Favorite Bass Riffs

  • Thread starter Thread starter VirtualSamana
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"Manic Depression" (Jimi Hendrix)

Anything with Jaco Pastorius.

Especially "The Chicken"
 
I love the basslines from the disco days, those guys knew how to groove! A bassist that comes to mind would be the guy from KC and the Shunshine band ... that guy rocked. Talk about tight.

I also like Flea's little groove at the end of Funky Monks by the Chilli Peppers. Not a big fan of that band, but I like a lot of the songs on Blood Sugar Sex Magic ...

CLIP : Flea - Outro from Funky Monks (John F. (guitarist) ruins this with his sloppy timing). :(
 
Anything from the Who’s Live at Leeds. John Entwhistle will always be my favourite bass player.
Magic Bus, Young Man Blues, Summertime Blues, etc…. Live at Leeds
Also listen to the Who’s Quadrophenia

Soup and Old Clothes off of Frank Zappa’s “Shut Up and Play Your Guitar” Box set.
In the Mood – Rush
Rain, I’ve Got a Feeling, etc, etc – Beatles
I don’t Need No Doctor – Humble Pie – “Live Rockin’ the Filmore” (That entire album rocks!!!!!)

To name a few.

John
 
Bruce Thomas on "Lipstick Vogue" by Elvis Costello, and "A Un Minuto De Ti" by Mikel Erentxun.
 
Good to see a couple of shouts out to Bootsy and The Mothership (Only two though?), but how is it we have seen no Stevie Wonder. "I Wish" would have to be one, as would "Superstition" and "Higher Ground." Granted, he had the whole post seventies debacle, but those old ones are as funky as anything anywhere.


And of course, just about anything every done by James Jameson, Bootsy Collins, and Donald "Duck" Dunn (just listen to "Can't Turn you Loose" by Otis Redding). Is there a bass player in the world who looks as laid back and cool while smoking a pipe as the "Duck"?


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Aaron Cheney said:
For me, the complexity of the bassline has always been secondary to the tone. I aboslutely love Ross Valory's tone on Journey's Escape.
Vic Wooten also has an absolutely monsterous tone. Listen to Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (the song) sometime! Also listen to just about any other Flecktones album or catch them live sometime. YOu will be astounded.
Sting remains underated as a bassist. His ability to groove, especailly in odd meters, is unique and infectious. Walking on the Moon is a perfect example of a well written and executed bassline that drives the song, yet makes good use of space. There is enough room in that song for a whole 'nother song!
I'll add to the Paul McCartney sentiment. Listen to Michelle closely sometime!

got mojo?
www.voodoovibe.com
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YES!!! Wooten is my bass god. AMAZING live, watched him break his top string and keep on goin. check out sinister minister and communication by bela fleck and the flecktones. Great band.
 
plenty of good names listed already...

I just wanted to add The Band's Rick Danko on "Chest Fever"
 
Why we even discussin' this?

everyone knows the best bass riff of all time is.........






Theme from Night Court

It always drives the crowds crazy. :cool:
 
Last edited:
stonepiano said:
Why we even discussin' this?

everyone knows the best bass riff of all time is.........






Theme from Night Court

It always drives the crowds crazy. :cool:
Click to expand...

I have ALWAYS loved that theme song! It's so nice and laid back. :) Good call!
 
There's a few...

Steve Digiorgio on The Death album Human, the little bass solo halfway through the instrumental Cosmic Sea.

Cliff Burton, so many to list, so for now I'll just say Orion.

Geezer Butler, NIB.
 
Not a favorite band, but how can you forget Radar Love by Golden Earing!
 
ANYTHING by McCartney!!!!!

...another bass track I love is "Who's Loving You" by The Jackson 5.
 
Am I missing something, or have all of you in fact forgotten to mention James Jamerson?

Jamerson invented the electric bass as a modern part of pop.

His bass lines have never been equalled, for my money. Pick any of them.

Unfortunately, much of his work gets lost in the mix, but it's just essential study to understand what bass is all about.

Simply brilliant playing!
 
"Blood and Roses" by Smithereens. Great bass line.

Great band? Not really.
 
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