Best Bass line?

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f.sciarrillo
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Best Bass line?

Post by f.sciarrillo »

I was watching spinal tap and listening to Big Bottoms. That bass line is really good, up there to be one of the best. Of course there are numerous ones you could name. But I am curious which ones you like the best or feel are the best?
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Post by Tegamal »

Red Hot Chili Peppers version of Higher Ground:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZat5TbRO3A

Flea is one of the best funk bassists ever, IMO.

Or to keep in my Dream Theater mindset, John Myung's Bass solo in Metropolis Pt 1 (Also off of the acclaimed Images & Words):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0tL6K4FeGk
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Post by EyesOfAnguishbassist »

I can't say just one song, but alot of parts from Timmy Commerford of Rage Against The Machine, probably my fav bass player. God I love RATM :lol: :twisted:
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Post by moxham123 »

A few to start

Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
Dragon Attack - Queen
Blood & Roses - The Smithereens
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Post by witchhunt »

BOC-Moon Crazy
Iron Maiden-Ancient Mariner...soft bass during the poem dialogue and then when the jam kicks in
OVER KILL-cover of Sabbath's Changes
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Post by Hawk »

Squire: Roundabout
www.showtimesoundllc.com
Flashpoint!
SKYE 2.0
Triple Threat
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Post by onegunguitar »

Rex Brown "Hollow"-From Pantera 101 Proof Live. "Do you hear Rex's bass? Answer me,do you hear the fuckin' bass? That simple bass line he did on Hollow with Phil barkin' out that line just makes you wanna get up and punch someone in the face!!!! :twisted: :twisted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dRNeymN ... re=related
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Post by Banned »

John Entwistle, anything he played but especially the short solo on My Generation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkKeZ1z8 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnigicAp ... re=related This one has the whole song with isolated bass only. Love the tone.
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Post by MOONDOGGY »

+ 1 on Roundabout!

- Michael Anthony- Van Halen- Right Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aTYp8-O96M

- Flea, RHCP- Coffee Shop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gcv_7J2aY

- Danyel Morgan, Robert Randolph & the Family Band- I Need More Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoAxxtVQn8o

- Billy Gould, Faith No More- Everything's Ruined
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5irHyoRNcRY

- Les Claypool- Silly Putty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmiHfoERqRE

- Wooten & Bailey- A Chick From Corea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QMzdNvfgoQ

- Freddie Washington, Patrice Rushen- Forget Me Nots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td25kTqvl1w


This is just the start of my list! I'm sure I'll think of more in a few minutes.
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Post by Banned »

Hawk wrote:Squire: Roundabout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xql99I1VSdI

This is from 1973, and I probably saw this tour. This band live is incomparable, must have seen them around 5 times in this period.
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Post by f.sciarrillo »

You guys mention some great players there. I agree with all them.

The mention of funk is good one. I love funk. There are some great lines in the style of music ..
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Post by moxham123 »

2 more from The Who

Call Me Lightning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCvs5pqsMEA

Boris The Spider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkU702NRLco
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Post by MOONDOGGY »

Some of my favorite fretless work (aside from Steve Bailey)

Andy Timmons- Cry for You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFrp_mHdM8E

Eric Clapton- Tears in Heaven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscPOozwYA8
(Bass is difficult to hear in this live version)
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Post by bassist_25 »

Some of my favs...

- Sweet Home Chicago - Blues Brothers version (Donald Duck Dunn)

Duck Dunn is my all time favorite bass player, and he does all kinds of tasteful work in this classic, from fast root/5th octave fills to his signature sliding major pentatonics

- Big Country - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (Victor Wooten)

Victor Wooten has chops. That's no mystery. But that's not what makes him great. What makes him great is that his is such a musical player.

- 10,000 Days - Tool (Justin Chancellor)

I love how Justin's lines are always an integral part of Tool's arrangements rather than just some bass line he threw down after the song was written. He has one of the best pick tones I've ever heard, but I think he actually does some pizzicato fingerstyle on this number!

- Birdland - Weather Report (Jaco Pastorious)

What would the list be without the master? His choice of notes with the counter-point groove he does in this song establishes him as a genius. I hate to brag, but I have Heavy Weather on vinyl, and it sounds freakin' amazing.

- Boy in the Bubble - Paul Simon (Bakithi Kumalo)

Jeff Berlin has said that there haven't been any original sounding fretless players since Jaco. Jeff Berlin says a lot of controversial stuff. I kinda see where he's coming from, but Bakithi has a totally unique voice on the instrument.

- Thing Called Love - Bonnie Riatt (Hutch Hutchinson)

Hutch is one of the best sidemen bass players around. The guy's a killer player, and this tune shows off a tastey groove.

- Wild Nights - John Cougar version (Meshell Ndegeocello)

Granted, Meshell didn't write the line, but she really gave it her own unique voice.

- Colorado Bulldog - Mr. Big (Billy Sheehan)

This song has everything! A cool walking bass line with Billy's signature shred!

- Roundabout - Yes (Chris Squire)

The entire bass line is a work of art...the muted notes, the technique, the signature Ric tone

- Happy? - Mudvayne (Ryan Martinie)

This is a great display of both Ryan's chop and his taste. And you can't deny that Warwick tone!

- Silly Love Songs - Wing (Paul McCartney)

It was hard for me to pick a song, because I'm a fan of every single bass guitar note that Sir Paul's ever played. He always has the unbelievable ability to write recognizable bass lines that stand out.

- All or Nothing at All - Diana Krall (Christian McBride)

Christian McBride is my favorite double-bassist, because he can make a walking bass line so rythmically and melodically interesting. Pick up Love Scenes to hear him really shine in a piano, guitar, and bass trio where he not only holds down the low melodic end but does it while still providing an awesome rythmnic foundation in the absence of drums.

Aeroplane - RHCP (Flea)

Again, it's hard to pick a favorite Flea line. I picked this one because it has one of his most rythmnically complex slap parts as well as some great finger funk and a tasteful bass solo. A lot of people didn't dig Red Hot Minute, but I think it was some of Flea's best work.

Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughn (Tommy Shannon)

Tommy has the ability to stay true to solid blues playing while still avoiding all of the cliches (cliches I often find myself doing when jammin' blues :oops: ). This is a really cool bass line that every bass player should learn, measure for measure, note for note, just so they can have new runs to play on shuffles.

Time Stand Still - Rush (Geddy Lee)

I think Geddy played a Wal on this tune. Every note is perfect.

Be My Druidess - Type O Negative (Peter Steele)

For the longest time, I never realized how integral Peter's bass playing was to Type O. I always thought the sludgey rythmn was the guitar player, who then when and overdubbed the clean parts in the studio. Nope, turns out that sound is Peter's bass with him using some discontinued Peavey preamp. I definitely dig his groove in this number.

Poundcake - Van Halen (Michael Anthony)

BRING MICHAEL ANTHONY BACK!!! A lot of people bash on the guy because he's not a fancy player, but I think he has always played exactly what the song needed. His 16th note groove on this number is testament to that. And speaking of Testament...

Testament - Urotsukidoji (Greg Christian)

This is what Bassically/NIB shoud have been, IMO. Greg's a highly underrated player with great tone.

Calling Baton Rouge - New Grass Revival (John Cowan)

I wish the bass were as prominent in Garth Brook's version. Of course, I wish the bass were as prominent in a lot of country music, but such is the polite "Nashville Sound." John got shunned by the Nashville good old boy elites because he was an electric player in a "bluegrass" band, but you can't deny the man's talent. Personally, I've never been a traditionalist.

Those are the ones off of the top of my head right now. I'm sure I can think of more.
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Post by moxham123 »

Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love
Booker T. & The M.G.s - Time Is Tight
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down On The Corner
Sly & The Family Stone - Dance To The Music
Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Pink Floyd - Money
Queen - Under Pressure
John Fred & His Playboy Band - Judy In Disguise
Level 42 - Something About You (anything Mark King does)
Rick James - Super Freak

Yes - The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyD1F3KoEUo

Foghat - Slow Ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCNcgoyG_0

Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULjCSK0oOlI
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Post by todd17063 »

FLEA-RHCP COVERING CASTLES MADE OF SAND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JBXcS6TLy0
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Post by nitekast »

Date Rape by Sublime (Eric Wilson)




I cant believe no one picked a sublime song. Eric Wilson is great.
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Post by Naga »

Just a few off-hand, as my tired mind isn't digging much bass out right now...

Tool - Schism
I'm surprised no one named this. The rotational bass and guitar lines amuse even the lesser bass-oriented minds!

Metallica - Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)
Classic, no more words needed!

Type O Negative - Love You To Death
This song in general has a lot of instrumentation, mostly leaving the "fast and furious" instrument-playing behind. It's very solid, very passionate, and just plain deep! You can't tell me you don't like this song, and the bass line fully lives that aspect!

