best progressive bassist
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Topic: best progressive bassist
Posted By: bassguy35
Subject: best progressive bassist
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 17:06
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i'm just wondering what prog. bassist people like. I was thinking of making this a poll, but in polls you can only do a few options and i thought that it would be better to make it a topic. If you don't think that you know who the 'best prog. bassist' is than you can also do who you think the best rock bassist is. thanks for writing! ------------- <ROCK ON!> bassguy35 |
Replies:
Posted By: James Lee
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 17:09
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Chris Squire is great but Les Claypool wins overall in my opinion...and I have to mention Jaco... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/sollipsist/?chartstyle=kaonashi"> 
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 17:35
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Dave LaRue ? ------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 17:36
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My fave bassist is Geddy Lee. Others I admire: Chris Squire, Roger Waters, Tony Levin, and LEMMY ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 18:19
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Chris ain't that good actually. He can play unexpected notes and basslines but his technique is somewhat lacking. Geddy Lee is a lot better I must say, he has the fast stuff going down good. Sadly, the best bassists are not in prog, but jazz. Or that is not sadly, which ever way you look at it. ------------- Epic. |
Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 18:49
Mick Karn / Jaco Pastorius / Jimmy Johnson / Jeff Berlin / Danny Partridge.
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Posted By: diddy
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 19:03
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Jonas Reingold is one of my top favorites. I think his style is very distinctive and unique. I really like his sound. You can always identify him, no matter where he is featured (Pär Lindh Project, Flower Kings, Karmakanic, Tomas Bodin, The Tangent) ------------- If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear... George Orwell |
Posted By: The Prognaut
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 19:22
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Unarguably, my vote goes to Roger Waters
------------- break the circle reset my head wake the sleepwalker and i'll wake the dead |
Posted By: emdiar
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 19:41
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Does anybody here know of the brilliant Finnish bassist Pekka Pohjola. I STRONGLY recommend "The Mathermaticians Air Display", 1977, with Mike Oldfield guesting on guitar. Bassguy35, you would not be disappointed! http://www.sci.fi/~fuerte/pohjola.htm#Discography - http://www.sci.fi/~fuerte/pohjola.htm#Musician - http://www.sci.fi/~fuerte/pohjola.htm#Musician ------------- Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 21:09
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Think we did this before but no problem, only progressive bassists Best bassist alive: Tony Levin Best bassist dead: Gary Thain (Also best prog' bass player ever IMO) Iván |
Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 21:45
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Oh, I forgot: Sean Malone... Bass and Stick. I posted a link of a review of his solo performance at NEARfest. He rocked 'em. He's an up an comer.... Check out Gordian Knot, Cynic and Aghora. |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 23 2004 at 22:53
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Best prog bassist... geez, I wonder who I would say...heheheheehee This one: http://www.greglake.com/newsite/html/discpops/03Schizd.mp3 - http://www.greglake.com/newsite/html/discpops/03Schizd.mp3 http://www.greglake.com/newsite/html/discpops/05LuckMn.mp3 - http://www.greglake.com/newsite/html/discpops/05LuckMn.mp3 ------------- THIS IS ELP 
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Posted By: Axe Victim
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 02:04
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Peter Giles ------------- This Whole World Has Gone Slum Gullion |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 03:31
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Mick Karn.. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
danbo wrote:Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 04:00
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Geddy Lee Chris Squire Greg Lake John Jowitt Roger Waters |
Posted By: emdiar
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 04:15
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How on Earth is Greg Lake making it on to this thread. This is a BEST PROG BASSIST thread, not a "who happens to play bass in your fave prog band" thread. The same goes for Roger Waters. I mean, hats off to the guy for his imagination and creativity, but best prog bass player??? Have a word with y'selves people! ------------- Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact. |
Posted By: artbass
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 10:11
