Bass CD's, weak songs
Question:
Bassist-led CD’s, for the most part, leave me saying Ho-hum, more impressive chops, big deal. I rarely buy them– most big name bassists, and nearly always predictable, the less-high-profile great technical bassists. It’s as if they’re going into the project with a mindset "How can this recording showcase my technique and solos?" as opposed to "Where can we take this music, based upon these strong compositions?" There’s exceptions, but too often these "songs" are simply "vehicles" for displaying chops. It’s not enough.
Response:
Couldn’t agree more. There are some exceptions though: Jaco – believe it of not, I like his compositions as much as has bass playing Charlie Haden – minimalism at it’s finest,; great solos Ray Brown – "Funk" before there even was such a term. whether he’s playing backgrounds or lead, it all works Mark /Egan/Elements – Great smooth Jazz /New Age compositions David Friesen – Ditto Jamaladeen Tacuma – Avant garde funk that happens to have a great bass player attached to it. — Learning funk bass? visit www.js3jazz.com/store.htm "Speaking the Truth in times of Universal deceit is a revolutionary act." — George Orwell
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Bassist-led CD’s, for the most part, leave me saying Ho-hum, more impressive > chops, big deal. > I rarely buy them– most big name bassists, and nearly always predictable, the > less-high-profile great technical bassists. > It’s as if they’re going into the project with a mindset "How can this > recording showcase my technique and solos?" as opposed to "Where can we take > this music, based upon these strong compositions?" > There’s exceptions, but too often these "songs" are simply "vehicles" for > displaying chops. It’s not enough.
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<< Jaco – believe it of not, I like his compositions as much as has bass playing >><BR><BR> Yes, Jaco seems cliche to mention, but he’s who I was thinking about when speculating "Where can we take this music, based upon these strong compositions?" (getting H.Hancock on your debut provides a nudge!) I got over Jaco-the-flash, but I was of course blown away as a younger person. But now it’s Pastorius-the-composer that I miss, as I’ve grown to realize the his *writing* is what lingers with me.
Response:
>Yes, Jaco seems cliche to mention, but he’s who I was thinking about >whenspeculating "Where can we take this music, based upon these >strongcompositions?" (getting H.Hancock on your debut provides a nudge!)I >got over Jaco-the-flash, but I was of course blown away as a younger person. >But now it’s Pastorius-the-composer that I miss, as I’ve grown to realize >thehis *writing* is what lingers with me.
I’ll ditto that thought! Some players write to show off their chops, I think Jaco developed his chops to play the songs he heard in his head. Aloha, Jerry
Response:
Mike Watt’s albums are pretty good…lots of creativity, but it’s not a noodle-fest. I also like Bakhiti Kumalo’s records…a nice balance between song writing and bass technique. — be blessed…bp
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Bassist-led CD’s, for the most part, leave me saying Ho-hum, more impressive > chops, big deal. > I rarely buy them– most big name bassists, and nearly always predictable, the > less-high-profile great technical bassists. > It’s as if they’re going into the project with a mindset "How can this > recording showcase my technique and solos?" as opposed to "Where can we take > this music, based upon these strong compositions?" > There’s exceptions, but too often these "songs" are simply "vehicles" for > displaying chops. It’s not enough.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Bassist-led CD’s, for the most part, leave me saying Ho-hum, more >impressive > chops, big deal. > I rarely buy them– most big name bassists, and nearly always predictable, >the > less-high-profile great technical bassists. > It’s as if they’re going into the project with a mindset "How can this > recording showcase my technique and solos?" as opposed to "Where can >we >take > this music, based upon these strong compositions?" > There’s exceptions, but too often these "songs" are simply "vehicles" >for > displaying chops. It’s not enough.
Maybe it’s a game of ‘catch up’ and deeper understanding. The elec. bass as a solo feature and melodic and highly technical instrument is a relatively new thing, unheard of pre-jaco and stanley, exploding in the 90s to the point of overkill, if it means lacking meaty songs. I’d agree that there’s many more bassists with exceptional technique who don’t know how to write, so it becomes a chops-fest, than there are musician/composers who play bass well. Lots of guitarist CDs are guilty of it too: song=vehicle for wanking. It’s a natural extension from the rock and fusion precedent. Bass guitarists following suit is going to happen. I keep buying piano or sax leader albums. I really like what you said: "How can this recording showcase my technique and solos?" –vs– "Where can we take this music, based upon these strong compositions?" GREAT to think about whenever planning a recording!
Response:
Just curious- were you listening to anything in particular (artist or song) that caused these feelings to surface and consequently be expressed on agb?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Bassist-led CD’s, for the most part, leave me saying Ho-hum, more impressive > chops, big deal. > I rarely buy them– most big name bassists, and nearly always predictable, the > less-high-profile great technical bassists. > It’s as if they’re going into the project with a mindset "How can this > recording showcase my technique and solos?" as opposed to "Where can we take > this music, based upon these strong compositions?" > There’s exceptions, but too often these "songs" are simply "vehicles" for > displaying chops. It’s not enough.
Response:
"Paul Ely" <A writes: >Just curious- were you listening to anything in particular (artist or song) >that caused these feelings to surface and consequently be expressed on agb?
Brian Bromberg. I saw him playing upright with Gonzalo Rubalcaba trio. It was about the most amazing upright thing i’ve ever witnessed. Very inspiring. And he’s got an extensive track record on many recordings. But the three solo albums I’ve heard are a wank-fest for half a dozen various Peavey fretted, fretless, piccolo bass, etc. maybe some agreement with peavey to list/feature the instruments used track-by-track. As for writing, same goes for most all I’ve heard from Jeff Berlin. Same goes for ‘Show of Hands" Victor Wooten, which I sampled tracks at the record store, and decided to pass based on the compositions. But i’m a big Vic fan from seeing him play a few times, and not so familiar with his other titles.
Response:
It is hard to find a good bass album that does not have a couple of stinkers (at least) that pander mostly to the wankfest crowd. For instance, Stu Hamm. I like his playing very much, but when I want to hear Stu Hamm I pop in a CD with Gambale and Smith. His playing and bass lines are much better there (even a little raw, but I like that) than on lots of his umpteen-bass-track songs. (Even though Gambale/Hamm/Smith is a quite wanky combination, I’ve found it works for me 
— Javier Gonzalez Nicolini – remove the .com to e-mail
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