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Mark Sandman (Morphine)

With his distinct slide / strum approach and two string bass – the late Mark Sandman helmed alternative “low rockers” Morphine for five remarkable studio slabs and archival live releases.

Melding blues, jazz, beat generation, and traditional rock – Sandman was a prolific composer with a baritone croon who also experimented with variations on the traditional bass with one and three string configurations, sometimes incorporating guitar strings and altered tunings.

Mark was also a comic artist (The Twinemen), a name which Morphine drummer Billy Connelly adopted for an ensemble that paid tribute to the late bassist.

Mark Sandman Sound & Vision….

“Cure for Pain” https://youtu.be/3kWryRdJMOA

“Buena” https://youtu.be/5XKgzWGGVVA

Dig Les Claypool paying tribute to Mark with Morphine on “Honey White” https://youtu.be/nL3ePKLEJlE

Clint Conley (Mission of Burma)

Plying his craft with chords, counter-melodies, double-stops, sound effects, and volume aplenty; bassist Clint Conley has anchored Boston post-punk powerhouse Mission of Burma for nearly forty years, give or take a few decades.

A guitarist and composer, Conley has also waxed sides with Consonant, Moving Parts, and has served as a producer for Yo La Tengo on Ride The Tiger (1986) wherein he cut three bass tracks.

Dig Clint on “Peking Spring” https://youtu.be/tWkNIyfBqJ0

Dig Clint on “Academy Fight Song” https://youtu.be/DXkZI7WZWOo

Dig Clint on guitar with Consonant https://youtu.be/Dd3eR68Fpts

Fred Smith (Television)

With bass passages borne of rhythm and blues, old school rock ‘n’ roll, and soul influences, bassist Fred Smith anchored one of the most influential ensembles to emerge from the New York City punk movement: Television.

A founding member of Blondie when they were known as Angel and the Snake, Fred’s conventional style was the perfect platform for Tom Verlaine to explore the outer reaches of his angular guitar artistry.

Smith also waxed sides and performed with his former bandleader Verlaine (including Dreamtime which also features Donnie Nossov), The Roches, Willie Nile, The Fleshtones, Richard Lloyd, and Peregrins, to cite a few.

Fred Smith Sound & Vision with Television

“Marquee Moon” https://youtu.be/g4myghLPLZc

“The Fire” https://youtu.be/aQflpcCR11A

“Days” https://youtu.be/w7UjpWhF2d8

Dave Allen (Gang of Four, Shreikback)

A founding member of two seminal British ensembles, Gang of Four and Shriekback, bassist Dave Allen brought a decidedly funky disposition to the “post-punk” genre. His sharp tone, occasional slap style, and rhythmic approach referenced dance, dub, and reggae styles.

With Shreikback’s new wave / pop inclinations, Allen’s playing became more refined, working the fretless, with subtle flange and chorus effects.

A composer, producer, collaborator, and entrepreneur with his World Domination label – Allen waxed sides under his own name as a member of Elastic Purejoy, Low Pop Suicide, and King Swamp, among others.

Dig David and Gang of Four on this live rendition “Damaged Goods” https://youtu.be/YI-9N-PasvM

Dig David with Shriekback “Underwater Boys” https://youtu.be/IdlYTP_41Is

Barry Adamson (Magazine, Nick Cave)

Known for his tenure as a bassist with Magazine, and later as a Bad Seed with Nick Cave, Barry Adamson is a veritable genre unto himself.

An acclaimed writer, prolific solo artist, filmmaker, video game and movie soundtrack composer (David Lynch, Oliver Stone), producer, band member (The Birthday Party, Visage) vocalist, engineer (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), performance artist, multi-instrumentalist, and photographer – among other endeavors – Barry the bass player plied adventurous grooves and countermelodies with a sharp, resonant tone that helped define the early post-punk era which merged avant-garde, no wave, and industrial.

Barry Adamson Sound & Vision…

“They Walk Among Us” https://youtu.be/Yl7spTDEVLU

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!