Ah, well... I can possibly help a bit here (with the caveat that I don't play upright bass) :-)
Lonnie's old songs are - often - incredible. It's a shame he's more well known for tat like Chewing Gum and Dustman. Listen to Black Girl, for example. It's not a million miles from Nirvana's version.
It's basically about dynamics, breathless energy and that relentless pulse which comes from the bass.
Chris Barber is the source for this, really. Check out Lonnie & Van Morrison's latter-day album 'The Skiffle Sessions'. it's incredible.
Here's something I was part of for a number of years - just incredible fun, and the audiences love it.