Man without a Bass

So, I'm driving home from rehearsal tonight and rockin' myself into a frenzy as usual to the radio.  With my eyes on the road, I reach for the volume and because the way the interface of my radio is the funky way it is, I'm *always* unknowingly hitting the freakin' "BASS" button, kicking the dang thing into a mode that allows me to control *only* the bass level. 

As I'm cursing my radio because I think it's busted again since the only thing cranking up is the bass, I realize, "Hmmm...I wonder....".  I bring it all the way down to -9 (no, it doesn't go to 11) and am instantly reminded why I love this instrument so much...you can't do a song without it.

Try it sometime...crank up a song on the radio and kick the bass out as much as you can kick it out, listen to the tune for a verse or two and then slowly bring the bass back in.  I can't seem to explain it, but it's like a tensity is created when it's absent and is only realized when you bring it back in. It's like a moment of revelation instantly hits you and you think, "Ahhh! *Now* it is complete!"  Music, in general, has a way of reaching way down deep into your core like nothing else can and in my mind, the bass is that last extension or push to help you finally get there.  

But, sadly, I also think it's one of the most underappreciated instruments and elements of a tune out there.  And because of that, we're gonna celebrate it with this blog. :-)

One of my favorite conversation topics is "What's your top 10 (fill in the blank)?".  When I met Geri's rockstar-bass player-gone-IT-guy friend, Howie, I couldn't help but ask, "Who are your top 10 bassists of all time?".   His eyes lit up and you could immediately see the wheels in his brain turning.  After much deliberation, Howie came back with the following list (in no particular order) (thanks, Howie!!).  I supposed I would consider this the making (or at least beginnings of) "the Bassist Essentials" list:

Victor Wooten, A Show Of hand, 1996 Compass

Jaco Pastorius, Jaco Pastorius, 1976 Epic

Stanley Clarke, Stanley Clark, 1974 Nemporer

Weather Report, Heavy Weather, 1977 Sony

(quite a thorough one, that Howie is, isn't he?)

Other bassists he noted to check out included Larry Graham, Verdine White from Earth Wind & Fire, James Jamerson (Mr. Motown), Marcus Miller, and Bootsy Collins.

He also included albums to check out, such as:

Marvin Gaye -What's Goin On

Bassist - James Jamerson

Also - Motown singles collection 1959-1971

Stanley Clarke - School Days

Bassist - Stanley Clarke

Also - If Only This Bass Could Talk, Journey To Love, East River Drive and 1,2 The Bass.

Paul Young - No Parlez / Secret Of Association

Bassist - Pino Palladino

For acoustic bassists, he notes Ron Carter and Ray Brown.

...and to that, I'd also like to add Paul Chambers.  Listening to his bowed solo on "This Can't Be Love" on the Red Garland Trio's It's a Blue World, made me wanna hollah! (go, Me'Shell...ooh, *another* kick-A bassist. Add her to the list up above).

Oh, and don't forget Jimi "Jazz" Prescott who I saw rock the hellz outta his beautiful upright when I saw him play with G. Love and Special Sauce last January at the SF Warfield. And of course, my teacher and friend, Kurt Ribak who never ceases to hypnotize me when he's slappin and poppin' away on Blondie.

I'm still learning a lot about the bass (amongst other things!) and am sure this list will grow so help me celebrate bassists and share *your* top 10 with me!