OK, for something completely different, Bing Crosby, Frank SInatra, Louis Armstrong - Got to be High Society. "Well you take some bass...now you're getting some place"
I wonder if Oldfield is aware of this mistaken identity?!
Interestingly, a quick Google to see if this has ever come up before shows a result for Robert Michael Oldfield Havers, Baron Havers QC who represented the Crown in the case against the Guildford Four.
Ok, gets even more puzzling then. Bobby Sands had some musical background, wrote lyrics for a Christy Moore song, so what on earth is that picture all about?!
OK, PLEASE don't get political on this thread - I'm posting out of historical interest.
I saw a Peter Cook Ned Callan bass advertised on Facebook. It looked interesting (as all basses do to us GAS stricken bass players). So I followed one of the links, and was stunned to see who the second most (in)famous Peter Cook bass player was! https://www.pulsebeatguitars.com/html/1970s/1972_Callan.php?fbclid=IwAR2RCOpZc_NHWU3xso7Lw6KGiKZQF8jZ8adEUcJv9fL41k11fvUvW2-v2xY
They have a great reputation, but the only time I played through one at a backline provided gig, without the extension cab, I found it woefully underpowered, with a not very loud guitarist, and not very heavy drummer.
There's also some full blown old rubbish in there too though! Topol, a pretty dreadful Tom Jones offering (and I like quite a lot of his stuff), The Bachelors, Englebert and the Mike Samme Singers. Pretty dreadful, easily taking the shine off the good stuff.
I'm 55. I've recently come across Fantastic Negrito, White Denim, and solo material from Britney Howard of Alabama Shakes. All with roots in the Blues and Classic Rock. And there's plenty more where they came from. Give Fantastic Negrito a whirl Dave - might just be the right thing for you.
Updating old bass lines especially root five, where the original player didn't have the luxury of going down to the five - commonly G to D - without the fifth string.
And I'd counter your argument to say the OP's suggestion is far more significant. The amplification in my opinion led the changes. Recording technology had to keep pace.