Bass (and other uncommon) Riffs

**Maister** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:08 AM

Guitar is featured in alot of popular music. Piano is another instrument that tends to dominate the scene when its present. Less common are songs that feature really cool bass lines. I have to admit I'm a real sucker for walking bass lines and will usually crank up the volume if I hear anything interesting in terms of bass riffs. Yesterday I heard the old Motown tune "Treat her like a lady" (by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose) and realized that tune is one of my all time favorites simply because of the cool driving bass line it has. Another one of my faves is "Stir it Up" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) which is carried by the bass. There just aren't that many tunes, though, that feature bass that prominently. Can you think of any tunes that have particularly cool bass lines or feature a nonstandard instrument prominently? (...I need more cowbell!

)

**hilldweller** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:31 AM

Originally posted by Maister

Guitar is featured in alot of popular music. Piano is another instrument that tends to dominate the scene when its present. Less common are songs that feature really cool bass lines. I have to admit I'm a real sucker for walking bass lines and will usually crank up the volume if I hear anything interesting in terms of bass riffs. Yesterday I heard the old Motown tune "Treat her like a lady" (by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose) and realized that tune is one of my all time favorites simply because of the cool driving bass line it has. Another one of my faves is "Stir it Up" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) which is carried by the bass. There just aren't that many tunes, though, that feature bass that prominently. Can you think of any tunes that have particularly cool bass lines or feature a nonstandard instrument prominently? (...I need more cowbell!

)

What about the bass intro to Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls"?

**JNA** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:33 AM

The Who's John Entwistle had some classic riffs.

**Tom R** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:34 AM

I thought this thread was about catching Small Mouths in fast water.
"How many more times" by Led Zeppelin

**Flying Monkeys** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:34 AM

Yes - The Fish
Stanley Clarke - School Daze
Brunnel - Ivanhoe
Jacos Pastious - anything he did
Uriah Heap - Easy Livin
old Alman Bros instrumentals feature some great bass lines.

Just some additions that come to mind

**Maister** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:39 AM

Originally posted by JNA

The Who's John Entwistle had some classic riffs.

I'd forgotten all about J.E.

Boris the Spider a-bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bummm

**Tom R** · 27 Jul 2007, 8:59 AM

THANK YOU FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN Sly and the Family Stone
The One that Got Away - Tom Waits

**Maister** · 27 Jul 2007, 9:25 AM

Originally posted by Tom R

I thought this thread was about catching Small Mouths in fast water.
"How many more times" by Led Zeppelin

Oh, and speaking of Led Zep what about the 'Lemon Song'?

[Wayne & Garth] John Paul Jones? we're not worthy....[/Wayne & Garth]

**Planit** · 27 Jul 2007, 9:25 AM

Sienfeld

but seriously folks...
Zepplin tunes do have great riffs
Atlanta Rhythm Section too

**Greenescapist** · 27 Jul 2007, 9:37 AM

Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes features a cool bass line- sounds great in headphones.

**zman** · 27 Jul 2007, 10:10 AM

For GREAT bass lines... seek only the man in my Avatar.

**Mark** · 27 Jul 2007, 10:13 AM

Excentrifugal Forz, on Frank Zappa's Apostrophe ('). Jack Bruce has a great solo. Bass solos are rare, plus Jack played a 6 string bass.

Just listened to Guns of Brixton by the Clash, really noticed the basic but prominent bass by Paul Simonon. "When they kick out your front door..How you gunna come...With your hands on your head or the trigger of your gun."

**mendelman** · 27 Jul 2007, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by zmanPLAN

For GREAT bass lines... seek only the man in my Avatar.

But then he may accidentally listen to songs from the Hold Your Fire album.....

Definitely second the bass from Seven Nation Army.

A historic bass driven song - Another One Bites the Dust- Queen

And most of Red Hot Chili Peppers' songs - Flea is God.

**zman** · 27 Jul 2007, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by mendelman

But then he may accidentally listen to songs from the Hold Your Fire album.....

Go suck a lemon...

**Suburb Repairman** · 27 Jul 2007, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by mendelman

Definitely second the bass from Seven Nation Army.

A historic bass driven song - Another One Bites the Dust- Queen

And most of Red Hot Chili Peppers' songs - Flea is God.

Damn. Beat me to all three of these. There goes my opportunity to seem cool and in touch.

Flea Gonzales is what makes the Peppers!

