The Greatest Bassist of All Time

stratman3142

Jimbro66 said:

I'm not sure what makes any player "the greatest". With many fine players listed here it seems to come down to personal favourites and musical preferences.

Interestingly no mention of Carol Kaye who's played on more well-known recordings than probably all of the others put together so she must be doing something extremely well.

I think that's true. Many of the greats remain transparent but are integral to the song.

RandallFlagg

Paul McCartney

Bruce Foxton

BigLicks67

James Jamerson, Paul McCartney & Ron Carter.

equalsql

Jaco
Percy Jones
Entwhistle
Gary Thain

english_bob

fields5069 said:

Whenever I think of bass, I hear the solo from that Free song in my head. I can't remember which one, but it's off Fire And Water, and in fact may even BE Fire And Water.

I like it, so I vote for that bloke. Andy Fraser.

It's probably Mr Big- there's a lengthy bass solo in that. Mind you, all bass solos seem lengthy to me.


Still, the right answer has to be Macca. Most of the other players mentioned in this thread wouldn't have sounded the way they did if not for him, and he had the good sense never to play a bass solo.


Also, can we all agree that 2/3 of the players in that poll have no fucking business being there. The guy from Royal Blood? Fuck right off.

Blueingreen

For pop/rock etc I'd say McCartney just about edges out Jamerson, then Bernard Edwards. For me the questions are, how great was the music and how important was the bass part in making it great. Carol Kayes part in Witchita Lineman matters in a way that most examples of technical bravura don't.

I'm never too happy with token jazz guys being put on these lists. The criteria is different. In my view the two most innovative and important players in the music are not on the list: Jimmy Blanton and Scott LaFaro. These were the guys who completely redefined jazz bass. But more people have heard of Mingus, because he was a great composer and bandleader.

ourmaninthenorth

JDE said:

http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9877/VZarA4.png

Yep, another one here for Ron Carter...

boogieman

Jaco has to be up there, along with Stanley Clarke and Tony Levin. My favourite is Andy Fraser though, those lovely loping bass lines made so many of Free's songs. 

Funkfingers

Sassafrassin' popularity parade.



Strangely, reduced to being filed other "Other":

• Rick Danko
• Keith Richards (he's one mean bassist)
• David Gilmour (fretless a speciality)
• Anyone who ever played bass guitar for Frank Zappa

stimpsonslostson

Funkfingers said:

Sassafrassin' popularity parade.



Strangely, reduced to being filed other "Other":

• Rick Danko
• Keith Richards (he's one mean bassist)
• David Gilmour (fretless a speciality)
• Anyone who ever played bass guitar for Frank Zappa

Carol Kaye

fretmeister

Winny_Pooh said:

Bottesini

I regard him in the same way as Jaco.

Did it first on his instrument, Made people realise what was possible, but ultimately his own stuff was clearly only the beginning of the journey with a hint of the future and not the fully developed idea.

guitars4you

fields5069 said:

Whenever I think of bass, I hear the solo from that Free song in my head. I can't remember which one, but it's off Fire And Water, and in fact may even BE Fire And Water.

I like it, so I vote for that bloke. Andy Fraser.

many great players and most mentioned above - I do love the fade out solo on Free Mr Big and remember they were still teenagers when recording/playing these tracks - listen from around 2.55 onwards but bass really kicks in around 3.30/3.40 - How to lay down a groove

guitars4you

I'm not sure I have a favourite - I like Bernard Edwards - I like the fade out end section of Stevie Wonder I wish (don't know the bass player is) - Tal (the young Oz with Jeff Beck) - Surprised no mention yet for Phil Lynott - Love the Motown bass lines - Love Lee Rocker with Stray Cats - To be honest if they are putting down a great groove I'm happy

DarnWeight

Not exactly flashy, but one for fans of the extended hypnotic groove...Holger Czukay.

guitars4you

Just heard Aretha on the radio and made me think Blues Brothers - And totally surprised no one has yet said Donald Duck Dunn - awesome bass player

Jack_

Isn't greatest bassist an oxymoron?

Rocker

I don't look at musicians that way. If they do the job 'right', they are good players. Gerry McEvoy, Sting, Phil Lynott etc may not be considered in the same light as Jaco etc. They got the job done. Which is what any musician should strive to do.

JezWynd

Surprised no mentions for Alan Spenner - fluid, melodic and funky - the complete package. Mccartney of course, 'cos he  pretty much defined rock bass. Jamerson, Andy Fraser and Rick Danko.

Ravenous

guitars4you said:

Just heard Aretha on the radio and made me think Blues Brothers - And totally surprised no one has yet said Donald Duck Dunn - awesome bass player

Yes I think Dunn influenced just about everyone who followed.

57Deluxe

Stanley Clarke