Old Man Riva

Some of the punk/new wave era songs were great inspiration for would-be bass players at that time. Bands like the Clash, Damned, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, XTC, Stranglers, Ian Dury & the Blockheads all featured memorable bass lines. Add to that Talking Heads, Magazine, Wire, Jonathan Richman, Television, Buzzcocks, Ruts, to name but a few, and there was plenty for the novice bassist to get their/our teeth into! New Boots & Panties was, and still is, a wonderful ‘bass’ album...

First thing I ever got taught/shown how to play was simple root eighth notes on a 12 bar boogie. It (genuinely) changed my life! The first song I was taught how to play/learned was Thin Lizzy’s Dancing in the Moonlight - it was the summer of 1977 and was on the radio a fair bit and the bass sounded brilliant (still does!). Took what felt like ages to learn it and for it to sound okay but that’s what I did - and having a brilliant teacher/mentor helped! After that, mainly after school, I’d get home and sit and listen to Radio1 for hours trying to play along to whatever was being played. Didn’t matter if I liked it or not, I’d give it a try - even if all I did was work out the key to the song and couldn’t play the parts correctly! When I got a bit better I went for years where I challenged myself to properly learn learn a new/different song every day - usually by taping radio programmes then listening back. I feel lucky to have been learning when I did as the music around at that time (77 onwards) was great for me - so much variety...

According to the Fender website, “also included are a deluxe vintage-style case with 60th anniversary embroidery and certificate of authenticity”. It’s not a Custom Shop or American Vintage so it looks as though they’ve dispensed with any case candy - strap etc...

Pino’s already done it...

Glad you liked it! Their debut album is one of my favourite albums, and it’s a real shame they didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Here’s a different side to them, guesting on an Ultramarine track from 1995...

“Welcome to the hotel A Coppolo...”

Excellent! I think they do quite a bit for him in there. There was a US Lakland Decade in the Gallery last year that used to belong to Pino - it was wonderful; beautifully set up and great to play - and I probably (genuinely) spent two hours discussing it with John! And no, I still couldn’t get it to sound like Mr P!! I purchased a CS Pino model off the site/here a couple of years back and it’s a fabulous bass - slightly chunkier neck but so great to play. Right, what time does the Gallery close?!

How did that come about - or is it rude to ask?! What did you think of it?

Some great choices/suggestions, quite a few I’d not heard of so plenty to check out! Here’s something that would definitely fall under the ‘overlooked and under the radar’ banner. Sadly they were only around for a short while in the early 90s, but I was fortunate to see them a number of times at the now defunct acoustic room in the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden. Never heard two voices sound so unique together. Wonderfully ‘odd’ vocal harmonies and both members were excellent acoustic players, along with some very strange tunings! Pooka and a track called Dream from their self-titled debut album.

Nothing wrong with being an old rocker! And check out the tracks by Family and Atomic Rooster as they may be to your taste - and you’d probably recognise them if you heard them. I watched Top of the Pops religiously as a kid in the 70s and was always drawn to what me and my mates would describe as “rock guitar” - so anything from Bowie to Blackfoot Sue! The Family and Atomic Rooster tracks definitely have the sound I was drawn to back then. Barking Spiders, this is something that I definitely think fits the bill...

Blimey, that’s a blast from the past - I used to really like that track! I’d add... The Passions - I’m in Love With a German Film Star Hollywood Beyond - What’s the Colour of Money Swans Way - Soul Train Bill Nelson - Living in my Limousine Jerry Harrison - Rev it Up Edit to say... apologies, some of the above didn’t make the Top 30 - I should have read the original post properly!! Medicine Head had a couple of singles in the early 70s - One and One is One and Rising Sun - that don’t ever seem to get played on the radio. Similarly Atomic Rooster - Tomorrow Night and Devil’s Answer - and Family - In My Own Time and Burlesque - seem to be absent from nostalgic playlists...

Yes, a great band. Bill Nelson is such a wonderful guitarist/musician/songwriter. The bassist on this was a New Zealander called Charlie Tumahai. Again, a wonderful player. The live album has a version of Shine (odd at the time as it was included with the 12” album as a 7” EP!?) that has Charlie laying down some really funky lines. It was a big influence in my bass evolution as it was the first time I’d heard such ‘funky’ bass lines (double stops/chords etc.) in a rock band. I’ve been ripping him off ever since!! Saw them live... happy times!

I love this track/version. Reminds me of being a kid in the 70s. If I’d had a tough day at school or felt a bit ‘lost’ in the world I’d retreat into this and all would be good again. Still makes me feel that way...

Some very happy nights dancing to this when I was younger...

This is Bob Daisley’s version of events... apologies if this has derailed the thread, not my intention! https://bobdaisley.com/interview/website

Pete Townsend would be a good example. Roger Daltrey has done a superb job of making Townsend’s lyrics his own. With regards to Bob Dailey, it’s appalling how he was treated by the Osbournes...

Completely agree! I know it’s a big favourite, but I’ve never liked Angie as a song - just not my cup of tea. And you’re right, it doesn’t sit in particularly well with the rest of the album - Winter, on the other hand, fits beautifully. I like Ronnie Wood, and think he’s a good fit for the band but, in terms of guitar, the combination of Keith and Mick Taylor is the one I’m most drawn to.

It’s undoubtedly ingenious, though I wouldn’t fancy having to get it upstairs to the function room at the Dog & Duck...

Yep, that’s a cravat for me. Worn under the collar, but definitely a cravat! No knot showing and the wrong shape for a tie. Tom looks sharp; nice threads...

A ‘new’ ‘old’ Stones track - coming out as part of the repackaged Goats Head Soup album. Love it..!

There are different ways to be noticed as a bass player... ask Pete!

That’s wonderful, that. Has a proper air of magic to it. I think Steven Stills is channeling his inner Steve Marriott...

Blimey, not heard these before - and Genesis is Know Who You Are?! Hadn’t realised that! I think I need a Cupa-Soup!

I must admit I’d not been aware of this guy until stumbling across some Wilcock bass demo videos yesterday. I saw Zero 7 many moons ago but hadn’t realised this is the guy that played bass for them. Anyway, my new favourite bass player... until the next one!

One of my favourite bass lines...