Along with his peer, Donald “Duck” Dunn, his pocket passages define “Memphis Soul.”

 

The Hi Records house rhythm section, comprised of the Hodges brothers; bassist Leroy “Flick” Hodges, keyboardist Charles, and guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges along with drummers Howard Grimes and Al Jackson Jr., moved a generation – spiritually and physically – with pocket grooves and countermelodies that fueled seminal hits and album tracks by Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Otis Clay, among scores of others.

 

Flick Hodges Sound & Vision…

 

Al Green:

 

“Let’s Stay Together” https://youtu.be/EKOcfZtKvYQ

 

“Love and Happiness” https://youtu.be/q8AMZmWqgRM

 

“For The Good Times” https://youtu.be/RFpwASkUax8

 

 Ann Peebles: “I Can’t Stand The Rain” https://youtu.be/A09GZeORYlo

 

 Melissa Etheridge: “Memphis Train” https://youtu.be/yQw7nS1uXas

 

 Cat Power: “The Greatest” https://youtu.be/utN-04wL_h0

 

Courtesy of Haircut 100 Com

 

With their natty Brit-Prep attire and jazz pop predilection, Haircut 100 waxed a few cute hit singles, one smash album, cheeky MTV videos, and consequently fell apart when lead singer Nick Heyward went wayward. Bassist Les Nemes popped, slapped, and forged mighty grooves aplenty.

 

An educator and session player who also guested on a few Nick solo slabs, Nemes occasionally reunites with his mates, though their promised new album has yet to materialize.    Among Les’ session credits include Hugh Masekela, Chris Rea, China Crisis and Rick Astley.

Les Nemes Sound & Vision…

 

Haircut 100:

 

“Love Plus One” https://youtu.be/5_msHpEa3_Y

 

“Boy Meets Girl” https://youtu.be/dtEYG3TTfWU

 

“Fantastic Day” https://youtu.be/BsF4suwvpsY

 

Courtesy of Klaus Voormann Com

By Thomas Semioli

… There’s somebody on bass who many people have heard about, but they’ve never actually seen him – Klaus Voormann…”

 

George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh introduction of his friend, musical colleague, former Manfred Mann member, and acclaimed graphic artist who designed album covers for the Beatles’ Revolver and Anthology series, and the Bee Gees, among others – was a welcome revelation.

 

Klaus’ body of work on the Beatles’ extensive solo cannon and as a sideman was an exercise in musical diversity – he worked the pocket and served as a melodic catalyst – always in service of the song.

 

A first- call studio bassist for Lennon, Harrison, Star; B.B. King, Donovan, Harry Nilsson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lou Reed, Randy Newman, Dion, Maria Muldaur, Sir Paul, Dr. John, Van Dyke Parks, Carly Simon, and Peter Frampton, to cite a select few – Klaus’ lone solo slab aptly entitled A Sideman’s Journey, features Voormann’s famous friends paying musical homage to this gifted musician and artist. 

 

An integral member of the Fab Four’s inner circle beginning in their Hamburg days at the dawn of the 1960s, Voormann moved to London at the behest of George as Beatlemania took off. He became a member of Manfred Mann in 1966, then gravitated to session work until his retirement from music in 1989. Klaus’ “accidental” intro for Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” is among the most recognizable bass lines in the history of pop music.

 

Klaus main weapon of choice was his custom painted Fender Precision.

 

Klaus Voorman Sound & Vision….

 

Manfred Mann “The Mighty Quinn” https://youtu.be/kMRWPu1LCXw

 

George Harrison “Give Me Love” https://youtu.be/LYW9cjcO_SY

 

John Lennon “How Do You Sleep”  Outtakes https://youtu.be/FoJQAyrUHhA

 

John Lennon “Instant Karma” https://youtu.be/NVoeNxWxjdA

 

Ringo Star “Photograph” https://youtu.be/nevdSt_2PIM

 

“Your So Vain” https://youtu.be/cleCtBP0o5Y

 

Harry Nilsson “Spaceman” https://youtu.be/-yK5vUFBshM

 

Dig Tony Senatore’s renditions of these Klaus classics!