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Chris Squire and Jonas Reingold are quite good in the stuff they play. And the third progbassist I like is - myself. ------------- she feels wind around her she feels a warming sun she feels some raindrops wet her leaves since that time she lost her griefs |
Posted By: Mirin Dajo
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 11:07
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Gentle Giant's Ray Shulman! Just listen to the tracks in "In a Glass House". I really appreciate his multi-instrumental talent too; how many bassists can play the violin and trumpet as well? Tony Levin gets my vote for the presently active players: his bass lines are really well thought out and intelligent, even when they're simple. |
Posted By: James Lee
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 11:28
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I like Squire's gritty tone and the unique way he fits into the mix (on the 70s albums, anyway). Wetton's work with Crimson and Randy from Mezquita share similar characteristics. IMAO, technique is not the most important thing...Peter Hook (New Order) and Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) are two of my all-time favorites for their distinctive sound and creativity, but neither of them are virtuoso musicians in the technical arena. Les Claypool has the best of both worlds- totally unique sound and incredible skills to boot. I had forgotten about Levin- he's incredible (and everywhere, as stated on another thread). Lemmy is another interesting choice- every time I've seen him live he plays almost like a guitarist, with spiky vertical jabs. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/sollipsist/?chartstyle=kaonashi">
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Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 13:01
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I have to agree with James, technique is not necessarily what makes for a good bassist in terms of the overall sound of the music. A good bassist complements the lead sound of the track, he does not as a rule create the lead sound. Gary Thain gets my vote, but I do feel Chris Squire deserves an honourable mention. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 13:07
JrKASperov wrote:
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 |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 13:09
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You might not think so, but I've heard a lot of bands play live.. and Greg Lake (regardless of how I feel about him) was one of the best bassist I've seen. Besides being extremely fast ( he had no problems keeping up with Keith or Carl) he had great syncopation and rhythm.. and he could always be heard above Keith Emerson.. a trait in itself... Listen to the "WBMFTTSTNE" live album and see what I mean. Recently, while in England, I picked up a magazine put out by Guitarist Magazine entitled "The Guitarist Book of Classic Rock".. It was interviews and profiles on the tops in the industry... In the bassist category there was only 8 profiled, and Greg Lake was number 5.... So I guess I'm not the only one who considers him to be a great bassist... Plus... on ITCOTKC... Greg had only been playing bass a few months in rehearsals... and his work on that album is amazing... and he can sing at the same time !!! Now as I said previously in this thread... I agree with you about Roger Waters.. ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: 5 minute solo
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 14:08
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anyone who can play something other than root-note quavers. ------------- You want the spoon? You can't handle the spoon! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 17:39
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I'm giving myself a good talking to! Stupid boy Haydon ...OK now I've got the hang of it.Tony Levin.
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Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 21:26
Geez Richard, I didn't realize you were so easily pushed around... ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: shrimp
Date Posted: July 24 2004 at 21:43
| chris squire |
Posted By: bass orc23
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 01:34
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Hello? Stanley Clarke anyone? |
Posted By: emdiar
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 04:25
If we're having jazz/fussion bassists then yes, Clarke deserves a mention. But if so, then what about MARCUS MILLER? Now that guy can slap. 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 which 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 learned the bass parts to DSOTM at 12yrs old. It took about an hour. Waters, as I said, is no muso, but to his credit he leaves his (considerable) ego out of the bass booth.
------------- Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact. |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 12:26
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 - 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... ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 12:50
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Thank goodness we are asked for nominees, rather than cutting to the
chase of a fully blown poll with half the obvious names missing.
