By Thomas Semioli

When synthesizers become commonplace in the 1980s, bassists had to adapt or die! Among the most adept at working with the emerging digital technology that revolutionized (or some say “killed”) the pop music landscape was Paul Gardiner with Gary Numan’s Tubeway Army, and later as the anchor of Numan’s solo band.

Gardiner fortified synthesizer motifs with unison lines, pocket grooves, harmonic extensions, and fretless which afforded the instrument a role – albeit a greatly reduced one.

A composer and keyboardist, Gardiner also recorded a few minor hit singles under his own name in his native UK including a remake of the Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs,” and also guested on Robert Palmer’s groundbreaking Clues collection in 1980.

Dig Paul with Tubeway Army:

“Are Friends Electric?” https://youtu.be/ZF4Z6smOrZw

“Down In The Park” https://youtu.be/K1EUxGZQoDU

Dig Paul with Gary:

“Stormtrooper in Drag” https://youtu.be/obmdmWqtcss

Dig Paul’s rendition of “Venus In Furs” https://youtu.be/v0Kz1qFGEbo

Dig Paul with Robert Palmer “I Dream of Wires” https://youtu.be/WOmoURHDgVM

Try cutting bass tracks with Jennifer Anniston, Courtney Cox, and Mary-Louise Parker in the studio!

He was a Counting Crow when the Crows actually counted on the 1990s rock music landscape. A dexterous player who mastered fretted, fretless, extended range, and upright in a pop context– Matt Malley anchored Adam Duritz’ confessional compositions which moved millions and were staples during the last hurrah of FM music radio in the grunge era.

Among Malley’s co-writing credits include “Accidentally In Love” which found its way on to the Shrek 2 soundtrack, netting the bassist Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe nominations! Following his split with the Crows back in 2004, Matt has collaborated on a world music project with guitarist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and with Yes singer Jon Anderson for Family Circle wherein Malley played all the instruments. Among his recording and stage credits include Emitt Rhodes, Jerry Donahue, and Beverley Martyn. He also waxed a solo slab entitled The Goddess Within.

With the Crows, Malley plied passages which grooved appropriately and kept the singer on key (mostly) as starlets aplenty swooned o’er the libretto of the lovelorn dread-locked poet.

Nice work if you can get it!

Dig Matt with Counting Crows:

“Accidentally In Love” https://youtu.be/QUypt2nvorM

“Mr. Jones” https://youtu.be/-oqAU5VxFWs

“Hangin’ Around” https://youtu.be/ARiiO_41Id8

Dig Matt with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

“The Eternal Wait” https://youtu.be/SKoWb2oIjyA

Dig Matt solo from The Goddess Within

“How You Are” https://youtu.be/SceWIAfX23Q

“Into the Silence” https://youtu.be/UlfAVautin4

When the Black Crowes broke big in 1990, all of a sudden everything old was new again and again and again as retro became vogue in rock….and remains so to this day.

An entrepreneur, radio / digital media host, among other endeavors – the bassist born Charles Brandt skillfully plied his craft on a variety of instruments (vintage Fenders, Ampeg, Gibson basses) for the Crowes in the tradition of the British rockers that profoundly influenced the Marietta, Georgia quintet. Colt was given to groovin’ in-the-pocket and punctuating the brothers Robinson with occasional counter-melodies delivered with a gritty tone.

An affable chap and versatile player, Johnny’s enjoyed continued artistic and commercial success following his split from the Black Crowes with his trio Brand New Immortals, along with Train, Rock Star Supernova, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others.