GWAR - A Short History
Yes, I named a GWAR tune, and this running bassline, as well as the running instruments otherwise, make such a great tune, even for such a college-kill humor band. This is just an awesome song... Not to mention it's an instrumental
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Post by Bag »

John Paul Jones in Led Zep's "Heartbreaker."
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Post by lonewolf »

Image

I always liked Entwistle in "Can You See The Real Me".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Or4QGI80Y
Last edited by lonewolf on Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by moxham123 »

Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused
Henry Mancini Orchestra - Peter Gunn Theme (Emerson, Lake, & Palmer's version is great)
The Animals - We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
The Animals - It's My Life
The Beatles - Come Together
Stanley Clarke - School Days
Barney Miller TV Theme
Night Court TV Theme
Seinfeld TV Theme
Cream - Badge
Chic - Good Times
Chic - Le Freak
The Commodores - Brick House
My Girl - The Temptations (none other than Motown session great the James Jamerson on bass)
The Beatles - Day Tripper
Paul McCartney & Wings - Silly Love Songs
Grand Funk Railroad cover of the Soul Brothers Six song - Some Kind Of Wonderful
My City Was Gone - The Pretenders
Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer
China Girl - David Bowie
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (the most well-know bassline that is not in fact a bassline but a guitar)
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
Stevie Wonder - I Wish
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (Jammin')
Stevie Wonder - Part Time Lover
The Knack - My Sharona
Devo - Whip It (although a keyboard bassline)
Black Sabbath - N.I.B.
Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
The Police - Walking On The Moon
Hall & Oates - Maneater
George Baker Selection - Little Green Bag
Talking Heads version of the Al Green song - Take Me To The River
Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
Rush - YYZ
Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (David Hungate from Toto on bass)
The O'Jays - For The Love Of Money
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Michael jackson - Smooth Criminal (although a keyboard bassline)
Booker T. & The M.G.s - Green Onions
Steve Miller Band - The Joker
Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra
The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post
James Brown - I Feel Good (I Got You)
Louis Prima - Just A Gigiolo
Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
Joe Jackson - Sunday Papers
The James Gang - Funk #49
Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side
Iron Butterfly - In-a-gadda-da-vida
The Temptations & Rare Earth - Get Ready
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Sugarloaf - Green-Eyed Lady
Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Bon Jovi - Born To Be My Baby
Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
Thin Lizzy - Dancing In The Moonlight
Thin Lizzy - The Cowboy Song
Van Morrison - Moondance
Them - Brown-Eyed Girl
Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4
The Yardbirds & Chicago - I'm A Man
The Escape Club - Wild Wild West
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Post by todd17063 »

John Paul Jones- The Lemon Song........ awesome runs just a soulful groove that makes any bass player feel as though they are a beginner !!!!!
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Post by grimmbass »

So many great lines to pick from....at this moment in time, 1:58 p.m. on 1/15/2010, I'd say Monkeybusinessman by the almighty Michael Manring!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdC2eQCa8Cw
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Post by JackANSI »

Larry Graham - The Jam, Is It Love?, Can You Handle It?, Hair. All great lines there.

Bootsy Collins - Wind Me Up, Stomp (with parliament).

The Brothers Johnson - Stomp!, Strawberry Letter 23.

Bee Gees - You should be Dancing.

The Specials - Gangsters, Nite Klub.

Richard Bona - Please Don't Stop, Bisso Baba.

Victor Wooten - I Saw God, The Lesson.

311 - Don't Dwell, Nix Hex, Feels So Good, Nutsymptom.

Rollins Band - Let That Devil Out.

The Scofflaws - William Shatner, In the Basement, Nude Beach

Bon Jovi - Bad Medicine

Level 42 - Love Games, Mr Pink.

Reel Big Fish - Song #3, S.R., Snoop Doggy Dog

RATM - Take the Power Back.

Primus - John the Fisherman, Tommy the Cat.

Phil Collins - Easy Lover.

Pink Floyd - Money.

Interpol - Obstacle 1.

Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity.

John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change.

Fishbone - Bonin' In the Boneyard, Party at Ground Zero.

The Doors - The Soft Parade, LA Woman, Twentieth Century Fox, Not to Touch the Earth. (Doesn't have to be a bass guitar in every case, right? Though some of these are a real bass..)

Clutch - 10001110101, Tight Like that.

The Clash - White Man in Hammersmith Palai, Rock the Casbah.


All those contain great bass lines that I don't see mentioned much. But I agree basically with Paul and Dan on their lists too. (except I think Jaco is the most overrated bassist of all time ;))

I should also add that for a bass line to count as great IMO, the song would have to sound seriously lacking with a more simplified or different bass line.
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Post by moxham123 »

The Brothers Johnson - Get The Funk Out Ma Face
A Taste Of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
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