Great basslines

[Major Bloodnok]

One for the bass players here: give examples (with reasons) of great basslines. Note that I'm not talking about virtuoso playing or mega-solos, but about songs where the bass really does its job - supporting the song; not dominating, but where its absence would devalue the music.

Here are three examples to give a flavour of what I mean:

Bakhiti Khumalo, Call Me Al (Paul Simon). No, not just because of that riff, but a great example of tight rhythmic playing, perfectly complementing the other instruments and laying down the basic tenor of the song.

Pino Paladino, The Shouting Stage (Joan Armatrading). Lovely use of space - what he doesn't play is just as important as what he does play. Also a fine example of how to use an octaver.

Danny Thompson, Watching You Without Me (Kate Bush). In a word, tone. Tone and soul - two words, tone, soul and space - three... I'll start again. Another example of the crucial importance of space in the bassline, plus a magnificent feel for the use of the tone of the upright.

Any more suggestions?

(Edited 'cos I got the title of the Danny Thompson song wrong)

Edited by Major Bloodnok on Wednesday 15th August 22:55

[Major Bloodnok]

Marshy said:

Anyone else who does something adventurous and melodic with the bass, rather than just bashing out 4/4 root notes, while resisting the temptation to take over. Fretless always a bonus, and really under-used in modern music.

Well, you've just given the perfect potted description of Pino, there...