 

George Harrison’s “The Art of Dying” https://youtu.be/DKPRhk4zap8

 

John Lennon’s “Crippled Inside” https://youtu.be/k0uFU2lPAGA

 

John Lennon’s “Gimmie Some Truth” https://youtu.be/k0uFU2lPAGA

 

George Harrison “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long” https://youtu.be/nvh3XJlfv9w

 

George Harrison “I’d Have You Anytime” https://youtu.be/HRE8DtzfZo8

 

Courtesy of Yolanda Charles Facebook Com

 

By Thomas Semioli

 

First call UK session player/ side-woman, clinician, educator (Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester) Yolanda Charles’ genre traversing career spans such ensembles and artists including Urban Species, Paul Weller, Eric Clapton, BB King, Roger Daltrey, The Deep Mo, Dave Stewart, Van Morrison, Alison Moyet, Robbie Williams, Jimmy Somerville, Sinead O’Connor, and Squeeze to cite a very select few.

 

Starting out as a guitarist in her teens, Yolanda tended to pick out bass lines on her instrument. As such, instructor came up with a solution “you don’t want to be a guitar player, you want to be a bass player!” And the rest, as they say…is history!

 

Yolanda cites Marcus Miller’s work with Luther Vandross as an influence, along with Barry “Sunjohn” Johnson with Don Blackman’s Family Tradition.  Her first high profile gig was with Jimmy Somerville at the age of 18, which led to additional work – to which Charles credits her skills as a backing vocalist as well. 

 

For her services to music Ms. Charles was bestowed Member of the Order of the British Empire at the 2020 Birthday Honours, hence her MBE designation on Know Your Bass Player Com! 

 

Yolanda Charles Sound & Vision…

 

Project FUNK “We Live in Brooklyn” https://youtu.be/0uf7TxX0OEE

 

Paul Weller: “Shadow of the Sun” https://youtu.be/Jl8NzFQ7oM4

 

Squeeze: “Rough Ride” https://youtu.be/33lKPTFmD0E

 

Solo Yolanda: “The Game” https://youtu.be/pTvMoA1GyV4

 

The Deep Mo “These Times” https://youtu.be/wbNMl1xr9x4

 

 

Photo by Julien Fontenelli Courtesy of Yolanda Charles Facebook

By Thomas Semioli

Self-taught and greatly inspired by Charles Mingus and British and American rhythm and blues, Jones plies his craft with a repertoire of glissandos, harmonics, and three-finger riffage, among other techniques, in his work as a jazz-fusion prog-rock master.

A composer, arranger, sideman, collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, and solo recording artist, Percy has anchored several watershed sides, most notably as a member of Brand X, and with Brian Eno, Roy Harper, Steve Hackett, David Sylvian, and Tunnels to cite a very select few.

A University of Liverpool Engineering student, Jones put his education towards designing assorted bass guitar pedals and gadgetry such as a Voltage Controlled Filter and various flange devices.

Among Percy’s weapons of choice include a Fretless Fender Precision, Wal basses produced by Electric Wood Limited, and customized Ibanez instruments.

 

Percy Jones Sound & Vision

Percy with KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore, Van Romaine, and Manolo Badrena on “Shapla” https://youtu.be/x4d6_qnRPrk

Brand X:

“Noddy Goes To Sweden” https://youtu.be/2K6OvrKyoGU

“Nuclear Burn” Live https://youtu.be/aPouOx7nAnI

Brian Eno:

“No One Receiving” https://youtu.be/eYDBTYfn9D8

Tunnels

“Tunnels No. 1” https://youtu.be/ghXyKhA-3nw

Solo artist:

“Thin Line” https://youtu.be/WH9samKzsaA

By Thomas Semioli

He set the template for scores of players – including Kenny Aaronson, Sal Maida, and Joe Gagliardo – with a lifetime’s worth of bass riffs. When he put down the instrument, he forged an equally influential (and more high profile) career as a producer during the zeitgeist of the singer songwriter movement of the 1970s.

Cradling an Epiphone Rivoli, Paul Samwell-Smith’s decidedly aggressive motifs with The Yardbirds profoundly inspired generations of rockers spanning Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, and the original Alice Cooper band to cite a very, very, very select few.

