Background Info on our Favorite Bass Players

Another of my favorites is a fella a few friends have played with over the years. Gary Grainger.

forbassplayersonly.com

Gary Grainger - For Bass Players Only

Baltimore native discusses John Scofield gig, designing PRS basses Exclusive interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman March 8, 2010 Baltimore native Gary Grainger taught himself to...
forbassplayersonly.com forbassplayersonly.com


 
I first saw Gary playing with Carl Filipiak on guitar and my buddy John Thomakos on drums.
I knew he was good from that first meeting. Another friend who helped Dave Barber develop some of his first pedals also played and recorded with Gary and his brother Greg. Craig said the 2 of them set up, knew the material so well and basically one take nailed the recording and were done in the studio in no time. Kept costs down that way for sure.

 
I like that kinda bass too, Smitty.

Bill Black from Elvis played one and look who got his hands on it.

societyofrock.com

Paul McCartney Plays Elvis Presley's Original Upright Bass And Sings

Paul McCartney- Even Sounds Like Elvis In This One What a freaking legend Paul is. As the bassist of the most iconic rock and roll band, in this clip he shows his talents on the upright bass. The “upright” as many call it officially known as the “double bass”, is the acoustic early version of […]
societyofrock.com societyofrock.com
 
As my last post happens to take root for me, I would have to say Paul McCartney on bass was one of my first exposures to the instrument.

In addition, I can remember some of the first songs I ever really got drawn to like steel to a magnet were Smoke on the Water, We're an American Band, BTO's Takin Care of Business, Three Dog Night Shambala, One is the Loneliest Number....
 
Speaking of One is the Loneliest,,,,,,,,,,,, That bass is so typical of that 70's muff but fits the song so right. Nothing flashy but the dynamics, the pace, the bottom just does it,,,,,,,,,,,,,, To me, there is the harmonizing of the vocals, the shrill scream type singing and even trebly guitar but that juicy bass anchors it all.

 
HAHA Here is another of my favorite songs from that Autumn 73 album. I always liked this song due to it's comedic lyrics.

CDB and Uneasy Rider. The Bass sounds pretty much like a Double Bass, huh smitty?

 
I can still remember one time visiting with my cousins up in Norton Ohio when we were goofing off outside and could hear some bass playing booming through the air off in the distance. Curiosity got to my one cousin Jeffrey and me and we hunted down the source despite having to run through some woods and cross some creeks etc. A fella was jammin on his bass rig like out in his driveway or garage and that sound somehow carried all the way to my cousin's house.

After that, I remember attending a Summer camp and one day around 1973 there was a concert where a band came and jammed for us campers. I still remember they had a killer bass player and of all the songs they played, I only remember him on Smokin in the Boys Room. Always loved that song ever since.
 
Hope no one gets too bored with my journey on how I always liked basses and all the variations of how the instrument developed.

Another song I first heard back in 73 was Diamond Girl

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top