**Budgie** · 27 Jul 2007, 11:42 AM

I'm sorry !!!!! BUT LES CLAYPOOL IS THE GREATEST BASSIST EVER !!!!

All of his "riff"s are phenominal

**the north omaha star** · 27 Jul 2007, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by Maister

Guitar is featured in alot of popular music. Piano is another instrument that tends to dominate the scene when its present. Less common are songs that feature really cool bass lines. I have to admit I'm a real sucker for walking bass lines and will usually crank up the volume if I hear anything interesting in terms of bass riffs. Yesterday I heard the old Motown tune "Treat her like a lady" (by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose) and realized that tune is one of my all time favorites simply because of the cool driving bass line it has. Another one of my faves is "Stir it Up" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) which is carried by the bass. There just aren't that many tunes, though, that feature bass that prominently.

Can you think of any tunes that have particularly cool bass lines or feature a nonstandard instrument prominently? (...I need more cowbell!

)

Not true. I think it depends on the genre of music. In popular rock music, the foundation is the lead guitar. In most 'black music', the rhythm section (lead bass and drums) is the foundation. Although earlier jazz tunes, the horn whether a trumpet or a sax is the lead. I'll go one step further, the snare in a drum beat, tells us when to change feet while dancing.

Try researching a couple of these tunes:

Deodato - September 13
Tower of Power - Sparkling in the Sand
Lee Morgan - Absolutions
Donald Byrd - Stepping into Tomorrow
Grover Washington, Jr. - Mister Magic
somebody already said it, but anything by Sly and the Family Stone

**Planderella** · 27 Jul 2007, 12:12 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned James Brown's backup band - the JB's. His music has got to be among the most sampled in hip hop, R&B, pop, and any other genre out there.

Isaac Hayes - "Theme from Shaft" - mean riffs throughout

Curtis Mayfield - any of his music, but "Superfly" stands out

Barry White - "Love's Theme" is a standout for the guitars and strings combo

Earth, Wind & Fire - a lot of their music featured the Kalimba, an African instrument

Roger Troutman and the Zapp Band - "More Bounce to the Ounce" - this was a rollerskating jam - their music featured the talk box (similar sound to what Peter Frampton used in his song "Show Me The Way")

Tom Tom Club - "Genius of Love" - great beats

I can go on and on with this list. I listen to a lot of different styles of music, so I can't be pigeonholed. However, I think the most of the coolest riffs have come from R&B/Soul music, especially from the late 60's to the early-mid 70's era.

**Tom R** · 27 Jul 2007, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by the north omaha star

Although earlier jazz tunes, the horn whether a trumpet or a sax is the lead. I

In a lot of the very early jazz the guitar and tenor banjo were basically rhythm instruments.

**wahday** · 27 Jul 2007, 12:36 PM

Here's my short list:

The Daktaris (Soul Explosion) - Smokin' Afrofunk recording recently rereleased. It has been described this way: "The Daktaris
is a well-disciplined army of two hundred African Bull Elephants marching relentlessly up your business to the beat from Funky Drummer." http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?...&refQ=cat%3D32

Charles Mingus - I am particularly fond of "Blues and Roots" and "Live at Antibes"

James Brown - duh

The Meters - double duh

Afrikaa Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force- Especially Zulu Nation Throwdown

Check out a great collection of Afrofunk from West Africa called Nigeria 70: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0902_114.htm

Parliament-Funkadelic Groove Collective (aka P-Funk) or anything with Bootsy Collins, especially his "Rubber Band" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootsy_Collins

**TOFB** · 27 Jul 2007, 1:27 PM

I wouldn't trade our bass man, Scotty "Showtime" Carlson, for anyone. He stands right behind me and I honestly don't notice him since he is so dead on and solid.

**Planderella** · 27 Jul 2007, 2:02 PM

Forgot one:

Chic - "Good Times" - this song inspired Queen's bass riff in "Another One Bites the Dust"

**kjel** · 27 Jul 2007, 2:36 PM

Queen-Under Pressure

**michaelskis** · 27 Jul 2007, 2:40 PM

I am surprised that no one has included The O’Jay’s-Money. The open guitar riff is an instant indicator of the song.

**Maister** · 27 Jul 2007, 2:46 PM

Originally posted by kjelsadek

Queen-Under Pressure

I'm sorry, that bass riff was just lame. Now if you want to talk about cool bass riffs you should listen to Vanilla Ice's "Ice ice baby"!

Thread: Bass (and other uncommon) Riffs

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