Bass Videos
The Latest Bass Music Video Finds…
Alert readers have noticed that this column has paid scant attention to the bass players of rock and roll. The jazz police, of course, have no problem with this oversight. However, for those who are a bit more open-minded, Part Three of our great rhythm section series will take a look at bass and drum duos from the world of rock. Don’t despair, jazzbos: I think you will find that most – OK, some – of these players owe a lot to jazz. Plus, if you are patient, you will be richly rewarded by the final video.
Geddy Lee and Neil Peart
Geddy Lee on bass and Neil Peart on drums have anchored Canadian power trio Rush since 1974. Although critics are often quick to dismiss them for a variety of reasons, they would be hard pressed to find anything wrong with their musicianship. Check out how tight the bass and drums are on this live performance of “YYZ.”
Tony Levin and Bill Bruford
Tony Levin and Bill Bruford have teamed up in King Crimson on and off for decades. Here is Tony Levin on the stick and later the bass with Bill Bruford on drums, performing “Satori in Tangier” and “Man With and Open Heart” in Japan in 1986.
Flea and Chad Smith
Together since high school in the Seventies, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith have successfully combined funk and punk rock in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Here they are on one of Chad’s instructional drum videos demonstrating how years of playing together can create a locked-in rhythm section like no other.
Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun
When Doug Wimbish (Sugar Hill Gang, TackHead, Jeff Beck, Rolling Stones, Madonna) joined drummer Will Calhoun in Living Colour in 1991, a rhythm section was formed that has extended beyond the ground-breaking black rock band to other projects, such as Head>>Fake and Jungle Funk. Here, Living Colour covers the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” in a 2004 performance. While admittedly not the best video available of the two, it’s worth watching to see what a dynamic rhythm section can do with a song based on a simple but infectious bassline. The real action gets started at about 3:30. (Not sure why Vernon Reid is handling the vocal chores….)
Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker
Bassist Jack Bruce is probably best known for the two short years he spent in Cream in the late Sixties with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. But before then and to this day, he has played a pivotal role in rock, blues and progressive jazz. Often he pairs up with Ginger Baker on drums, as he does here in a 1990 performance from the David Letterman Show. A new Jack Bruce career anthology “Can You Follow?” was just released containing 110 tracks on 6 CDs. Well worth the hefty price tag.
Surprise!
OK, here’s the reward we promised you jazzers for tolerating the rock stylings of those featured above: Ella Fitzgerald performing Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1969. Don’t know who the bass player and drummer are – not sure it matters in this case.
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore…
I am always impressed by the few members of our bass family who are equally proficient on upright as well as electric bass… Edmond Gilmore is one of those special individuals.
While he compartmentalizes his upright playing for mostly classical music and his electric for all the rest, Edmond has a diverse musical background and life experiences that have given him a unique perspective.
Join me as we hear about Edmond’s musical journey, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Photo, Sandrice Lee
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Bass Videos
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
Products courtesy of Music Nomad Equipment Care and Zymol
Have Fret Sprout? Check out this sharp fret management how-to video…
Have you found a bass you like but noticed the frets feel sharp? Have you ordered a bass online and discovered that the frets are sharp on your hands when it arrives? Have you picked up one of your favorite basses and noticed that the frets seem unusually sharper than they used to? You might be experiencing fret sprout!
Join me as I fix those pesky frets on one of my basses so you learn how to fix yours too.
www.musicnomadcare.com
www.zymol.com
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Interview With Audic Empire Bassist James Tobias
New Album: Avery Sharpe, I Am My Neighbors Keeper
