Thomas Semioli, Author at Know Your Bass Player

Ed Grundy (Bloodrock)

By Thomas Semioli

Plying his craft with a fuzzy tone and a funky disposition, Ed Grundy grounded the gritty Ft. Worth, Texas ensemble Bloodrock for a six slabs which were mercurial meld of hard-rock, soul, prog, blues, and psychedelia throughout their 1969-74 lifespan.

Managed and produced by Grand Funk Railroad mastermind Terry Knight, Bloodrock scored their biggest hit with “D.O.A.” and were a staple on free form FM radio and concert stages (often in support of GFRR) in the early 70s. The band split in mid-decade and Grundy retired from the music business, however they did reunite for a benefit show in 2005 for an ailing member which was captured on DVD.

“D.O.A.” Live from the 2005 Reunion https://youtu.be/_ShOf3TD7rE

“Gotta Find A Way” https://youtu.be/kDWH3hOP6q8

“Cheater” https://youtu.be/rU_foI7_IlQ

“Kool Aid Kids” https://youtu.be/jVVuHP6PRCg

David Freiberg (Quicksilver Messenger Service)

Courtesy of DF Quicksilver Com

He anchored one of the most influential bands of the 1960s and was a prominent member of one of the most successful ensembles of the 1970s.

A versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, producer, bandmember, collaborator…David Freiberg was among the most prolific musicians to emerge from the psychedelic San Francisco rock scene in the 1960s- and whose career continues well into the 21^st Century.

David was a founding member and bassist with the iconic Bay Area ensemble Quicksilver Messenger Service. He also co-founded Jefferson Starship with Paul Kantner wherein he mostly served on keyboards, and occasionally played bass when Pete Sears and/or Jack Casady were otherwise occupied.

Freiberg started out on violin and viola in his youth. Classically trained, he gravitated to the burgeoning folk scene in Venice Beach, California – sharing digs with David Crosby and Paul Kantner. He also befriended Dino Valenti – with whom he would create QMS – a collective that defined the rock era of the late 1960s.

Following QMS, Freiberg joined forces with Kantner as a touring member of Jefferson Airplane in its waning days. David appeared prominently on several of Paul’s solo / collaborative projects before forming Jefferson Starship in the early 1970s – a platinum selling arena rock force that would scale commercial and artistic heights which consequently defined the pop music era of the 1970s!

When Jefferson Starship’s commercial and artistic fortunes declined, Frieberg remained active in several offshoot ensembles with Kantner, most notably Jefferson Starship Next Generation – which heralded a return to both artists’ folk rock, activist roots.

David now helms the repertory ensemble David Freiberg’s Quicksilver Messenger Service – keep up with their activities here: http://dfquicksilver.com/

David Freiberg Sound & Vision…as a bassist!

Quicksilver Messenger Service

“Pride of Man” https://youtu.be/5LPPE-k4IDM

“When You Love” https://youtu.be/F72smKhkx5A

“Maiden of the Cancer Moon” https://youtu.be/RhD-RSDhG_Y

“Mona” https://youtu.be/RhD-RSDhG_Y

“Who Do You Love Suite” https://youtu.be/PDIkBtKOq1I

Jefferson Starship: “That’s For Sure” https://youtu.be/bB9QVrq8SrU

Danny Thompson (Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake)

The BBC has awarded him two lifetime achievement awards! In a single lifetime, Daniel Henry Edward Thompson is among the most eclectic and accomplished bassists in recorded music appearing on thousands of recordings spanning pop, to film soundtracks.

Thompson’s career as a sideman / collaborator reads akin to a who’s who of legendary artists: John Martyn, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Donovan, Rod Stewart, Tim Buckley, Roy Orbison, and Alexis Korner to cite an extremely select few.

A founding member of British jazz-folk icons Pentangle, Thompson plies his craft on “Victoria” – an upright built in 1865, and “Alfie” a more recent instrument.

In addition to his high-profile career as a sideman and collaborator, Thompson has waxed several sides under his own name as a bandleader. Thompson started his journey as a trombone player, and many of the elements of that instrument – from phrasing and note choices – are evident his bass artistry.