Johnny Colt Sound & Vision…

Black Crowes:

“Remedy” https://youtu.be/BYyRLTveFJQ

 “Hard to Handle” https://youtu.be/BRcs_OzQb14

“Twice as Hard” https://youtu.be/XLg7aoGAkkk

 Live at Pinkpop 1990 https://youtu.be/APYX_VjkbOg

“Feelin’ Alright” https://youtu.be/Z5gEMaeIYCU

 Brand New Immortals:

 “Reasons Why” https://youtu.be/QbAIUgg-BqY

“Tiny Voices”  https://youtu.be/65KhQSQ0hoM

Johnny Colt Solo:

“Strychnine” https://youtu.be/93fN4YBxLPQ

As the anchor of the Dave Matthews Band for three decades and counting, Stefen Lessard has established himself as an exemplary pocket player, improviser, soloist, and melodic foil for one of the most popular and prolific jam bands in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.

Stefan started out on trumpet and at age 16, he answered the call to join Matthews’ fledging ensemble, and the rest as they say, is history…

Spanning jazz fusion, funk, folk, bluegrass, alternative rock, and pop with Matthews – Lessard plies his craft slapping, finger-plucking, and plectrum purveying on a variety of basses ranging from vintage Fenders to Warwick, Modulus, Norstrand, fretted and fretless, and extended range boutique instruments to old-school upright.

Dig Stefan with the DMB…

“Crush” https://youtu.be/elUwSHjfA94

“Two Step” live https://youtu.be/NTC__g12xPs

“Don’t Drink the Water” https://youtu.be/psIuidkkLjI

“Tripping Billies” https://youtu.be/vsUuYkMHV4w

“Ants Marching” https://youtu.be/FoezrZ-DCJw

By Thomas Semioli

“Because nobody wanted to play bass, I was instantly in a band!”

Leslie Edward Claypool is a genre unto his own…

He is a prolific, dexterous, multi-faceted master of poly-rhythmic bass artistry which he plies on a variety of instruments by way of numerous techniques (some self invented – such as his Flamenco stroking coupled with finger-tapping) which defy convention.

And if that’s not enough for one world class bassist, Les has additionally distinguished himself as a composer, record and video producer, author, actor, wine maker, stage performer, humorist, session player, film / television soundtrack composer, collaborator / bandmember (Oysterhead), and solo recording artist – among other endeavors.

Leader of the iconic funk punk progressive experimental ensemble Primus – which came to prominence during the 1990s grunge era zeitgeist – Claypool’s collaborations span Metallica, Rob Wasserman, Spinal Tap, Jerry Cantrell, Govt. Mule, Jack Irons, Firehose, Tom Waits, Adrian Belew, and Hank Williams III to reference a very “conservative” few.

Les cites Larry Graham, Sir Paul, Geddy Lee, Bootsy, Stanley Clarke, and John Paul Jones among his influences, and scores of bassists list Les among their heroes.

To see and hear Les live is to appreciate him: keep tabs with Claypool via www.LesClaypool.com . Claypool is on that very, very short list of bassists you must experience in your lifetime!

Dig Les with Primus:

“My Name is Mud” https://youtu.be/953PkxFNiko

“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” https://youtu.be/aYDfwUJzYQg

“Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” https://youtu.be/LBQ2305fLeA

“Lacquer Head” https://youtu.be/kY7jSesdxl0

Dig Les with Oysterhead (with Stewart Copland, Trey Anastasio) Live at Bonnaroo 2006 https://youtu.be/X9uk9IcoQ0w

Soul-jazz bass ? Jazz-fusion bass? Just call it…Gary King!

A giant of the instrument, Gary King is revered among serious players for his groundbreaking tenure as house bassist for Bob James’ Tappan Zee imprint, and numerous releases on the CTI label, among others.

A monster groove player (and soloist), King anchored seminal sides by James, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., Idris Muhammad, Alphonse Mouzon, Stanley Turrentine, Lenny White, Gato Barbieri, Roberta Flack, Joe Farrell, Maynard Ferguson, Hubert Laws, Mark Colby, Steve Kahn, and Tom Scott to cite a select few.

Gary’s unique gritty tone (which he often coaxed out of a Gibson hollow-body instrument) coupled with his expansive harmonic and rhythmic expertise set the standard for modern day “smooth jazz” players.

How many times Gary has been sampled in the hip-hop / digital Tik-Tok era?

Gary King Sound & Vision…

Bob James – “Touchdown” https://youtu.be/nS_k4E1vN_E

Alphonse Mouzon – “Funky Snakefoot” https://youtu.be/FownCLxUZX8

Tom Scott – “New York Connection” https://youtu.be/cBaqH796W60

Grover Washington Jr. – “Mr. Magic” https://youtu.be/yo9lI_cn2wo

Eric Gale – “De Rabbit” https://youtu.be/E_d3C-Z5J8s

Idris Muhammad – “Power of Soul” https://youtu.be/3GB2w1J8FyY

Courtesy of Mark Bass Com

Yo! Check it out, dawg! I’m just keepin’ it real.”

Previous to his American Idol fame, Randall Darius Jackson was an in-demand, first-call LA session bassist and sideman.

Randy’s genre traversing career spans stage and studio work with Jean Luc-Ponty, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Journey, Whitney Houston, Herbie Hancock, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Mariah Carey, Stevie Nicks, George Michael,  Billy Joel, George Benson, Michael Bolton, Mary J. Blige, and Billy Cobham to cite a select few.

A songwriter, Grammy Award winning producer, philanthropist, music industry executive, entrepreneur, author, radio host, educator, and recording artist – Randy Jackson’s place in the top echelon of master groove bass players and improvisers is absolute, despite the fact that most folks know him (only) as a TV personality!

Randy Jackson Sound & Vision…

Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” https://youtu.be/eH3giaIzONA

Jean Luc-Ponty “Demagomania” https://youtu.be/CQ2_lAMJBnA

Bruce Springsteen:  “Man’s Job” https://youtu.be/mdELzYFKS18

Journey “Girl Can’t Help It” https://youtu.be/h9TgWj2Kln4

Aretha Franklin / Keith Richards  “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” https://youtu.be/RnbHRL_9nqc

Randy Jackson’s Music Club https://youtu.be/oDlJ_BgYlgY

He is the Chicago cat whom Gordon Sumner, the Stones, and Miles relied on to bring a fresh, funky veneer to their time-tested repertoire and latter-day canon.

Darryl “The Munch” Jones’ mastery of slap and fingerpicking styles abetted by his loyalty to the language of rhythm and blues affords him a unique stance among the legends he anchors – Jones knows his history and his employers sound all the better for it.

Though Stones sticklers oft deride Darryl’s three decade and counting tenure in the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band – nearly half their hallowed career – Jones, to my ears, serves the band well –quoting Bill Wyman’s
essential motifs with a decidedly crisp tone bolstered by buoyant harmonic embellishments. Hence the Rolling Stones gather (relatively) no moss into the 21st Century…

Dig Darryl soloing on “Miss You” https://youtu.be/YI-OzM0dy30

With Miles, Darryl was a catalyst – pushing Davis with his fierce grooves. Of course, Miles knew how to choose his bassists.

Dig Darryl on Miles’ “Decoy” https://youtu.be/DcewuivRsRM

With Sting, Jones freed the bassist to focus on his vocals and rhythm guitar playing while he afforded the ex-copper a strong funk foundation.

Dig Darryl slappin’ and dancin’ “If You Love Someone Set Them Free” https://youtu.be/LSGl3d4KOMk

Among Darryl’s choice of weapons include Fender Jazz, Fender Precision, Fender Mustang, and Lakeland, among many others. Daryl also started his own boutique instrument company, aptly named Jones Musical Instruments.

Dig Darryl talking Fender https://youtu.be/ltDn-gZzeF0

Darryl’s touring and session credits also include: The Darryl Jones Project, Stone Raiders, 3 Brave Souls, Steps Ahead, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Bernard Fowler, Lenny White, John Scofield, and the Gil Evans Big Band, to cite a select few.

Keep up with Darryl at www.DarrylJones.Com