LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Caught an old recording of The Smiths on Sky Arts 1 the other night. Morrissey's voice gets on my tits after a while but I was quite mesmerised by the Bass player (whoever it was). I'm gonna get caned for that coz it's probably someone well known isn't it? My point is that he was playing a Precision through an old Trace rig no effects of any sort and it sounded superb. His playing was also very 'melodic' fitting with Jonny Mar's twangy Rickenbacker lead line perfectly - loved it. So who was the Bass player? The gig I saw must have been late 80's judging by the hair do's but I might be wrong! LC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Andy Rourke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 Cheers, the name does ring a bell. Very/moderately well known? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grunge666 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Last I heard he was in a smiths tribute band years ago! :-/ Great bass player - I also love the music - until Mozza opens his gob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) I always thought Andy Rourke was an excellent bass player - inventive with a great sound and a great feel . Very important to the sound of that band , too ; the bass was always way up in the mix on those Smiths records . Edited February 7, 2013 by Dingus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby K Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) Andy is very under rated, to say the least and brilliantly inventive. The bassline to [i]Heaven knows I'm miserable now [/i]is a wonderful example of his musicality; it's probably my fave bassline of his. The gig on Sky Arts was probably the one from Rockpalast, Hamburg in 1984; it's been shown a few times. Did you notice he played in F# Lemoncello (each string up a whole step) - I've never really got to the bottom of why he did that..... John Porter, formerly bassist with Roxy Music produced a lot of the early Smiths stuff. Might explain the prominent bass in the mix; he apparently always insisted Andy put new strings on before each recording, for maximum punch and brightness. It shows in the recordings. Edited February 7, 2013 by Bobby K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1360271028' post='1967955'] I always thought Andy Rourke was an excellent bass player - inventive with a great sound and a great feel . Very important to the sound of that band , too ; the bass was always way up in the mix on those Smiths records . [/quote] You've hit the nail on the head there. Very forward in the mix and weaving in and out of the lead line, very very musical I thought. No leaping about stage histrionics either, mind you the Mozza did enough of that for everyone! I'm gonna look out for other stuff of his. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I'm a massive Smiths (and Rourke) fan. One of my favourite players. Someone on here is in a really good Smiths tribute band - I noticed a link in their sig, and checked them out. I think they were called The Smiths Indeed - very authentic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 The Bass line to "This Charming man" always makes me think of Bach. No, seriously.... (and no, not Sebastian.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='Bobby K' timestamp='1360271926' post='1967980'] Andy is very under rated, to say the least and brilliantly inventive. The bassline to [i]Heaven knows I'm miserable now [/i]is a wonderful example of his musicality; it's probably my fave bassline of his. The gig on Sky Arts was probably the one from Rockpalast, Hamburg in 1984; it's been shown a few times. Did you notice he played in F# Lemoncello (each string up a whole step) - I've never really got to the bottom of why he did that..... John Porter, formerly bassist with Roxy Music produced a lot of the early Smiths stuff. Might explain the prominent bass in the mix; he apparently always insisted Andy put new strings on before each recording, for maximum punch and brightness. It shows in the recordings. [/quote] It was the Rocklpalast one and no I didn't notice the step up at all, says something about my ears! I did dabble with effects a little while ago and have gone back to my preferred clean sound now. A bass should sound like one I think. 'Miserable' was fab, inventive and musical with the Bass playing an equal part. I've got a few Smiths albums including Morrisey's newish one Years of Refusal, which I really rate - very rocky, but still unmistakably 'him'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='tredders' timestamp='1360272391' post='1967988'] I'm a massive Smiths (and Rourke) fan. One of my favourite players. Someone on here is in a really good Smiths tribute band - I noticed a link in their sig, and checked them out. I think they were called The Smiths Indeed - very authentic. [/quote] Thanks, I'll check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Yep, a well talanted man is Andy. He plays some really melodic lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='Bobby K' timestamp='1360271926' post='1967980'] Andy is very under rated, to say the least and brilliantly inventive. The bassline to [i]Heaven knows I'm miserable now [/i]is a wonderful example of his musicality; it's probably my fave bassline of his. The gig on Sky Arts was probably the one from Rockpalast, Hamburg in 1984; it's been shown a few times. Did you notice he played in F# Lemoncello (each string up a whole step) - I've never really got to the bottom of why he did that..... John Porter, formerly bassist with Roxy Music produced a lot of the early Smiths stuff. Might explain the prominent bass in the mix; he apparently always insisted Andy put new strings on before each recording, for maximum punch and brightness. It shows in the recordings. [/quote] .......I've just noticed your 'footer' Bob - not just my ears that are defective!! And checked out your website - Fantastic. When are you in Cardiff again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.i.stein Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 excellent player. i was thinking about it a few nights ago, listening to 'this charming man' on r6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I was in a short-lived Smiths tribute band... we had Ken McClusky from the Bluebells on vocals. Very short-lived (one gig for charity!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby K Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='LemonCello' timestamp='1360272989' post='1968012'] .......I've just noticed your 'footer' Bob - not just my ears that are defective!! And checked out your website - Fantastic. When are you in Cardiff again? [/quote] Unfortunately, we're not doing that much this year. Our [i]would be Morrissey [/i]lives in Belgium 90% of the time (he's a native of Antwerp!) and he recently became a dad, so he's quite busy with that. Also, me and the drummer are going to be busy shortly with the kate Bush tribute (starting a British tour on 22nd of this month) We've done the Smiths tribute for almost 8 years now and it's been great fun. Hopefully this is just a break and not the end; we've had some great gigs in Cardiff, by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='tredders' timestamp='1360272391' post='1967988']Someone on here is in a really good Smiths tribute band - I noticed a link in their sig, and checked them out. I think they were called The Smiths Indeed - very authentic.[/quote] Naw, that TheSmithsIndeed bass player uses a natural Yamaha BB1200. He really should be using a BB2000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyhornpipe Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Yeah I watched the same performance on Sky Arts. Not a big Smiths fan but I was amazed at the sound they got live! the bass player is a machine!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby K Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='tredders' timestamp='1360272391' post='1967988'] Someone on here is in a really good Smiths tribute band - I noticed a link in their sig, and checked them out. I think they were called The Smiths Indeed - very authentic. [/quote] cheers mate As for you Noel K, bugger off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='Bobby K' timestamp='1360275312' post='1968089'] cheers mate As for you Noel K, bugger off [/quote] Ha! I posted that on my iPhone which doesn't show signatures, so I didn't know you'd already replied to this thread! Good job I didn't say you we're terrible.....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby K Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1360274707' post='1968066'] Naw, that TheSmithsIndeed bass player uses a natural Yamaha BB1200. He really should be using a BB2000. [/quote] Yep, the BB2000 was a somewhat [i]secret weapon [/i]on Smiths recordings (Everyone usually associates Andy with his '64 P bass) The BB2000 was used on several recordings, most noteably on [i]Barbarism Begins at Home[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Favourite Andy Rourke basslines? I'll start it off..... Some girls are bigger than others.....chugs along like a train Still Ill......as already mentions it weaves around the guitar nicely What's your fave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 [quote name='rubis' timestamp='1360277426' post='1968139'] Favourite Andy Rourke basslines? I'll start it off..... Some girls are bigger than others.....chugs along like a train Still Ill......as already mentions it weaves around the guitar nicely What's your fave? [/quote] This Night Has Opened My Eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 All of them. Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Heaven Knows and Charming Man are both excellent lines - musical and almost Motownesque. Not the easiest to play for "sausage fingers" here either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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