Danny Thompson Sound & Vision

With Richard Thompson “The Ghost of You Walks” https://youtu.be/eNPl5bI4wq0

With John Martyn “Couldn’t Love You More” https://youtu.be/_bi8uRmFKTY

With Pentagle “Willy O Winsbury” https://youtu.be/nwqP_yoszCE

With Nick Drake “Time Has Told Me” https://youtu.be/G8SmkwS82u4

Danny solo “Whatever” https://youtu.be/_UpbXowLFSo

John Ford (The Strawbs)

If it were only for his (rather) brief tenure in The Strawbs, John Ford would still be considered a bona fide rock and roll legend.

In a career which has spanned his days on Denmark street as a session player, Ford is nn extraordinary bassist with an instantly identifiable presence by way of his tone and “percussive” attack, John’s career as a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, composer, and session player, rivals his peers including Geddy Lee, Gordon Sumner, Chris Squire, and Sir Paul.

John’s timeless body of work as a member of The Strawbs, along with Hudson-Ford, and The Monks, to cite a very select few, expanded the language of the art-form that is rock and roll. And he’s still waxing great records and tearing it up on stage. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was legit, John Ford would be a card carrying member.

Dig John’s KYBP On Film Season One interview from 2016, Euphoria Studios, New York City https://bit.ly/2DREpHV

Charles Calmese (Johnny Winter, Steve Miller)

By Tom Guerra

“Charles Calmese was one of the greatest blues / rock and roll bassists America has ever produced. Coming out of tough 1970’s Chicago, where he cut his teeth with Matt “Guitar” Murphy and James Cotton, Calmese was soon recognized worldwide as a rock solid player, with his talents ultimately being utilized by Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, and Steve Miller.

Johnny Winter told me the highlight of his life was playing in Muddy Waters’ band, alongside Charles. After having made his home in Willimantic, CT, Calmese became a fixture on the local scene with bands such as Avalanche and the Shaboo All-Stars.

I met Charles after securing a guitar spot in the short-lived “Easton Bros. Band,” after which he became a great mentor and friend to me. He was a very giving person with a great, funny, friendly, larger than life personality.

To me, Charles was the ultimate bass player, whose groove always reminded me of a slow rolling Mack Truck… was steady, powerful, and unstoppable. Charles was so great, as a musician and as a guy….he was hand-picked to play on Steve Miller’s Fly Like an Eagle and Book of Dreams.

Sadly, Charles’ life was cut short in late October, 1988 after a head on collision while returning home from a late night show.

Charles Calmese Sound & Vision…

Muddy Waters “Deep Down in Florida” https://youtu.be/BT5S3QGljyE

Steve Miller Band “Sacrifice” https://youtu.be/pTV6-Wcv_zo

Johnny Winter: “Sweet Love & Evil Women” https://youtu.be/KZXj6aiH5Jc

From KYBP Readers…

Holly Amx: Tom, I wish David could have seen this tribute. We were devastated to learn right after his accident that he passed. He was such a close friend and like a brother to David. Their jamin’ together once again in the heavens and cookin’ up some porgies and blackfish. Thanks for doing this, it’s greatly appreciated.

Charles Calmese: I love and will always miss my dad, RIP pops,jah bless,

Phil Badell: I first saw Charles with Muddy and Johnny at DAR Constitution Hall. He stood out as one of The most innovative electric bass players in blues, I believe of all time. And to this day I still refer many bass player to him as the way to Play traditional blues with a modern spin. I also learned that when he moved to Connecticut, and decided to stay, that it was because he was able to branch out, and work on different projects. If you look at his body of work, and the myriad of projects that Charles Calmese was involved with, I can just imagine where he would be today. He remains an influence to many new bass players, And I truly wish I had been able to meet him. Rest in peace Charles.

Extra Jimmies: What a talent…..saw him a number of times, but his shows at Shaboo with the James Cotton band were legendary. Still my favorite bass player…..may he forever R.I.P.

Marshall Wood: Charles was really great beyond great. He took blues playing to a new level and was the first fretless player I ever heard in a blues band. I heard him twice with James Cotton during the prime of the band with Little Bo, Matt Murphy etc. and both times he absolutely blew me away. I remember they opened the show with a Stevie Wonder tune that had just hit the radio airwaves, before Cotton came on stage. It was at that moment I realized Charles was capable of so so much!

