best progressive bassist

JrKASperov wrote:

Chris ain't that good actually. He can play unexpected notes and basslines but his technique is somewhat lacking.

Even though Chris is not my favorite bass player, I would be unfair if I said he's not "that good".

IMHO he has a very unique approach, most of the bass players (including Tony Levin) are more concerned about their main function which is being the support of the rhythm section, what is according to some experts the main part of any band.

Chris Squire does a very goob job, but he's also a bassist that's concerned about melody, sometimes he leaves the rhythm section and joins guitars and keyboards in the melodic section (don't know the exact name in english), in this cases he plays the central music of the song with the bass.

This is the reason why the band had to hire Billy Sherwood, because one guitar (specially when acoustic) is not enough for Yes, but when Billy left, Chris has to do two jobs at the same time (As he did in most of Yes career), playing classical bass and helping Steve Howe when guitar needs more strenght.

This is the reason why the rhythm section may sound weaker in some live gigs, the guy is great, but he only has two hands, and when helping to build the melody, the rhythm section looses strenght.

It's also important to remember, he's a complete musician, good composer and a hell of a backing vocalist, so the man has too many things to be concerned of at the same time, while most of bass players only have to worry about two or three chords.

If you want to add some extra merits to good old Chris, he acts as a second frontman with Jon because Steve rarely helps in that field, and when most bass players hide in a second line only doing his job.

Iván

Edited by ivan_2068

anyone who can play something other than root-note quavers.

richardh wrote: I'm giving myself a good talking to! Stupid boy Haydon ...OK now I've got the hang of it.Tony Levin.

Geez Richard, I didn't realize you were so easily pushed around...

Hello? Stanley Clarke anyone?

emdiar wrote: I seem to have trod on some toes with my earlier post, so for clarity, and imho, Lake is a talented bassist, but adds little to the music other than what is required. Like a session player if you like, or a portrait painter whose portraits are photographic in their accuracy, yet never "jump from the canvas" at you. Now some might say that this is exactly what one requires from a bassist, but such folk have no business listening to prog!

I don't actually agree that Greg was like a session bassist. I think that one of the problems listening to his work with ELP, is that most people tend to listen to the keyboards, and neglect the bass and drums. In all the time I spent listening to their concerts, rehearsals, soundchecks... etc.  I've heard Keith and Carl play alone.. and realized quite a few times.. that it was the bass line that tied the whole thing together and made it melodic in some way.  And as far as not "jumping from the canvas"..  I remember when Greg started doing "Lucky Man" and "Still You Turn Me On" as acoustic numbers in concert.  Even tho I loved hearing them that way at first.. I started to realize how naked they sounded... Just listen to this little clip of ELP's most boring (but beautiful) song and tell me that bass line doesn't jump out at you.

http://www.greglake.com/newsite/html/discpops/05LuckMn.mp3

and I gather Roger Daltry respects him as a bass player.. since besides recording with the Who recently.. he's the bass player in Roger Daltry's "RD Crusaders" which should be performing again this Oct. in London.  And how many of these bassists named here were asked by Ringo Starr to tour with him.

Sorry... I know.. .I can't help it... Later on, we can discuss his acoustic talents.. which just aren't discussed enough...

Ok, Dick...will look around for that.

And by the way, did I tell you how nice it is to be the female HEATH on this board..

Signed:

Ms. Heath

I know I mentioned Roger Waters earlier... but how could I left Louis Roy out ?

Well, he DEFINITELY belongs to this list!

 

Jazz rock and jazz funk bass players are getting the mention above, e.g Pastorius and Stanley Clarke;  (to confound some, Clarke was said to have been heavily into Chris Squire's playing around the time of the recording of Romantic Warrior). However, if you  mention these two and the flood gates should be opened with another 20 minimum from those two genres, being included - starting with Jonas Hellborg. Did folks know that the drummer of the Flowers King was part of the Jonas Hellborg Group for a late 80's recording? (If anybody wants that list let me know).

Percy Jones.

MY old time favorites are Squire and Geddy Lee.  My favorite modern prog bass player is Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings