Bassic Instinct
Really getting into this iPod thing. To think I didn't really "get it" when they first came out.
Here's my latest playlist, "Bassic Instinct." It's a list of my favorite bass-driven songs. Having been a bass player for a band while in college, these are the bass performances that rock me.
I published the list to iTunes, but it didn't take all of the songs. So here's the list in all it's glory (buckle up, it's gonna be a long and thumpy ride):
1. Peace Sells - Megadeth - That bass riff grabs you by the throat and takes you on a ride through the sneering world of Dave Mustaine, courtesy of then bassist Dave Ellefson.
2. My Friend of Misery - Metallica - Jason Newsted delivers the goods with a dark, melodic riff that is machine-like in its efficiency.
3. Rio - Duran Duran - John Taylor is the coolest man in the universe, so it goes to figure that this champagne soaked bass line makes you feel like you're racing the waves on that sailboat in the legendary music video.
4. Soul To Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Flea carries this song with a soulful, mournful tune.
5. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots - This song bleeds melancholy. Don DeLeo drives this one on down the road.
6. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen - Classic. John Deacon's bass line is infectiously melodic and groovin'.
7. Jerry Was a Racecar Driver - Primus - Les Claypool is an insane bass genius. There's no other way to describe this manic bass performance and offbeat song.
8. Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith - Another rock classic, propelled by Tom Hamilton's bass line that gives Joe Perry and Brad Whitford meat to wrap their guitar blasts around.
9. Rock 'n Roll Junkie - Motley Crue - Nikki Sixx is a rock 'n roll cartoon with superhuman powers for cool bass riffs. A soundtrack for hedonism.
10. Yankee Rose - David Lee Roth - Bass god Billy Sheehan and guitar god Steve Vai are amazing on this cocky tune.
11. Hella Good - No Doubt - There is no doubt that Tony Kanal has quickly become a favorite of mine with thick grooves like this.
12. Stuart and the Avenue - Green Day - Mike Dirnt has so much cool punk bass stuff to choose from, but here's one that jumps out and gets you on your feet.
13. You Could Be Mine - Guns 'n Roses - Like all the others, Duff has a library of bass cred and choosing just one is hard. But the bass line in this one sends the whole song on its way to Paradise City.
14. Would? - Alice in Chains - A little grungy bass carries this dark heroin ode. Nice work, Mike Starr. You weren't with the band much longer and Mike Inez is bad ass, but this was nice.
15. Jet City Woman - Queensryche - Two Seattle bands in a row, but this ain't no grunge. Classy, melodic work by Eddie Jackson carries a favorite song of mine.
16. Got the Time - Anthrax - A cover, but the thundering bass work of Frank Bello just rips.
17. Crash Course in Brain Surgery - Metallica - I know it's another cover, but Newsted turns it up to 11, tuned down to D.
18. Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden - You can't give metal bassists the love without giving a shout out to the inventor of the galloping bass, Mr. Steven Harris.
19. No More Tears - Ozzy - Mike Inez, who later joined Alice in Chains, really shines on this one. It's a driving, hypnotic riff that sets up the Oz man and Zakk.
20. 100,000 Years - Kiss - Gene Simmons knows how to sell out and knows how to put on a show...and The Demon knows how to play some bass, too. Straight forward rock 'n roll.
21. Reach For The Sky - Slaughter - Underrated Dana Strum plays the bass like a lead instrument, refusing to just carry the bottom end. Melodic and interesting work.
22. Unchained - Van Halen - Michael Anthony knows Van Halen fans didn't come to hear his bass work. He keeps it full and steady so that the greatest hard rock guitarist of all time can work his magic.
23. Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi - OK, they gave Alec John Such the boot and dissed his work on Behind the Music, but whoever wrote this bass riff did a good job. I always have trouble getting it outta my head.
24. Suck My Kiss - Red Hot Chili Peppers - We heard Flea doing the ballad thing. Now it's time for some funk rock.
25. Someone Like You - Bang Tango - Engaging, rocking riff by Kyle Kyle for some not-even-one-hit wonders.
Here's my latest playlist, "Bassic Instinct." It's a list of my favorite bass-driven songs. Having been a bass player for a band while in college, these are the bass performances that rock me.
I published the list to iTunes, but it didn't take all of the songs. So here's the list in all it's glory (buckle up, it's gonna be a long and thumpy ride):
1. Peace Sells - Megadeth - That bass riff grabs you by the throat and takes you on a ride through the sneering world of Dave Mustaine, courtesy of then bassist Dave Ellefson.
2. My Friend of Misery - Metallica - Jason Newsted delivers the goods with a dark, melodic riff that is machine-like in its efficiency.
3. Rio - Duran Duran - John Taylor is the coolest man in the universe, so it goes to figure that this champagne soaked bass line makes you feel like you're racing the waves on that sailboat in the legendary music video.
4. Soul To Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Flea carries this song with a soulful, mournful tune.
5. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots - This song bleeds melancholy. Don DeLeo drives this one on down the road.
6. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen - Classic. John Deacon's bass line is infectiously melodic and groovin'.
7. Jerry Was a Racecar Driver - Primus - Les Claypool is an insane bass genius. There's no other way to describe this manic bass performance and offbeat song.
8. Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith - Another rock classic, propelled by Tom Hamilton's bass line that gives Joe Perry and Brad Whitford meat to wrap their guitar blasts around.
9. Rock 'n Roll Junkie - Motley Crue - Nikki Sixx is a rock 'n roll cartoon with superhuman powers for cool bass riffs. A soundtrack for hedonism.
10. Yankee Rose - David Lee Roth - Bass god Billy Sheehan and guitar god Steve Vai are amazing on this cocky tune.
11. Hella Good - No Doubt - There is no doubt that Tony Kanal has quickly become a favorite of mine with thick grooves like this.
12. Stuart and the Avenue - Green Day - Mike Dirnt has so much cool punk bass stuff to choose from, but here's one that jumps out and gets you on your feet.
13. You Could Be Mine - Guns 'n Roses - Like all the others, Duff has a library of bass cred and choosing just one is hard. But the bass line in this one sends the whole song on its way to Paradise City.
14. Would? - Alice in Chains - A little grungy bass carries this dark heroin ode. Nice work, Mike Starr. You weren't with the band much longer and Mike Inez is bad ass, but this was nice.
15. Jet City Woman - Queensryche - Two Seattle bands in a row, but this ain't no grunge. Classy, melodic work by Eddie Jackson carries a favorite song of mine.
16. Got the Time - Anthrax - A cover, but the thundering bass work of Frank Bello just rips.
17. Crash Course in Brain Surgery - Metallica - I know it's another cover, but Newsted turns it up to 11, tuned down to D.
18. Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden - You can't give metal bassists the love without giving a shout out to the inventor of the galloping bass, Mr. Steven Harris.
19. No More Tears - Ozzy - Mike Inez, who later joined Alice in Chains, really shines on this one. It's a driving, hypnotic riff that sets up the Oz man and Zakk.
20. 100,000 Years - Kiss - Gene Simmons knows how to sell out and knows how to put on a show...and The Demon knows how to play some bass, too. Straight forward rock 'n roll.
21. Reach For The Sky - Slaughter - Underrated Dana Strum plays the bass like a lead instrument, refusing to just carry the bottom end. Melodic and interesting work.
22. Unchained - Van Halen - Michael Anthony knows Van Halen fans didn't come to hear his bass work. He keeps it full and steady so that the greatest hard rock guitarist of all time can work his magic.
23. Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi - OK, they gave Alec John Such the boot and dissed his work on Behind the Music, but whoever wrote this bass riff did a good job. I always have trouble getting it outta my head.
24. Suck My Kiss - Red Hot Chili Peppers - We heard Flea doing the ballad thing. Now it's time for some funk rock.
25. Someone Like You - Bang Tango - Engaging, rocking riff by Kyle Kyle for some not-even-one-hit wonders.
posted by JP at 8:29 PM
3 Comments:
What, no Winger? ;)
One of my favorite bass lines is a classic from the Beatles, "Daytripper." Talk about gettin' stuck in your head. Also, "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison (or Van Halen, if you've never heard of black and white TV or "vinyl") gets in there and grooves. And leave us not forget the doo-wop bassline to end all doo-wop basslines, "Stand By Me."
For rock, though, you've got a good selection here. A lot of folks would decry the lack of "Spag" Geddy Lee here, but while his musicianship is amazing, I seldom feel like getting up and moving around to it--it's music you listen to while stroking your beard and taking notes, not rocking out.
How about some Tool? "Schism" rocks me.
Ok, I'll be the non-musician-who- critiques-the-music-list. While Throwing Les Claypool in the mix introduces a bit of non mainstream thinking, how can any rock bass list be complete without Billy Sheehan? Who did David Lee Roth recruit to counterbalance virtuoso Steve Vai in the Eat'em and Smile days? Mr. Sheehan. Talas' (Sheehans original band)"Shy Boy" and "High Speed on Ice" should be required listening for anyone wanting to play bass.
Geezer Butler wrote the book on Heavy Metal Bass. He wrote every killer metal bass riff ever. When you listen to Black Sabbath's "NIB", remember that no one had ever played that heavy, that cool before Geezer.
Jaco Pastorius is not very accessible, because its Jazz and frankly he's so good he's scary. But, he may have been the most musically gifted bassist. "Birdland" from Weather Report including Jaco is awe inspiring.
And last but not least, just for fun...No Bootsy Collins? The man that put the Bad in James Brown's "Super Bad"? The man that put the Funk in Parliament Funkadelic? You dismissing funk as a bass lovers dream? :)
Maybe next, we'll Discuss Paul McCartney, Stuart Hamm, John Entwistle (The Who) and John Deacon from Queen.
On review, yes I see that you included Sheehan. My bad.
Post a Comment
<< Home