Paul Nowinski (Keith Richards, Les Paul)

My former classmate and “F-Clef Gang” cohort at the University of Miami, Paul Nowinski is a multi-genre master of the upright, electric, and though I have yet to hear him on his beloved Viola da Gambas, I’m sure he aces that thing too.

Paul anchored the Les Paul Trio for years, in addition to several sessions and one slab (so far) with Keith Richards, Rickie Lee Jones, Pat Martino, the Boston Pops, and New York Voices, among many others.

Dig Paul on Know Your Bass Player On Film Season One 2016 – New York City Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/32zoMNR

Cait O’Riordan (The Pogues)

Though she downplayed her work to this writer/ interviewer in Know Your Bass Player On Film, opining that her role was more of mayhem maker than a bass line maker, Caitlin O’Riordan made rock history as the anchor and a founding member of the Irish-London Celtic punk band The Pogues.

A singer, bassist, composer, and actress – Cait’s root-fifth style is rooted in the forthright tradition that her former ensemble forged upon a new generation of rockers.

Cait also cameoed on songs, slabs, soundtracks, and gigs with Elvis Costello, Pride of the Cross, Sid and Nancy (1986), Straight to Hell (1987) and The Radiators, among others.

Dig Cait on Know Your Bass Player On Film – Season One New York City 2016 (Euphoria Studios) https://bit.ly/2YHIV2W

Hannah Moorhead (The Giraffes)

Hannah Moorhead was born to play bass. With a yen for vintage instruments, Hannah’s passages sit in the pocket as she shapes motifs which define the composition. During our on-camera interview Hannah revealed to me the healing powers of the bass with a transcendent missive which consequently enlightened all the other players in the room as well. A singer, collaborator, and composer, Hannah and her divine tools of the trade (Rickenbacker, Fender) are inseparable – physically, emotionally, and spiritually!

Dig Hannah’s interview on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One – 2016, New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/3gKyxOo

Theo Regan (Vagabond Hearts)

He plies his craft on the upright with a deep, earnest resonance abetted by a deft command of rhythm and space which he garnered from absorbing genres spanning opera, classical, and what Theo Regan refers to as “American music” – blues, jazz, country, folk, and new wave rock. When Theo plunked a few notes on his doghouse during our filming session in New York City, every electric player in the room turned around to marvel and how his perfect note choices and phrasing glided through the air. Regan also rocks on electric, with a history in punk/hardcore, rockabilly, and garage. For a cat who continues to study hard, Theo makes it look so damn easy – as the best players always do. A sharp dresser to boot, be advised to hear Theo with the Vagabond Hearts.

Watch Theo on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One, 2016 New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/32z1Jmm

Tony Senatore (Genya Ravan)

He is the Know Your Bass Player Adjunct Professor, contributing writer and video artist whose bassline renderings on KYBP profiles are both informative and entertaining. As a bassist Tony Senatore has been referred to as “The Glue,” praised by Mars Cowling and his former legendary bandleader Genya Ravan, and garnered accolades aplenty from producers, engineers, journalists, and peers, among many others far too numerous to cite. In a contemporary bass culture, which in my opinion, no longer seeks to explore the possibilities -and adventures – of the extended range and other “non-traditional” paths with the fervor of our rock and fusion forefathers– “Senny” exudes the attitude, spirit, and disposition of the greats from all genres and generations past who took the instrument to places others never imagined.

An educator, journalist, composer, collaborator, sideman, band-member, recording artist, and permutations thereof, Tony expounds his outlook that bassists should be free to express themselves by any means necessary -from one to multiple strings, effects, and technology – but to always understand and practice the fundamentals, respect tradition while moving forward, and pursue education with a balance of street smarts and academia – and enthusiasm.

Senny also works behind the scenes of Know Your Bass Player on Film – selecting guests, and participating in the interview process – and ensuring that none of the visiting players consume more than their allotted share of the catering.

2023: Tony’s 12-String George Harrison Medley….

Dig Tony’s YouTube Page: Tony Senatore’s Classic Bass Tracks : https://www.youtube.com/user/senny4405

Check out Tony Senatore Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One and Season Tres, 2016 / 2019 New York City, Euphoria Studios. https://bit.ly/2EzW4o0