However, forgive me (ladies and) gentlemen but the nominees seem to be
largely from the list of usual suspects: why so ? My nominee is Fedor Fresco of the early 70's Czech band Collegium Musicium - and if you haven't heard of them let alone heard their music, shame on you. Check out Fedor's bass solo on You Are Impossible Pt 1 on the band's Live album (Pavian Records PM0003-2311), and be surprised ! |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 13:04
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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 ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: emdiar
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 14:08
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This is true, Dick, which is why my only nominee was (and is) Pekka Pohjola. Have none of you prog bassists heard "The Mathamaticians Air Display" yet? ------------- Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact. |
Posted By: The Prognaut
Date Posted: July 25 2004 at 17:02
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I know I mentioned Roger Waters earlier... but how could I left Louis Roy out ? Well, he DEFINITELY belongs to this list!
------------- break the circle reset my head wake the sleepwalker and i'll wake the dead |
Posted By: Minstrel X
Date Posted: July 28 2004 at 11:38
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I would say Chris Squire, But there is also an special mention to Roger Waters and Pekka Pohjola. Jonas Sjogren (skyfire) also deserves a mention.
------------- Minstrel X: Burning down the gallery |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: July 28 2004 at 18:31
| 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). |
Posted By: philippe
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 03:34
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So if I follow you Threefates, Greg Lake is the best prog bassist, Carl Palmer the best prog drummer and Keith Emerson the best keyboardist One of my favorite is Stanley Clarke for his work in 'Return to forever' ------------- 
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.Posted By: Velvetclown
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 04:58
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Percy Jones.
------------- Billy Connolly Dream Theater Terry Gilliam Hagen Quartet Jethro Tull Mike Keneally |
Posted By: Gaston
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 23:51
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Tony Levin, Geddy Lee, John Wetton (everyone forgets him) Ray Shulman and the best prob bassist of all time - Chris Squire. I also like Mike Rutherford quite a bit. -------------  
It's the same guy. Great minds think alike. |
Posted By: YESABWH
Date Posted: July 31 2004 at 00:02
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MY old time favorites are Squire and Geddy Lee. My favorite modern prog bass player is Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings ------------- Don Cassidy President, Interviewer, DJ, Artist Promo contact Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio www.deliciousagony.com |
Posted By: Foxy
Date Posted: July 31 2004 at 13:14
| Trey Gunn, he's fantastic... Tony Levin and John Wetton who are/were playing in KC are also great , but Trey in mu opinion is more inventive. |
Posted By: frenchie
Date Posted: August 11 2004 at 19:29
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*in no particular order* john myung - dream theater flea and the new bassist - the mars volta chris squire - yes tony levin - king crimson roger waters - pink floyd justin chancellor - tool cant think of anymore. BASS SOLOS ARE AMAZING ------------- The Worthless Recluse 
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Posted By: onion3000
Date Posted: August 11 2004 at 20:04
| Mike Rutherford (thirty years ago) |
Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: August 11 2004 at 22:08
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TONY LEVIN, GEDDY LEE, JOHN MYUNG, CHRIS SQUIRE, RAY SHULMAN, JOHN GREAVES (Henry Cow), HUGH HOPPER, JOHN JOWITT (IQ), DAVE MEROS (Spock's Beard), NIC POTTER |
Posted By: zappa123
Date Posted: August 12 2004 at 07:22
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I don't like to repeat myself(I wrote my opinion in best keyboard player topic)but I have to say again that perfect technique not necessary makes you a good musician.If you can't fit into a band with fresh and inventive ideas that isn't helping you much.So my vote goes to Chris Squire.Once again I agree with Ivan 2068 his unique aproach correct all the missing things that he have.For really super bass players we woul have to go to the JAZZ forums.Steve Swallow,Dave Holland(double bass)etc. What about Rick Laird?He is really good don't you think so? |
Posted By: Arbiter
Date Posted: August 12 2004 at 11:12
