No You Girls

(A question has been bugging me all week: why do record labels prevent people from embedding their YouTube official videos?)

Closing our 2000s week, here is a band who has become extremely popular lately. Franz Ferdinand has in Bob Hardy a perfect player for their style. His bass line for No You Girls is a lesson on how dancing pop-rock lines should be.

Song: No You Girls
Artist / Band: Franz Ferdinand
Album: Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Bass: Bob Hardy
Year: 2009

bass tab (external link)

Cannibal's Hymn

If Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds can be groovy, Martyn P Casey is the main reason for that. It doesn't matter how dark the subject of the song is, Casey adds a playfulness to every creation of this amazing band. In that aspect, It's amazing how he balances the energy of the group.

Song: Cannibal's Hymn
Artist / Band: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
Album: Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
Bass: Martin P. Casey
Year: 2004

bass tab (external link)

Trouble

Coldplay is a band who, I guess, suffered a bit from being over-exposed. Yet, they gave (give) us some great songs (and albums).

Guy Berryman, on the other hand, is an example of the low-profile-bass-player-who-plays-for-the-song, but that doesn't mean his work shouldn't be heard and acknowledged more often. His bass line for Trouble is melodic, smooth, and perfectly integrated to the song.

Song: Trouble
Artist / Band: Coldplay
Album: Parachutes
Bass: Guy Berryman
Year: 2000

bass tab (external link)

The National Anthem

This memorable bass riff from Radiohead's The National Anthem belongs to the album Kid A. Released in 2000, it really set the tone for the decade, in a way, don't you think? Colin Greenwood was really inspired - from melody to distortion. Fun and very simple to play.

Song: The National Anthem
Artist / Band: Radiohead
Album: Kid A
Bass: Colin Greenwood
Year: 2000

bass tab (external link)

Torture Me

I'll dedicate this week to the 2000s.
Not just because they're ending in a couple of months, but because there is lack of balance here: They've had only seven posts so far.

The first one is from a band that is more associated with the 1990s, but which has released some of their greatest work (and hits) during the 2000s.

The bass line for this song is not that complicated (specially compared to other ones by Flea). Still, I really like how it sounds in the context of the song.

Song: Torture Me
Artist / Band: Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Album: Stadium Arcadium
Bass: Flea
Year: 2005

bass tab (external link)

All Wrong / Whisper

All right!! This is one of the best bass intros I've ever heard. Mark Sandman is a genius. This live performance is amazing. The bass on Whisper is also great, so enjoy it as a bonus.

Song: All Wrong / Whisper
Artist / Band: Morphine
Album: Cure For Pain / Yes
Bass: Mark Sandman
Year: 1993 / 1995

All Wrong and Whisper bass tabs (external links)

Abismo de Rosas

Another great bass player from Brazil (and the world), this is Arthur Maia playing Abismo de Rosas, a song from Américo Jacomino, also knwon as Canhoto - one of the greatest guitar players from that country.

Song: Abismo de Rosas
Artist / Band: Arthur Maia
Album: ?
Bass: Arthur Maia
Year: ?

U Can't Hold No Groove...

Step back. This is Victor Wooten. You can't hold his groove. Amazing performance.

Song: U Can't Hold No Groove...
Artist / Band: Victor Wooten
Album: A Show of Hands
Bass: Victor Wooten
Year: 1996

Bass tab (external link

Lessons in Love

How could we spend so many weeks posting about pop basslines without mentioning Mark King, from Level 42?! Another classic from the 80s, Lessons in Love is a fine example of King's work. He's the one who sings, too.

Song: Lessons in Love
Artist / Band: Level 42
Album: Running in the Family
Bass: Mark King
Year: 1986

Bass tab (external link

No Woman No Cry

It's been some time since we had some reggae on the blog, so here it is another classic example, also by Bob Marley. The bassline - a classic in itself - is from Aston Barret. Check out the "verse for the more advanced bassists" on the bass tab.

Song: No Woman No Cry
Artist / Band: Bob Marley & The Wailers
Album: Natty Dread
Bass: Aston Barret
Year: 1974

Bass tab (external link)