite performers was Ray Charles with whom she worked extensively. She also worked with her friend, Glen Campbell and performed on most of his hits. In the sixties, she played on everything from the Monkees’, I’m A Believer to The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out. I could do a book on Kaye, but I’m going to focus on what I consider to be the all-time, bad ass bass riff, The Beat Goes On. Instantly recognizable, it’s hard to beat. It is visceral, it hits you in the gut at volume and makes its presence known. It demands your attention and once it has you, it’s hypnotic. Good music stands the test of time and after all these years, this is still compelling. Ironically, Kaye wrote the bass riff, but played guitar on the track. The Beat Goes On! © 2014 Martin Rots
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 12:01:23 +0000
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