Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1363439797' post='2012721'] Totally agree with all of the above. For me Jeff Berlin was my main inspiration in my formative years back in the 80's...and he is still a master of the electric 4 string. Most overlook him because of his truculence and outspoken views - but he is a monster. My favorite fretless player is Percy Jones, another totally overlooked (and British) monster player! Why all of the UK based bass guitar publications constantly ignore him is beyond me, he should be celebrated. [/quote] Jeff Berlin's playing with Bruford had real fire to it - he's a phenomenal player - and he is a great sideman , but his solo albums are a bit of a dissappointment to me . Percy Jones is great , too . The problem with so many brilliant bass players is that they fail to find a suitable environment to best showcase their skills . Both Jeff Berlin and Percy Jones have suffered because of this , in my opinion . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cellario Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Got to agree with Dingus's comments about Jeff Berlin and Percy. Listen to Jeff's intro on '5 G' by Bruford. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47aYmY0QLLc I read somewhere Berlin was the one guy who introduced slapping as a technique but dropped it the moment everyone started to use it, never to slap a single note ever again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363439874' post='2012725'] I suppose someone has to nominate him , and it might as well be me ...: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FrI5lNvCnQ[/media] Flea must be the most well known and most admired bass guitarist in the World today . I think he's a good player in many ways but not a great one and certainly not a virtuoso , but if Les Claypool is included then Flea should be too . [/quote] IMO, Claypool should not be included, he's not a virtuoso schooled player, neither is Flea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 The Squarepusher stuff sounds fantastic, but would anyone be half as interested if he had just programmed up the sounds using synths and a sequencer instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) Would Billy Sheehan count? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E09-ShsB-uY[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HaktcxeqDc[/media] Edited March 16, 2013 by bartelby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 No love for Nathan East? He's one of the best. There's also Willie Weeks. I wouldn't describe him as a virtuoso, just a really great player. Just been watching Zev Katz on Daryl's House. A new name to me but a perfect player. Nate Watts, Reggie McBride, Michael Rhodes and Travis Carlton.... there's no end to the list....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363443150' post='2012789'] IMO, Claypool should not be included, he's not a virtuoso schooled player, neither is Flea. [/quote] I would have to agree with you on both counts , but I think they might just scrape in some peoples estimation by virtue of their up-and-at-em attitude to playing .Similaly with Squarepusher , he plays a lot of notes and has ability , but a virtuoso ? Not in a million years . The thing that divides those players and those who have a higher level of ability is musical knowledge , and by that term " knowledge " I would include the taste and judgement to know what to do with what they know for the best effect . Great chops and great feel , in other words . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1363444324' post='2012816'] No love for Nathan East? He's one of the best. There's also Willie Weeks. I wouldn't describe him as a virtuoso, just a really great player. Just been watching Zev Katz on Daryl's House. A new name to me but a perfect player. Nate Watts, Reggie McBride, Michael Rhodes and Travis Carlton.... there's no end to the list....! [/quote] Well here you've hit on a bit of a snag , Chris . What about players like the ones you mention - not neccesarilly flashy soloists or attention grabbers but fantastically tasteful and skilled players ? Their virtuosity lies in their subtlety , but I don't know how that fits with Nige's criteria . Edited March 16, 2013 by Dingus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363445721' post='2012837'] I would have to agree with you on both counts , but I think they might just scrape in some peoples estimation by virtue of their up-and-at-em attitude to playing .Similaly with Squarepusher , he plays a lot of notes and has ability , but a virtuoso ? Not in a million years . The thing that divides those players and those who have a higher level of ability is musical knowledge , and by that term " knowledge " I would include the taste and judgement to know what to do with what they know for the best effect . Great chops and great feel , in other words . [/quote] Totally right. But there are tone of unschooled gunslingers out there anyway. I'm looking for the virtuosos who still have the gunslinger attitude, players with real vitality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Is Tony Levin a gunslinger ? He's got the skill , confidence and true style in his understatement , so I would say he is , albeit in his own unique way : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i037HTohUhw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 And then there's the mighty Anthony Jackson : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxYw7Y45Eo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363446916' post='2012854'] Is Tony Levin a gunslinger ? He's got the skill , confidence and true style in his understatement , so I would say he is , albeit in his own unique way : [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i037HTohUhw[/media] [/quote] How in god's name did I forget Tony!! Total gunslinger virtuoso! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363447403' post='2012861'] How in god's name did I forget Tony!! Total gunslinger virtuoso! [/quote] He's even more of an inspiration to me since I f***ed my hair up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363448131' post='2012868'] He's even more of an inspiration to me since I f***ed my hair up ! [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdw Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363443150' post='2012789'] IMO, Claypool should not be included, he's not a virtuoso schooled player, neither is Flea. [/quote] I can see how claypool may not be considered a true virtuoso, perhaps his mastery of styles is not broad enough? But he certainly has attitude, goes beyond the idea that everything has to be perfect (perhaps too far beyond), and , for me at least generates some lightning. Totally agree about flea though, hes a good player who has come up with some great lines, but doesn't really stand out above the crowd in technique or originality in my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='John Cellario' timestamp='1363441953' post='2012766'] Got to agree with Dingus's comments about Jeff Berlin and Percy. Listen to Jeff's intro on '5 G' by Bruford. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47aYmY0QLLc[/media] I read somewhere Berlin was the one guy who introduced slapping as a technique but dropped it the moment everyone started to use it, never to slap a single note ever again. [/quote] This is true. Jeff was also a phenomenal fretless player until he heard Jaco....and chucked that too because he did not want to sound like him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Sharay Reed inspires me so much. Really GREAT player, incredible feel, groove and timing. Just wish there were more good quality videos of him showing off his skills. He's such a natural player, barely glances at his bass just feels the music. Love the run around 2:07..... http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pATcvr3zAhg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363447276' post='2012859'] And then there's the mighty Anthony Jackson : ... [/quote] wow, not from this world. thanks for this thread and the great contibutions! I'd add Oteil Burbridge: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFOYoluPF20[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OAy9Tl-pYU[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 For me: Hadrien Feraud Gary Wilis Matt Garrison Tom Jenkinson In that order - these guys are about as good as it gets - I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned Hadrien, I saw him with Chick Corea at Ronnie's a week ago and he was awesome - and he's getting better and better all the time - he's modest too, apparently he went tot the jam upstairs afterwards and sat in1, shook hands with everyone afterwards to show his appreciation etc - lovely guy and a great player... And he doesn't read music either - learns pretty much everything by ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) Abe and his grooves and timing [and his dancing] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpfjS-g2HiU[/media] Jimmy Haslip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1krbUsyirUM Garry Edited March 16, 2013 by lowdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1363447276' post='2012859'] And then there's the mighty Anthony Jackson : [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxYw7Y45Eo[/media] [/quote] Blimey! That was a bit good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='urb' timestamp='1363455936' post='2012988'] I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned Hadrien, I saw him with Chick Corea at Ronnie's a week ago and he was awesome - and he's getting better and better all the time [/quote] Me too... Posted about that gig here - 0 replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 This is how to solo over chord changes. From 1983....a year before Hadrien Feraud was born! http://youtu.be/5znQ30s01YA Jeff Berlin is hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 What do you mean by gunslinger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1363461212' post='2013097'] What do you mean by gunslinger? [/quote] What I said in the OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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