threefates wrote: You might not think so, but I've heard a lot of bands play live.. and Greg Lake (regardless of how I feel about him) was one of the best bassist I've seen. Hey three, I'm with emdiar on this one. We know how you feel about ELP and its personel, and by all means always cast your vote for them (they're hall-of-famers, no doubt), but you are an insider and have often "been there", "seen it up close" and "lived it", so please also tell us who you think is second best, 3rd best, etc. I, for one, would like to know more about your opinions of the prog world beyond ELP. I think your posts are great - insightful, respectful, and with a sense of humour I greatly admire and that more of us should demonstrate - but I often feel you could have shared more of your experience with us. Sometimes you do and it's always interesting... My two cents (~1.5 cents US funds). ------------- "Some things have to be believed to be seen." -Ralph Hodgson |
Posted By: zappa123
Date Posted: August 13 2004 at 02:25
| I'm with arbiter. |
Posted By: Russiandude
Date Posted: August 13 2004 at 18:29
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Since Jaco's name popped up--try Billy Sheehan and Stu Hamm, albeit my personal favorites are still Greg Lake and Gary Thain of UH!!! ------------- Respect |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 12:02
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Ok.. second best bass player that I've watched up close and personal like... Chris Squire. Did you know that he and Greg were also roomates for awhile in 1968..(Had to get Greg's name in there somewhere) Third best bassist to me.. Geddy Lee and I've also really enjoyed watching Sting play the stand up bass... I enjoyed watching Rick Wright play the bass part for PF... on the keyboards... Now for the future... one of the best bassist I've seen lately.. is the young guy that Carl Palmer has playing with him.. .Dave Marks. He's also an incredible lead guitarist.. but he does things on the bass that are quite unique. If any of you in the UK get to see any of Carl's November shows... you should go. Actually I'll probably be at some of those... Now I know I'm overly ELP biased right now.. but you have to understand. This month is my 30th anniversary since I took the plunge and ran away from home to be a full time ELP groupie... I'm a little nostalgic right now... That BSS tour was probably the most incredible show I've ever seen in my life... Even Floyd's massive Division Bell tour couldn't match it... It was truly the masterpiece of prog tours... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/Pebble/ELP/elplive.jpg - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/Pebble/ELP/elplive.jpg And you also have to remember.. unlike the rest of you... I am a girl... so I am going to come at this prog thing from a whole different perspective than many of you...and I'm not a philosopher.. so I can't express or review so eloquent.. but I try to share what I can... ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: Arbiter
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 14:29
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threefates wrote: And you also have to remember.. unlike the rest of you... I am a girl... so I am going to come at this prog thing from a whole different perspective than many of you...and I'm not a philosopher.. so I can't express or review so eloquent.. but I try to share what I can... We need that different perspective, and you express yourself quite well! I always enjoy your posts!
Take Care. ------------- "Some things have to be believed to be seen." -Ralph Hodgson |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 15:04
| I've seen the Carl Palmer band recently and Dave Marks is indeed a noteworthy player as Three Fates mentioned. |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 15:37
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Thanks Richard... yep, I think I gained a whole new perspective of the bass in general from watching the young Mr. Dave Marks.... And because I have a picture of everything...
------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: Nie_Band
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 15:55
| Dave Larue is a good proposal, isn't it? |
Posted By: The Prognaut
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 16:33
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Roger Waters
I know I already said that!!! ------------- break the circle reset my head wake the sleepwalker and i'll wake the dead |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 18:35
I put Roger Waters in my list but was laughed at!
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Posted By: The Prognaut
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 20:47
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Louis Roy
Already mentioned him too, just a reminder ------------- break the circle reset my head wake the sleepwalker and i'll wake the dead |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 21:02
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Thats because Roger Waters use to laugh at his own bass playing... My favorite quote from Roger.. went something like... " I was demoted from lead guitarist to rythmn guitarist to bass... I was scared to death that they demote me to drums.." He also stated a few times that he thanked Dave Gilmour for winning his best bass awards for him. Cause a lot of the bass parts played in the studio were Dave. Thats why my favorite bass player in Pink Floyd was David Gilmour... ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: greenback
Date Posted: August 14 2004 at 21:46
| definitely: Antoine Fafard from Spaced out |