As a founding member of The Yardbirds, Paul Samwell-Smith anchored  classics including “For Your Love,” “Over Under, Sideways, Down,” and “Heart Full of Soul” among others, which were a watershed meld of blues, pop, and psychedelic rock.

After Paul split from the group in 1966 – surrendering bass duties to Jimmy Page –  he turned to the producer’s chair guiding such artists as Renaissance, Cat Stevens (Mona Bone Jakon, Tea for the Tillerman, Teaser & the Firecat,  Catch Bull at Four, Buddah & The Chocolate Box), Carly Simon (Anticipation),  Chris De Burgh, and Murray Head, among others, on several of their finest recorded works.

 

Paul Samwell-Smith Sound & Vision

Dig Paul Samwell-Smith workin’ the pocket and walkin’ double time on multi-instrumentalist / bassist Graham Gouldman’s composition “Evil Hearted You.” https://bit.ly/2R4nUsE

Dig the Yardbirds on American television “For Your Love” https://youtu.be/HU5zqidlxMQ

Dig Kenny Aaronson in the 21st Century Yardbirds https://youtu.be/HBzIHJwJlt8

Dig Billy Sheehan talkin’ and riffin’ Paul Samwell-Smith https://youtu.be/GTZHEo9gY6I

Courtesy of Beach Boys Com

 

By Thomas Semioli

 

His legacy and influence as bass guitar innovator and pioneer stands equal to James Jamerson, Sir Paul, Jaco, Jack Bruce, Duck Dunn, and Chris Squire – to cite a select few legends.  Perhaps the one reason why Brian Douglas Wilson is not (often) considered among the instrument’s elite is that his parts were mostly cut by studio bassists rather than himself. Regardless, Brian wrote ‘em!

 

We’ll leave it to the history books to discuss Brian the songwriter, conceptualist, producer, arranger,  collaborator, recording artist, bandleader, studio maestro, visionary…

 

Listen to any Brian Beach Boys track and behold the bass passages as songs within the songs. If you consider every Wilson composition a “mini opera” – as I do, then Brian’s bass parts emerge as operas within the operas!

 

A student of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and all things Phil Spector – in short, Brian expanded the language of the instrument by combining its role as a harmonic and rhythmic foundation with that of melodic catalyst.

 

Volumes have been written dissecting and analyzing, Brian’s compositional methods, song forms, and influences. To fully appreciate Brian’s work as a bassist, it would certainly help if you have a working knowledge of music theory and harmony. If not, simply delve into the tracks and allow yourself to absorb the true genius of Brian Wilson the bass player.

 

Brian Wilson Sound & Vision:

“Good Vibrations” https://youtu.be/rQ-UFKxDq5o

“Sloop John B.” https://youtu.be/MWJXTdCVsKI

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” https://youtu.be/3y44BJgkdZs

“Surfer Moon” https://youtu.be/hn9yozBz9Ys

“When I Grow Up to Be A Man” https://youtu.be/S3E0TSyu-Gg

“God Only Knows” https://youtu.be/u90beUXTKwo

 

By Thomas Semioli

Among the first established upright cats to embrace the electric amid a storm of criticism from the jazz police, Bob Cranshaw was renowned for his long association with Sonny Rollins. In fact, Cranshaw gravitated to the instrument as a result of a serious back injury in an automobile accident.

 

A prolific recording artist and sideman, he is among the instrument’s most recorded players on upright and electric.  Bob’s career spanned Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, George Shearing, Frank Sinatra, Grant Green, Judy Collins, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson to cite an extremely select few.

 

Cranshaw served as the first house bass player for Saturday Night Live from 1975-80 and was the musical director for The Dick Cavett Show in the 1980s.

 

An activist for the Musician’s Union, Bob was a strong campaigner for artists’ rights regarding pensions and royalties until his passing in 2016.

