Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
Support your local Basschat

Overrated Bassists.

Josh

By Josh,
in General Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

Rich Grand Master

Rich

Posted
Posted

The distinction between 'bassists' and 'musicians' is an interesting one. Whilst it is true really that the one is the other -- if you play bass, then you're playing music, ergo... -- there is also the aspect mentioned by bnt regarding Geddy Lee, i.e. his ability in other aspects. His keyboard skills, singing, composition, etc. This it could be said makes him an excellent [i]bassist[/i] but an extraordinary [i]musician[/i], although as we've said the one is the other and at this point the argument does an Oozelum Bird and goes round in circles before disappearing up its own arse. :)
The point many people have made about Mark King is a good one, while he inspired thousands of players to pick up the bass in the 80s (myself and I think CK included), when you take a good look at his playing he's something of a one trick pony. HOWEVER... what a lot of people seem to forget is that he sings while he does it... have you ever tried singing a counter melody over the top of a complicated bassline? Exactly. Added to which, he is a drummer of no little ability and also plays guitar and keys -- exhibit A, his first solo album Influences -- and writes a bloody good tune. The vast majority of L42's back catalogue has the name 'King' as either the whole or part credit. So, overrated as a bassist perhaps, but as an all round musician? well I wish I could do all that lot.
Sorry, I've drifted about a nautical mile from the OP here, but it's something that I've been thinking about. :huh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
silverfoxnik Grand Master

silverfoxnik

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Rich' post='188605' date='Apr 30 2008, 07:35 AM']The distinction between 'bassists' and 'musicians' is an interesting one. Whilst it is true really that the one is the other -- if you play bass, then you're playing music, ergo... -- there is also the aspect mentioned by bnt regarding Geddy Lee, i.e. his ability in other aspects. His keyboard skills, singing, composition, etc. This it could be said makes him an excellent [i]bassist[/i] but an extraordinary [i]musician[/i], although as we've said the one is the other and at this point the argument does an Oozelum Bird and goes round in circles before disappearing up its own arse. :huh:
The point many people have made about Mark King is a good one, while he inspired thousands of players to pick up the bass in the 80s (myself and I think CK included), when you take a good look at his playing he's something of a one trick pony. HOWEVER... what a lot of people seem to forget is that he sings while he does it... have you ever tried singing a counter melody over the top of a complicated bassline? Exactly. Added to which, he is a drummer of no little ability and also plays guitar and keys -- exhibit A, his first solo album Influences -- and writes a bloody good tune. The vast majority of L42's back catalogue has the name 'King' as either the whole or part credit. So, overrated as a bassist perhaps, but as an all round musician? well I wish I could do all that lot.
Sorry, I've drifted about a nautical mile from the OP here, but it's something that I've been thinking about. ;)[/quote]
That's all true Rich and makes a good point about bassists who play and sing.. It is definitely a real skill or art, and to play technically difficult parts like Mark King does and sing the lead vocal at the same time, that's pretty amazing! I thought the same of Geddy Lee when I saw Rush last year.. And even though I think Mr Level 42 is over-rated as a bassist, I don't for one second deny what an influence he has been to loads of bass players..

But as an 'under-rated' Basschat bassist, if I was to aspire to be as good at writing songs that I could then play & sing at the same time, I'd want to emulate Macca, Sting or Prince for example way, way before I ever thought of trying to emulate Mark King. And that's because their music and bass playing means more to me and inspires me more than Level 42 or Jaco etc, etc..

[quote name='mgauction' post='188589' date='Apr 30 2008, 03:59 AM']Count me in, Nik! ;)

Also - I hate Jaco -- same as Mark Level 42 whatever-the-hell-his name-is....too technical, no soul whatsoever - aliens. Nobody here could ever remember a tasty lick he ever played. Reminds me of the idiots at music stores that turn the volume high and play as fast as they can with nothing in mind except hay between their ears.[/quote]


Cheers Mike - always knew we 'rats' were on the same wavelength! Does that make us Wal-Rats then? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
matty589 Rookie

matty589

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='188609' date='Apr 30 2008, 08:05 AM']That's all true Rich and makes a good point about bassists who play and sing.. It is definitely a real skill or art, and to play technically difficult parts like Mark King does and sing the lead vocal at the same time, that's pretty amazing! I thought the same of Geddy Lee when I saw Rush last year.. And even though I think Mr Level 42 is over-rated as a bassist, I don't for one second deny what an influence he has been to loads of bass players..

But as an 'under-rated' Basschat bassist, if I was to aspire to be as good at writing songs that I could then play & sing at the same time, I'd want to emulate Macca, Sting or Prince for example way, way before I ever thought of trying to emulate Mark King. And that's because their music and bass playing means more to me and inspires me more than Level 42 or Jaco etc, etc..




