Tommy the Cat

Ok, since we have already posted a Tom Waits featuring Les Claypool, here's a Les Claypool (well, Primus) featuring Tom Waits.

Funny thing: I love Les Claypool bass playing - this particular bassline is extraordinary, out of this world really -, but I was never a big Primus fan. However, there's no way of denying the power of Les Claypool as a bass player. Really groovy, really percussive. And quite complex, too. These are not simple basslines, and require a lot - a LOT - of practice. Yes, Les Claypool is an unbelievable player.

Oh, Tom Waits is the voice of Tommy the Cat, by the way.

Song:Tommy The Cat
Artist / Band: Primus
Album:Sailing the Seas of Cheese
Bass: Les Claypool
Year: 1989

Bass tab (external link)

Big in Japan

Here's the Tom Waits + Les Claypool entry that I've promised earlier. The opening track for the album Mule Variations has a bass line that, if not as acrobatic as most Les Claypool stuff (especially with his band Primus), it's just as good. Overall, it sounds like Les Claypool and it sounds like Tom Waits. Must be good, then!

Song:Big In Japan
Artist / Band: Tom Waits
Album:Mule Variations
Bass: Les Claypool
Year: 1999

Boys and Girls

There are some interesting basslines in britpop too, and this song by Blur - one of their biggest hits before Song 2 - has a very good one, very very pop indeed. Alex James was really inspired on this one: only 8 bars repeated over the whole song, but it is fun!

Song:Girls And Boys
Artist / Band: Blur
Album:Parklife
Bass: Alex James
Year: 1994

Bass tab (external link)

Maracatu Atômico

It was about time to post something from my own country. This one is called Maracatu Atômico, a song played by Chico Science & Nação Zumbi. The Brazilian band from the state of Pernambuco is one of the most important names of the mangue beat - a music genre combining traditional, folkloric rhythms and international rock and hip-hop styles. This song, originally composed by Jorge Mautner, is a great example of that genre.

Alexandre Dengue's bass line is groovy, funky, and somehow very brazilian!

Song: Maracatu Atômico
Artist / Band: Chico Science & Nação Zumbi
Album: Afrociberdelia
Bass: Alexandre Dengue
Year: 1996

Save Me

Aimee Mann is not just a great singer/songwriter, bust also an excellent bass player. I first heard her work on the Magnolia soundtrack, and I was impressed by this very smooth and melodic bassline - I was even more impressed when I read on the CD credits that she was the one playing it. The sonority of the bass is another thing to keep an eye (ear?) on. Plus, this is not just a bass line - the song itself is great.

Song: Save Me
Artist / Band: Aimee Mann
Album: Magnolia: Music from the Motion Picture
Bass: Aimee Mann
Year: 1999

Walking on the Moon

Some would claim it's unfair to post this bassline Sting before paying tribute to some great Reggae bassists that have, undoubtedly, influenced his band. However, I was a bit of a fan of The Police back in the days, and this particular song has one of the first lines I've learned how to play.

I know: This song is from 1979, but I have labelled it 1980s. Can I do that? It was released just a couple of months before the first days of that decade, anyway.

Oh, and I've read somewhere that Sting used a fretless bass on this one (and many others).

Song: Walking On The Moon
Artist / Band: The Police
Album: Reggatta de Blanc
Bass: Sting
Year: 1979

Bass tab (external link)

Lady Fantasy

I was never a Progressive Rock fan, but I must admit that there are a few songs (and even bands) that I like. A friend introduced me to Camel, and I really enjoyed the bass from this track from their album, Mirage. The best part, for me at least, is the riff that starts around 9:10. 9:10!!!

Song: Lady Fantasy
Artist / Band: Camel
Album:Mirage
Bass: Doug Ferguson
Year: 1974

Animate

Tom Sawyer would have been the obvious choice, but I've chosen the less-known Animate to showcase one of the most highly regarded and influential bassists around: Geddy Lee. Although I am not much of a Rush fan (I do enjoy some of their albuns, though), I cannot deny that his basslines and style are very powerful.

Song: Animate (Remastered LP Version)
Artist / Band: Rush
Album:Counterparts
Bass: Geddy Lee
Year: 1993

Bass tab (external link)

Old Brown Shoe

The second Beatles post here (and that's just the beginning), Old Brown Shoe is a song from The Beatles by George Harrison, and it was released as the B-Side of the single The Ballad of John and Yoko (and later made available in Past Masters Vol. II).

Paul McCartney's talent for obtaining interesting and distinct sounds on bass guitar is, I think, unparalleled in rock music. Just think of Baby You're a Rich Man, for instance. For Old Brown Shoe, according to Beatles Bible, that was achieved by overdubbing it with a guitar. Maybe it helps to reinforce the bass agility (just listen to those triplets!).

Song: Old Brown Shoe
Artist / Band: The Beatles
Album: Past Masters, Vol. 2
Bass: Paul McCartney
Year: 1969

Bass tab (external link)

Billie Jean

The contagious bassline of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean was played by Louis Johnson - one of the precursors of slap and an incredible bass player all around. I was a fan of the Thriller album when I was a kid, and this is the kind of song that I hear, years later, and think "ooohhh, so it was the bass that did the trick"!

Song: Billie Jean
Artist / Band: Michael Jackson
Album: Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller (CD+DVD)
Bass: Louis Johnson
Year: 1983

Bass tab (external link)