 

Bob Cranshaw Sound & Vision

With Paul Simon “It Was a Sunny Day” https://youtu.be/Kz9o3tf9lmk

Bob on stage with Sonny Jazz Jambouree 1980 https://youtu.be/QWE83meaNME

With Lee Morgan “You Go to My Head” https://youtu.be/dMsBCDVXHGc

With Buddy Rich “How Long” https://youtu.be/jtFmLwdUqnw

Courtesy of Victor Wooten Com

By Thomas Semioli

“Any good bassist’s first task is to help make your group sound better.”

He is considered the “Michael Jordan” of the instrument! An author, composer, educator, entrepreneur, recording artist, and founding member of the groundbreaking blu-bop (as in bluegrass and be-bop) ensemble Bela Fleck and the Flecktones- Victor Lemonte Wooten is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent electric bassists.

Inspired by Larry Graham, Bootsy, Stanley Clarke, and Willie Weeks – Wooten’s command of numerous bass techniques along with his signature double-thumb method is unparalleled.

Born to military parents who were constantly relocating during his youth, Victor’s siblings were all musicians – and they needed a bass player. Hence at the age of 2, young Victor was on the bandstand with his brothers before he could sit up straight in a chair. Wooten is quick to emphasize the diversity of 1960s radio stations, the support of his mom and dad, and his brothers ability to play music in a wide array of genres and styles to be among his most important influences.

In addition to his work as a performer and recording artist, Victor is a prolific educator. He founded Bass/Nature Camp in 2000, which morphed into Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature. Wooten is also an instructor at the Victor Wooten/Berklee Summer Bass Workshops in Boston along with bassist Steve Bailey.

Victor favors Fodera basses, including his signature model. A multi-instrumentalist and upright player, Wooten is also a cellist and will occasionally perform on the instrument with the Flecktones.

Victor Wooten Sound & Vision:

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones:

“Sex in a Pan” live https://youtu.be/lZQeoT6rQNo

“Sinister Minister” https://youtu.be/w9XDUBDMNuk

With SMV (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten) Live 2009  https://youtu.be/p2A1JuPUHlE

Solo Victor:

“U Can’t Hold No Groove” https://youtu.be/gfErjPvJrwQ

“Me and My Bass Guitar” https://youtu.be/ek_pOuwjW-Y

“Victa” https://youtu.be/UnKw136PP38

Courtesy of Jeff Berlin Music Group Com

By Thomas Semioli

 

“Jeff Berlin is the best bass player on the planet!” Geddy Lee

 

“He’s …The best bass player I’ve ever heard.” Jack Bruce

 

Yet another influential player from Queens County New York, Jeff Berlin is not only a master bassist, recording artist, music journalist, podcast host, and composer – he is an acclaimed educator whose books, lectures and videos are essential for serious bassists. (www.JeffBerlinMusicGroup.com)

 

Jeff’s journey as a musician began with violin at age 14. Then, like sooooo many of his generation, he saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show and….the rest, as we say, is history.

 

Jeff’s big break came in 1977 when Yes drummer Bill Bruford tabbed him for his solo ensemble. The Bruford collective waxed four seminal jazz fusion sides which garnered attention aplenty among rock and jazz fans, and aspiring bassists: Feels Good To Me (1977), One of a Kind (1979), The Bruford Tapes (1980), and Gradually Going Tornado (1980) which prominently featured Jeff on bass – and vocals.

 

A prolific recording artist Berlin exemplifies everything that is engaging in jazz fusion – his supportive passages, improv, and melodic prowess have inspired players for generations.

 

Much has been written (and said) about Jeff’s strong opinions regarding his views on being a musician, and the craft of bass playing – however I find Jeff to be spot on in many instances. Plus, his resume speaks for itself.

 

For those of you keeping sideman score, dig a sampling of Jeff’s collaborative credits which include Patrick Moraz, Patti Austin, Ray Barretto, David Liebman, the aforementioned  Bill Bruford, Passport, Allan Holdsworth, Janis Ian, k.d. Laing, and Ritchie Kotzen, to cite a very select few.

 

Jeff Berlin Sound & Vision

With Bruford live 1979: https://youtu.be/nYgD8x12kfE

With Patrick Moraz “Rise and Fall” https://youtu.be/pHrKrFBnDq0

Jeff Berlin Music Group “Cissy Strut” https://youtu.be/GfSEz-F48jE