Cheers Mike - always knew we 'rats' were on the same wavelength! Does that make us Wal-Rats then? :)[/quote]
How about renaming the forum basstwats - would be more suitable.

Edited by matty589
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

[quote name='bremen' post='188958' date='Apr 30 2008, 04:23 PM']Neither am I - I have no idea what he means by that. Did someone disagree with him about something?[/quote]
Basically he seems to think we're just a bunch of talentless, amateurish wannabes, and this thread is us just whingeing in jealousy of million-selling bass-gods whose arses we are not fit to wipe.

Guess we should all shut the f*ck up & know our place.

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jase Proficient

Jase

Posted
Posted

[quote name='BassManKev' post='189167' date='Apr 30 2008, 07:49 PM']look at indie bands

i bet that the majority off bass players on this forum can play just as good and better than them, but yet they have a record deal, and we dont;.

that sucks[/quote]

It's not the be all and end all to have a record deal :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodneymullen Newbie

rodneymullen

Posted
Posted

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='187832' date='Apr 29 2008, 09:58 AM']Being called overated isn't always a criticism.

I think most of the bass players mentionned on here would willingly agree that they are overated in some quaters. Calling Victor Wooten the best player of all time is overating him. It doesn't detract from the fact that he certainly knows his onions.

Its more of a statement about his fans than his playing ability. If anything, I'd be happy to have fans that idolise me so much that they "overate" me.

And as for the people moaning about these kind of threads - you're smart enough to switch on a PC and use the internet, but not smart enough to realise this is purely based on opinion? If you don't like it, why keep BUMPing it up with your pointless comments?


And for what its worth:

Mark King : Technically very clever, musically terrible

Jaco : Just not my cup of tea

Flea : Fleas.[/quote]

Not worth much then.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
silverfoxnik Grand Master

silverfoxnik

Posted
Posted

[quote name='bremen' post='188958' date='Apr 30 2008, 04:23 PM']Neither am I - I have no idea what he means by that. Did someone disagree with him about something?[/quote]
I think you'll find it all goes back to this:
[quote name='matty589' post='186106' date='Apr 26 2008, 07:08 PM']Overrated by who? Without wishing to descend into an argument, does the wider world care what the posters on this thread think? Jaco, Jamerson, Mark King and the rest have made music that has entertained and been enjoyed by people all round the world. Have you?[/quote]
To which I replied:
[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='186122' date='Apr 26 2008, 07:38 PM']That's not the point, with respect..

The original post - by a member of Basschat, asked fellow Basschat members - who we thought were overrated. Therefore, it's a question about our opinions here, not about the achievements of the bassists in question out there in the 'wider world'..

So IMHO, it's just a harmless way to pass the time and definitely not a way to start arguements.. :)[/quote]
A perfectly reasonable answer I feel..

But, I think that matty589's toys have been steadily thrown out of the pram ever since... :huh:

He's quick to dish it out and tell us all what to do and how to do it and that we're all useless twats etc, etc, but actually when it comes down to it, he can't take someone disagreeing with him or having a different point of view at all.

As dlloyd said:
[quote name='dlloyd' post='188816' date='Apr 30 2008, 02:05 PM']You're not really cut out for this discussion forum business, are you?[/quote]
I'm not normally a confrontational or rude person but every now and again, there's times when it's best to be blunt..

So, matty589, why don't you pick all your toys up, put them back in your pram and p*ss off!

Just my opinion of course ;) ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kubickiboy Apprentice

Kubickiboy

Posted
Posted

It's a great question to ask on a forum like this.

Like, for instance, which is better - blue or red? Everyone has an opinion or a preference. And because of that, they're quite open and ready to put their views forward.

Just a shame some people take things too personally, and view someone else's opinion that challenge's their own as an attack.

Allow me this. Going back to a previous post, I don't think the term "Indie" off the back off "Independent" is bad journalism at all. It's in the musical language now, a genre, and recognised. Wouldn't you like to be the person who came up with the word "Punk"?.

For the pot, mine is Billy Sheehan. And Fieldy. Both of them are always out of tune.

But they do have their moments....!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mgauction Community Regular

mgauction

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Kubickiboy' post='189413' date='Apr 30 2008, 07:29 PM']It's a great question to ask on a forum like this.

Like, for instance, which is better - blue or red? Everyone has an opinion or a preference. And because of that, they're quite open and ready to put their views forward.

Just a shame some people take things too personally, and view someone else's opinion that challenge's their own as an attack.

Allow me this. Going back to a previous post, I don't think the term "Indie" off the back off "Independent" is bad journalism at all. It's in the musical language now, a genre, and recognised. Wouldn't you like to be the person who came up with the word "Punk"?.

For the pot, mine is Billy Sheehan. And Fieldy. Both of them are always out of tune.

But they do have their moments....![/quote]

Well done! Good positive post, here! Gents take your cue from Kubickiboy! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...