Author Topic: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?  (Read 2772 times)

Offline SkyRock

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #45 on: March 19, 2009, 04:38:58 PM »
John Paul Jones

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Offline Hajo

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #46 on: March 19, 2009, 04:50:18 PM »
Quite frankly anything Beatles imho is not really great music.....popular yes but great...um....no.

Really great songs like I wanna hold your hand?  She loves you ya ya yaaaa    :huh  today is your birthday?

What depth...what intricacy..NOT.  Popular yes.....good.......no.


We all have likes and dislikes....this discussion could go on forever since it just reflects ones taste.

Historically though Jamerson is regarded even in Bass players circles to be the best of all time.
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Offline Cthulhu

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #47 on: March 19, 2009, 05:22:00 PM »
Quite frankly anything Beatles imho is not really great music.....popular yes but great...um....no.

Really great songs like I wanna hold your hand?  She loves you ya ya yaaaa    :huh  today is your birthday?

What depth...what intricacy..NOT.  Popular yes.....good.......no.


We all have likes and dislikes....this discussion could go on forever since it just reflects ones taste.

Historically though Jamerson is regarded even in Bass players circles to be the best of all time.
Come on Hajo, not all Beatle's tunes were useless pulp, though I'm glad to see you're holding the Jamerson standard high. :aok  (I'm still guessing that a lot of these guys hadn't heard of him before this thread)

All in all, a great discussion. Thx for contributing guys. :aok
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Offline Anodizer

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #48 on: March 19, 2009, 06:52:01 PM »
2 Best metal Bassists hands down: Cliff Burton and Steve Harris.... 
1st Runner-Up------->  Scott Reeder (Kyuss, Unida, The Obsessed, Orange Goblin, Goatsnake)

Other guys just play the notes....  These guys carry the rhythm....
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Offline Jenks

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #49 on: March 19, 2009, 07:00:16 PM »
You know how to get a bass player off your front porch, right?








Pay him for the pizza!




Ok, ok, I'm sorry... I couldn't resist...don't shoot me,  I'm just the piano player!


Oh,  and it's  James Jamerson  by a mile!
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Offline ink

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #50 on: March 19, 2009, 07:02:39 PM »
I like Les claypool alot. Alot of fun listening to him play.

But probably the most under rated player was/is John Paul Jones.

Alot of guys claim its Victor Wooten, and no doubt he is very good, but I don't care for his style.

Can't remember his name, but the Bass player from Dream theatre ain't no slouch.

Its all really a matter of taste.

But I would have to say I enjoy listening to John Paul Jones the most. Very understated playing.


John Paul Jones AWESOME straight up awesome.  
then again Zeppelin are by far the greatest, all four of the members were great at what they did.

then of course the guy from Primus(not sure of his name?)

and Steve Harris from iron Maiden


Offline Xargos

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #51 on: March 19, 2009, 07:12:44 PM »
After reviewing James Jamerson's work I must admit, I'm most impressed by his sound.  I never realized he was the one playing bass on many of the songs where the bass caught my ear the most.  I'll now list John Entwistle as second next to Jamerson.
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Offline Hajo

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #52 on: March 19, 2009, 07:48:50 PM »
Xargos...atta boy!

At least someone in this thread listened to his playing.

Most of these gents refering to metal bass guitarists don't know or don't realize what Jamerson did or played.

Again...metal....great technicians...but musicians sorry to say......not.

Btw gents....Jamerson played the Bass with ONE finger.  His style was called "the hook".
« Last Edit: March 19, 2009, 07:54:54 PM by Hajo »
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Offline Cthulhu

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #53 on: March 19, 2009, 09:26:12 PM »
After reviewing James Jamerson's work I must admit, I'm most impressed by his sound.  I never realized he was the one playing bass on many of the songs where the bass caught my ear the most.  I'll now list John Entwistle as second next to Jamerson.
Amazing wasn't he? Many people are surprised to learn they've heard him their entire life.

Some of Jamerson's better known bass lines:
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Dancing in the Street
For Once In My Life
Get Ready
I Can't Help Myself
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
I Second That Emotion
Its The Same Old Song
My Girl (I doubt there's anyone on the planet who doesn't recognize this opening bass line)
My Guy
Reach Out, I'll Be There
Shotgun
Stop! In The Name of Love
Whats Going On
You Keep Me Hanging On

Check this one out. Kind of a lame song, but the bass is damned impressive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-iW51idC0
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Offline Masherbrum

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #54 on: March 19, 2009, 10:17:17 PM »
Two damn good bass lines from Jamerson that often go unnoticed?  (aside from the ones already posted)

You're a Wonderful One - Marvin Gaye
Who's Loving You?   - Jackson 5 (would be tops for my picks of all he's done)
« Last Edit: March 19, 2009, 10:25:31 PM by Masherbrum »
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Offline Masherbrum

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #55 on: March 19, 2009, 10:33:47 PM »
Also....comparing my age to a lot of folks here I'm regarded as a geezer   :D  but that age gives me the experience of listening to rock and roll since its' birth to the present.

I'll be 36 in June.   I love music, not just Pink Floyd as some probably think.   I could talk for hours without mentioning PF.   
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Offline Hajo

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #56 on: March 20, 2009, 10:32:37 AM »
Best Jamerson Bass Line...Bernadette!
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Offline Yeager

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #57 on: March 20, 2009, 11:13:10 AM »
Amazing wasn't he? Many people are surprised to learn they've heard him their entire life.
I have played bass since 1977.....five of those thirty two years as a full time paid professional, and until this thread I had never heard the name James Jamerson.
So I go check out some of his stuff.  First impression is of a great solid bassist. 

Damned good and with a wealth of accomplishment.  Yet, I wouldn't consider him the greatest by any stretch.  Damned good player with a great career.  Glad to finally have his name in my log.

The one guy I forgot to mention earlier is Victor Wooten.  Although way too expressive for my taste (and ability) the guy is a technical monster with a dash of musical brilliance thrown in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx2vuK5pGTg&feature=related
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Offline Yeager

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #58 on: March 20, 2009, 11:19:49 AM »
Quite frankly anything Beatles imho is not really great music.....popular yes but great...um....no.
On the contrary, of course, everything the Beatles wrote, produced and recorded is truly great music.  Even the crappiest Beatles song is a wonderful thing.
Sometimes Hajo, you just got to roll over and get swept away......
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Offline morfiend

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Re: Who's the Greatest Bass Player Ever?
« Reply #59 on: March 20, 2009, 11:22:35 AM »
Jamerson... a side man and hall of famer.

 Another side man yet to be mentioned.... Tony Levin... wow cant believe he hasnt been mentioned.When Mike Portney was asked who he'd like to have bass with him,Levin was the name he said.

 Then there's Graham Chapman... but I digress.... :confused: